In the 4 years that the Norfolk Women's County Cup has been contested up to date the competition has been dominated by Norwich City Ladies, winning the cup in 4 successive finals. Have been the top women's football club in Norfolk for many years, however in the 2014/15 season their 1st team didn't enter the cup giving a chance for a new name to be inscribed on the trophy.
The Finalists
Thorpe United Ladies compete in the Norfolk Women's Division One, have reached the final of the Norfolk Women's County Cup on 2 occasions in 2011/12 & 2013/14 both times beaten by Norwich City Ladies 5-0 & 5-1. This season the club entered the competition in the 2nd round an away trip to North Walsham Angels Ladies won the match 2-5. In the quarter finals were at home to Fakenham Town Ladies winning 4-3 to set up a semi final at home once again to Stalham Town Ladies won the match by a single goal to book their place in the final and would be hoping they would be getting a winners medal this time around.
That of course is what their opponents Acle United Ladies would be hoping for too. Acle United Ladies are the only other women's football team in Norfolk besides Norwich City Ladies to play their football outside of the county divisions. Play in the Eastern Region Premier Division, newly promoted to the league this season from Division One North. Has been a struggle have been at the bottom of the table for much of the season but since 2015 have brought a new coach in and results have improved are unbeaten in 2015.
Like Thorpe United Ladies they entered the County Cup in the 2nd round securing a 3-1 victory away to Bohemians Ladies. In the quarter finals faced a tough trip to division two promotion chasers Lynn Ladies, won the match 2-1. A home game against Wymondham Town Ladies in the semi finals 1 goal was enough to win the match and book a place in the final. Like Thorpe United Ladies were runners-up to Norwich City Ladies in the 2012/13 season losing 6-1.
Todays venue for the final The Football Development Centre (FDC) a superb sporting facility on the outskirts of Norwich. The Norfolk FA always puts on a good finals day making it as a enriching experience for the players taking part as they can. The pitch will see quite a few finals played upon it over the coming weeks, but it looked in great condition, with plenty of grass cover if a little hard. Was a cool breeze blowing and an overcast sky above but little threat of rain spoiling the day as the 2 teams took to the pitch.
Thorpe United Ladies starting XI - Kirstie Andrews, Nicole Read, Shannon Miles, Alice Ford, Alice Ladbroke, Kim Broom (C), Hayley Kindred, Kirstie Kindred, Charlotte Groves, Rebekah Lake & Judith Bloomfield.
subs - Chelsea Clark, Natasha Evans, Charlotte Chandler.
Acle United Ladies starting XI - Chloe Nixon, Gemma Bovington, Georgina Beckwith, Joanne Hooper, Leah McGuire, Helen Emmerson (C), Rose Glendinnings, Natasha Greenfield, Jenna Thurtle, Francesca Lambert & Sharnie Boast.
subs - Aishatu Shaibu, Imogen Williams & Elizabeth Danson.
(roll on, roll off substitutes).
Acle in black and white vertical striped shirts with gold numbering, black shorts and socks kick off the final against Thorpe lined up in pink shirts with black shoulders, black shorts and pink socks. Thorpe are on the attack early on taking the ball down the left of the pitch win a corner, the ball is fired into Judith Bloomfield at the near post she turns her shot goal wards, it is cleared away after being blocked at close range.
Thorpe continue their bright start, in the midfield Charlotte Groves is fouled as she tries to drive on with the ball at her feet half way inside the Acle half it's Alice Ladbroke to float the ball into the box for players to attack puts too much on the ball Acle goalkeeper Chloe Nixon takes the ball into her chest.
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| Acle's Joanne Hooper with Thorpe's Charlotte Groves |
Acle striker Jenna Thurtle gives chase to a long ball played out into space on the right bringing the ball inside looks to take it inside the box, is stopped by Ladbroke who makes a good tackle. Thorpe counter attack, playing it quickly through the centre Groves gives Rebekah Lake a chance to attack, she cuts the ball back across for Kirstie Kindred 35 yards out, she has a strike at goal drags her shot wide.
Both sides are looking up for the final is a lively start with players covering the ground to win the ball and make themselves available for a pass, Acle's forward balls aren't quite finding the mark early on. Thorpe captain Kim Broom in the middle with Groves threads a ball through the Acle defence putting Lake through on goal as she races into the area, with just the keeper to beat she fires her shot straight at Nixon.
15 minutes are on the clock, Acle are now starting to get themselves on the ball more start to get some possession in the Thorpe half. Are getting some joy on the wings with Natasha Greenfield and Francesca Lambert.
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| Rebekah Lake |
GOAL! It doesn't take Acle long to hit back and it is a strike of quality from Sharnie Boast to bring the scores back on level terms. The ball played into her from the left she is 30 yards out from goal to the right of the D, has the opportunity to shoot meets the shot perfectly sending an arrowing ball in towards the far post, in the Thorpe goal Kirstie Andrews throws herself across to try and stop it gets her gloves to it but not enough to turn it pass the post, the ball nestles into the back of the net 1-1.
With roll on roll off substitutes being used both teams are making full use of their benches with 1st Chelsea Clark then Charlotte Chandler on for Thorpe. Acle bring on Imogen Williams and Elizabeth Danson. Lake links up well with Chandler on the left the pair winning a corner, the set piece is fired into the near side area with Groves making a run to met it, tries to flick the ball in towards goal it is blocked the clearance retrieved by corner taker Ladbroke she tries to curl her shot back in drifts wide of the post.
Groves is always likely to set something up whenever she gets hold of the ball in the midfield and pushes on with it, she sets up a 2 v 1 situation with Lake and Broom in front of her both break with one Acle defender caught between them, play a one two with Broom the one on the end of the shot fires it straight at Nixon in goal she saves.
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| Thorpe's Charlotte Groves |
Acle win a free kick on the left just outside the corner of the area, it's Boast to play the ball into a packed goal area, the ball comes in at a fast pace and good height, Andrews looks to come through the crowd doesn't get to the ball as it flies into the back of the net, unsure if anyone got a touch or it went straight in from Boast's kick either way she peels away to celebrate, everyone thinks it's a goal however it isn't is disallowed obstructing the keeper no goal play continues.
GOAL! No sooner has that goal been disallowed then Thorpe go down the other end and retake the lead with the half almost up. Lake starts the attack on the ball on the left is driving down the line, before cutting back inside and fires the ball across before the pass is put through to release Groves in on goal, closing down the keeper she gets her shot away the ball squeezes past Nixon and into the goal 2-1.
Half-time Thorpe United Ladies 2-2 Acle United Ladies
Has been an exciting and fast paced 1st half in the final from both sides, energised and looking to take the game to one another, Thorpe have created the better chances will maybe feel a little unlucky not to have taken a lead into the break, but all to play for 2nd half as Thorpe get the 2nd 45 underway.
It's the team in pink on the attack early on Groves playing the ball into the box has Hayley Kindred trying to get on the end of the cross can't quite get her foot over the shot as Nixon comes and is able to gather.
Up front for Acle Thurtle has been working hard all game to try and get on the ball hold it up allowing her team mates to get up in support, has Imogen Williams making the run as she plays the ball into the box, Williams can't get to it before Alice Ford comes to make tackle and clear the ball. Ford is again called into action to make the saving tackle inside the box as Thurtle coming in from the right tries to isolate her and take the ball past her for a shooting opportunity, Ford denies her.
Is a quieter opening to the 2nd half both sides not wanting to be quite so gung ho, Lake has been sitting a little deeper, bursts into space on the right though when the ball is played into open ground, getting hold of the ball on the run looks to strike it early catch Nixon unawares , gets too much behind the shot sending it high and over.
In the centre of the Acle midfield Joanne Hooper and Rose Glendinnings had started to get on the ball more towards the end of the 1st half are getting more of it 2nd half. Glendinnings places a shot over the bar from 25 yards out after good build up play from Boast and Thurtle in front of her. Lambert always a feisty player, likes to take players on makes a good run on the left almost sets up Thurtle inside the box, Ford is across again to win the ball.
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| Acle's Francesca Lambert |
Acle bring on their manager Aishatu Shaibu she goes up into attack as Acle start to build up the attacks pushing Thorpe back more making it harder for them to get the numbers out to launch a counter attack.
A free kick a good way out for Acle sees Thurtle over the ball to the left of the goal the ball is put into the box at an awkward height for keeper Andrews to deal with head height she knocks it down, has Shaibu closing her down managed to prod it away from the attacker as the two collide in front of goal leaving Shaibu needing treatment.
Both sides are ringing the changes as players start to struggle, several go down with cramp Thorpe in particular as the game draws on a more cautious approach both teams. Hooper latching onto the ball in the middle send a high ball forwards sees Shaibu playing on the shoulder of the last defender trying to get on the end off it, Andrews starts to come then hesitates s Shaibu reaches the edge of the area presented with the chance to lob the keeper she gives it a try put it over the bar.
Acle keep coming at the Thorpe defence, they are defending resolutely full backs Nicole Read and Shannon Miles offering good support to Ladbroke and Ford in the centre, block a shot from Hooper then manage to break the ball being played up to Lake with pace she is running towards goal tries to hit the ball in the stride puts it way over.
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| Thorpe's Rebekah Lake is put through on goal |
Glendinnings takes the ball forwards, good dribbling into space 25 yards out rolls in Boast whose shot is fired straight at Andrews. Acle are piling on the pressure late into the half but Thorpe hold out and the 90 minute are up, the game will see 30 minutes extra time.
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| Acle's Rose Glendinnings on the attack |
Acle kick of the 1st 15 minutes of extra time is a quiet opening to the added time Thorpe's Ladbroke plays a long free kick straight into Nixon from 40 yards out, before Lake latches onto a rare loose ball from the Acle back line racing into the box right of the six yard area goes for the shot Nixon saves pushing the ball across the face of her goal, there isn't anyone from Thorpe up to attack it as Acle clear.
Groves fires in a shot from outside the box that poleaxes Acle captain Helen Emmerson leaves her winded and comes off to recover. Tired balls all round as bodies tire. Hayley Kindred puts in a fantastic cross from the right for Lake unmarked in the centre of the six yard box to attack directs her header away from Nixon to the far post, it cannons off the post and rolls along the line back into Nixon's gloves. The 1st 15 minutes are up.
Thorpe kick off the 2nd period. Ford runs onto the ball has Lake in front of her, shifts the ball outside the D to make room for the shot takes a deflection putting it wide for a corner kick. Play is spread Thorpe with a free kick played in from the left, Groves attacks it heading it one into the six yard area, Hayley Kindred is looking to meet it can't get there before Nixon saves.
Is as close as anyone can come to scoring what would be the winning goal in extra time as the referee blows the whistle and the final goes to a penalty shoot out.
Penalties
I hate penalty shootouts but a cup/knockout game has to be decided somehow and we go to penalties, whatever the outcome a fantastic effort from both teams.
Acle take the 1st penalty it's Joanne Hooper to take, Andrews doesn't move as she puts it low to her right 1-0.
Thorpe captain Kim Broom takes their 1st penalty hits it straight at Nixon in the centre of goal she saves 1-0.
Sharnie Boast steps up next for Acle's 2nd penalty she drills her low shot to the left of Andrews 2-0.
Penalty number 2 for Thorpe, Nicole Read to take aims for the left of Nixon she guesses it dives and makes the save 2-0.
Elizabeth Danson with the 3rd penalty for Acle, too eager scores but didn't wait for the referees whistle, cool on the 2nd attempt although Andrews dives the ball has enough on it to squeeze past and into the net 3-0.
Thorpe's Hayley Kindred has to score her penalty to keep her sides hopes alive slots it to the right of Nixon 3-1.
It's Imogen Williams to take the 4th Acle penalty score it and they win the cup, sends the ball high into the back of the net to cue the celebrations as her team mates race from the half way line 4-1.
Acle United Ladies win the Norfolk Women's County Cup a thoroughly entertaining final particularly in the 1st half, the roll on roll off subs and disrupted the 2nd half as both teams tired, for the large part and even game fought with a good spirit. Thorpe United Ladies can be proud of their performance a penalty shootout is always a tough thing to lose out on.
My congratulations to Acle United Ladies.
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