Martin And Acock Norfolk Women’s League

Premier Division

A 10 o’clock push-back at East Point Academy found Magpies facing Lowestoft in a crucial bottom of the table clash.

The early signs were positive for Magpies, with their passing and movement improving from recent weeks, and they enjoyed some good spells of possession in the home side’s defensive third.

Magpies knew how important the three points were and pushed hard to find the opener, and they won several short corners, but even with some strong strikes from the top, and some differing routines, they could not get the ball across the line.

Railway were quick on the break, but the Magpies defence seemed able to cope with the home side’s forwards and dispatched the ball away competently. Unfortunately for the away side, Railway were awarded a short corner, and when the ball was not cleared away properly, the home side somehow got it past the ‘keeper to go a goal up; and Railway took that lead into half time.

Magpies were desperate to get something from the game and battled hard, but their task was not made any easier when early on in the half they went down to 10 after a harshly awarded yellow card for Vicky Blackmore.

The away side continued to fight, and again they had a spell of short corners, with Sarah Legg, Rosie Blackmore and Kathryn Bullen all having shots on target, but it seemed nothing was going to get past the Railway ‘keeper. In the final few minutes Bullen was desperately unlucky to see another good attempt fall just outside the far post. And Railway went home with the points.

Credit must again go to Sarah Legg for another player of the match display. Performances are improving for Magpies, but these must be turned into points if they are to keep their place in the Premier League.