I have seen Lowestoft Ladies before, were 1 of the 2 teams that featured in my 1st ever match report a Women's FA Cup tie against Cambridge WFC, and I'd seen them just a few weeks ago in a pre-season friendly with Ipswich Ladies. Are in many peoples eyes one of the favorites for the league title this season having had a strong campaign last time out and then adding to their squad a handful of players that have played in the league above at Norwich City Ladies.
Whenever I'd looked to go watch Gt Shelford Ladies play last season, usually the weather or other postponements came along, so an early league meeting between the 2 clubs was a great opportunity to see them both in action. Both clubs have the same thing in common in that they are the 2nd highest league placed clubs in their respective counties of Cambridgeshire & Suffolk, with Cambridge WFC & Ipswich Town Ladies established clubs in the FAWPL South East Division One, both Lowestoft Ladies & Gt Shelford Ladies looking to join them or be in the mix for promotion.
The venue for today's league clash the Gt Shelford Recreation Ground. A communal sports facility with a new looking built changing area and pavilion. The pitch looking in good condition if a little bumpy, the weather cool, a little breezy with a few dark clouds around.
Gt Shelford Ladies starting XI - Laura Gilbey (C), Claire Creek, Alana Sugden, Sophie Lanham, Gemma Murray, Kate Saunders, Becky Charter, Georgia Day, Sophie Hopkins, Becky Taylor & Charlotte Maybank.
subs - Abigail Davies, Harriet Blundell, Amanda Binge, Amy Brooks & Lauren Martin.
Lowestoft Ladies starting XI - Chloe Nixon, Marcie Prettyman, Anna Larkins, Megan Cletheroe, Kate Pasque (C), Amber Rowland, Natasha Thomas, Charlotte Eastwood, Hannah Waters, Chloe Hoffman & Zoe Cossey
subs - Broghan Scully & Charnelle Riggall
It's the visitors, Lowestoft to kick off the match in an all blue kit with white trim, against Gt Shelford kitted out in claret & sky blue halved shirts, claret shorts and socks. Lowestoft with the early pressing pushing Gt Shelford back win a couple of corners that the home side deal with.
For all the early possession Lowestoft have it is Gt Shelford with the 1st shot at goal, springing the offside trap on the right Sophie Hopkins on the run shoots from 20 yards out putting the attempt over the crossbar.
Lowestoft have a free kick 25 yards out to the right of Gt Shelford's goal as Hannah Waters is pulled back. Anna Larkins puts in a dangerous ball into the crowded box Gt Shelford goalkeeper and captain Laura Gilbey comes out well to punch the ball clear.
Gilbey is called into action moments later as Lowestoft's Natasha Thomas is played through on the left flank closing in on the box Gilbey saves diving at her feet, Lowestoft have a corner.
The delivery from the set piece is at a good height with pace towards the far post, the header down into the ground is from Lowestoft's Megan Cletheroe she scores to give the visitors the lead 0-1.
Lowestoft are on top putting Gt Shelford under pressure with good short passing progressive play looking to move the ball across the pitch, the home side though are not letting too many gaps form in their back line. striker Hannah Waters is fed the ball looks to turn centrally get a shot away from outside the box scuffs the effort it rolls through into Gilbey's gloves.
For all their pressure Lowesfoft are trying to hold a high line, it's Gt Shelford's Becky Charter on the right that beats the offside flag as the ball is played over midfield, is challenged but stays strong to win the ball back bursts into the box from the right and shoots sending it past Lowestoft goalkeeper Chloe Nixon into the far corner of the net to equalise 1-1.
It's Gt Shelford's turn to be on top soon after Nixon holds on to a shot that comes in from the left from Becky Taylor. The home side then have a free kick given inside the D after Hopkins is fouled. Sophie Lanham to take she puts it over.
Taylor and Hopkins combine causing all sorts of problems in the Lowestoft defence the ball played into Taylor she puts a looping cross into the box into the path of Hopkins run and she slots it home to give Gt Shelford the lead 2-1.
Just when it looked like the home side were getting on top of the match Lowestoft hit back with a quick reply with Hannah Waters getting onto the end of a long pass into the right she is in space defenders trying to get back Gilbey makes the decision to come out to try and take the ball from her being closed down Waters gets the ball away over Gilbey sending it over towards the goal no one can get back to save it from going in 2-2.
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| The moment Hannah Waters scores Lowestoft's 2nd goal |
An exciting game is end to end, Nixon is called into action as Hopkins is in again into the box she looks to go around the keeper as she dives to make the save reaches out with her glove to grab the ball. Marcie Prettyman is on hand to head clear as another dangerous Gt Shelford cross comes in from Charter with Taylor closing in far post.
Charter on the shoulder of the last defender is in again on goal from an over the top ball coming in from the right is closing in on the box, Nixon has to come out try and put her off, Charter stays composed to put it under her and restore the home sides lead 3-2.
Into the closing seconds of the half Lowestoft put together a good attacking move working the ball across the box Thomas playing the ball into Amber Rowland her back to goal she lays it off to Charlotte Eastwood who opts to drill the ball from outside the box through the crowd, it goes wide.
Half-time Gt Shelford Ladies 3-2 Lowestoft Ladies
Gt Shelford put in alot of work and rode the early pressure Lowestoft put on them to come back from a goal down to lead at the break 3-2. Lowestoft working the ball well were creating chances but saw their high defensive line exposed for Gt Sheford to counter attack. Who would come out on top 2nd half as Gt Shelford kicked off.
Lowestoft have the possession early on looking to find a way through the Gt Shelford back line. Amber Rowland is looking to press on has the ball at her feet back to goal looks to turn her marker and break forwards, driving into the box she is eventually crowded off the ball by Gt Shelford's centre backs. Rowland then blasts over from outside the box as Chloe Hoffman and Zoe Cossey link up well to give her the ball from the left.
Rowlands again! Off the bar! This time following in as Hannah Waters has her shot blocked inside the box the ball rebounds to Rowland on the half volley she drills the ball goalwards smashes down off the bar and Gt Shelford clear.
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| Amber Rowland on the attack for Lowestoft |
Not getting so much of the ball, Gt Shelford still look a threat on the counter attack Charter with the ball in the right channel puts a cross in that Taylor coming in with a good jump heads wide.
Lowestoft win a corner, another great delivery is sent in towards the far post area, there is Megan Cletheroe to head in her 2nd goal of the match and level the scores 3-3.
Lowestoft regain the lead soon after a fantastic ball played into the centre from Zoe Cossey, Natasha Thomas is there running across the D to head the ball down into the box, has fantastic pace chases it down, great skill to use the outside of her boot to fire the ball over Gilbey and into the back of the net, a wonderful goal 3-4.
Gt Shelford's Taylor blazes the ball over the bar from six yards after the home side win the ball from the Lowestoft defence. It's Taylor making driving runs from the middle that looks the most likely to make something happen for Gt Shelford. Make a triple change with Amanda Binge, Hannah Blundell & Amy Brooks coming on
Claire Creek clears the ball off the line for Gt Shelford as Rowland strikes another rebound back in towards goal. Rowland then plays a fantastic pass through for Waters she is one on one with Gilbey who comes out to the edge of her box to make a great save at her feet, getting hurt in the process.
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| Claire Creek on the ball for Gt Shelford |
Late corner for Gt Shelford, but it's Lowestoft with the break Thomas down the left with the pass into Waters her lay off is for Rowland she puts it wide from distance. Lauren Martin is on for Gt Shelford late on.
Rowland smashes the ball against the bar again the strike from outside the box, Into injury time it's Lowestoft pressing Gilbey saves with her feet this time as Thomas closes in on goal cutting in from the right. The final whistle blows and Lowestoft have the 3 points winning the match 3-4.
Another entertaining match and good advert for women's football in the Eastern Region Premier Division a 7 goal thriller. Gt Shelford did well, working hard to have the lead at half time good counter attacking play, didn't quite have the legs to see it out. Lowestoft worked the ball well some great forward play and a great goal to win the match.
I thank both clubs for helping me out with the squad details and will I look to see both play again this season.
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