Sunday 31st May

Norfolk Women’s Division Three

I was planning on wrapping thing’s up last weekend looking forwards to a rest after a long season but have become absorbed with the title battle going on in Norfolk Women’s Division Three, the only title still to be decided with just a handful of games left to play, and is going all the way to the final day, saw Bungay Town Ladies finish on 52 points to top the table last weekend, knowing only 2 wins from 2 for Dereham Town Women would see them pip them to the title in their remaining fixtures, got the first of those vital wins at home to Dersingham Rovers Women on Thursday evening, now Dereham travel to play Waveney Ladies A knowing nothing short of a win will do.

One game left for Dereham Town Women, currently on 50 points know only a win will do from their final game of the season, that away to 5th placed Waveney Ladies A who themselves can get back up the table into 3rd spot if they can win the 3 points instead a draw gets them up to 4th and would see Bungay Town Ladies clinch the title.

Waveney Ladies A one of two Waveney sides playing in the NWGFL, the 1st team playing in Division One. Waveney Ladies A into their 2nd season, previously Waveney FC Ladies Development last season. Have had a highly successful 2nd season playing in Division Three, getting off to a flyer winning their opening 6 matches were sitting at the top of the pile for a good portion of the season getting games in when other’s didn’t. 4 of their 5 losses coming in their final 10 games seeing them drop away from the title hunt, have played their pat however drawing 3-3 at Dereham 2 weeks ago. A win today would seal a 3rd place finish. Have a potent strike force with Lauren Robbins and Maria Palmer netting 39 goals between them, Robbins with 22 from 18 players and Palmer 17 from her 22 appearances. Waveney setting up a joint U15 & U16 with Lowestoft Town Ladies to strengthen the pathway for players in the local area.

 Dereham Town Women reforming this season under the umbrella of Dereham Town FC, playing at Aldiss Park, bringing in a good number of players from Fakenham Town Ladies, have added further experience to that squad, and their U15’s have just celebrated a highly successful treble winning season. Were on most eyes the favourites to clinch the title but having always been behind in their fixtures have never been out in front, games in hand a couple of high scoring draws the 3-3 with Waveney and a 5-5 with Wymondham have set up a tense finish to the season, moving onto 50 points with a dramatic late 2-1 win at home to  Dersingham on Thursday evening little time to recover, a few carrying knocks at the end of the season need all three against Waveney if they are to become champions. Captain Gina Pooley racing ahead at the top of the goal scoring charts for Dereham and the league itself with 43 to her name so far. Katie Hart-Copsey always prolific in front of goal for Dereham, wading in with 27 this season while Alice Collins joining later in the season has 13 from her 9 games. Losing just 1 of their 21 league games played to date.

 Today’s match taking place in Lowestoft’s, Benjamin Britton Academy, on their new 3G pitch, plenty of rubber making for a softer surface than some of the dry hard pitches around due to the recent heatwave. A compact size the fenced pitch with a standing area down one side for spectators, Dereham bringing a few supporters with them hoping to see their team complete the job. A sunny, bright day on the east coast, no rain in the forecast.

Waveney Ladies A starting XI – Tilly Kitchen, Ruby Benson-Smith, Olivia Clarke. Elizabeth Eaton, Hannah Limbach, Kayleigh Molloy, Shauna Brunton-O’Neil, Libby Colbridge, Paige Baker, Maria Palmer (C) & Lauren Robbins. Subs – Lucy Breadman, Emily Cooper, Lucie Harper, Lili Stevens & Isabelle Thornton.

 Dereham Town Women starting XI – Karina Townsend, Talya Ewles-Belton, Zuleika McMullan-Laffitte, Lucie Taylor, Kirstie Rusted, Amie Hutchinson, Hayley Marjoram, Lisa Ferdani, Eloise Peek, Gina Pooley (C) & Katie Hart-Copsey. Subs – Sophie Shapter & Holly Websdale.

(roll on roll off substitutes)

  An 11am kick-off both sides relaxed prior during warm-up the season almost done, it’s Waveney with the kick-off 1st half wearing pink coloured shirts with white across the shoulders and sleeves, black shorts and white socks, Dereham in their all green away kit. Played back into Shauna Brunton-O’Neil she sends it long out to the right flank, Zuleika McMullan-Laffitte defending for Dereham seeing the ball out for a throw. Waveney getting a good distance on the throw defended edge of the area by captain Gina Pooley for Dereham out for a 2nd throw, this won dealt with by Dereham’s Hayley Marjoram.

  Dereham look to get the ball moving quickly up on the right fed on for striker, Katie Hart-Copsey bursting up the line, Kayleigh Molloy getting back on her to pressure run her off the ball. Dereham’s Talya Ewles-Belton getting the tackle in on Waveney attacker, Lauren Robbins as she drives on with the ball left side put out for a throw in. Another long one helped in towards goal collected safely by Dereham goalkeeper, Karina Townsend.

 Both sides wasting no time in getting the ball on Lisa Ferdani in the middle looking to play in Pooley as she bursts on up the left wing. Ewles-Belton with the ball inside the Waveney half right side clips a diagonal ball in towards the top of the D, won by Waveney’s Libby Colbridge. The ball popping about in the middle of the park as both sides nip in to close the other down, Waveney’s captain Maria Palmer getting hold of it attempting to thread it through in behind for Robbins, a close one but the flag is raised for offside.

   Paige Baker getting hold of the ball from a Dereham clearance hooks it high out to the left channel, Ewles-Belton dealing with it for Dereham as Robbins puts he under pressure. Waveney looking a threat as they win throws high up the pitch from the left the ball dropped into Robbins inside the box on the turn angles a shot in across goal, Townsend down sharply to get behind the ball turn it wide for a corner kick. Played into the near post Ferdani dealing with it for Dereham out for a throw in the corner.

 A rapid turn around for Dereham as Ferdani sends the ball long into the right channel for Hart-Copsey steaming forwards into the box, Ruby Benson-Smith getting back to close her down turn the ball behind for a throw in the corner. The game end to end both sides keen to get on Dereham using the ball well Amie Hutchinson with Marjoram and Ferdani through the middle out to the left Clarke seeing the ball out for a throw as Pooley looks to gain ground. The throw dropped into Pooley left side looks to hit it on the spin into the middle of the area the ball turned safely back to goalkeeper, Tilly Kitchen.

  Ewles-Belton for Eloise Peek on the right for Dereham sends it on looking to put Hart-Copsey in behind again another close call but the flag is raised against her. Dereham starting to ask a few questions winning the ball high Hutchinson up with play on the right getting it back from Peek on the angle sends a vicious ball racing across the face of goal, Pooley running in unchecked at the far post can’t quite reach it out for a goal kick. 

 

 GOAL! Chances building early n in Thursday evenings game against Dersingham, before Dereham conceded against the run of play, not this time though as Marjoram hooks the ball on from midfield, Hart-Copsey running onto it right inside the D breaking into the box to send the early shot past the keeper and on into the back of the net to fire Dereham into the lead with her 28th goal of the season 0-1.

  11 minutes played Dereham getting the early goal, looked fairly relaxed prior to scoring taking her chance in front of goal Hart-Copsey giving her side a much welcome edge. Dereham energised, Hutchinson on for Hart-Copsey making a run into the left channel into the box goes early again with the outside of her boot, plays the shot into the keeper covering the near post.

  Waveney under a little pressure at the back the ball not sticking in the middle Marjoram into Pooley drives into the box closing down the angle hits a rising shot into Kitchen closing her down. Hannah Limbach back in defence turning another cross behind for the corner kick to Dereham. Ewles-Belton to take puts it long across the six yard box no one at the back post to attack it. 

 Robbins in to close McMullan-Laffitte down at the back on the the attackers right, surges forwards, McMullan-Laffitte forcing her wide under challenge from the defender as she goes to strike the ball wide at the near post. Limbach looking to link up with Colbridge as Waveney go right, McMullan-Laffitte lunging in to see the ball out of play for the throw. Dereham certainly look up for it moving the ball Ewles-Belton clipping a diagonal ball in central, Molloy intercepts for Waveney. 

 Ferdani with a 25 yard effort at goal, Kitchen down to save it pushed behind for a corner kick on the right. Another inviting ball in Hart-Copsey rising her glancing header turned on across the area off of a defender behind for a corner on the left. Put in again a bit of head tennis before the ball is cleared back to taker, Ewles-Belton fires it back hard into the mix, Colbridge diverting it away for a 4th corner in quick succession. Into the near post Benson-Smith blocking for Waveney not away Pooley lifts it back in dropping far post, Hart-Copsey taking a knock to the head as the defend get the ball to safety, but picking herself okay to play on.

  The corner count building for Dereham as we approach the mid-point of the first half Peek up on the right getting the set play players up into the box another teasing ball in from Ewles-Belton, Hutchinson up to get her head on the ball power behind it turns it wide over at the far post. Referee Joshua Holland calling for a drinks break is warm out there and close fluids needed.

  Waveney look to try and gain ground on the left after the restart Baker winning a throw in the corner, linking up with Palmer and Colbridge the cross played into the box, McMullen-Laffitte going to clear Limbach charging the ball down inside the D, the rebound favouring the keeper as Townsend scoops it up into her gloves. Pooley breaking on with the ball at her feet on the left driving on Clarke looking too close her down Pooley squeezing a cross into the six yard box, Kitchen going to catch, pops out of her gloves, Hart-Copsey looking to get after the ball even as the keeper grabs it at the 2nd bite and gets the decision Waveney winning the free-kick.

  The resulting kick out falling straight to Pooley 25 yards out to the left, get’s on into the box with the ball checking inside to shoot, scuffs her effort seeing it lack any pace too worry the keeper.  Play compact Dereham doing well to close the ball down not giving Waveney time to build. Hutchinson on for Hart-Copsey, has Peek bursting past her on the right wing getting the ball into her feet the cross comes into the six yard box, too close the the keeper, Kitchen down on it as Pooley runs in central unmarked. 

Kitchen getting behind another Pooley cross in from the left to turn it behind for a corner on the right. Curled into the mix Kitchen doing well getting up amongst bodies to get her fists on the ball to punch once then twice to see it land for Baker right to get hold of the ball and set Waveney up on the counter taking the ball on feeds it on up the line for Robbins looking to steal in behind, Townsend reading it out to the top of her area early to get hold of the ball before Robbins can reach it.

 GOAL! Dereham get the ball up into the box quickly as Pooley finds herself in the clear right of goal closing in on the near post, shoots her strike charged down by the advancing keeper, Pooley trying to get the loose back back in sees it cut out again as Clarke throw herself in to block, one more time Pooley gets a bite at it, firing the ball wide across goal, but in the process was held by the grounded keeper, the referee pointing to the spot… Penalty! Hutchinson to take does play in goal too and likes to put her foot through the ball, little run up but plenty of power behind the ball smashed high under the bar giving the keeper no chance as she doubles Dereham’s lead 0-2.

 Waveney getting the ball on well enough, just finding the final ball a little too strong as Townsend claims another through ball from Palmer aiming to set Robbins in behind. Brunton-O’Neil putting her foot through the ball launches it out to the left, Robbins after it, Ewles-Belton diving in to see it out for the throw. Into the D, Lucie Taylor clearing for Dereham. Peek up high on the left squaring a ball back across the face of the Waveney goal, Pooley closing in far side but can’t reach it.

Ewles-Belton latching onto the ball right side having a crack from distance her attempt straight at the keeper. Waveney getting up on the right winning a throw, Limbach turning it on for Robbins in attack, Taylor getting a nibble at her the attacker holding her off getting a shot away into the near post. Townsend covering the angle. Rusted in to make the challenge on Robbins as she takes the ball on into the left channel from Palmer. 

 The corners tallying up for Dereham, Benson-Smith forced to concede as Pooley gets the ball on for Hart-Copsey breaking into the box left side. 

 GOAL! Ewles-Belton swinging the corner from the left into the near post blocked by the covering defender, the ball popping out loose to the top of the six yard box, Hutchinson coming round to get hold of it and striking it on the volley blasts it past everyone into the back of the net to score her 4th in 2 games putting Dereham into a 3 goal lead late in the first half, 0-3.

  A further blow for Waveney who look to get on the offensive from the restart the ball on for Baker charging on right side, holding off Taylor as she breaks into the box gets a shot away on the angle, Townsend saving at her near post. 

 GOAL! A chance for Waveney at one end Dereham quickly get the ball up the other end of the pitch into Pooley racing away on the left taking the ball forwards turns her cross in with pace across the face of goal and Peek arriving at the far post turns it in a close range to score her 8th of the season 0-4.

 GOAL! Into stoppage time at the end of the first half Waveney get the ball into Robbins on the left winning a corner, the ball played into the centre of the box, Baker getting a free hit swinging her leg at it playing the ball on towards the far post, Townsend turning trying to keep it out as it comes back of the upright and crosses the line to see the hosts grab a goal back 1-4.

 Townsend staying down after the goal in need of some treatment, a lengthy pause but seen too as up on her feet and ready to continue. 

 GOAL! Dereham break from the restart the plan clearly for Pooley to race away left side the ball put into her sees it under control getting into the box, full back and keeper coming to close her down gets the early shot away turning it inside to find the empty net beyond and score Dereham’s 5th and her 44th goal of the season! 1-5.

Half-time Waveney Ladies A 0-0 Dereham Town Women

 A frantic end to the first half Dereham racing into a 5-1 lead, Waveney get the ball out to Baker on the right wing taking it on sends a shot in on the angle, Townsend getting behind it to save punching the ball away for a corner kick. Goes long across the six yard box, Colbridge rising highest can’t quite connect. Amie Hutchinson from the penalty spot doubling the advantage going on to add Dereham’s 3rd a 4th quickly following from Eloise Peek, Waveney getting one back through Paige Baker, Dereham restoring their 4 goal advantage straight away to lead 5-1.

 Both sides staying out on the pitch for the half-time interval keen to get the 2nd period under way. Waveney making a triple switch at the start of the 2nd half, Lili Stevens, Lucie Harper and Emily Cooper coming on for Clarke, Palmer and Molloy. Dereham unchanged to get the 2nd half underway played up to Pooley left side top of the box sends a snap shot wide of the near post.

   Up to Hart-Copsey lifted into Peek on the right flank, Lucie Harper going with her the defender getting the challenge putting the ball out for a throw. Hart-Copsey seeing the ball into her feet on the by-line turns inside plays the ball off a defender to win the corner. Ewles-Belton busy up from the back to delivery another corner-kick. This one put behind. Dereham showing attacking intent from the start of the 2nd half, Hutchinson finding Peek on the right wing, Harper getting her foot in turning the ball out for another corner kick.

 GOAL! Ewles-Belton gets this one perfect flashed in central, Hutchinson the target can’t quite get to it, the ball running on however is met by Hart-Copsey level with the far post gets her head on the ball and sends it back in across goal through bodies to score her 2nd of the game and put Dereham further into the lead 1-6. 

 A fast start to the 2nd half for the visitors racing into a 6-1 lead with barely 3 minutes played look comfortable now, confident too, Waveney frustrated keep going the ball played on through the middle sees Emily Cooper press into the box has Limbach up with her close in sees the ball into her Limbach looking to send the ball back under the keeper, Townsend gets down quickly manages to get hold of the ball before it can evade her. 

Ewles-Belton is covering alot of ground for Dereham mainly as she is the corner taker and Dereham are winning plenty this one on the right curled into the mix, Kitchen up well to punch the ball back out to the right Ewles-Belton gathering to send it back in on the angle defended by Eaton falls to Rusted inside the D, shifts it onto her right foot to hit on the half volley her strike straight into the keepers arms.

 Dereham making a change, McMullan-Laffitte coming off at the back Sophie Shapter coming on going into an advanced position on the right Peek dropping back into defence. Peek sending the ball into the top of the area, Hart-Copsey’s shot blocked by Colbridge pops out to Ferdani 25 yards out blasts her strike over the bar. Brunton-O’Neil coming off for Waveney, Isabelle Thornton coming on. 

 Taylor defending at the back for Dereham as baker looks to get on with Robbins up the right side. Dereham on through the middle Ferdani into the box for Hart-Copsey to see into her feet back to goal hit on the turn, Kitchen rushing out to close her down with the blocking save, the ball spinning loose inside the box Peek up with play latching onto it turning her strike wide of the right post.

  Harper kept busy on the right for Waveney, Shapter taking over where Peek left off looking to get on with the back comes inside the full back tackling, Shapter back on the ball laying it back to Hutchinson, who curl the ball in to the left of the D, Pooley under it Kitchen rushing out gets it away collides with Pooley in the process leaving Dereham’s captain with a bloody nose. 

Comes of for treatment, Holly Websdale joining the action. Thornton breaking on the right channel for Waveney as Robbins puts the ball on, goes in to charge down the keeper rebounds off Townsend behind for a corner kick. Played into the near post attacked by Colbridge headed on across the box gathered by Baker top of the area looks to curl a shot into the top corner, just wide. 

 Ferdani winning a corner for Dereham out on the right. Played in long across the six yard box. Eaton diving in defends for Waveney top of the area as Shapter cuts in from the right gives away another corner. Ewles-Belton putting it in to Hutchinson in front of goal outside the six yard box, strikes it in on goal, Harper with the block on the line covering the near post getting the ball away. 

 Dereham keep up the pressure winning a free-kick high on the right, wide, Ewles-Belton to send the ball in, launched into the far post attacked Hutchinson getting her head of the ball drives it wide across the face of goal. Waveney ringing the changes Limbach and Palmer back on for Baker and Robbins. Thornton played on up the right flank blasting an angled shot into the side netting for Waveney. Marjoram gives way for Dereham as Pooley is ready to return, just as the 2nd drinks break is called.

 The clock ticking down 20 minutes left to play, Dereham with a comfortable advantage no last minute winner needed today… probably. The game restart with Ewles-Belton sending a free-kick forwards, knocked on for Shapter to race after it right side into the box but a good starting position from Kitchen sees her at the top of her area to claim.

  GOAL! Thornton sees the ball played into her path through the middle racing on towards the top of the area shoots outside the D, Townsend looking to get down behind it doesn’t take the ball cleanly as it pops out of her gloves and runs on behind to creep over the line to pull it back to 2-6.

  Cooper off the pitch not feeling well for Waveney, they make the change with Baker back on with 15 minutes left to play. A throw to Dereham in the corner on the left put up the line for Hutchinson angles the ball in towards the far post dropping wide. Pooley getting hold of the ball for Dereham on the left getting on to win a corner kick. Played into the near post Palmer defending for Waveney, Back to the left the cross angled back into the box headed out for a corner on the right. Whipped in with pace across the goal too strong for Hart-Copsey at the far post.

  Shapter inside to receive a ball put in from Pooley on the left top of the D meets it on the half volley lifting the effort over the bar. Peek closing down Baker as the Waveney attacker looks to take the ball on from Thornton on the left side. Taylor with the tackle on Thornton soon after as the Waveney attacker looks to get hold of the ball inside the D. Harper and Limbach off for Waveney with Eaton and Robbins back on along with Brunton-)’Neil replacing Kitchen in goal. Ewles-Belton sending the ball on for Pooley left side as Dereham attack fed on into the channel for Hart-Copsey her touch to play the ball into the box too strong Kitchen out kick clear.

 Stevens with the block for Waveney at the back as Pooley looks to get the ball down inside the box to the left of goal. Molloy winning the header at the back to clear for Waveney as the game moves into the final 5 minutes. Rusted getting her foot in to take the ball away from Robbins as she gets hold of it on Waveney’s right. Dereham lively late on Hart-Copsey clear on the right on the by-line coming into the box flashing a ball in across the face of goal Pooley running in can’t get a telling touch is deflected back towards the penalty spot, Ferdani racing on to meet in lifting the ball up off the turf in towards goal Brunton-O’Neil behind it to save.

  Into the closing stages of the match, Shapter sending the ball inside form the right into Pooley left side in the box running hits it up into the air on target Brunton-O’Neil without any gloves getting her hands up to save tip the ball away from danger. 

 Palmer playing the ball on through the middle for Waveney up for Colbridge into Thornton left side, the touch heavy Townsend out to get hold of the ball. A vital interception from Benson-Smith at the back for Waveney late on cutting the pass out as Hart-Copsey looks to get in behind to receive the through ball from Ferdani. The final whistle blows and Dereham win the 3 points to take them to the top of Division Three to be crowned Champions!

Full time Waveney Ladies A 0-0 Dereham Town Women 

 Never looked in doubt to be fair, saved all the nerves for Thursday evening looks like came to Lowestoft relaxed and got off to a positive start getting an early lead to boost confidence, a 2nd from the spot and then a flurry a the end of the 1st half putting Dereham in charge. Kept going 2nd half adding a 6th early on. Waveney couldn’t find any rhythm today had some good spells but Dereham broke up play well and kept coming forwards, Having led the table for so long a 5th placed finish feel harsh but they have a talented squad to take the club forwards. Dereham clinching the title on their debut season celebrating with their fans heading back to Aldiss Park to celebrate further.

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

  Onto the final Women’s Football East – Player of the Match of the season. A few contenders as usual and performances to mention from both sides, firstly for Waveney found it tough this morning struggled to get going, Libby Colbridge looked to get in after the ball, Paige Baker made some useful runs as did Lauren Robbins in attack. Maria Palmer tried to get the attack going the final pass just not there today. For Dereham, the defence was solid won their tackles, Lucie Taylor winning the ball. Hayley Marjoram in midfield got after the ball kept Dereham on the front foot. Amie Hutchison busy in the middle to got two more goals to her name to put Dereham into a comfortable position. Katie Hart-Copsey too took her chance well to open the scoring settling any nerves Dereham had. Talya Ewles-Belton covered more ground than anyone up and down for the corners carrying a real threat from her deliveries into the box and defended strongly at the back. Giving today’s award to the captain, Gina Pooley 44 goals in any season is no mean feat a constant outlet on the left getting after the ball coming inside and putting in crosses, scoring Dereham’s 5th on the day

Congratulations to Dereham Town Women on winning Norfolk Women’s Division Three.

 That title battle kept me enthralled for one more week of the season, enjoyed every minute of it. Has been a long campaign however and I am certainly ready for a rest. Been a joy as ever thanks to both clubs for their help with the teams today and all who have help throughout the season. You provide the entertainment I just write it down. Enjoy the summer.

by Darren Gilham