The Round-Up
Sunday 18th February
Suffolk Women’s County Cup
Quarter finals weekend in the Suffolk Women’s County Cup 8 sides vying for a place in the last 4 of the competition. Holders, Ipswich Town Ladies the favourites to retain the trophy were drawn at home to Bungay Town Ladies at the time leading the way across the border in Norfolk Women’s Division One. A big test for the side two leagues below Ipswich, the hosts getting off to the perfect start Jordan Arnoup giving them the lead in the opening minute from a free-kick. Ipswich were 2-0 up inside 3 minutes as captain Amanda Crump scored to double the lead. A strong 1st half from Ipswich dominating play Sophie Welton making it 3-0 before Crump added her 2nd of the match Zoe Cossey also on target to give Ipswich a 5-0 half-time lead. Not quite so clinical in the 2nd half Miagh Downey increasing the lead on the hour mark, Emily Leach getting on the score sheet for Bungay Town with 15 minutes left, Cossey scoring her 2nd of the game late on seeing Ipswich Town reach the semi-finals with a 7-1 win.
An all ERWFL quarter final in the quarter finals of the Suffolk Women’s County Cup saw Premier Division side AFC Sudbury Ladies at home to Ipswich Town Ladies Development from Division One North. It was goalless after the 1st 45 minutes, AFC Sudbury going on to score twice in the 2nd half to reach the last 4, Mia Etheridge and Semma Halil with the goals in a 2-0 victory.
ERWFL Division One North side Ipswich Wanderers Ladies were away in the quarter finals of the Suffolk Women’s County Cup taking on Newmarket Town Ladies playing a league below. Newmarket Town would fancy their chances having knocked two Division One North sides out of the FA Women’s Cup earlier in the season. Got off to a good start too as Abbi Griffin scored in the 24th minute to put the hosts into the lead. Ipswich Wanderers found a levelling goal on the half hour and very quickly after scored again to get there noses in front to lead 2-1 at half-time. Newmarket Town fought back well in the 2nd half Chloe Slater with the strike to put them back on level terms in the 56th minute. Went 3-2 up in the 65th minute thanks to a goal from Sarah O’Rourke. Ipswich Wanderers coming back again with a late late leveller to make it 3-3 and force the tie into a penalty shootout. Tanya McKew netting twice in the game along with a goal for Megan Strickland. Heartbreak for Newmarket Town in the shootout jubilation for Ipswich Wanderers as they booked their place in the semi-finals winning 6-5.
In the last of the 4 quarter final it was an all Suffolk Women’s Division clash in the County Cup between Leiston St Margarets Ladies at home to Brantham Athletic Ladies on Sunday. Leiston St Margarets in good form recently with 3 straight league wins up against 2nd placed Brantham Athletic who themselves haven’t lost in 3. Hot off scoring 7 goals the week before in the league Michelle Stanborough was at it again on Sunday scoring 4 of Leiston St Margarets 5 goals as they reached the last 4 of the competition with a 5-2 win, Brianna Norcott also scoring in the match for Leiston St Margarets.
Suffolk Women’s Division
One league match played at the weekend and for the 2nd successive Sunday the points were shared between 3rd placed Bacton United Ladies and leaders East Bergholt United Ladies. Bacton United at home this time both sides scoring in the 1st half drawing the match 1-1. Jessica Clark with the goal for East Bergholt United. The lead at the top 5 points East Bergholt United still undefeated.