The Round-Up
Sunday 19th January
Suffolk Women’s County Cup
The Suffolk Women’s County Cup reaching the quarter final stage this weekend. Ipswich Town Women dominating the competition in recent season’s by far the strongest side in the county, reaching their highest league position topping the FAWNL South East Division One and making history a fortnight ago to reach the 4th Round of the Women’s FA Cup. A daunting test for Suffolk Women’s Division side Brantham Athletic Ladies hosting Ipswich in the last 8 of the County Cup this Sunday. Ipswich resting several players giving a chance for others within the squad, the visitors in front inside the opening 2 minutes Zoe Cossey latching onto a loose ball to make it 1-0. Roxanne Small making it 2-0 just 5 minutes later seeing her initial shot saved putting in on the follow-up. Top scorer Natasha Thomas making it 3-0 inside 10 minutes her shot in off the post. Ellie Rossiter back in the side after injury kept her out earlier in the season on target for Ipswich’s 4th just a minute later. Assistant manager Paige Shorten out in the the middle for Ipswich this Sunday up with the attack volleying in to make it 5-0 after Thomas’ overhead kick falls straight to her. Linsey Cooper heading home from a corner to see the visitors 6-0 up with half an hour gone. That the lead at the break.
Ipswich continuing to dominate in the 2nd half Thomas scoring in the 52nd minute to celebrate her 20th goal of the season went on to net a hat-trick on the hour following a mazy run from Cossey. Rossiter with her 2nd of the match scoring under pressure from the top of the area to make it 9. Nicole Pannifer with her first of the season seeing Ipswich into double figures with 15 minutes to play. Cossey with her 2nd of the game a couple of minutes later a 4th goal for Thomas soon after turning the ball into the net after the keeper saved Cossey’s shot. Chloe Dunn from close range scoring late on with Rossiter running on in the 90th minute setting up captain Amanda Crump to make the final score 14-0.
Needham Market Women one of the emerging women’s football sides in Suffolk hoping to push on and match the success of Ipswich new to the game last season had a fabulous debut campaign with a 2nd placed finish in the league along with final appearances in both the League and County Cups. Will be aiming to reach the County Cup final once again this season now promoted to the ERWFL were at home to Norfolk Division Two title hopefuls Beccles Town Ladies in the quarter finals this weekend. Needham Market making a fantastic start taking the lead inside the opening 3 minutes a superb strike from Francesca Rainbird outside the box bringing the ball down brilliantly and catching it sweetly on the volley yo make it 1-0. Set the tone as Needham Market blew away their opponents in the opening minutes. Captain Nicola Henderson celebrating her birthday with a goal firing home a 25 yard free kick in the 7th minute. Lois Balfour in to lob the keeper just 4 minutes later. The whirlwind start continuing as Lina Nagib played in Jodie Sharp to score their 4th on 15 minutes. Beccles hit for 4 in the first 15 minutes pulling a goal back Francesca Catchpole robbing the keeper, but just a minute later Needham Market restored their 4 goal lead Balfour’s 2nd of the game in off the post. Rainbird seeing the hosts into a 6-1 lead at the break with her 2nd of the game following good build-up play.
(photo credit Ben Pooley)
Into the 2nd half Needham Market continuing where they left off creating plenty of chances in attack pushing players forwards. Beccles managing to hold off the onslaught with the game closing in on the final 15 minutes a quickfire double from Annie Northwood tapping on from close range then striking on the half volley putting the hosts 8-1 up. Rainbird going on to complete her hat-trick in the final minute 9-1 the final score.
East Bergholt United Ladies are alos into the draw for the last 4 of the Suffolk Women’s County Cup winning at home on Sunday against Suffolk Women’s Division newcomers Henley Athletic Ladies. East Bergholt promoted to the ERWFL this season following back to back league and cup doubles in Suffolk booking their spot in the last 4 courtesy of goals from Cara Savage, Katie Bruce, Stacey Teager and Georgia Lockerbie to see them beat Henley Athletic 4-1.
Brettvale Ladies make up the semi-final line-up for the Suffolk Women’s County Cup representing the Suffolk Women’s Division, making history in the process, enjoying a fantastic 2nd season in women’s football are also into the last 4 of the League Cup aswell as challenging for the league itself. Brettvale were at home to another side flying high in the Suffolk Women’s Division in the quarter finals Needham Market Women Reserves. Brettvale coring 3 without reply making history in the County Cup, will be homing for a home draw in the semi-final draw to be made live on BBC Radio Suffolk on Thursday night’s Sport Social between 8:30 & 9pm.
Suffolk Women’s Division
Three matches played in the Suffolk Women’s Division this Sunday and once again it was another huge game at the top of the table this weekend that saw 2nd placed Woodbridge Town Ladies away to 4th placed Bury Town Ladies. Bury going top a fortnight ago beating Brettvale lost to the same opponents last Sunday seeing Brettvale back to the top. Woodbridge’s great form seeing them up to 2nd with successive wins over Needham Market Women Reserves their fantastic run continuing this weekend as they beat Bury Town, Lucy Eagle joining Woodbridge from Leiston St Margarets has been amongst the goals during that run now 4 in a row and 9 from 10 played scoring this Sunday to give her 9 from 8 played. Top scorer Jenna Liverpool setting the league alight scoring twice at the weekend taking her past 40 goals for the season from just 16 games. 3-1 the winning score Bury Town suffering back to back defeats very disappointed with their performance.
Just 1 point from their last 5 games and 4 straight losses in the league Alresford Colne Rangers had found themselves slipping down the Suffolk Women’s Division after making a solid start to the season. Got back to winning ways away to AFC Kesgrave Ladies this Sunday to climb back up to 5th in the league. Kesgrave short on numbers not able to field a full side Alresford took full advantage to win the game 3-0. Jasmine Warner on target to score a brace giving her 6 goals for the season with Kirsty Belfall also on the scoresheet.
7 points now for Leiston St Margarets Ladies as they continue to pull their way out of the battle at the bottom of the Suffolk Women’s Division. At home to another side down at the wrong end of the table were taking on Chantry Grasshoppers Ladies. Continues to be a frustrating season for Chantry just the two wins so far this season have been unlucky not to take more points. A close game again this weekend a single goal winning the game Grace Pemberton with her 3rd goal of the season securing the 3 points for Leiston St Margarets.