Martin And Acock Norfolk Women’s League

Division One

TOP of the table Magpies knew they faced a hard challenge against this week’s opposition Pelicans, in a midday push back at Weybread.

Magpies were unbeaten in the league this season coming into this game, and the first few minutes saw them make the best possible start when a good ball through from Roo Barker found Kay Dennis one on one with the ‘keeper to slot home to give Magpies an early lead.

This proved important for Magpies as the pace of the match was fast, with the play being somewhat nervy, and the home side unable to find their confident, flowing play from recent weeks. However, Magpies held on to take their lead into half time.

The second half saw Pelicans push for an equaliser and Magpies had to defend well to protect their lead; Katie Mound, Ginny Crawford, Megg Eglington, Sarah Legg and Claire Snelling battling hard for Magpies, tirelessly tackling and clearing the ball away.

Much of Magpies forward play was on the counter attack with Roo Barker on the left wing making some tremendous solo runs into the D and was unfortunate not to find an end product on several occasions. Magpies efforts were rewarded midway through the half though when Barker got her deserved goal, beating the ‘keeper and putting the ball in the corner.

However, Pelicans were not going to give up, and after successive short corners they got a goal back, a terrific strike straight from the top of the D. Magpies continued to defend for their lives, with Hannah Booty, Rosie Blackmore and Treacle Snelling in the midfield working hard chasing back, and coming forward to support the attacking play. And only minutes from the final whistle, Kay Dennis pounced on some disorganisation in the Pelicans D to pick up a loose ball to score her second goal and make the game safe.

It certainly wasn’t Magpies’ best performance but it was certainly a deserved victory to keep them top of Division One.