22 sides competing in Norfolk this season spread across 3 divisions with 8 in the top tier, 7 sides in both Divisions 2 & 3. Same layout as last season except this time around the sides will be playing each other 3 times instead of twice.
Briston Wanderers Ladies are a new name in the league, although regular readers of the blog may well recognise most of the names in the starting line-up as they were competing as Red Rose Ladies previously runners-up in the Norfolk Ladies Plate Final. A split with the club has seen the players move with manager Paul Tipper to Briston near Melton Constable to start a fresh work with a new club in Briston FC. As the side is essentially Red Rose Ladies 1st team they have been allowed to stay in Division 2. This is their 1st competitive game of the season having been awarded an away win on the opening weekend then as is the nature of a odd numbered league sitting out last Sunday. Will be amongst the sides looking to win promotion to Division 1 this season.
Gorleston FC Ladies are pretty new to the Norfolk women's football leagues having been formed last season, just as the league added a 3rd division. Had a strong debut season winning all bar one of their games which they forfeited to go up as Champions scoring 85 goals in 14 matches Beth Turner top scorer with 20 goals. Have started this season well too with 2 wins out of 2 to sit joint top of the league with Sprowston Ladies identical records after 2 played 11 goals scored 1 conceded. Will fancy their chances of winning back to back promotions.
A rare journey in Norfolk for today's match that doesn't entail the A47 or A11 for me heading up the A1065 to the A148 through Melton Constable onto Briston village the venue for today's game the Briston Recreation Ground. A large clubhouse overlooking the pitches, tennis courts and play areas either side. The main pitch used by the men's club that morning a little bobbly but no more than you'd expect for a recreation ground good covering of grass. Ending September the fine weather is hanging on several dark clouds around for a moment or two during the match it threatened to rain but then the sun came through and shone for the 2nd half.
Briston Wanderers Ladies starting XI - Melissa Williamson, Tara Curtis, Sophie Tipper, Natasha Wilmott, Emily Hull (C), Emma Talmadge, Corrine Bishop, Vicki Lubbock, Ana Ohde, Sophie Lubbock & Megan Skinner.
subs - Stacey High, Sarah Osswald & Neele Olken.
Gorleston FC Ladies starting XI - Briarnie Anguish, Millie Brooks, Elisha Maher, Hayley Muir (C), Mary Croft, Kelly Allen, Jordan Bull, Hannah Croft, Jennifer Snell, Leanne Smith & Beth Turner.
subs - Leanne Muffett, Molly Sims & Samantha Hunn.
(roll on roll off substitutes)
It's Briston to get the match underway 1st half, wearing red shirts with black shorts and socks with Gorleston lined up opposite wearing an all green kit. The home side make progress down the left side of the pitch attacking in the early stages win a corner kick. Vicki Lubbock to play the ball in a good delivery into the six yard box the ball is headed on towards the far post, Briston's Emma Talmadge gets possession of the ball lays it back for Ana Ohde positioned inside the box towards the top right corner, hits the 1st time shot back in towards goal lifts the ball over the bar.
GOAL! Gorleston hit Briston on the counter attack to take an early lead in the match the ball is played up to Hannah Croft on the right wing a strong run on the ball before squaring it inside into the path of Beth Turner who takes the ball on into the box before unleashing a shot a low drive that is past goalkeeper, Melissa Williams before she can get down and stop it at the near post 0-1.
Briston play the ball into Sophie Lubbock peeling away to the right in space goes forwards before cutting inside goes to shoot outside the area, her effort is blocked spins in behind into the box, Megan Skinner ahead of Lubbock reaches it first blasts the ball goalwards from the angle, Gorleston goalkeeper, Briarnie Anguish saves quick reactions to block with her leg the ball rebounds back towards Ohde running into the box fires the ball back into the six yard, too many bodies to squeeze through the ball is blocked then cleared.
Briston play the ball into Sophie Lubbock peeling away to the right in space goes forwards before cutting inside goes to shoot outside the area, her effort is blocked spins in behind into the box, Megan Skinner ahead of Lubbock reaches it first blasts the ball goalwards from the angle, Gorleston goalkeeper, Briarnie Anguish saves quick reactions to block with her leg the ball rebounds back towards Ohde running into the box fires the ball back into the six yard, too many bodies to squeeze through the ball is blocked then cleared.
GOAL! Briston keep the pressure up that end of the pitch win a corner kick on the right. Is a fantastic delivery into the box angled in towards the penalty spot Ohde times her run perfectly coming onto the ball near side to meet it with her head rifle the ball into the back of the net. A collectors item her 1st goal ever a very good headed goal 1-1.
No sooner have they equalised at the start of the match, Briston almost take the lead attacking down the left the ball is played into the area by Vicki Lubbock, Anguish goes to kick the ball inside her six yard box miscues her kick slicing the ball to across to the right, Skinner reacts quickest latching onto it inside the six yard box lashes her shot against the post.
Jordan Bull plays the ball forwards releasing Turner on the right to run in behind the Briston defence takes the ball on up into the box hits the shot in towards the near post, Williamson across to cover the angle makes the save parrying the ball behind for a corner kick. The ball is lifted up into the air towards the near post Hannah Croft jumping can't get her head on the ball, drops to the deck behind her inside the six yard box players converge on it is stabbed goalwards, hasn't any pace, Williamson drops down to claim it. Early change for Briston, Ohde has picked up an injury, Stacey High comes on.
Jennifer Snell loos to have gotten in behind the Briston defence on the left is stopped by an offside flag. Gets back to help defend soon after a Briston captain, Emily Hull plays a good ball out to Corrine Bishop moving away to the right, Snell getting back on her to make the tackle win the ball before she can play the cross up into the area. Her afternoon ends soon after as she and High tussle for the ball out wide on halfway, holding onto each others shirts, both snapping for the ball, Snell kicks out at High catching her high on the leg, a rush of blood to the head costs her is called over by the referee and shown a straight red card, Gorleston reduced to 10.
Vicky Lubbock sends the ball into Skinner breaking into space on the right passes inside to Sophie Lubbock winning a throw the ball put into her feet plays the cross into the area, Anguish spills the ball, is put behind for the corner. On the right goes long towards the far post area is knocked back in towards goal, cleared off the line, before rebound is sent over the bar. Gorleston are a little rattled at going down to 10 need to calm down, Briston try to press the advantage a good ball over the top by Bishop into the box sees Stacey Lubbock in behind, drags her shot wide across the face of goal. Gorleston make a change Molly Sims coming on into midfield as they take striker Leanne Smith off.
GOAL! Briston are awarded a penalty the ball threaded through to Sophie Lubbock in the middle, looks to force her way into the box is brought down by Gorleston captain, Hayley Muir the referee pointing to the spot. Sophie Tipper to take it sends the ball low across Anguish into the bottom right corner to score 2-1.
Gorleston make another change Leanne Muffett coming on for Kelly Allen in midfield. Bishop links up with Vicki Lubbock in the middle before taking the ball forwards looks to lift the ball in towards goal from 20 yards out, doesn't get enough loop on the shot drops safely into Anguish's gloves. The home side win a corner out of nothing on the left a vicious ball is swung in towards goal, comes at Anguish quickly does well to save punching the ball up into the air, then as it drops into the box a foul is spotted Gorleston have the free-kick. Vicki Lubbock picks the ball up 25 yards out takes on the shot from distance is straight at the keeper, Anguish lays claim to the ball.
Skinner puts the ball into the box from the left on the half-volley, Sophie Lubbock inside the six yard box can't quite take it on the stride to deflect it past the keeper, Anguish gathers. Carrying the ball through the middle Vicki Lubbock pulls the ball across the face of the area left to right with Skinner coming inside to receive it tries to turn into the box, is charged down by Mary Croft the ball won.
GOAL! Gorleston equalise as Millie Brooks getting hold of the ball in front of her area moves to the left before putting her clearance into Turner on the wing just over halfway. A strong run on the ball holding off a challenge drives into the Briston area shoots with her left foot powering the ball in towards the near post sneaks in under the keeper to see the scores levelled 2-2.
No sooner have they equalised at the start of the match, Briston almost take the lead attacking down the left the ball is played into the area by Vicki Lubbock, Anguish goes to kick the ball inside her six yard box miscues her kick slicing the ball to across to the right, Skinner reacts quickest latching onto it inside the six yard box lashes her shot against the post.
 |
| Vicki Lubbock brings the ball forwards for Briston Wanderers Ladies |
Jennifer Snell loos to have gotten in behind the Briston defence on the left is stopped by an offside flag. Gets back to help defend soon after a Briston captain, Emily Hull plays a good ball out to Corrine Bishop moving away to the right, Snell getting back on her to make the tackle win the ball before she can play the cross up into the area. Her afternoon ends soon after as she and High tussle for the ball out wide on halfway, holding onto each others shirts, both snapping for the ball, Snell kicks out at High catching her high on the leg, a rush of blood to the head costs her is called over by the referee and shown a straight red card, Gorleston reduced to 10.
 |
| Briston Wanderers Ladies, Megan Skinner |
GOAL! Briston are awarded a penalty the ball threaded through to Sophie Lubbock in the middle, looks to force her way into the box is brought down by Gorleston captain, Hayley Muir the referee pointing to the spot. Sophie Tipper to take it sends the ball low across Anguish into the bottom right corner to score 2-1.
 |
| Briston's Sophie Tipper sees her penalty nestle in the corer of the net to go 2-1 in front |
Skinner puts the ball into the box from the left on the half-volley, Sophie Lubbock inside the six yard box can't quite take it on the stride to deflect it past the keeper, Anguish gathers. Carrying the ball through the middle Vicki Lubbock pulls the ball across the face of the area left to right with Skinner coming inside to receive it tries to turn into the box, is charged down by Mary Croft the ball won.
 |
| Millie Brooks clearance for Gorleston sets up their equaliser |
Briston get up the other end from the restart, Vicki Lubbock fouled inside the D gets the free-kick, takes it goes for goal, gets too much of her foot under the ball lifts the effort up over the crossbar. Attacking down the right late in the 1st half Skinner whips a cross into the box, Muir gets herself in front of Sophie Lubbock on the penalty spot to clear the ball away for the corner.
Half-time Briston Wanderers Ladies 2-2 Gorleston FC Ladies
Plenty of action 1st half Gorleston taking an early lead, Briston getting back on level terms straight away then seeing their opponents reduced to 10 pressed the advantage scoring from the penalty spot. Gorleston coming back into the game late in the half to equalise. No telling at all as to which way the 2nd half might go.
Changes at the break for both sides a couple coming on late in the 1st half. Briston have signed a couple of German players, Sarah Osswald and Neele Olken here in for an English scholarship for a year. Osswald came on late 1st half for Skinner, Olken replacing Tara Curtis. Samantha Hunn on for Gorleston in place of Brooks along with Leanne Smith replacing Bull taking up a deeper role in midfield. Gorleston get the 2nd half underway.
The visitors have a free-kick wide right just inside their own half, Mary Croft over the ball sends it long up towards the top of the area coming right, Muffett chests it down pushing it out onto the wing, going after it down the line fires in a cross, Smith inside the six yard box pulls her leg back to strike it goalwards, the ball cannons off the base of the post and behind for a goal kick.
 |
| Gorleston captain, Hayley Muir keeps an eye on Sophie Lubbock as she looks to find room to shoot |
GOAL! Briston get themselves back into the lead early in the 2nd half, Talmadge plays the ball up the middle Sophie Lubbock goes after it, Muir tries to get back on her with Williamson starting to come towards the top of her area, closed down by Muir, Lubbock holding the ball up turns and rolls it across to High on the right, outside the box lobs the keeper sending the ball over her and into the back of the net 3-2.
 |
| Stacey High puts Briston 3-2 in front |
Sophie Lubbock and High very nearly link up again to add another Briston goal, the ball fed into Lubbock moving right sends it on ahead for High racing into the box right side sends the shot in towards the near post Williamson gets down to stop the shot bounces back out to High who has continued her run comes at her quickly plants the ball into the side netting.
Hunn on the ball on the left for Gorleston takes on the Briston defence combining with Turner who has come across to that side of the area, Turner is quickly closed down crowded off the ball, run back into Hunn, sends the cross long bounces in the six yard box, Muffett free at the far post can't get to the ball. Mary Croft bringing the ball on into the Briston half lines up a shot from distance is intercepted and headed away by Wilmott at the back.
 |
| Striking the pose Mary Croft shoots for Gorleston FC Ladies |
A corner for Briston on the right after a strong run from High her cross cut out. The ball falls to Sophie Lubbock on the middle of the area, turns the ball in towards goal is cleared off the line, not clear a 2nd shot is deflected away for a 2nd corner kick. Gorleston break from the corner Muir clearing the ball up to halfway held up by Turner lays it on for Sims moving past her. Sims plays a great diagonal ball out to the advancing Hunn on the left wing, drives on with the ball cutting back inside to evade a challenge into the box shoots the ball striking the near post and spinning behind for a goal kick.
Osswald has the ball wide left for Briston a good run, brings it inside before shooting from outside the box her effort blocked rebounds back to Talmadge who looks to lift it back into the area, Muir deals with it as Sophie Lubbock tries to get on it near post. Despite having a player less Gorleston are pushing players forwards trying to find a goal. Sims with a good pass forwards picks out Muffett on the right carries the ball on looking to get into the area, Hull does well timing her tackle inside the box and get it clear, it picked up by Gorleston the shot coming in from distance flies over the bar. Briston send Curtis back on to replace
Tipper.
 |
| Leanne Muffett bringing the ball forwards for Gorleston FC Ladies |
GOAL! Gorleston find the equalising goal for the 2nd time in the match. It's a great individual goal from their captain as Muir brings the ball forwards from the back, no one moves to close her down picking up momentum hits the shot from outside the box getting plenty of pace behind it fires the ball in over the keeper to bury it into the back of the net 3-3.
Hunn on the left runs with the ball reaching to top corner of the box pulls the trigger driving the shot in low towards the near post, Williamson saves pushing the ball out for a corner kick. The goal has lifted Gorleston they push on winning a corner on the left the delivery is swung in under the crossbar central, Williamson pushes the ball up onto the bar another corner conceded on the right this time.
Hunn on the left runs with the ball reaching to top corner of the box pulls the trigger driving the shot in low towards the near post, Williamson saves pushing the ball out for a corner kick. The goal has lifted Gorleston they push on winning a corner on the left the delivery is swung in under the crossbar central, Williamson pushes the ball up onto the bar another corner conceded on the right this time.
GOAL! Turner scores to complete her hat-trick and send Gorleston back into the lead. The delivery form the corner is a good one whipped in along the six yard box at head height, Turner is in the right place at the right time to put her head on the ball plant it into the roof of the net to make it 3-4.
Briston having gone from 3-2 up to 3-4 down in short order push up the pitch, Curtis playing the out to Sophie Lubbock on the left wing taking the ball on looks to square the cross into the six yard box, Mary Croft tracking back cuts the ball out. Croft then repeats Muir's run from the ball bringing the ball on reaches the top of the area, this time she is closed down before she can get a shot away, Wilmott winning the ball back. Skinner returns to the action for Briston with High coming off on the right.
Gorleston are doing well with 10 on the field now, Briston starting to tire, Croft tackles Vicki Lubbock on the left as she looks to go beyond Curtis. Muffett plays the ball forwards into Turner looks to pull away to the right turn into the area, Hull goes with her preventing any shooting opportunity before getting the tackle in to win the ball back, deflected off Turner for the goal-kick.
 |
| A hat-trick for Beth Turner for Gorleston FC Ladies |
 |
| Sophie Lubbock on the ball for Briston Wanderers Ladies |
GOAL! An error at the back hands Gorleston a 5th goal, unfortunate from the goal-kick the ball does get any height goes straight to Turner inside the D between the centre back, is past them and into the area before either can react pulling right of goal sends her shot back across goal and into the back of the net 3-5.
Talmadge with the pass picks out Skinner on the right 30 yards out takes on the strike the ball on target is well held by Anguish between the posts. High back on the pitch for Olken receives from a throw on the left 20 yards out moves inside goes to strike it pulls the shot wide of the near post.
Gorleston push on late on themselves, Sims winning a 50/50 ball inside the Briston half shoots from 30 yards out the ball swinging away from goal wide. Hunn on the drive down the left side fires a shot in near post Williamson parries behind for a corner. Coming in under the bar again Williamson with a good punch turns it across the area out for a throw. Sims with another long range shot from 25 yards out scoops the ball up into the area bounces safely into the keeper gloves. The final whistle blows and Gorleston take the 3 points.
Talmadge with the pass picks out Skinner on the right 30 yards out takes on the strike the ball on target is well held by Anguish between the posts. High back on the pitch for Olken receives from a throw on the left 20 yards out moves inside goes to strike it pulls the shot wide of the near post.
Gorleston push on late on themselves, Sims winning a 50/50 ball inside the Briston half shoots from 30 yards out the ball swinging away from goal wide. Hunn on the drive down the left side fires a shot in near post Williamson parries behind for a corner. Coming in under the bar again Williamson with a good punch turns it across the area out for a throw. Sims with another long range shot from 25 yards out scoops the ball up into the area bounces safely into the keeper gloves. The final whistle blows and Gorleston take the 3 points.
Full-time Briston Wanderers Ladies 3-5 Gorleston FC Ladies
An entertaining contest played at a rapid pace, the outcome of the result not certain till the closing stages, Gorleston with 10 on the field for 3 quarters of the game, coming back from behind to win 5-3. Have 3 wins out of 3 at the start of the season an average of over 5 goals per game too. With Sprowston Ladies not in action this weekend go 3 points clear at the top, very early days in the season. Briston suffering defeat in their 1st competitive football of the season haven't had much pre-season action either tire towards the end.
As a neutral I don't mind seeing an 8 goal thriller. My thanks to both sides for their help with the team details this afternoon and best of luck for the rest of the season.
No comments:
Post a Comment