The Eastern Region Women’s league Cup …. A competition we won in a differing format during the Covid era, but we haven’t progressed to the later rounds in recent seasons – A new campaign brings renewed hope of a positive run this year!
As a premier division club, we received a bye to the second round where we have been picked to play fellow Premier Division side Kings Lynn, at Garden Walk. We have already played our home league game against Kings Lynn early in the season which we had won convincingly, but recent results for our opponents suggested that this could be a tricky tie.
Good news on the long-term injuries front, as both Riana and Club Captain Amy were in attendance to support the team, and joined in some of the warm up – they are both still some months away from a come-back, but that day is coming closer – both, being real assets to the club, have been missed, but under the very watchful eye of Amber, progress is steady and being carefully monitored.
Poppy, Alish, Annie, Georgia, and AJ were unavailable this week therefore we had three subs, including Char who is carefully managing recovery from an injury.
Manager Lewis Endecott was keen that we started with a quick tempo. And, wow, did we do just that!
Indeed, we could/should have been two goals up when we scored with only seven minutes on the clock – a precise ball over the head of the Kings Lynn left back by Amy Houghton was collected by Emma Slater who got her head up and cut a lovely ball back into the path of ERIN who finished with aplomb – particularly pleasing as this was something we had worked on in Training.
And the second goal arrived only two minutes later, again Emma Slater driving past the left back with the ball before delivering a precise pass across the edge of the area for MILLSY to finish first time, to the keepers right.
The quick start continues in the 10th minute as Emily finds space to run into behind the right-back and pulls the ball across the 6-yard box for EMMA SLATER to finish.
The next goal arrives on 15 minutes, Tally delivering a delightful free kick into the back post for EMILY SMITH to rise highest and firmly plant a header into the back of net to put the Crows four up.
… and we are not done yet, number 5 on 18 minutes delivered by EMMA SLATER from the penalty spot after she had been fouled in the area.
Now that’s what I call a quick start, indeed it could have been more as the Kings Lynn keeper was having a cracking game!
Goal six arrives on 33 minutes, ERIN showing the strength she possesses by driving through the central defensive pairing and finishing with a powerful shot that the keeper just couldn’t keep out.
Half time 6-0 to the Crows with some good football to compliment the goals.
The second half commences with Lewis making a couple of changes, bringing Char and Jordanne on, with Ellie coming on soon after. When looking at this quality coming onto the pitch, it proves what a decent squad is being assembled at Royston.
To prove this statement JORDANNE scores the next three goals, all typical of a predatory forward getting on the end of balls into the box and ensuring she hits the target – and Jordanne will be the first to agree that, but for some superb goalkeeping she could have had more (A couple of these saves were genuine “wow” moments!)
The goal to bring up the double figures is scored by ROPER who deflects into the net from another well struck corner from Tally. (I will leave it to Roper to tell everyone about the goal, as I know she will! – last I heard it was from 30 yards …)
A good day at the office, I think its fair to say that we did take the foot off the gas after such a fast start – but I am nit-picking.
Great to witness Emily getting ninety minutes working hard up front, especially when we were out of possession, and Jordanne putting pressure on for a starting place with her second half hat-trick – personally I enjoyed seeing two players in particular just enjoying their football again – the smiles on Tally and Ellie’s faces is a joy in itself.
Jordanne was our Sponsors (with thanks to the Steve Tuck) player of the match.
Thank you all for your continued support – Away at Kings Lynn in the league next week, followed by our County Cup game at Stevenage on the 19th.
