Two sides that have featured regularly on the SWF Blog since it began featuring on the post match reports after it's launch in 2013. In that time Thorpe United have always been a force in the women's game in Norfolk. Regular visitors to The FDC too having appeared in 4 of the last 5 finals, finally winning the trophy after 3 losses the last in the 2014/15 season losing on penalties to Acle United Ladies. Last season it was an all Norfolk Women's Division One clash with Thorpe United playing Aylsham FC Ladies a 2-0 victory final seeing them collect winners medals and lift the trophy.
Ahead in the Norfolk Division One table this season, have the possibility of claiming a treble this season as not only have Thorpe United reached the final of the County Cup but also the League Cup, a good test for Martin Francis' squad however as the finals are less than 48 hours apart with the League Cup on Sunday afternoon.
Wymondham Town Ladies have come a long way to in that time, progressing each season, Manager Alex Guy seeing them to League Cup success in 2015, went on to win the Norfolk Division One title the next season and take promotion to the Eastern Regional Women's Football League (ERWFL) building a squad to compete at a higher level a successful campaign saw Wymondham Town clinch 3rd spot in Division One aswell as reach the semi-finals of the League Cup where they were knocked out by Haringey Borough Women who would go onto become the ERWFL Premier Division Champions. Have reached the final of the Norfolk Women's County Cup for the 1st time in their history, looking to end the season with silverware.
Road to the Final
subs - Brooklyn Cheal-Ferris, Lily Ray & Ella Swift.
Both sides with a bye in the 1st Round of the County Cup this season. neither was to kick a ball in the 2nd Round either as both were awarded the away win against lower league opponents. Thorpe have seen an unusual amount of games called off against them this season and as it was progressed all the way to the semi-finals without kicking a ball awarded the win in the quarter finals with their opponents unable to field a team.
Wymondham were drawn at home to Norfolk Division Two side Stalham Town Ladies breezed into the semi-finals with a 7-1 victory. Onto the semi-finals a repeat of last season's final for Thorpe as they were drawn at home to Aylsham FC Ladies the score the same as in that final a 2-0 win for Thorpe making it a 5th County Cup final appearance. A clash between the two ERWFL sides in the other semi-final with Wymondham away to Acle United Ladies playing in the league above them challenging for the Premier Division title. 1-0 down at half-time, Wymondham came back with a strong 2nd half performance to get themselves into a 4-1 lead before Acle United found a goal late on 4-2 the final score Wymondham reaching the final of the County Cup for the 1st time in their history.
The Football Development Centre (FDC) in Bowthorpe on the outskirts of Norwich the venue for tonight's final the sun setting over the pitch opposite the small mainstand as the teams warmed up. A good sized pitch in good condition plenty of people coming in to watch what should be an intriguing final. Changeable weather all week was nice and dry after a warm today for the match. Modern technology being embraced by Norfolk FA as a flying drone buzzed over head as the two sides walked out for the opening presentations.
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| Buzzing above the pitch, Norfolk FA's drone capturing the opening presentation from a new angle |
Wymondham Town Ladies starting XI - Ashleigh O'Callaghan, Leah Newcombe, Bethany Fretwell, Chelsea Clarke, Gemma Sanders, Rachel Cossey (C), Amber Cantwell, Kayleigh Holloway, Laura Nicholls, Alice Collins & Laura Wiseman.
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| Wymondham Town Ladies |
Thorpe United Ladies starting XI - Cara Anderson, Bethan Sommerfield, Olivia Mungham-Gray, Lisa-Marie Riches, Lauren Kett, Alice Ford, Jade Powell, Shanice Sutton, Vivian Moyo, Laura Hedtke & Rebekah Lake (C)
subs - Nicole Read, Chelsea Clark & Edie Wright.
(roll on roll off substitutes)
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| Thorpe United Ladies |
Wymondham to take the kick-off 1st half wearing red shirts and black shorts with black and red hooped socks with Thorpe lined up opposite in their away colours luminous green shirts with black across the top of the chest and sleeves. Black shorts and socks. Wymondham play the ball out to the right as they attack right from the off, Laura Nicholls that side taking the all down the line before firing a cross into the box, too close to the goalkeeper, Cara Anderson claims for Thorpe.
Building from the back Thorpe play the ball into Alice Ford in the middle on for Shanice Sutton on the left the ball at her feet looks to run at the Wymondham defence coming inside is tackled by Leah Newcombe before she can fashion a shot outside the box. Wymondham waste no time in getting the ball forwards targeting ex-Thorpe striker, Laura Wiseman who is Wymondham's top scorer with 20 goals this season making a run through the centre, Lauren Kett steps up from the defence to intercept the ball.
A positive start from both sides, Thorpe in particular looking to close the ball down early on squeeze the Wymondham defence. Playing up front for Thorpe Laura Hedtke sees the ball into her feet from the midfield holding it up well outside the box left of goal, tries to turn inside, closely marked by Newcombe the defence puts her foot in to win the ball. Another opportunity for Hedtke as Thorpe are awarded a free-kick on halfway the ball fired up into the box, the striker brings down well looks to turn and shot finds the room top of the area putting it low, Wymondham goalkeeper, Ashleigh O'Callaghan gets down to her right to make the save.
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| Wymondham's Leah Newcombe headers the ball clear before Thorpe's Laura Hedtke can get in behind. |
Thorpe are building momentum, Lisa-Marie Riches wins the ball at the back as Wiseman looks to knock the ball in behind played up to Sutton halfway has Rebekah Lake, Thorpe's captain available for the ball ahead of her plays the pass, Lake has Hedtke to her left threads the ball into her run as she comes into the box from the left channel shoots on the angle Anderson hols onto the ball at her near post.
Another free-kick for Thorpe sent up into the area, players attack the ball, Bethany Fretwell heading it out of the area for Wymondham, Vivian Moyo closing down outside the box for Thorpe 25 yards out plays it out to Sutton left side top corner of the area puts the cross in finds Lake near post puts the ball straight into Anderson from close range the keeper holding onto the ball. Just wide from Lake as the striker gets in behind the ball dropping over her shoulder as she enters the box, won't drop quick enough as O'Callaghan comes to close her down, Fretwell on her shoulder Lake manages to connect with the ball knocking it past the keeper but also wide of goal.
Wymondham have for the most part been looking to get the ball into Wiseman in the early stages up top, the striker finds a space in behind on the right into the box one on one with the keeper as Anderson starts to come shoots, the keeper palming the ball behind making the save. Playing into towards the near post the flick on catches a Thorpe defender in the face and the referee stops play so she can receive treatment.
Thorpe get the ball up the other end quickly as play resumes Moyo linking up with Lake moving into space on the right winning a corner kick on that side the high ball into the box is headed clear by Fretwell. Wymondham are struggling to get their attacking players on the ball, Amber Cantwell coming back to help the defence win the ball has it outside her own area looks to carry it forwards, Thorpe move in quickly to stop her, Jade Powell winning the ball. 20 minutes played and Thorpe are looking the most likely to open the scoring.
Powell with a shot from 30 yards for Thorpe as she receives it from Hedtke after more good hold up play inside the box back to goal sees the midfielder free rolls the ball back out to her Powell hitting the ball 1st time her effort has the pace but isn't on target. A great ball from Kett at the back for Sutton off the shoulder of the last defender left side for Thorpe shoots from outside the box her effort wide of the near post. Thorpe have identified Cantwell as Wymondham's main threat and she fouled inside her own half.
GOAL! 25 minutes played and the deadlock is broken. The ball from the free-kick is cleared and Thorpe play it up field quickly, Lake is an extremely difficult player to mark, diminutive and pacey always looking for space whenever her side win the ball, central as the ball comes to her 25 yards out peels off her marker moving right taking the ball on a touch turns back inside and curls a 20 yard shot across the keeper and into the back of the net 0-1.
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| Thorpe United Ladies captain, Rebekah Lake opening the scoring |
Wymondham look for an immediate response from the restart the ball by captain Rachel Cossey out to Gemma Sanders on the right driving on her cross/shot flies into the side netting. A couple of refereeing decisions leave the Thorpe supporters bemused as they go against their side. Wiseman brings the ball down onto her chest has Kayleigh Holloway looking to go on the left side gets the ball into her feet taking it on, Thorpe right back Bethan Sommerfield gets back on her sliding in to put the ball out for the throw.
Over the top from Thorpe, Lake after it, O'Callaghan out quickly to the edge of her box to win the race scoop the ball out, then gives the ball away with a misplaced ball out of her area straight at Lake, right side knocks in on into the box, shaping to shoot Fretwell covers the ground throwing herself into the challenge to take the ball away from the striker for the corner kick. Fretwell is on hand from the corner to clear as Hedtke looks to knock it on.
Wiseman almost in behind as Cossey puts the ball into her feet, top of the area, between Kett and the on rushing Anderson the striker is squeezed of the ball. Moyo doing well on the right for Thorpe finds room is played in behind taking the ball down the channel fires a cross into the area just evades Hedtke on the penalty spot.
Sanders with the ball 20 yards out right has Alice Collins on the overlap sends the ball into her run taking the ball on squares it across the six yard box evading Anderson at her near post is cleared by Summerfield. Wymondham keep possession in the final 3rd win a free-kick wide right players come forwards from the back a great ball into the box Fretwell rising centrally sees her head directed across goal run narrowly wide. A change for Wymondham as they bring off Nicholls send on Lily Ray.
Moyo and Lake look to combine down the left, Chelsea Clarke closes Lake down tackling the ball out for a throw, played back to Summerfield the defender plays the ball up into the box long Sutton attempts to bring it down manages to knock it forwards trying to put it across the six yard box is charged down spinning away for the corner. Ford gets up near post to try and reach it doesn't connect the ball bouncing safely across the six yard box.
Lake forces a great save from O'Callaghan as she rolls her marker top of the box pulls the trigger the keeper down smartly. Powell is booked as she up ends Cantwell trying to carry the ball away from her area. Into 1st half stoppage time Wymondham come forwards Wiseman making a run centre to left the ball dropped into her run has space charging into the box unleashes a shot the ball rising Anderson takes it well at head height. Holloway takes the ball on down the left getting inside Summerfield the defender recovering makes the challenge as Holloway enters the box the ball back to Anderson.
Half-time Wymondham Town Ladies 0-1 Thorpe United Ladies
Cantwell charges down Hedtke 25 yards out up the other end as she looks to shoot having been played in by Powell. Mungham-Gray wins the race with Sanders for the ball down the right as the ball is put down the line diving in the defender gives away the corner. A good delivery to the far post Cossey gets her head on the ball places the ball wide of the post. Holloway wide on the left puts a high ball into the Thorpe area a good jump from Wiseman her attempt goes wide of the goal.
Thorpe good value for their lead at half-time have pressed the ball well and created more chances Lake putting them ahead midway through the 1st half. A below par 1st half from Wymondham haven't been able to find any rhythm. At 1-0 down they are far from out of the game, need a much improved 2nd half however more than capable of turning thing's around.
A change for Wymondham at half-time Collins taken off Nicholls back on as Thorpe get the 2nd half underway. The ball is won in the middle by Wymondham passes out to Wiseman carrying it down the right wing, squares a pacey cross in towards the near post inside the six yard box missed by a defender comes at Nicholls quickly behind her, gets her foot on the ball leaning back sends her shot up over the bar.
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| Wymondham's Chelsea Clarke getting up to challenge Lake for the ball |
A good start to the 2nd half from Wymondham, Sanders right getting forwards linking with Nicholls the cross is long to the far side of the area, Holloway can't get it under her control before Summerfield closes her down. Sanders on the move down the right looks to get in behind, Olivia Mungham-Gray up well to head the ball to safety. Cantwell is brought down in a dangerous position outside the box right of the D, with Holloway who runs over the ball Cantwell strikes the ball wide across goal, has to be retaken however as the wall moved before the ball was struck albeit because of Holloway's dummy. Cantwell clips the 2nd delivery up in towards the far post runners closing in but no one can reach it.
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| Wymondham Town Ladies captain Rachel Cossey |
Midway through the 2nd half Wymondham creating a few chances but the Thorpe defence holding firm, few opportunities up the other end but always ready to counter. Sutton is struggling a bit with a knock needs treatment but carries on. A great tackle from inside the box from Kett to deny Sanders as she gets inside from the right. Cantwell takes the resulting corner, Fretwell doesn't get the connection with her head coming for the ball cleared back out to Cantwell right looks to meet the ball on the volley puts the ball behind goal.
The ball is pinging around between feet outside the Thorpe box as sides try to get possession a fortunate deflection sends the ball through in behind Sanders quickest to react knocks the ball on towards the area, Anderson comes rushing out, just gets there 1st to kick the ball away, is caught by Sanders throwing herself at the ball in a desperate attempt to reach it 1st. A painful knock but Anderson is okay to continue. Wymondham keep the ball inside the Thorpe half a throw in right played into the box Powell challenges Cantwell for the ball in the area runs outside towards Fretwell 20 yards out opens her body for the shot can't get it on target.
Half an hour of the 2nd half gone 15 more minutes plus stoppage time for Wymondham to find a leveller. A corner from the right for Thorpe the initial delivery poor comes back to the taker lifted high into the six yard box 3 green shirts attack the ball, Kett gets her head on the ball knocking the ball down a superb close range save from O'Callaghan goes out wide left fired back in a scramble in front of the six yard box the referee spots an infringement Thorpe get the free-kick.
Holloway was tries away down the left, has be well attended to by Summerfield all game the defender stopping her getting inside with support from Moyo who clears the ball up the pitch. The game entering the final 5 minutes of regular time Thorpe make their 1st change, Sutton brought off Edie Wright coming on. Soon after another change is made Lake off, on comes Chelsea Clark as they look to keep hold of their narrow advantage in the closing stages. The substitutes link up well either side of Moyo now playing through the middle, Wright left outside the area across to Moyo helps it on for Clark right side she shoots puts the ball wide. 6 minutes of added on time to play.
GOAL! Encouraged by the extra few minutes Wymondham push on trying to get the ball forwards is lost and sent forwards Moyo running onto the ball 30 yards out takes it around the last defender getting in behind shifts it before sending the ball past the advancing keeper into the back of the net to double Thorpe's lead with minutes left 0-2.
Wymondham pile everyone forwards as the game restarts a painful blow to the ankle for defender Ray she limps off the pitch Wymondham send Ella Swift on, clearing the ball from the area Powell onto it looks to bring the ball away for Thorpe, Cantwell with the strong challenge wins the ball plays it out to Holloway shoots puts her strike wide across the goal. No time left for another attack the final whistle blows and Thorpe United Ladies celebrate defending the Norfolk Women's County Cup.
Full time Wymondham Town Ladies 0-2 Thorpe United Ladies
A competitive final played in front of 272 spectators, Thorpe by far the better side in the 1st half getting the lead just the one goal however the game was far from over, Wymondham improved 2nd half just couldn't put that all important chance away, hit on the counter late in injury time Moyo securing the result the Thorpe defence particularly strong.
SWF Blog - Player of the Match
She was the Norfolk FA's player of the match too the SWF Blog - Player of the Match goes to Thorpe United defender Lauren Kett a fantastic effort Wymondham finding no room through the middle made some vital challenges and interceptions almost scored up the other end too.
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| Thorpe United Ladies 2016/17 Norfolk Women's County Cup Winners |
Congratulations to Thorpe United Ladies on retaining the County Cup. One final down one to go Sunday afternoon at Plantation Park playing Bungay Town Ladies for the Norfolk Ladies League Cup 3pm kick-off little time to recover but much easier when you've got the win under your belt.
My thanks to Norfolk FA and The FDC staff for their help tonight.
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