Friday 21 April 2017

Match Report - Kent FA Women v Suffolk FA Women

 This season's East Anglian Counties Championships should have been done and dusted by now however the crucial match between Kent FA Women and Suffolk FA Women was scuppered by Storm Doris back in February high winds making it unsafe for Suffolk to travel down to Kent a point from the game seeing them successfully defend The Fred Welham Cup. A win for Kent however meant that they themselves had the opportunity to win the trophy should they beat Hertfordshire in their final game which itself was also postponed earlier in the season.

East Anglian Counties Championship 
Pos Pl W D L F A GD Pts
1 Suffolk 2 2 0 0 8 5 3 6
2 Kent 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
3 Essex 2 0 1 1 4 5 -1 1
4 Hertfordshire 1 0 0 1 2 4 -2 0

  Two strong squads between two counties that take their women's representative football seriously. Emma Manning having had a successful 1st season in charge of the Suffolk Women's Representative side has stepped down from the role as she takes on a new role with The FA as Women's Tactical Talent Coach for the Eastern Region. Darryn Marsh taking over the role for tonight's title deciding match. The Suffolk squad largely containing players from Ipswich Town Ladies, Lowestoft Town Ladies and Norwich City Ladies all competing in the FAWPL South East Division One. 

  Kent FA Women's Representative side is pretty much made up with Gillingham FC Ladies players the side currently leading the way unbeaten in FAWPL South East Division One, Amy Russ plays for Meridian Ladies and captains the side tonight. Joined the East Anglian Counties Championship last season finishing runners-up. Drew away to Essex in the only game they've gotten to play in this seasons competition 5 points behind Suffolk with two games to play win them both and they can claim the Fred Welham Cup for themselves.

  The M25 isn't great at the best of times and an 8 miles tailback was just what I didn't want but got to where I needed to be in time for kick off. The venue for tonight's match VCD Athletic FC between Dartford and Bexleyheath. A nice non-league ground with the carpark and clubhouse over looking one corner of the pitch down a slope a seated stand on one side the changing rooms situated in the opposite corner a large fairly wide pitch, firm underfoot as most pitches are right now due to the lack of rain. A few dark clouds around quite a warm evening as the sides warm-up on the pitch. 

 Kent FA Women starting XI - Katie Startup, Ellie Manning (both Gillingham FC Ladies), Millie Waud (Gillingham Academy), Cat Cooper, Grace Seeley, Jade Keogh, Jenny Newman, Emily Symonds, Charlotte Gurr, Kallie Balfour (all Gillingham FC Ladies), & Amy Russ (C) (Meridian Ladies)
 subs - Vanisha Patel, April Bowers & Fliss Gibbons (Gillingham FC Ladies)

 Suffolk FA Women starting XI - Charlotte Osborne (Walsham Le Willows Ladies), Eva Hubbard, Jac Ball, Sian Fagg, Aimee Harrison, Hollie Clement, Roxanne Small, Natasha Thomas, (all Ipswich Town Ladies), Abbie Everson, Gemma Moore (both Lowestoft Town Ladies) & Paige Shorten (C) (Norwich City Ladies)
 subs - Leanne Smith, Tamesha Blackwood,  Zoe Cossey,  Ciera Flatt & Cassie Craddock (both Lowestoft Town Ladies)


(roll on roll off substitutes)

It's Kent all in blue to get the match underway, Suffolk all in red lined up opposite. A couple of testing ball put into the channels on the diagonal from either side early on, Suffolk captain Paige Shorten looks to thread the ball through the middle for Natasha Thomas up front, intercepted by Kent's Cat Cooper the ball is played out to the left side, Jenny Newman gets the ball sends it on for Kallie Balfour moving out into the left channel, knocking the ball in behind the Suffolk defence into the box a heavy 1st touch can't keep the ball in play.

GOAL! An early goal for the hosts as Kent take the lead inside the opening 5 minutes the build up on the left as Kent stop a Suffolk attack through the centre the ball with left back Millie Waud rolled forwards into Newman crossing the half way line passes inside to Charlotte Gurr who releases Balfour down the left side with her 1st touch, takes the ball on travelling into the box the angle against her manages to flash a cross along the face of the Suffolk goal dropping at the far post, Emily Symonds arrives on cue to slide in and turn the ball over the line from close range 1-0.

 A bright start from Kent getting bodies forwards, Gurr sending the ball on through the middle into captain Amy Russ her attempted strike from outside the box is charged down by Shorten the deflected ball looping back off Russ up into the air is caught by Suffolk goalkeeper Charlotte Osborne inside the box. Gurr instrumental early on for Kent has the ball 25 yards out looking to link with Russ both are closed down 1st by Sian Fagg then Shorten as they try to thread the ball into the box the 2nd block seeing the ball run back to Russ gets a shot in towards Osborne right behind it takes cleanly.

  A free kick on the half way line for Kent the ball sent forwards a vital interception from Suffolk's Eva Hubbard at left back as Gurr up field looks to play Symonds in behind into the box from the right, Hubbard winning the pass. Newman looks to run clear on the left trying to get past right back Jac Ball the defender tackles well to put the ball away for the throw in. Fagg along with fellow centre back Aimee Harrison close Gurr and Balfour down inside the D as the pair look to combine their passes inside the D the ball blocked rolls back out to towards Russ 25 yards out, having to dig the ball out from under her feet to get a shot away pulls the ball wide of goal.

  Suffolk win a free-kick on halfway a chance for players to get forwards, Hollie Clement over the set-piece plays it up towards the top of the box left of the Kent goal the initial ball in headed away by Kent, won back by Shorten 30 yards out sends the ball back into the area, Thomas peeling off the Kent defence left of goal stretches her leg getting onto the end of the ball, looping up into the air, Kent goalkeeper Katie Startup backpedalling sees the ball land on the top of her crossbar before going out of play.

 GOAL! Kent go on the attack right from the goal kick played on up to Gurr evades a challenge taking the ball on before releasing Balfour moving away to the left, the ball payed into her path a surge of pace taking her in behind into the six yard box wide of goal fires the ball in towards goal, Osborne going to ground gets something on the ball but bouncing up catches one of her own defenders the ball going over her into the back of the net 2-0.


 20 minutes played Suffolk are on the back foot, Kent getting players forwards keeping the ball in the middle. Pressure from Thomas off a throw in gives Suffolk a corner, Clement has Fagg moving unmarked in towards the near post area sends the ball in with pace Fagg can't get anything on the ball Kent defend in the centre the ball cleared back out to Clement n the right puts it back in near post Thomas onto it turns and shoots Startup covering the post makes a great saves blocking the shot. 

  Grace Seeley is allowed to travel with the ball for Kent, Gemma Moore tracking back with her puts in the tackle to prevent her playing Symonds in on the right. Coming forwards Russ has a yard on Harrison as the pair run towards the box right side Osborne comes sliding in the ball deflecting off her in behind to the right, picked up by Symonds she whips the ball in towards Balfour top of the area as Suffolk scramble to get back, Balfour misses her kick, quickly retrieves her 2nd attempt blocked spins out to Newman left drills her strike into the side netting.

 GOAL! Kent score a 3rd goal, Russ seeing a miscued kick out from Osborne fall short land at her feet 25 yards from goal hits it straight back in towards goal on the volley the ball flying past the goalkeeper into the back of the net 3-0.


   GOAL! 3 nil down after the opening 22 minutes Suffolk hit back with a much needed immediate response, the ball played on from the restart Shorten going forwards, direct into Thomas the ball back to Shorten outside the box hits it sweetly with plenty of power behind the shot left of goal comes in low squeezing inside the post as Startup throws herself to her right 3-1

  Suffolk come very close to pulling back another goal straight away Shorten again involved pushes on through the middle is brought down 25 yards from goal a free-kick given away in a dangerous position, it's Shorten herself to take it hits it hard and accurate in towards goal, Startup throwing herself up and back tips the ball up onto the crossbar dropping down hits her back as she falls looks to be in, the keeper twisting round gets both gloves wrapped around the ball stopping it from going over the line despite Suffolk's appeals.

  Harrison wins the tackle inside her area as Kent come forwards conceding the corner kick an inswinging ball put in towards the near post with pace, cleared across goal Russ regains possession for Kent on the left knocking the ball on flashes a cross along the face of goal no one there to turn it home, picked up by Symonds on the opposite her ball back in is claimed by Osborne at her near post. 

  Two great saves from Osborne in quick succession as Kent attack Balfour played through into the box on the left fires a stinging ball on the rise in towards goal Osborne throwing her gloves up pals it away across her goal the ball is half cleared Gurr onto it 20 yards out sends a low drives back in skipping up off the surface Osborne back across her goal goes to ground traps the ball with her legs to make the save. A change for Suffolk Cassie Craddock coming on for her 1st appearance for the county side replacing Roxanne Small. 

  Gurr pushes forwards for Kent plays the one two with Russ to her right outside the box getting the return ball as she enters the area, Harrison tackles her winning the ball for Suffolk. Jade Keogh has the opportunity to go forwards for Kent through the middle hits the ball with the outside of her boot from outside the box her shot wide across goal. A tough 1st half for Suffolk, Kent playing the ball well getting diagonal balls into feet player finding space. One last attack before half-time Balfour brings the ball down well inside the box cutting inside has Symonds making a run to her right lays the ball into her path Symonds strikes it goalwards Osborne gets down smartly and makes the save.


Half-time Kent FA Women 3-1 Suffolk FA Women


  Kent good value for their 3-1 lead at the break as the two sides head towards the dressing rooms at half-time. A side that is used to playing with each other players have found room all over the pitch, runners out wide, Gurr vastly experienced getting on the ball through the middle finding the attacking players ahead of her, going 3-0 up a vital response for Suffolk, might have been 3-2 a great save from Startup whilst up the other end Osborne has made 3 important saves to keep the scoreline down, 

  Changes for both sides at half-time, a change of goalkeepers for Suffolk, Leanne Smith coming on to make her County debut replacing Osborne. Kent make 3 changes Vanisha Patel, April Bowers and Fliss Gibbons all coming on Russ, Cooper and Seeley off. Suffolk get the 2nd half underway. Keogh wins possession for the home side straight away the ball played out to Gibbons moving into the left channel Gurr making a run to get into the box gets it from Gibbons fires a cross into the middle, Harrison 1st to it clears for Suffolk. 

  A free-kick for Suffolk on halfway right side Clement with a great ball up into the area, Startup keeps her eye on the ball taking it high above her head with Thomas closing her down. 


 GOAL! Kent go straight up the other end and extend their lead barley 5 minutes into the 2nd half. The ball through the middle as Startup sends the ball up field helped on by Keogh before Balfour sends Gurr making the forwards run in behind through on goal pulls the trigger from the top of the area giving Smith little chance to react as she makes it 4-1 to Kent.

  Shorten and Everson try to get thing's going in the middle for Suffolk, Shorten looking to get forwards is played into an attacking position by Everson, closed down by Keogh before she can release Thomas on the move to get into the box to her left. Suffolk build another attack Clement into Everson this time threads the ball through to Thomas into space behind the centre backs, Manning gets to the ball in the nick of time to prevent Thomas getting a clear run on goal. A rapid counter move by Kent the ball into Keogh sent long for Balfour to chase down in behind wide right, cuts the cross back in towards the near post Gibbons coming to meet the ball sends her flick inside the six yard box wide of the post. 

 Everson comes off for Suffolk with Tamesha Blackwood coming in. Kent keeping the ball Suffolk are working hard without getting any meaningful possession on the ball. Gibbons springs the offside trap left side for Kent a long way out drives forwards on into the area Blackwood recovering the ground slides in to stop Gibbons putting anything in towards goal as she looks to turn inside. Smith has gone down off the ball for Suffolk in goal as play is stopped so she can receive treatment, having been out with a long term injury a concern an injury to the top of her thigh can't continue a brief appearance comes to an end Osborne rejoining the action.

 GOAL! Barely time to set herself, Smith is still being seen too on the sidelines as Kent win possession from the goal kick the ball won by Newman left sends the ball on the diagonal long into the box aiming for Symonds far side, doesn't reach her but not cleared the ball is knocked down straight into Gibbons six yards out central blasts the ball past Osborne into the back of the net to make it 5-1 as the game passes the 60th minute.

 Moore wide left rides a strong challenge before going on looks to fire the ball into Thomas 25 yards out back to goal, closely marked by Patel she isn't allowed to turn. Zoe Cossey comes on for Suffolk replacing Hubbard as Suffolk switch to 3 at the back. Gurr latching onto a Blackwood clearance volleys the ball wide from outside the box. Balfour slides Symonds in down the right wing taking the ball on getting into the box drills the shot in near post Osborne her angles covered makes the save. 

 GOAL! Kent go further ahead the ball won by Bowers in the middle a great diagonal ball right to left for Gibbons controls top of the area before sending a low drive across the keeper into the bottom corner of the net for her 2nd of the match 6-1.

 Both sides make a change Ciera Flatt on making her debut for Suffolk replacing Craddock, Seeley back on for Kent in place of Newman. Kent have all the play, Suffolk getting very little joy can't get the ball into Thomas up top. Shorten getting about the pitch up ends Gibbons the referee has a word. Bowers moves out to the right with the ball squares her cross into the middle looking for Gibbons is squeezed off the ball by Fagg the pass out to Cossey left side rolls her marker well nipping in beyond lays the ball forwards for Thomas coming to receive, Manning gets across her and sees the ball back into her keeper.

  Craddock rejoins the play for Suffolk, Clement off. Kent bring Russ and Cooper back on  Maud and Gurr the players taken off as the game moves into the last 10 minutes. Russ strikes the crossbar from 25 yards out as the ball is played out to her moving left.

 GOAL! The ball is delivered centrally into the feet of Thomas for Suffolk in the 82nd minute driving a powerful run something she has been looking to do all game Kent can't close her down quick enough as Startup begins to come Thomas pulls the trigger from outside the box driving her shot past the keeper to score 6-2.

  Kent's Keogh is allowed to travel with the ball into the final 3rd left of goal shoots from 25 yards out, Osborne is right behind the shot holds onto the ball. Moore gets away from her marker on the left puts the ball diagonally into the centre for Thomas helping it on for Blackwood coming in far side, Startup stops the shot comfortably. A knock on the foot for Moore in the previous move she comes off for Suffolk, Hubbard going back on encouraged by their goal Suffolk push on a bit in the closing minutes. 

  Shorten is brought down as she charges through the middle as the game moves into stoppage time one last opportunity to pull another goal back. Shorten over the free-kick gets her shot past the Kent wall but not Startup beyond as she kicks the ball away the referee blows the final whistle and Kent celebrate the win.

Full time Kent FA Women 6-2 Suffolk FA Women

  A comfortable result for Kent on the night deserved winners got off to a great start pace and movement that troubled Suffolk all night. 3-0 up after 22 minutes an immediate response from Suffolk gave them some hope of a 2nd half comeback, not to be however as Kent extended the lead further. A strong performance from Kent move onto 4 points 2 off Suffolk at the top are at home to Hertfordshire next Wednesday a win will give them the East Anglian Counties Championship title.

SWF Blog - Player of the Match

Tonight's SWF Blog - Player of the Match goes to Kent's Charlotte Gurr, hugely experienced instrumental operating in midfield finding space and making runs tricky to mark getting forwards to assist in the attack and always looking to bring others into play.

  Always enjoy watching County sides in action. My thanks Suffolk's Darryn Marsh and Kent FA's Dwayne Ellis for their help tonight.

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