Ladies 3rds Vs Norwich Dragons 7

Norwich City IV  3     Broadland  4

Norwich City blitz by Baker.

With both teams looking to distance themselves from the spectre of possible relegation the game had all the makings of a classic and the 50 + spectators watching the game were not disappointed.  Broadland should have been one up within a minute, but Nikki Baker rushed her attempt and shot wide. Norwich City IV began to win the midfield battle and found the break through their attacking play deserved in the 10th minute when their captain Niamh Campbell converted a penalty corner to give them the lead. This, however, didn’t last long as Baker was on hand to find the equalizer for Broadland two minutes later, being well positioned at the far post to receive the ball and fire it home. Encouraged by the unusually large crowd Norwich City IV looked to recover their advantage and this they did when Abi Flatt found the back of the Broadland goal. Broadland strengthened their resolve and launching an attack of their own in the last minute of the first half found another equalizer, Baker again on target as the City team failed to clear the ball.

It was a classic all to play for in the second half with Norwich City IV dominating the opening passages of play.  Emily Leeming pounced on a loose clearance to restore City’s advantage giving Broadland’s star player goalkeeper Jen Crawford little chance to make a save. Again, within two minutes Broadland found yet another equalizer as substitute Dani Parke’s strong finish was dragged over the goal line by the stick of a City defender in a desperate effort to clear the ball.  Broadland sensing the game was swinging their way attacked with some zest. With the City defenders retreating and little time remaining on the clock Broadland’s captain Nikki Kent picked out Tamsin Highfield who powered the ball forward into the stride of Baker who made no mistake to put Broadland ahead for the first time in the game and to claim the vital three points a few moments later.

Division 2

Norwich Dragons  VII  3     Broadland  III  0

Relegated Broadland III fought right to the end of the campaign but could not find a goal in the last game of the season.  Mia McGhee was on twice on target for Dragons.