This season's League Cup Final contested by the sides 1st and 3rd in the league both in great form in 2017. Bungay Town Ladies after a slow start hit the ground running after the New Year, winning 8 straight league games to leap up the table get onto the tails of the leading pair, beating Thorpe United Ladies 4-1 at home to end their 100% winning start to the season in that spell, 10 games unbeaten in all before the run was ended with a 1-0 loss away to Aylsham FC Ladies, who won the League Cup last season. This is Bungay Town Ladies 1st appearance in a Cup Final.
Thorpe United Ladies started the season very well under new manager Martin Francis won their opening 12 games in both league and cup, nine straight wins in the league the coming to an end as mentioned above in February when they were beaten by Bungay Town Ladies. Looking strong in the league despite a couple of losses have a 7 point lead at the top from King's Lynn Town Ladies.
A possible treble on the cards, claimed the 1st silverware of the season successfully retaining the Norfolk Women's County Cup beating Wymondham Town Ladies 2-0. That final as you will know was just two nights ago on Friday, unfortunate scheduling, a quick turn around and recovery for Thorpe United however with one trophy successfully defended they will be in confident mood of claiming another.
Road to the Final
Bungay Town Ladies were at home in the 1st Round of the League Cup hosting Sprowston Ladies back in October a comfortable 6-0 win over the Division Two side seeing them progress into the 2nd Round where they were away to another Division Two side, Bohemians Ladies. A 5-1 win putting them into the quarter-finals, after that Bungay Town didn't kick a ball, despite wanting to as they were awarded a home win against East Coast Ladies before advancing through to the final as opponents Brandon Town Ladies fell foul to the same rule that had seen Briston Wanderers Ladies withdraw from the semi-finals of the Plate. Having beaten Thorpe United once this season Bungay Town will be hoping to so do again this afternoon to win the League Cup.
Was also 6 goals at home to Division Two opposition in the 1st Round for Thorpe United in the League Cup as they dispatched Long Stratton Ladies 6-1 to reach the 2nd Round. There they faced a tough test away to fellow Division One side King's Lynn Town Ladies went on to win the match 5-1 to reach the quarter finals. Another fellow Division One side to play another tricky tie drawn at home to North Walsham Angels Ladies, Thorpe won the game 4-1 to progress into the semi-finals. At home to runaway Division Two Champions Gorleston FC Ladies. A single goal in the 1st half saw Thorpe United set up their 2nd final date of the season.
An hours turnaround between games had to dash off find a new memory card for the camera the one in place flashing up as corrupt just what I didn't need but made it back just in time for kick-off. The strong breeze still in place, plenty of people there to watch the final as the 2 sides walked out onto the pitch.
Bungay Town Ladies starting XI - Ruth Smart, Kelly Collins (C), Hannah Jones, Charlotte Power, Jessica Keeling, Teodora Ilie, Ella Hindley, Laura Holden, Lauren Purling, Nicky Hazell & Lacey Andrews.
subs - Emily leach, Beccy Goffin & Stefanie Cool.
Thorpe United Ladies starting XI - Cara Anderson, Bethan Sommerfield, Olivia Mungham-Gray, Lisa-Marie Riches, Lauren Kett, Alice Ford, Jade Powell, Vivian Moyo, Edie Wright, Laura Hedtke & Rebekah Lake (C).
subs - Nicole Read, Chelsea Clark & Shanice Sutton.
(roll on roll off substitutes)
It's Thorpe to take the kick-off 1st half in the League Cup Final, back to wearing their usual home colours dark pink shirts with black shorts and socks. Bungay wearing light blue shirts with black shorts and socks. Goalkeeper Ruth Smart with an early touch of the ball as she claims it inside her area for Bungay as Thorpe captain Rebekah Lake looks to work her way into the box straight from kick-off. A slow start to the game both sides looking to get the ball out wide defences dealing with it.
An opportunity for Thorpe to bring players forwards as they are awarded a free-kick outside the box on the right as Laura Hedtke is fouled. The ball played in near side centre back Lauren Kett gets her head on the ball directs her effort wide of the Bungay goal. Alice Ford with a good tackle wins the ball for Thorpe in the centre of midfield moving forwards attempts to side the ball through the middle for Lake, Bungay's Jessica Keeling cuts out the ball outside her area. The ball is launched up field Bungay striker Lacey Andrews is away in behind for a moment as goalkeeper Cara Anderson starts to come, Kett recovers the ground and gets across her prevents any meaningful shot coming in.
Ford closing the ball down on halfway plays the pass out to Edie Wright on the left wing back to goal 25 yard out rolls her marker turning inside sends a looping ball high into the area Smart keeps her eye on the ball but sees it land safely on the roof of her net. Bungay are working hard at the back to keep someone on Lake prevent her making the runs into gaps to receive the ball. Laura Holden breaks from midfield for Bungay moving right, Olivia Mungham-Gray getting back on her does enough to put her off as she shoots the ball safely into Anderson's gloves.
Hedtke and Lake getting hold of the ball link up in the right corner before the ball is played long across the area met by Wright inside the D, looks to open up her body curl the ball into the top corner, bends sharply flying straight into Smart the keeper claiming the ball. An intriguing contest both sides cancelling each other out to a degree little opportunity to get in behind. Andrews flagged offside on a couple of occasions for Bungay. Ford and Jade Powell combine winning ball in the middle, Powell trying her luck with the strong breeze at her back 30 yards out her pacey dipping effort doesn't drop far wide of goal.
Ford also has a go from distance shortly area not the same pace on her shot as Powell,s bounces through to the keeper. A free-kick for Thorpe on half-way Kett over it flights the ball into the middle of the area, Moyo has made the run, doesn't get the touch as it runs through to Smart. Moyo with a chance as Thorpe break their clearance finding Hedtke turns plays the ball into Moyo making the run on the right knocks the ball on towards the box, Smart comes rushing out Moyo gets the ball past the advancing keeper sees her attempt run narrowly wide of goal.
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| Thorpe United Ladies, Alice Ford with Bungay's Lacey Andrews |
A change for Thorpe, Wright coming off, Shanice Sutton coming on. Bungay also make a change Stefanie Cool coming on for Nicky Hazell. Bethan Sommerfield gets up the field for Thorpe on the right supporting Lake the ball given back to her sent into the area, headed away by Keeling. Thorpe with more of the ball 1st half chances limited Bungay deep not alot of room in behind shots coming in from distance.
Bungay launch a counter attack the ball with Lauren Purling as she gets forwards with support from Holden as Andrews plays it on, left side coming into the area the shot is past the onrushing Anderson running along the ground the ball goes out wide at the far post. Bungay make another change Teodora Ilie coming off Emily Leach coming on. Ella Hindley lifts the ball over the top of the Thorpe, Andrews after it, Kett recovers well getting back on the striker forcing her out wide left concedes the corner kick. The high ball into the box cleared by Lisa-Marie Riches away for a throw opposite side.
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| Bungay Town Ladies, Lauren Purling |
From the throw in the ball from Holden is played into Leach central, tries to power her way through the middle of the Thorpe defence 20 yards out the ball is lost, looking to get Sutton away on the left she is fouled on halfway, the set-piece sent up towards the top of the area is cleared by Bungay's Charlotte Power.
GOAL! 2 minutes of normal time left in the 1st half and the deadlock is broken, Bungay have worked hard all game to limit Lake's movement in front of goal she finds away through however to score. The ball played up field into Moyo brings it don on her chest well Lake making her move to get into the area, Moyo sends the ball on up into the area, Lake brings it down with a glance off her shoulder taking it away to the right evading the Bungay defence fires her shot across the keeper and into the far corner 0-1.
A strong end to the half for Thorpe, Hedtke bringing the ball into her body turning inside 25 yards out from the left shifts it between her feet to get room for a strike a tame effort in the ed runs through to Smart. Sutton looks to get in behind on the left wing, Hannah Jones back n her slides in to win the ball.
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| Thorpe United Ladies captain, Rebekah Lake |
A strong end to the half for Thorpe, Hedtke bringing the ball into her body turning inside 25 yards out from the left shifts it between her feet to get room for a strike a tame effort in the ed runs through to Smart. Sutton looks to get in behind on the left wing, Hannah Jones back n her slides in to win the ball.
Half-time Bungay Town Ladies 0-1 Thorpe United Ladies
As with the County Cup Final on Friday, Thorpe hold a narrow 1-0 lead going into the dressing room at half-time. A different game however have put a lot of energy into the 1st half without getting in behind so much as Bungay are prepared to sit invite them on. Have stifled Lake to a degree although she found a way through to score. Haven't had much luck up the other end against the breeze stay out on the pitch during the break.
Having been in the mainstand 3 the Plate Final and 1st half of the League Cup Final decide to head round to the opposite side of the pitch to get a better feel for the breeze that blowing across the pitch is strong and clearly having an influence on play aiding the ball one way, sapping energy the other. It's Bungay to kick-ff the 2nd half. Thorpe win the ball Ford on for Sutton breaking on the left coming inside evades Keeling, but is stopped by Power beyond as she tries to enter the box.
GOAL! The scores are levelled Bungay getting the equaliser early in the 2nd half the ball is played into Leach inside the Thorpe half top of the centre circle, goes for goal looks a dangerous ball the moment it leaves her foot up into the area caught by the breeze Anderson back on her line is in trouble as it drops dipping late sneaking under the crossbar and in 1-1.
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| A long range strike from Emily Leach puts Bungay Town Ladies back on level terms |
Lake comes to receive the ball 30 yards out helps it on to her left with Moyo on the move up the right wing carries the ball into the area pulls the trigger her strike taking a deflection off Power turned wide of goal for the corner kick. A high ball in from the right Kett gets up headers the ball on across goal, Purling is able to clear it far side. Riches does well at the back sliding in to intercept the ball in front of Andrews as Holden attempts to thread the ball into her in a central position inside the D.
Lake onto the ball inside the box right plays it back outside to Powell looks to play in in high for Sutton coming in far post, Leach back for Bungay gets her head on the ball to clear. Cool looks to get onto the diagonal ball send right to left, reaching it 1st sends it on into the area, Purling has covered a lot of ground on the right to get into the box, can't get to the ball before Anderson claims it.
GOAL! Good work from Purling on the right closing the ball down winning it and in behind whipping a low ball in across the top of the area left of the D, Andrews doesn't quite take it in her stride however it hits the defender tracking back with her comes back into her feet a s the goalkeeper starts to come, Kett lunging in to try and take the ball away from the strikers feet Andrews ends up on the floor the ball squeezing past Anderson rolls into the back of the empty net beyond. 2-1 Bungay take the lead with a little over 15 minutes played in the 2nd half.
Thorpe look to freshen things up make an immediate change, Powell comes off, Chelsea Clark on goes out to the right Hedtke coming more central. Purling is left in a heap on the floor as she and Ford clash heads in the centre of the pitch, both are okay after a spell of treatment. Andrews with space on the right to run into sends a high ball into the box, Ford is back to head clear for Thorpe. Sommerfield clears the ball as Holden looks to pick out Cool with a long diagonal ball as she comes inside from the left.
Holden brings the ball on for Bungay looks to put the ball into Andrews moving into the right channel, Mungham-Gray closing her down to tackle and clear the ball. A little ragged from Thorpe now their energy levels dropping Collins comes off for Bungay with Beccy Goffin entering the field. Cool peeling off the Thorpe defence runs onto Andrews diagonal ball closing in on the area shoots a comfortable gather for Anderson at her near post.
A free-kick for Bungay wide on the right inside the Thorpe half each over the ball looks to put it on target another difficult ball for Anderson to deal with back on her line gets her gloves up does well to bring it down safely. Wright comes back on for Thorpe replacing Hedtke as they look to find a goal to get them back into the match. Lake on the ball gets her head down drives forwards has Sutton left looking to get in behind the Bungay defence into the box Lake tries to pick her out, too close to Smart the goalkeeper can get there first.
Moyo with a good take down on the right side plays the ball on for Lake charging up towards the top of the area, Smart comes racing out to meet her as she enters the area Lake getting the ball past the keeper but not on target, Power back on the ball to launch it clear. A double change for Bungay Cool and Holden the players coming off, Hazell and Ilie back on. Ford with a determined run forwards shoots from all of 30 yards out no pace on the ball Smart able to claim.
Another clash of heads between Moyo and Hindley this time, the Bungay midfielder coming off the worse comes off holding her bleeding nose. Holden barely rested coming back on. Purling collects a ball in the guts leaving her grounded again. A fair bit of injury time to come. Good work from Holden taking the ball from a central position out to the right before turning back inside an firing a cross along the top of the Thorpe area runs into Ilie looks to curl a shot into the top corner instead puts it into Anderson.
Thorpe are throwing players forwards going for broke as the game moves into stoppage time risk the counter Bungay break the ball from Jones into Holden on for Hazell coming in towards the box from the left Anderson comes racing out to the edge of her area gets her gloves up to block the ball as Hazell looks to lift it past her contact outside the box Anderson goes down holding her face, another few minutes to be added. One last throw of the dice for Thorpe everyone up as they win a free-kick wide right Kett up into the area landing inside the area Jones can see it out shielding it from Ford as the final whistle blows and Bungay Town Ladies win the Norfolk Ladies League Cup.
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| Bungay Town Ladies, Lacey Andrews |
Holden brings the ball on for Bungay looks to put the ball into Andrews moving into the right channel, Mungham-Gray closing her down to tackle and clear the ball. A little ragged from Thorpe now their energy levels dropping Collins comes off for Bungay with Beccy Goffin entering the field. Cool peeling off the Thorpe defence runs onto Andrews diagonal ball closing in on the area shoots a comfortable gather for Anderson at her near post.
A free-kick for Bungay wide on the right inside the Thorpe half each over the ball looks to put it on target another difficult ball for Anderson to deal with back on her line gets her gloves up does well to bring it down safely. Wright comes back on for Thorpe replacing Hedtke as they look to find a goal to get them back into the match. Lake on the ball gets her head down drives forwards has Sutton left looking to get in behind the Bungay defence into the box Lake tries to pick her out, too close to Smart the goalkeeper can get there first.
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| Shanice Sutton challenges Lauren Purling for the ball |
Moyo with a good take down on the right side plays the ball on for Lake charging up towards the top of the area, Smart comes racing out to meet her as she enters the area Lake getting the ball past the keeper but not on target, Power back on the ball to launch it clear. A double change for Bungay Cool and Holden the players coming off, Hazell and Ilie back on. Ford with a determined run forwards shoots from all of 30 yards out no pace on the ball Smart able to claim.
Another clash of heads between Moyo and Hindley this time, the Bungay midfielder coming off the worse comes off holding her bleeding nose. Holden barely rested coming back on. Purling collects a ball in the guts leaving her grounded again. A fair bit of injury time to come. Good work from Holden taking the ball from a central position out to the right before turning back inside an firing a cross along the top of the Thorpe area runs into Ilie looks to curl a shot into the top corner instead puts it into Anderson.
Thorpe are throwing players forwards going for broke as the game moves into stoppage time risk the counter Bungay break the ball from Jones into Holden on for Hazell coming in towards the box from the left Anderson comes racing out to the edge of her area gets her gloves up to block the ball as Hazell looks to lift it past her contact outside the box Anderson goes down holding her face, another few minutes to be added. One last throw of the dice for Thorpe everyone up as they win a free-kick wide right Kett up into the area landing inside the area Jones can see it out shielding it from Ford as the final whistle blows and Bungay Town Ladies win the Norfolk Ladies League Cup.
Full time Bungay Town Ladies 0-0 Thorpe United Ladies
A game too far for Thorpe in the end 2 finals in the space of 48 hours the joy off winning the County Cup tempered by defeat in the League Cup Final. A fantastic achievement none the less to reach both finals. Bungay doing well to keep Thorpe's chances limited 1st half conceding a goal late on found an immediate response 2nd half working hard to close the ball found another on the counter attack wasn't a pretty goal but Andrews did enough to put the ball over the line Bungay holding on to the lead to claim the victory.
SWF Blog - Player of the Match
The SWF Blog - Player of the Match for today's Norfolk Ladies League Cup Final goes to Lauren Purling an energetic display working hard to close the ball down especially 2nd half getting back to help defend when needed set up the winning goal.
Congratulations to Bungay Town Ladies on winning this season's Norfolk Ladies League Cup Final.
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| Norfolk Ladies League Cup Winners, Bungay Town Ladies |
Also congratulations to Costessey Sports who won the Ladies 7's League Cup Final beating Morley Ladies 2-0.
My thanks to both clubs for their help with the teams and to the committee members of the NWGFL for all their assistance and putting on a great finals day
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