Sunday 7th Sept

FA Women’s Cup 1st Round Qualifying

 It all kick’s off this Sunday with the women’s football getting into full swing across the country with the county leagues beginning their campaigns, lots of action to look forward to including a staggering 163 ties in First Round Qualifying of this years FA Women’s Cup. And it’s that competition where this Sundays match report comes from with a short trip to Thetford to watch Thetford Town Ladies take on ERWFL Division One counterparts, Stanway Pegasus Women.

 The FA Women’s Cup a huge draw in terms of both prestige and potential financial gain for clubs across the county with a rich history. Better reward too in recent season’s with the prize money in each round increasing significantly (although well below there male equivalents). Today’s match winners receiving £1800 with the losing side pocketing £450. A tidy run in the cup a huge incentive for any grassroots club.

 Todays’ clash between two sides competing in ERWFL Division One, both joining the league in the 23-24 season, now entering their 3rd season competing at this level. The ERWFL up to it’s full compliment of 36 sides across 3 divisions, Thetford competing in Division One North, Stanway Pegasus in Division One South, this the first meeting between the pair.

 Luke Pickford stepping down as joint manager at the end of last season having helped Thetford become an established side in the ERWFL recording a 5th placed finish in Division One North, Amber Browne working along side Pickford now in charge of the women’s side bringing in coach Alec Marshall, who has previous experience with King’s Lynn Town Ladies. As competition to join the ERWFL grows, it’s becoming an ever more competitive league and the clubs within it have to respond, Thetford have been busy in the close season having lost a few experienced players have brought in a good blend of experience and promising youth to bolster the squad.

 Gabby Cobb captaining King’s Lynn Town Ladies for a couple of difficult seasons for the club will have gain valuable experience and will be hungry to do well at Thetford. jess Queimedo was also at King’s Lynn last season. Young goalkeeper, Mya Parker impressed at Aylsham FC Women breaking onto the scene and making her self noticed with some impressive displays. Ruby Lakey, Jess Marriot, Megan Chandler and Sophie White are young talents looking to become established at this level while Katie Fray returns after a strong first spell with the club. Defender, Fran Peeling captains the side this season. A tough start to the season however with Thetford suffering a 4-0 and 5-0 defeat in their opening two matches. Have responded well however since clinching a 1-0 win away to Biggleswade United Women last Sunday and a 3-1 home win over local rivals Mulbarton Wanderers in midweek lifting them up to 5th in the table.

 Stanway Pegasus Women start the season with a new management team too with Luke Worley stepping down at the end of last season, Sophie Thorne takes on the managers role along side player/coach Rosi Webb. Webb also the manager of the men’s side playing in the Thurlow Nunn Division One North. Stanway Pegasus a Colchester based club, they and local rivals Stanway Rovers establishing a women’s side at the same time, Colchester United now reforming their women’s set-up sees a strong pool of clubs representing women’s football in the area. 

 Stanway Pegasus Women into their 3rd season in ERWFL Division One South having a good run in last years FA Women’s Cup eventually knocked out by FAWNL side London Seaward FC in 3rd Round Qualifying. My first look at the club despite trying on a couple of occasions last season, so keen to get to one of their games this time around along with a Reserves side competing in Essex Women’s Division Two have resembled a side packed with experience players at this level have seen several in action before several with the old East Bergholt United Ladies side. Have seen a few players depart over the summer while making a few need additions, Amy Thompson and Taylor Cooke both adding quality to the squad. A tough start to the season however with two league defeats and an early exit in the League Cup. Gained their first point of the season in midweek however in a battling 3-3 draw with newly promoted rivals Colchester United Women.

  Thetford Town FC’s, Mundford Road stadium the venue for this afternoons cup tie, the pitch looking in fantastic condition at the start of the season, a slight slope on the pitch from one corner to another. A compact ground with standing viewing on all sides a covered stand over the changing rooms and a modern clubhouse housing the bar serving hot and cold drinks. The sun shining bright with the temperatures back up to the mid twenties as we move into September (only goes downhill from here) A stiff breeze blowing keeping things cooler with some club cover around.

Thetford Town Ladies starting XI – Mya Parker, Fran Peeling (C), Sausha Levy-Twomey, Jess Marriott, Hannah Claughton, Shannon Chandler, Dayna Howard, Megan Chandler, Jess Queimedo, Liv Dunne & Gabby Cobb. Subs – Keileigh Dixon, Zoe Klimcke, Emily Birt, Ruby Lakey, Sophie White, Mollie O’Callaghan & Katie Fray.

Stanway Pegasus Women starting XI – Kaitlyn Brand, Darcy Abel, Jessica Clark (C), Deben Howlett, Teigan McHale, Jade Clemmens, Jessica Gill, Hayleigh Jenkins, Kira Wealls, Amy Thompson & Jade Horne. Subs – Brogan McHale, Imogen Fisher & Rosi Webb.

 Thetford naming a full compliment of 7 substitutes upon their bench, 5 of which can be used. Stanway Pegasus with a few missing, including new recruit Taylor Cooke out with a wrist injury naming just the 3 on the bench. Edward Colman officiating today’s match was also in the middle for my game last weekend at Dussindale & Hellesdon, the FA providing 3 match officials. Stanway Pegasus to get the FA Cup tie underway kicking off the 1st half wearing yellow shirts with black patterning across the top of the chest and black sleeves, black shorts and yellow socks with black hoops. Thetford lined up opposite in their all claret kit.

  The ball rolled back to Deben Howlett in defence, she plays it long into the right channel looknig for the run by Kira Wealls, Jessica Marriott getting their first to win the ball for Thetford. Both sides snapping in to try and win the ball in the opening exchanges, Dayna Howard getting it down under control for Thetford bringing it left sending it on for Hannah Claughton getting on the move down the wing, Darcy Abel at full back cutting the pass out for Stanway Pegasus.

  Pressing the ball in the middle Stanway Pegasus’ defence pushed up, Jessica Gill plays the ball right into Wealls she attempts the early diagonal ball across the top of the area aiming for Amy Thompson powering forwards on the opposite flank, the strong breeze getting hold of it turning it away from Thompson into the arms of onrushing goalkeeper, Mya Parker. Claughton showing attacking intent making some useful runs on the left taking the ball on down the line squares it in central for Gabby Cobb 25 yards out on the turn strikes the ball, dragging her shot wide of the right post.

 Thetford coming forwards well Claughton left side linking up with Liv Dunne, working into the middle across the pitch to Shannon Chandler on the opposite flank her cross into the top of the area cleared by Teigan McHale out for a throw in. Jessica Queimedo sending the ball on for Claughton left flank into the corner whips a bouncing ball in to the six yard box across the face of goal, scrambled clear by McHale at the far post. The hosts pushing Stanway Pegasus back, Shannon Chandler angling a ball into the area from the right, goalkeeper, Kaitlyn Brand down on it to claim at her near post.

  Cobb stealing onto the ball off a loose pass out on the left top corner of the box cuts it back in central for Liv Dunne shifts the ball between her feet before sending a curling effort straight into the gloves of the Stanway Pegasus keeper. Stanway Pegasus winning a free kick deep on the left a chance to relieve some pressure get the ball up into the opposition box, flung into the near post, Parker calls for it and comes to confidently claim the ball.

  Hayleigh Jenkins taking the ball on looking to link up with Wealls out on the right, exchanging passes the return ball snuffed out by the back tracking Marriott. The visitors defence stepping up in the nick of time to catch Shannon Chandler offside as she looks to run onto a diagonal ball. Thetford advancing down the right Magen Chandler up with Shannon Chandler, the latter fouled as the ball is played forwards into the top of the area, no advantage play brought back for the free-kick. Thetford captain, Fran Peeling over it launches the ball long towards the far post, too much on it no one can get there as it sails wide. 

 Megan Chandler, Dunne and Cobb all lively up top for Thetford looking to put the Stanway Pegasus defence under pressure. The latter charging down a short pass to take the ball on in behind on the left whipping a cross into the six yard box, McHale is again on hand to intercept and clear for the visiting side. Thetford doing well getting on to press the ball get players up into the final 3rd, Stanway Pegasus riding their luck pushed back, Howlett and McHale getting some vital touches on the ball in the opening 15 minutes. 

 Forcing errors Dunne latches onto a loose ball to play it forwards down the left channel for Claughton racing into the box closing in on the by-line wraps her foot around the ball firing a dangerous ball in across the face of the Stanway Pegasus goal, Cobb closing in on the far post can’t quite get there to make contact with the ball, turn it home as it runs wide for a goal kick. 

 Claughton getting hold of the ball driving on with it up the left cutting a cross back in towards the top of the area, players back en masse for Stanway Pegasus, Howlett getting it away from danger. The chances mounting for the hosts, Megan Chandler attacking left sending the ball on for Claughton down the line squares the cross into the six yard box, Dunne closing in central onto the ball trying to dig the shot out from under her feet on the turn scoops her attempt over the bar!

   Cobb with an effort on the half volley from outside the box for Thetford drops wide of Brand’s left upright. Chances up the other end limited for Stanway Pegasus, slow to get up and press the ball, Horne up top closely marked by Sausha Levy-Twomey. Thompson making some promising runs on the ball left side the ball fed into her path by captain Jessica Clark, goalkeeper Mya Parker alert to the threat racing out of her box to kick the ball clear before Thompson can reach it.

  Claughton in again on the left played on by Megan Chandler, squaring the ball in central outside the box into Cobb has Dunne up with her the pair combining passes Cobb looking to run in behind off the return pass, McHale reading it well for the visitors lunging in to get hold of the ball in defence. Dunne seeing the ball played into her run from the left shooting from 25 yards out her effort narrowly over the cross bar. 

 Abel with a timely tackle to take the ball off Dunne as she looks to break away with the ball in the left channel a corner conceded. Lifted high into the six yard box, Stanway Pegasus with plenty back getting it clear. Horne wins a free kick as she is pushed in the back going up for the ball, top of the circle Stanway Pegasus send it long up to the top of the area left of the D, Jenkins looking to get it down turn to attack the box tackled by Howard.

 An pause for an injury seeing referee Edward Colman call for a drinks break, a crucial opportunity for the Stanway Pegasus to regroup as the coaches make their feelings clear demanding more from the side. 27 minutes played the visitors have had to work hard in defence Thetford on top.

 GOAL! Certainly did the trick as play resumes the ball with Stanway Pegasus as they advance fed into Thompson on the left drives on with the ball before firing a vicious cross in on the angle into the corridor, a dangerous ball past the keeper, a defender stretching for it tries to clear but only succeeds in turning the ball on into the net 0-1.

 The drinks break couldn’t have come at a better time, Stanway Pegasus under pressure lucky to have no conceded finding themselves in the lead with the first attack after the restart. Stanway Pegasus looking energised after the goal, Howlett with a strong tackle to win the ball as Thetford look to get Cobb on the move through the middle. Clemmens turning on the ball central playing it forwards into Horne the attacker turning the ball out to Wealls wide on the right surging forwards delivers a cross into the box the ball intercepted by Levy-Twomey. 

Thetford looking for a respond Dunne bringing the ball on has Claughton ahead of her racing into the left channel the ball rolled into her feet shoots from the top of area her shoot angled into Brand covering the near post. Clark into Clemmens central sends the ball into the left channel looking for Horne, Peeling winning it back for Thetford. Claughton playing the ball inside to Dunne from the left attempts to play it on for Cobb, Jenkins getting a foot in to divert the ball away for a throw.

 GOAL! Thetford getting players up well to press the ball around the Stanway Pegasus box, won centrally the diagonal ball fed through the defence into Claughton pulling clear to the left, sends another dangerous cross in across the face of goal Cobb closing in centrally, in runs on to the far post with Shannon Chandler bursting in to get on the end of it to turn the ball over the line and equalise 1-1.

Thetford back on level terms with a little over 5 minutes left to play in the first half. A more competitive contest more Stanway Pegasus trying to get players up support Horne in attack. Both sides playing some loose passes Howlett up well to defend as Thetford look to turn play around with a ball over the top. Jenkins snapping in to win the ball high for Stanway Pegasus played into Wealls wide right pushes forwards her cross cut out by Queimedo. 

 Abel being kept busy by Claughton getting a timely tackle in to deny her running in behind. Wealls squaring a ball into the D, Thompson and Clemmens both making runs can’t get themselves sorted out to release a shot before being closed down. Wealls over a free kick on the right for the visitors playing a high ball into the area, Parker catching it. Thetford with a rapid counter on the right Shannon Chandler running with the ball sent on for Cobb up top, Howlett stretching out a foot to cut out the pass.

  Horne taking the ball on up the right sending an angled ball into the six yard box, Thompson far side can’t quite get there however has taken a touch off a Thetford player on the way through, corner given. The initial corner out at the near post, Stanway Pegasus keep players up forcing a 2nd corner. This delivery curled in central, blocked on the line the rebound blasted back in on goal, blocked again by a turning defender, Stanway Pegasus appeal for handball, but nothing doing.

 Howlett winning another vital header at the back as Cobb threatens to run clear n behind the visitors defence. Wealls winded a painful blow as she is struck with the ball late in the first half. Thompson taking the ball on left side for Stanway Pegasus, Howard getting back at her to tackle for Thetford. Stanway Pegasus winning a late corner on the right, Parker fouled at her near post as she goes to claim the ball.

Half-time Thetford Town Ladies 1-1 Stanway Pegasus Women

  Al square at the break the side heading into the changing rooms, a much more competitive end to the half than the opening 25 minutes. Thetford imposing themselves getting after the ball, creating chances, however not taking any as Stanway Pegasus battled hard at the back. A break for drinks much needed for the visitors a chance for the coaches to lift their team,, did the trick with Stanway Pegasus into the lead straight from the restart. Thetford continued to create openings and finally took on to level the scores late in the half. Will feel aggrieved could have been 3-0 up on another day. Still at 1-1 all to play for 2nd half.

 Thetford out onto the pitch early for the 2nd half, no changes. Stanway Pegasus making a change, Wealls picking up a couple of knocks in the first half coming off replaced by Imogen Fisher. The clouds have rolled in 2nd half making it feel alot cooler, still pleasant however. Thetford to begin the 2nd half the ball played back to Peeling in defence played out to Dunne attacking on the left the ball cut out by Abel. 

 Fisher linking up with Clemmens in the middle for the visitors the ball fed forwards into Horne in attack, Levy-Twomey lunging in to win the ball back for Thetford. Jenkins now on the right for Stanway Pegasus driving on with the ball her cross fired into the box, cut out by Marriott turned behind off the defender for a corner kick. Curled into the near post defended and cleared up to Cobb in attack, lifts it out to Megan Chandler breaking right, her high ball from the angle into the box, claimed by Brand. 

 

  Thetford pressing the ball around the Stanway Pegasus area, Dunne involved with Cobb and Megan Chandler a strike from inside the D striking Howlett from close range, Stanway Pegasus aggrieved as judged to have struck her hand a free-kick given. Outside the D, Peeling and Claughton over it, the latter striking it over the wall, over the crossbar. The hosts winning the ball back on the left, Queimedo on for Claughton powering her way up the line fires the ball into the six yard box, Cobb racing in near post can’t get the ball under control between her feet turning it behind for a goal kick. 

  Clark playing a throw on for Thompson left wing squared in into the middle for Clemmens 25 yards out, attempts to dink a deft ball over the top for Horne to latch onto as she turns with Levy-Twomey in close attention, the central defender doing well up against her to get the ball away to safety. Thetford making a double change bringing off Dunne and Shannon Chandler, send on Mollie O’Callaghan and Sophie White. Abel is down for Stanway Pegasus too injured and needs to come off, forced into a change, Brogan McHale coming on sees a few players shift positions.

  15 minutes gone in the 2nd half Thetford lively get the ball into White charging up the right cutting inside her short is blocked at the near post, spins loose into the middle of the box players swarming around the ball O’Callaghan getting hold of it moves to the right unleashing a shot, again blocked by the defence the rebound coming to Cobb inside the D, is closed down the ball charged clear as Stanway Pegasus clear their lines, Thetford attempt to break get no where as play is stopped with Teigan McHale hurt in the chaos moments ago.

 Keen to get back into the action after receiving treatment. Megan Chandler out to White wide right taking the ball to the by-line her cross intercepted by Brogan McHale. Thetford with a good spell of pressure. Jessica Gill busy on the ball for Stanway Pegasus looknig to make things happen in attack advancing right side strong on the ball plays it on for Clemmens, Peeling coming across to defend play the ball out for a throw. Stanway Pegasus defending hard putting in the blocks bodies on the line as O’Callaghan and White she shots charged down top of the area before Cobb is flagged offside taking the ball right.

 GOAL! Much more competitive in the 2nd half both sides moving in quickly to close the ball down, play getting congested at times a players are drawn over to the ball, Thetford looknig to stop Stanway Pegasus advancing right side, O’Callaghan moving in to press the ball pinging loose, the midfield latching onto it fires it forwards from distance left of the circle, catches the keeper off guard out of position can’t adjust as it races past her an finds it’s way into the bottom corner to put the hosts into the lead 22 minutes into the 2nd half 2-1.

  Peeling taking a painful blow to her foot as she goes into contest a 50/50 deflecting the ball out of the park in the process play stopped immediately needs lengthy treatment another drinks break called. Thompson taking the ball on for the visitors off of a throw on the left drops a teasing ball into the six yard box Jenkins coming in at the far post attempting to get her leg up control the ball, doesn’t get enough of it as her attempt loops up over the bar onto the roof of the net. 

 Jenkins with some good footwork taking the ball on for Stanway Pegasus sending a diagonal ball into the near post for Horne to chase, Parker behind it taking it into her mid-riff as she flops down onto the turf. Again Stanway Pegasus respond well after the drinks break Jenkins and Thompson looking sharp on the flanks. Thompson in behind on the left lifting a cross into the six yard box, Levy-Twomey clearing for Thetford, Horne with her arms up appealing for a handball but nothing doing.

 

  Gill, strong on the ball for Stanway Pegasus looknig to drive forwards, Howard going with her getting a foot in to take the ball off her. White tracking back well to defend on Thompson as she attacks on the left the ball out of play for a throw. The clock ticking down but plenty of stoppage time to be added. Katie Fray coming on for Thetford replacing Cobb in attack. Peeling in to defend on Jenkins as she moves across the pitch looking to get onto the end of a cross-field pass. Jenkins, pulls down by O’Callaghan as she looks to drive forwards on the right. Jenkins over the set-piece herself from the angle fires over.

  Thetford winning a free-kick on halfway, Peeling to play it long high into the box right of goal into Fray, puts the cross in front of goal, snatched into her gloves by Brand. 

GOAL! The ball played into Gill, she turns making a powerful run moving left, strong in possession squeezes it on for Thompson out wide, Peeling going into challenge the ball taking a deflection off her allowing Thompson to run in behind after it flashes a ball with pace into the six yard box a defender sticking a leg out but only succeeds in putting it straight into Horne’s path she accepts the gift and drills the ball past Parker before she can react to level the scores 2-2! Stanway Pegasus equalise with less than 5 minutes of regular play left.

GOAL! The celebrations are cut short however a Thetford hit back with an immediate reply getting the ball up towards their opponents area straight from the restart shifted right before being squared back inside, a shot charged down, the rebound falls to O’Callaghan inside the D left side composed bringing it down to strike on the half volley sends a looping effort angling past everyone into the left of the goal to restore Thetford’s lead 3-2!

 Stanway Pegasus making their 3rd change with the player/coach coming on Rosi Webb into the action in place of Thompson. White into defend for Thetford stopping Fisher from getting away on the right. A yellow card issued as Claughton is upended wide on the left. The Free-kick played long into towards the far post, Fray under it directing her header back in across goal out over the bar. Thetford quick to regain possession retrieved out wide in the corner by Claughton another free-kick won. 

GOAL! Fray with a warning shot moment before the set-piece effectively a corner lifted in again to the far post Fray meeting it with her head once again drilling it back in across goal and scores to see Thetford open a 2 goal cushion as the game enters stoppage time 4-2.

  A huge blow to Stanway Pegasus late in the contest as Thetford send on Emily Birt. Thetford defending as Levy-Twomey cuts the ball out as Fisher looks to play Horne in through the middle. Into 8 minutes of added on time Parker dealing with a strong back pass from Peeling as she wins the ball under challenge from Horne sending it wide for a throw. Howlett winning the ball high for Stanway Pegasus driving forwards through the middle gets it out to Jenkins on the right, her early ball into the area intercepted by Marriott. Claughton coming off for Thetford, Ruby Lakey coming on. 

Parker collecting the ball into her mid-riff as an angled shot is struck in from the right. Thetford winning a corner out on the right, curled in across the six yard box, Webb up to defend doing enough to put off the attacker the ball turned wide. Fisher dragging a long range effort wide for Stanway Pegasus as they look to get the ball on with seconds left. Fisher sees a wayward goal kick presented to her outside the box, picks Horne out inside the box right of goal screws her shot wide. 

Full-time Thetford Town Ladies 4-2 Stanway Pegasus Women

 The final whistle blows and Thetford win the game 4-2 to advance in this season’s FA Women’s Cup. A more competitive 2nd half, Thetford had more options on the bench, getting themselves into the lead with a long range punt, Stanway Pegasus fought back well to find an equalising goal but Thetford came straight back at them to retake the lead and Katie Fray headed them into a 4-2 lead late on the hosts defending well to maintain the advantage and see out the game. Made to work for the win in the finish after a dominant start to the game, a much needed response from Stanway Pegasus to get into the lead first half, pegged back the scores level was an cup tie full of drama and competitive as you’d except an all ERWFL tie to be

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

  Onto this Sunday’s Women’s Football East – Player of the Match, as is so often the case another tough call but as the report unfolded one player did put themselves into the forefront. Strong performances from both sides, starting with Stanway Pegasus, Amy Thompson was a good outlet on the right ready to take the ball on making some timely runs. Deben Howlett and Teigan McHale with some vital tackles and interceptions at the back certainly helped keep their side in the game early on. Jessica Gill grew into the game busy in the 2nd half some strong running on the ball looked to spur her side on. A strong performance from Thetford back three, Fran Peeling and Jessica Marriott defending their respective channels well throughout. Sausha Levy-Twomey central reading the game timed her tackles beautifully. Liv Dunne with some strong runs on the ball getting forwards linking up play created chances. Megan Chandler with some powerful runs used the ball well. Mollie O’Callaghan making an impact coming off the bench with 2 goals. The award goes to Hannah Claughton got forwards well on the left taking the game to Stanway Pegasus readily available creating chances and kept it up throughout.

  An exciting game to begin my FA Women’s Cup adventure this season. There were plenty of ties to choose from and this one didn’t disappoint. Was keen to see Stanway Pegasus and glad to have done so catch up with some players who I know well from previous clubs. Thetford’s coaches will no doubt be pleased with the squads response after a difficult couple of results to start the season. My thanks to both for the help with the team details today and I look forwards to seeing the draw for the next round of the cup. 

by Darren Gilham