Played at the home of ‘The Ghosts’, Fakenham Town, Bedfordshire continuously frightened the Norfolk defence in an excellent First Half display which ultimately set them up for the victory. A steady start by both teams in the first 15 minutes saw no chances on goal before Bedfordshire took control and found the back of the net 3 times in 15 minutes. First is the lively Kelly Bingham breaking into space before laying the ball off to Lesley Seaman who raced in 1 on 1 with the Keeper and scored with a smart finish. Bedfordshire now began to boss the game and Kelliy Bingham was involved again just a couple of minutes later creating a chance for herself with a smart header over the defence she raced onto her own through ball but the keeper made a good safe to deny her. Bingham then forced a corner which was whipped in by Phillipa Copley and headed out for another corner which was again out right into the danger area by Copley causing panic in the Norfolk defence who half got it clear but then committed a foul on the edge of the box which saw Clare Thomas step up and strike the free kick just wide.
Bedfordshire finally made the pressure toll on 26 minutes with Lesley Seaman again the scorer, she was put through the middle and as the keeper came out she slotted it past her with another confident finish. It was soon 3-0 when a chip over the defence this time sent Clare Thomas free and she rounded the keeper before slotting into an empty net. Bedfordshire then took their foot of the gas and let Norfolk back into the game and a mistake in the centre of defence almost led the Norfolk getting one back but Kirsty Morley was on hand in the Beds goal to make a good save. A couple of minutes later and Norfolk created another good chance a deep cross from the right almost saw the striker get on the end of it after losing her marker but at full stretch she couldn’t get the touch with the goal gapping. In the final minutes of the first half Bedfordshire almost increased their lead with 2 good chances firstly Bingham high ball was dealt with by the Norfolk Keeper and as the ball fell to Laura Dunn the keeper managed to recover and turn her shot away. Then Bingham herself had a shot from distance which smacked off the inside of the post and went right across the goal and was them cleared to safety with the goal still shaking!!
Norfolk came out in the Second Half with more purpose and dominated the early proceedings without any real penetration. They did have the first effort of the second half with a strike from range but Kirsty Morley was behind it all the way. Lesley Seaman then created two chances to complete her Hat-Trick the first from a quick break but the Norfolk Keeper did well to come out and save and the second was a brave header and the keeper tried to come and collect and the ball went just wide. Most of the play however was still in the Bedfordshire half and Norfolk pressed for a goal but their final ball was often wayward and Bedfordshire cleared up their attacks. They did carve out a chance on 70 minutes with a break down the left and cross but the shot was hit over the bar. Norfolk then created their best chance of the game with a ball over the top putting the striker clean through but a wild shot saw the ball go high and wide of the Bedfordshire goal. Bedfordshire then created their best chance of the half with a cross from Phillipa Copley which the keeper did well to push away from Kelly Bingham but it fell to Sarah Saunders , on as a replacement for Lesley Seaman, who’s strike from the edge of the box went over the stand. Kirsty Morley was called into action again in the 80th minute when a long angled ball from the back was well controlled by the Norfolk striker and as she cut inside she unleashed a near post strike which Morley got down to and pushed passed the post. Another counter attack from Bedfordshire lead to a long range effort from Clare Thomas whch the keeper gathered and then started a Norfolk attack which then forced Morley into a save with the follow up put over the crossbar. The game then ended with Beds on the attack a speculative effort from Nicola Tarrant forced the keeper into an easy save and then Phillipa Copley was put through on the left of the box but her cross come shot was too long. So Bedfordshire pick up the first 3 points of the East Anglian Counties Championship season with a good win against last season’s 3rd place finishers. They will be looking to maintain their form, which drifted off last season after a good start, and hope for a high finish in the table this season.
Bedfordshire Squad: Kirsty Morley (QPR Ladies), Debbie Styles (Welwyn Garden City Ladies), Lizzie Randall (Luton Town Ladies), Zara Carroll (Bedford Ladies), Laura Dunn & Charlie Wright (both Bedford College), Kelly Bingham (Bedford Town Bells), Clare Thomas (Barnet Ladies), Lesley Seaman, Nicola Tarrant & Phillipa Copley (all Bedford Town Bells).
Subs (all used): Carissa Kaczorwski & Sarah Saunders (both Bedford Ladies)
Goals: Lesley Seaman 15’ & 26’, Clare Thomas 30’