Directly above the County league set up this is where you find the next best placed teams in Norfolk currently being Norwich City LFC Reserves and the team I went to see play today and current league leaders Acle United LFC. I have been looking to get to see Acle play for much of the season but the terrible weather and not frequently updated FA website have made finding a game difficult to do. Acle United LFC joining twitter was great in that regards as fixtures and a link to the men's club website where the ladies team are well covered was a huge help.
Acle have had a very good league season in the top two most of the campaign, exchanging places with their opponents today from Suffolk, AFC Sudbury Ladies, who like Acle have good coverage on the website for the man's team. Going into today's match the two teams were neck and neck on points 33 a piece although Sudbury have played a game more (see table below).
| Eastern Region Division One North | |||||||||
| P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | ||
| 1 | Acle | 15 | 11 | 0 | 4 | 48 | 27 | 21 | 33 |
| 2 | AFC Sudbury | 16 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 37 | 19 | 18 | 33 |
Playing 18 matches this is the business end of the season the team that could take 3pts from this one taking a huge step to claiming the title.
Played at the Acle Recreation Ground there are very good facilities and a social club. The weather was at least at the start bright and breezy is little overcast however as I wandered over to the pitch where the game was to be played the wind was getting stronger and would continue to do so as the game progressed becoming a factor for both teams. It was Acle kitted out in black and white striped shirts, black shorts and socks that kicked off. Their opponents in yellow shirts with blue trim, blue shorts and yellow socks had the wind to their advantage.
It was AFC Sudbury who made the brighter start, a run down the left channel and shot that produced a sharp save from Acle goalkeeper Cara Anderson as she dropped down at her near post and pushed the ball behind for a corner. Sudbury had Acle pinned back in their own half early on midfielder Charlotte Churchman took a shot sweeping the ball across the goal but wide.
Sudbury captain Natalie Golding got herself booked after complaining at the referee as he inadvertantly got in the way of the ball as she attempted to take a free kick. Taking the kick the wind catches the ball lifting it high towards goal just won't drop in time and lands on the roof of the net. The wind in turn was causing Acle problems as their midfeild tried to play the ball forwards for their strikers to run onto it was getting held up letting Sudbury intercept the danger.
Took Acle a bit of time to get some possession in their opponents half, a driving run from midfield from Sharnie Boast and an early strike that went over the bar the home sides 1st effort on goal. Having battled hard to absorb Sudbury pressure it was the home side who were to take the lead, a ball coming into the box from the right caused a bit of pinball as both teams tried to get onto it, the ball was fed out to the left of the box from there it was Sharnie Boast who had time for a shot at goal fired the ball back in across the goal it struck the far post and went in. 1-0 Acle.
The lead however wasn't to be Acle's for very long as they gave away a free kick in a similar position to Natalie Golding's 1st effort 40 yards out this time she lofted the ball high looking for her team mates to run onto the wind took it further forwards Acle keeper Cara Anderson hesitated and let it bounce before her misjudging it the ball went over her and with a flailing glove she couldn't prevent the ball going over the line to make the score 1-1. Both teams had shots off target before the whislte blew to signal the end of the 1st half.
Half-time 1-1
The changing rooms are a long way from the pitch Acle decided to stay out during the break whilst Sudbury headed inside. Pretty good crowd for a match in this division I thought had a raffle too and although I brought a ticket I didn't win. Was offered a form to vote for my player of the season but having only see 45 minutes of football declined. Didn't win on the raffle either...
The wind had picked up as the 1st half had drawn on it was clear with the wind now in their favour Acle were going to use it as the home side started the 2nd half with more intent looking to play the ball over the top for strikers Jenna Thurtle and Aishatu Shaibu to run onto. Sharnie Boast attemped a shot from the outside of the box screwed it wide running away from goal Aishatu Shaibu challanged the defender trying to let it run out and won a corner, from the set piece the ball came in dangerous across goal Sudbury keeper Helena Brodie punching it away for a throw.
Acle retook the lead shortly after striker Jenna Thurtle pulling into space on the right played the ball onto Sharnie Boast who then played it forwards into the path of the sprinting Aishatu Shaibu into the box Helena Brodie rushes out to dive at her feet, the striker stabs the ball past her as they collide and the home side take a 2-1 lead.
The wind was only getting stronger Sudbury's defence was pushing up to the half way line this left plenty of space for Acle's strikers to run into. It was Jenna Thurtle who found herself with a run at goal as the ball was lifted over it was running away from her Helena Brodie came out to claim the ball won it but was taken out by the no9 a forearm into her neck that pole axed the keeper and needing lengthy treatment. The referee consulted with his linesman it was a nasty challenge Jenna Thurtle was lucky to get away with a yellow card.
Brodie was able to continue in goal and to her credit she wasn't fazed by the coming together as just minutes later Thurtle was through on goal again and the keeper confidently dived to claim the ball before Thurtle could close it down.
Sudbury's chances were limited the wind was holding the ball up as they looked to play it through, captain Natalie Golding had a curling effort from outside the box 30 yeards out Acle keeper Cara Anderson was well positioned to take the catch. At the other end Sharnie Boast with a tempting cross fiercely driven across the six yard box, Natasha Greenfield nearly getting on the end of it at the far post.
Sudbury defender Rebecca Thrower made a fantastic tackle inside her own box last player too to deny Aishatu Shaibu an attempt on goal the ball going behind for a corner. The ball cleared from inside the six yard box was fired back in Helena Brodie can't gather 1st time the ball nearly squirms under her before she saves at the 2nd attempt.
Acle were looking the most likely to score again especially when Sudbury lost their captain Golding through an injury. Midfielder Emma Squirrell unmarked on the left taking a long range pop at goal that Cara Anderson was equal too. The last chance fell to Acle a corner inswinging from the left was claimed well by the battered Helena Brodie and as she kicked the ball clear the referee blew for full time and Acle were elated at taking the 3 points that see's them go 3 points clear of their nearest rivals still with a game in hand.
| Eastern Region Division One North | |||||||||
| P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | ||
| 1 | Acle | 16 | 12 | 0 | 4 | 50 | 28 | 22 | 36 |
| 2 | AFC Sudbury | 17 | 10 | 3 | 4 | 38 | 21 | 17 | 33 |
A huge step towards winning the title it is in Acle's hands now with two games left to play.
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