Match Report UEA Women's FC v Fakenham Ladies FC

   The weather continues to play havoc with the best laid plans of a women's football supporter as football pitches become more suited for flippers rather than football boots, so it pays to keep your options open this time of year. As it was circumstances offered me a chance to take another look at a women's football match in Norfolk once again and the one I ventured to today was a real thriller. It was a cup weekend the quarter finals of the Norfolk Women's Cup.
    Despite all of the rain we've had this past decade.... sorry week it seemed that the 4 quarter finals listed below were on -
                                   
                                         Mulbarton Belles v Norwich City Ladies FC
                                         Alysham Ladies FC v Wymondham Town Ladies FC
                                         UEA Women's FC v Fakenham Ladies FC
                                         Stalham Town Ladies FC v Thorpe United Ladies FC

  The tie that had caught my eye was UEA Women's FC v Fakenham Ladies FC. The University of East Anglia women's team had been on a good run of results recently that has seen them join Wymondham and Thorpe at the top of the league. One of those results being a 4-0 victory over today's visitors Fakenham the weekend before.
     Setting off in the rain thankfully conditions improved as I travelled east along the A47 to the outskirts of Norwich and the venue for the match Colney Lane Playingfields, a nice sports and recreation ground even had blue sky which has been in short supply of late. Kick off was at 1:30 so I was glad I'd gotten there in time and finding the pitch was all set for the match.
    UEA lining up in an all navy blue kit and Fakenham in yellow tops and socks with black shorts it was the home side with the early pressure as the ball came flashing across the box from the right the 1st touch was too heavy and blasted wide of the goal. The opening exchanges were pretty even with both teams getting chances to break but no clear cut chances to strike on goal. Fakenham were struggling to get the ball up to their strikers and keep possession high up the pitch. A last ditch diving tackle prevented UEA on the edge of the box whilst up the other end a shooting chance was pulled wide of goal. UEA were building pressure as they drove down the flanks a number of last ditch blocks were needed from Fakenham.
     During this spell it looked likely UEA would score the ball was crossed in early from the right again the last Fakenham defender had to dive in to stop the attacker behind her getting a free shot on goal alas the defenders outstretched leg reached the ball but could only send it dispairingly towards goal and roll just inside the post as UEA took the lead. UEA were fully on top now as soon after a shot from the edge of the box cannoned down off the crossbar and Fakenham's keeper was able to push it wide for a corner.
    Another chance for UEA from the corner a header but straight at the keeper who saved. Fakenham needed to get the ball up field and had a chance as their striker broke through but UEA's keeper was out fast to smother the attempted shot. UEA hit the post then as a shot came in from the right beat the keeper but hitting the post bounced back across goal enabling a defender to clear at half time the Fakenham goal had led a charmed life and on another day where they might have been 3 down at the break UEA led by 1-0 and it was still very much game on.
   Now for the 2nd half and it was to be the classic 'game of two halves' as Fakenham tweaked their line up a little in an attempt to better link their midfield up with their strikers. As it was UEA had the 1st chance as their attacker ran clear only to find the Fakenham keeper in the right position to save her shot. However Fakenham were getting more of the ball and pushing forwards had support for their strikers got the ball down the right and the cross was fired hard towards the six yard box it beat the UEA defence but not Fakenham's striker Lauren Matthews who blasted the ball home from close range to make it 1-1. Now Fakenham were the ones on top they were coming at UEA in numbers it was Matthews again with another chance as she run down to block a defenders clearance but the ball cannoned off her into the keepers arms.
   The game was very open UEA were able to counter but once again good positioning from Fakenhams keeper prevented a goal. For all their possession Fakenham were defending a high line and from this UEA's no9 Aviyah Abrahams capitalised running off her defender and firing a fierce shot towards goal Fakenham's keeper got her gloves to it by it wasn't enough as it bounced down and into the net and UEA regained the lead 2-1.
     Fakenham kept going however pressing hard up the other end attacking in numbers Lauren Matthews winning the ball on the half way line fired the ball forwards found her strike partner Sam King and with a composed strike the no14 struck the ball past the keeper into the back of the net to equalise for the 2nd time in the game 2-2.
    UEA's Aviyah Abrahams was causing problems for Fakenham's tiring defenders playing off the last defender she was able to break several times. Running hard with the ball she weaved her way past two tackling defenders before rifling the ball into the net getting her 2nd of the match and restoring UEA's lead 3-2 the next goal wasn't to be another Fakenham leveller as UEA's no9 continued her marauding runs pulling defenders towards her she was able to get a cross in from the left and it found her team mate no10 Amelia Glean unmarked and clear on goal to give the UEA at last a 2 goal cushion going into the last 20 mins 4-2.
   Fakenham didn't give up the spirit that had seen them fightback twice was still in abundance they continued to attack and in number and from one attack UEA couldn't clear the edge of the box it found the feet of Fakenham's no8 Maddie Smith and she lifted the ball towards goal, UEA's keeper let the ball slip through her gloves as it came in high and could only watch as it went in behind her to make it 4-3 with just minutes to play. UEA had to defend hard during that period a series of corners and a bit of pinball in the box but they held on to claim victory in a thrilling game and progress to the semi-finals, well done to them and too Fakenham too played with great spirit and a pleasure to watch.
  In the other quarter-finals Mulbarton v Norwich was a late late call off, very disappointing for the home side I'm sure as they were looking forwards too going up against a team 5 leagues higher, but will have to wait till another day. Alysham were the victors in another 7 goal spectacle running out 4-3 winners over Wymondham and Stalham Town were beaten 6-0 by Thorpe United.