Uea 4s 2 - Beccles 3 (17/02/24)

This was a rearranged game and Beccles found it hard to get a full team. However, thanks to the all the regular players, and two partly injured players, Beccles fielded a team of 12, which is always helpful against such a youthful side! Beccles were unlucky not to go ahead after the ball was stopped on the goal line by a UEA defender’s foot. Unfortunately, the resulting penalty flick was saved by the keeper. However, Beccles did go ahead just before half time when, following an UEA attack, Beccles cleared the ball to Emma Taylor, who was only positioned just inside the attacking half. Emma sent a brilliant ball to the waiting Gemma Powell in the D and Gemma won the tussle with the keeper and slotted the ball home to give Beccles a 1-0 lead at half time. UEA who always well positioned, and made it difficult for Beccles to reach the forwards from the 16yard hit outs, but Marie did many good hits in difficult circumstances. The second half started well for Beccles, and they had good possession and lots of attacks in this third quarter. However, UEA were very strong in defence, and often counter attacked, when Beccles were pressing, and they scored their first goal on one such counter attack levelling up the score. Beccles responded within minutes through Ellie Kirby, putting them ahead again. Then again, UEA scored after Beccles had fouled and expecting the whistle to blow, Beccles hesitated, but the Umpire rightly played advantage, and UEA were again level at 2-2. Undeterred, and within a couple of minutes, Beccles had taken the lead again from a cracking shot from Emma Taylor. Beccles showed good team work and resilience against strong sprightly opponents, and were delighted to take all 3 points.

Team: Ellie, Debbie, Gemma, Kerry, Emma, Jodie, Rachael, Marie, Mandy, Hannah R, Sara and Lorraine.