Four counties women's representative sides contesting the East Anglian Counties Championship again this season, those mentioned in the previous paragraph, playing each other once with the side topping the table winning the trophy.
Suffolk FA Women, under manager, Emma Manning won all 3 of their matches last season to top the group and win the competition. Manning is in charge again this season and has picked a squad with plenty of FAWPL South East Division One experience, with Ipswich Town Ladies and Lowestoft Town Ladies making up the bulk of the squad. New side Walsham Le Willows Ladies have 2 players in squad, whilst captain Paige Shorten who works for the Suffolk FA plays her football across the border with Norwich City Ladies. Start with a home match against Essex, followed by 2 away games against Hertfordshire and Kent.
Essex FA Women's manager, Kim Coster has drawn her players together for this game from a wider club base, plenty of ERWFL experience in the side with Essex having a good number of clubs competing at that level. Also manager of Billericay Town Ladies, Coster has 5 Billericay Town players in her squad, with Writtle Ladies also having 5 players representing Essex this evening. 2 from Silver End United Ladies plus 1 from C&K Basildon Ladies complete the squad travelling to Brantham Athletic FC.
South of Ipswich, Brantham Athletic FC's, large clubhouse and bar it situated at one end of the ground. Over looking a large pitch a small seated stand behind one goal with another along the side behind the dugouts. Hot and cold refreshments available for the good number of supporters that had come to watch. Thankfully it was a dry evening under the floodlights the rain heavy at times earlier in the day keeping away.
Suffolk FA Women starting XI - Charlotte Osborne, Emma Boreham (both Walsham Le Willows Ladies), Jacqueline Ball, Sian Fagg, Aimee Harrison (all Ipswich Town Ladies), Paige Shorten (C) (Norwich City Ladies), Hollie Clement, Natasha Thomas, Amy Howlett, Joyce Mlambo (all Ipswich Town Ladies) & Amiee Durrant (Lowestoft Town Ladies).
subs - Eilish Brogan, Millie Davies, Gemma Moore (all Lowestoft Town Ladies) & Roxanne Small (Ipswich Town Ladies)
Essex FA Women starting XI - Beth Griffiths (Writtle Ladies), Sophie Blowers (C&K Basildon Ladies), Nicole Farmer, Hayley Piggott (C), (both Billericay Town Ladies), Charlotte Bryant, Abigail Fry (both Writtle Ladies), Jodie Osborne (Silver End United Ladies), Katie Whitehead, Lindsay Morgan (both Billericay Town Ladies), Sophie Vale & Courtney Clarke (both Writtle Ladies).
subs - Charlotte Hopwood (Billericay Town Ladies), Rebecca Hollocks (Silver End United Ladies) & Georgia Tricker (Writtle Ladies)
(roll on roll off substitutes)
It's Suffolk sponsored by Home Store in an all red kit to get the game underway 1st half with Essex kitted out in blue shirts with a vertical white band down the left side of the chest plus white band around the right sleeve along with blue shorts and socks lined up opposite. Essex win the ball back inside their own half and send it long out to the left with Courtney Clarke moving across the pitch brings the ball down, can't avoid the challenge from Jacqueline Ball as she attempts to knock the ball past the Suffolk right back the ball out for a throw. Another ball from Essex is played up from half way by Jodie Osborne towards Sophie Vale moving inside from the left, looks to help the ball on into the area the Suffolk defence clear.
GOAL! The attacking momentum with Essex right at the start, Suffolk get the ball up into their opponents half and score the opening goal in the 2nd minute. The ball is played along the ground into Hollie Clement the midfielder 30 yards out to the left of goal, controlling the ball turns and takes on the shot, a great strike that flies in up and over Essex keeper Beth Griffiths into the ball of the net 1-0.
Both sides with a rapid counter attack, Essex looking to get straight back on level terms play the diagonal ball into Vale moving inside from the left, with her 1st touch attempts to lift the ball over the Suffolk defence for Clarke moving in behind, is flagged offside as she races after the ball. Up the other end Suffolk captain, Paige Shorten in the heart of midfield plays a fantastic 30 yard pass crossfield to Amy Howlett breaking in behind up the right wing taking the ball up the line moves into the box squaring the cross into the six yard box, Essex captain Hayley Piggott tracking back cuts the cross out putting the ball behind for a corner kick.
The corner is whipped in by Shorten towards the near post area, Sian Fagg up from the back moves towards the ball can't get anything in it the ball is half cleared to the top right corner of the box, Natasha Thomas is there for Suffolk hits the shot low and hard through the crowd is cleared off the line at the far post the clearance coming back to Shorten wide on the right, looks to curl a shot into the far corner, isn't too far away as the ball drops onto the crossbar.
Essex attack down the right Katie Whitehead on down the line for Lindsay Morgan whips the cross in from the byline, is caught by Suffolk goalkeeper, Charlotte Osborne coming towards her near post. On the opposite wing, Vale steals in to win the ball take it in behind the defence racing towards the box tries to lift the ball into the box, Osborne closing the angle is able to claim the ball.
GOAL! 12 minutes into the match and Essex level the scores, breaking up a Suffolk attack at the back the ball is played long up towards the Suffolk area, 25 yards out Vale moving inside reaches the ball 1st plays it early in across the defence picking out Whitehead getting into the box from the right, clear on goal pulls the trigger and sends the ball past Osborne to score 1-1.
Suffolk are forced into making an early change with left back Emma Boreham injured in the build up to the goal. Can't continue looks like an ankle injury, is substituted Roxanne Small coming on to make it an all Ipswich Town Ladies back four. Getting up the field on the right, Osborne has the ball on the wing puts the ball into the box, is headed away out to the left side, Essex retain possession Morgan on the ball travels inside running along the face of the box before trying to lift the ball into the area from 20 yards out, Fagg rises to head the ball clear.
Spreading the play well across the pitch, Essex are beginning to see more of the ball have Suffolk pushed back into their own half. Vale receiving the ball 25 yards out drifting inside from the left tries to play Clarke in behind again up against Small the full-back gets back on her to get a foot on the ball tackling as the pair arrive inside the box knocking it on for Osborne to gather cleanly. Abigail Fry has the ball wide left for Essex rolls in it in field into Vale who looks to help it on across the top of the Suffolk area for Clarke, Aimee Harrison steps out of defence to intercept and clear the ball for Suffolk.
Essex are cutting out most through balls Suffolk are trying to put into their attackers, Osborne winning the ball sends it high out to Fry on the left meeting it on the volley turns it in field into Clarke, controls the ball well turns and attempts to put the ball into the path of Whitehead trying to get into the box on the right, Harrison moves to close the attacker down and tackling gets her foot to the ball 1st to take it away from her on the edge of the box.
A free-kick given for a foul on Thomas, inside the Essex half gives Suffolk the opportunity to bring players forwards wide right half way inside the half Shorten plays the ball up into the area curling in the ball drops straight into Griffiths' gloves before anyone can reach it. Ball gets forwards from the back for Suffolk carries the ball into space, squares a low ball into the six yard box, Griffiths 1st to it the keeper scooping the ball up before Joyce Mlambo coming in can reach it for Suffolk.
Another enforced change for Suffolk sees them having to change goalkeepers as Osborne goes down can't continue, Lowestoft Town Ladies young goalkeeper, Eilish Brogan comes on to make her county debut. Is quickly thrust into action, Morgan with the ball attacking down the left for Essex tries to roll Vale in ahead of her into the area, Brogan off her line quickly slides in to smother the ball at her feet. Essex come again the ball crossfield to Fry on the left has Vale with her the 2 linking up to get the cross into the box near post Brogan takes it well despite Morgan closing her down.
GOAL! Having been put under pressure from Essex for a spell, Suffolk break and retake the lead inside the last 5 minutes of the 1st half, Brogan throwing the ball out is played up field into Aimee Durrant on the left a strong run on the ball curls a cross in towards Mlambo attacking the near post the ball is just behind her can't reach it, her marker clearing it the ball doesn't get any height racing along the ground out of the box, Thomas is coming the other way meets it in the D, hits the shot back in along the floor, travelling fast the ball is past the diving Griffiths and over the line to make it 2-1.
Essex press late on in the 1st half get the ball into the box, almost force an error a risky back pass to Brogan the keeper launching it high into the air in just the nick of time as Morgan throws herself at the ball inside the six yard box. Sophie Blowers plays the ball into the middle from the right for Clarke back to goal holds it up well, turns lifting the ball over the top Fagg heading it away from the area. Nicole Farmer retrieving the ball on the left puts it back into the area, again it is headed clear.
Half time Suffolk FA Women 2-1 Essex FA Women
A narrow lead at half-time for Suffolk scoring a goal at both ends of the 1st half, started well, Essex coming back into it scoring on 12 minutes and were the better side for a spell getting the ball forwards down the wings without really tested the goalkeeper. A late counter attack seeing Suffolk regain some momentum before the break. An intriguing contest between the 2 sides.
It's Essex to get the 2nd half underway. The ball is played up Vale outside the area passes the ball across the Suffolk D trying to pick out Whitehead making the run to get in behind, the ball is defended the attack broken up. Suffolk play the ball up field quickly out to Durrant on the left the wide player seeing her shot from outside the box the ball deflected across the area. Whitehead is fouled by Clement wide on the right the free-kick awarded Piggott comes up from defence to take it 40 yards out wide of goal gets the ball over the 3 players in the Suffolk wall is a straight forward catch for Brogan in the centre of her six yard box. Morgan is covering alot of ground for Essex up top finding space left and right, left this time getting in behind lifts a cross up into the area Brogan getting to the ball 1st.
Millie Davies is on for her county debut for Suffolk the Lowestoft Town Ladies player on for Mlambo, in midfield Thomas is pushed further forwards into attack. Durrant is getting a little more of the ball 2nd half able to bring it down and run at the Essex defence, brings it inside trying to get into the box, Blowers tackles conceding the corner. A good delivery whipped into the six yard box Griffiths coming through bodies gets enough of her glove on the ball to push it away from danger. An injury for Essex, Whitehead down is substituted Charlotte Hopwood coming on going into the defence with Blowers pushed on ahead of her.
After a lull in play early in the 2nd half the game has livened up again both sides attacking with purpose play stretched across the Brantham Athletic pitch. Shorten sends a long pass across field to Durrant on the left, chesting it down her momentum takes her in field along the top of the Essex area, gets her foot wrapped around the ball to reverse to back into the area the attempt at goal lacking any pace, Griffith sees it into her gloves. Essex make another substitution, Georgina Tricker coming on for Writtle teammate Fry. Not long after Vale comes off too, Silver End United Ladies striker Rebecca Hollocks introduced to the action.
GOAL! Penalty! 20 minutes into the 2nd chance Essex have a chance to equalise from the penalty spot. The ball is played out of the back up into the Suffolk half, Harrison doesn't get her head to the ball to clear bounces behind her, Morgan racing onto it drives towards the area, Fagg coming across to try and win the ball a tangle of legs as both go down just inside the box, clumsy the referee blows up and points to the spot. Piggott to take the penalty hits it hard burying the ball into the back of the net to the keepers left 2-2.
Hollocks rises to head the ball away to the right to put Blowers in behind the Suffolk defence on the wing pushing down the flank her cross is deflected behind for a corner by Small. The corner is cleared at the near post by Suffolk attempting to launch a counter attack the ball is lost, Blowers with possession 25 yards out right of the area, looks to put the ball back in towards goal the shot bounces through to Brogan. Blowers now further up the field is seeing plenty of the ball, Osborne putting the pass into her 25 yards out time to line up a shot sends a curling effort in looks to be heading top corner dipping late, Brogan is beaten, the ball kisses the crossbar and stays out. Suffolk make a change Gemma Moore coming on for her 1st appearance for her County.
Break down the left from Suffolk Durrant running with the ball at her feet down the line cuts inside fizzing a cross low across the six yard box players coming in far post Farmer gets her boot through the ball 1st to clear for Essex.
GOAL! Rapid counter attacks have been a feature of the game so far tonight and as the game moves into the last 16 minutes Suffolk retake the lead for the 3rd time in the match, Harrison at the back for Suffolk getting hold of the pull sends it forwards into the middle helped on to find Thomas moving into a gap on the left outside the box dribbles the ball into the area turning right running across the six yard box, cuts the ball back 90 degrees turning it past Griffiths to score her 2nd of the game 3-2.
Davies plays the ball out to Moore on the right flank, takes it forwards pushing down the line drilling a low cross in towards the near post area, Osborne gets in ahead of Howlett to regain possession for Essex.
GOAL! Moore with the ball at her feet again on the right pushing forwards picks out Thomas inside the box on the right, goes for goal the early strike giving Griffiths little chance to set herself, does well producing and instinctive save getting a glove on the ball deflects it wide across her area to the left, Only 2 players out their, Blowers and Durrant, the Suffolk winger goes after the ball picking it up on the edge of the area, tries to turn inside is brought down by Blowers the referee immediately pointing to the spot. Thomas on a hat-trick to take it, dispatches it into the top corner sending Griffiths the wrong way 4-2. 78 minutes played.
Piggott picks out Hopwood as the defender makes a run up the right to get in behind the Suffolk defence goes after the ball as it runs towards the area, Brogan has committed early out to the edge of her area, sliding in to grab the ball before Hopwood can knock it past her. Brogan makes an excellent save to prevent an own goal as Essex win a free kick central inside the Suffolk half the ball lifted into the area, Harrison goes to clear it doesn't get firm contact brushing off the back of her head drops down heading for the bottom corner Brogan throws herself to her right pushing the ball wide of the post conceding the corner kick.
Hollocks strong on the ball on the left side gets the ball up towards the area putting the pass inside for Morgan, 25 yards out goes for goal puts her shot wide across the area. Late into the match Essex bring off Blowers, sending Vale back on. Are pushing players forwards trying to get a goal back. Essex have a free-kick wide right the ball is lifted up into the area, bouncing Vale is after it, Harrison comes across her to tackle wins a goal kick as the ball is turned behind.
GOAL! Into injury time Essex have possession on the left side Morgan on the drive with the ball hits a shot hard and low into the box, players in front of her, Brogan gets down to the floor to save, can't get hold of the ball, spinning past her into the middle of the six yard box, Vale is their running in on the follow-up to tap the ball over the line to make it 4-3.
Not enough time left in the match to set-up a tense finish the final whistle blows and Suffolk begin their defence of the East Anglian Championship with a win.
Full time Suffolk FA Women 4-3 Essex FA Women
A good contest watched by a decent sized crowd under the lights, Suffolk leading early on, Essex coming back into it to equalise twice, Suffolk going on to open a 2 goal lead at 4-2 it was enough to see them to victory. Up next for Suffolk is an away trip to Hertfordshire scheduled to be played on Thursday 24th November with a 7:45pm kick-off. Essex are at home before that taking on Kent their match scheduled to take place on Thursday 3rd November with a 7:45pm kick-off. Hope to be at both games.
My thanks to Suffolk FA's Darryn Marsh for his help with the team details tonight. A good opening game in this season's East Anglian Counties Championship.
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