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Gorleston Rangers Tournament

Sunday 21 July

Ladies

Back to Oriel for the second day of the Gorleston Rangers tournament. This time the ladies took centre stage. Lowestoft had dropped out leaving one team short in group B. So there five teams played 10 minutes rather then eight, my pitch had six teams. Many players from yesterday were back. Waveney and Rangers. Thorpe, Bungay, Costessy and Freethorpe were the other clubs involved. Rangers started as favourites to add to yesterday’s title.

On my pitch, they started brightly, Thorpe looked strong as did Costessy. Freethorpe played well at time, Bungay also caught the eye. The standard was very high and there were many entertaining matches. The top four from each group went through. The sporting Waveney and Freethorpe missed out from mine and Thorpe B from next door.

Disaster had struck Rangers, when one of their players had to go to hospital after a fall caused a wrist injury. They had to play with just 4 players. Bungay took full advantage. Rangers battled bravely and defended stoutly, but once the Black Dogs had scored it was all over. Bungay won 3-0. The next match was closer as Costessy continued then fine form with a good win over Freethorpe. There was drama on the other pitch in the game of the day. Thorpe and Waveney drew and a dramatic penalty shoot out took place. Both sides struggled to score, but Thorpe came through on sudden death. Rangers had no problems beating Bungay.

Onto the semi finals. The two Norwich sides met, Thorpe and Costessy. An excellent match so Thorpe take a 2-0 lead, but Costessy pulled a goal back. Thorpe hung on for a 2-1 win. Next door Rangers beat Bungay 2-0.

The final was a good game and advert for women’s football. Against the run of play, Thorpe took the lead. Rangers battled back and equalised in the 2nd half. Extra time so no more goals, so a penalty shoot out would decided the title. And what a shoot out it was. The keepers had no chances as the first 5 penalties were scored. An excellent save, saw Thorpe edge ahead for 3-2. They scored for 4-2. Another fine save sealed the win.

So another good two days came to a fitting end. Can’t wait till next year.

Saturday 8th September

Norfolk Girls League

Sprowston U 13’s v FC Bradwell

The miserable summer ended in traditional style, with the hottest day of the year, not ideal for the first game of the season. Defending champions, Sprowston were looking forward to moving up to 9 aside. But their title was under threat from two quarters, Hellesdon and today’s opponents Bradwell. The home side had made changes with key players missing and some new faces. Bradwell had their share with a number of Gorleston Rangers players joining their ranks.

The home side started slowly and Bradwell made a shock opening after just 1 minute taking the lead with a well taken goal. The home side were shaken and hit back. They thought they had equalised but the linesman’s flag changed everything. The forward who scored was just in front of the ball. Bradwell were the better side at this stage and went 2-0 up.

Sprowston were not used to being behind, but had strong spirit. Gradually they came back into the game and pulled a goal back, they were level by half time.

The heat took it’s toll after the break and the younger Bradwell girls started to struggle. Sprowston were playing well and on top by this stage. They took the lead and there was only one team in it from now on. Bradwell were wilting and conceded 3 more goals to give the hosts a good 6-2 win. Bradwell were pleased with their start and will improve.

Gorleston Rangers Tournament 2012

Saturday 16 June

Under 12 Girls

At long last the Gorleston Rangers tournament came round yet again, last year saw loads of shock results and surprises. What would this year bring?

Chaos was the word as the girls section nearly didn’t take place at all. The Norwich City trials clashed with the event. Previous finalist Scole and Sprowston were both missing and it was a struggle to raise enough teams. Attleborough and the home side pulled out, then Bungay failed to arrive. We were left with just 4 teams.

After a short delay, the two favourites to win the title started proceedings. Defending champions Witnesham defeat newcomers Hellesdon, in a tight match. Next up Bradwell Spain lead Bradwell Brazil 2-0 when the game came to a dramatic end. A Spain player fell awkwardly and needed hospital treatment. After an hour’s delay the game was abandoned. The following games were tight. Witnesham beat Spain but lost to Brazil, in the Shock of the day. Hellesdon picked up two draws again the Bradwell side.

Witnesham finished with the two Bradwell sides locked together in 2md and Hellesdon came last 2 points from the top.

Onto the semis and Bradwell Brazil beat Spain by the odd goal. Witnesham and Hellesdon provided the game of the day. Hellesdon raced into a two goal lead, but the Wasps scored just before the chance. An epic 2nd half followed and the scores were levelled with a minute to go. Witnesham thought they had won it when the keeper fumbled the ball but the full time whistle sounded and it was debatable whether the ball crossed the line. Extra time saw end to end football but no goals, it was down to penalties. The first 8 were scored, both keepers had to take theirs. Hellesdon had a slight advantage as they had out fielders in goal. Their keeper scored, but Witnesham’s was saved. Hellesdon had won 7-6.

The final never really got going Hellesdon scored twice as Bradwell somehow lost their good form. Both sides had chances but Hellesdon deserved the win. Bradwell’s keeper was outstanding, it was just game to many.

All in all some good football played and all the games were close. Bradwell really impressed. Let’s hope there is a tournament next year and Rangers still have a team.

Saturday 14th April

Norfolk Girl’s League Under 11 cup semi final

Sprowston 6-2 Fc Bradwell.

The sides met for the second time in two weeks. Sprowston had won fairly comfortably, but were wary of the visitors.

The match started in bright sunshine, with a cold wind blowing. It was a hectic start with both sides looking to attack. Despite the visitors bright start, Sprowston opened with a fine solo goal after a long run.

Bradwell must’ve feared the worse, but, unlike last time, when they conceded 3 goals in quick succession, they hit back themselves. A superb cross was met with a perfect volley and the keeper had no chance. The goal of the season so far.

Sprowston are a confident side and didn’t panic, they pressed forward looking for a 2nd. The away keeper was in fine form making some good stops, but Sprowston would not be denied, regaining the lead.

Back came the visitors and the home keeper was tested. There were chances are both ends before Sprowston scored a 3rd.

3-1 and the visitors looked dead, they started slowly and let in an unfortunate goal. The ball was rolling towards the goal. The keeper and and forward both tried to kick in, but caught each other and somehow the ball ended up in the net.

Bradwell’s heads didn’t drop and continued to push forward only to be denied by the keeper. Sprowston scored twice more for 6-1, a cruel scoreline and the game looked dead.

5 minutes from time, a long run resulted in Bradwell scoring their deserved 2nd. The game burst back into life and the visitors swarmed forward. For the first time this season the home side had been pressed back. They hung on till the final whistle.

A great match, two fine keepers, superb attacking forward from both sides and a sporting encounter on and off the field.

Saturday 3rd March 2012

Norfolk Girls League Under 12’s

Sprowston 4v0 Gorleston Rangers

On murky morning, Sprowston were looking to continue their march towards a second consecutive title. They had been in good form with a series of comfortable victories, Gorleston Rangers were the latest to try their luck. However, for the second year running, they visited Sprowston with injury problems. At one stage they only had 6 girls but a 7th arrived.

The game started at a cracking pace. the home side looked very confident and sprayed the ball about. Rangers defended stoutly, they were no push overs. The visiting keeper was in top form, with a series of fine saves. But it wasn’t all one way traffic, as Rangers looked to push forward at every opportunity. They nearly took a shock lead, as a break resulted in a blistering shot, that was well held by the home keeper.

Halfway through the first half the deadlock was finally broken. A spell of Sprowston pressure ended up with home side taking the lead. Moments later saw the goal of the season at Sprowston. A quick fire series of short passes, stretched the away defence and a cool finish made it 2-0. Rangers hadn’t done much wrong to this point, but an error at the back made it 3 goals in a 5 minute spell.

There were no more goals up to the break, but there was another set back for Gorleston. Injury meant they had to restart with just 6 players, a repeat of last year. Inspired by their keeper, Rangers kept the home side at bay. The visitors made the odd break but found the home defence in a mean mood.

Rangers were back to 7 players and another fine cross saw Sprowston make it 4-0. The game started to die now and there were few chances at either end.

4-0 was probably a fair score, in a competitive but sporting encounter. Rangers had battled hard against an in form home team. Player of the match has to be the Rangers keeper.