Before the current lockdown the girls’ football season was finally able to get going, despite the Covid-19 delay to most sports, with football able to continue with extra safeguards in place.

An understrength Cawston Red Rose Football Club side kicked off the season with a closely contested match at home against a top-of-the-table Taverham team.

Taverham started brightly and showed why they are a top team with several promising attacking moves that could have produced some goals, but for some great saves from goalkeeper Hannah, who was in top form, as well as the opposition strikers being less than clinical in their finishing.

Despites these early scares the Red Rose girls battled on and slowly got into the game as midfield trio Jazzy, Millie and Paige began to control more of the ball and created chances for striker Casey to run onto.

The rest of the first half was more evenly contested until just before the half-time whistle when Taverham at last managed to beat keeper Hannah to take a 1-0 lead.

A change of formation by Red Rose for the second half saw a new goalkeeper and a revamp at the back, but Taverham had at last found their shooting boots and despite several good saves by keeper Hetty, Taverham moved into a 3-0 lead.

However, heads did not drop and Red Rose hit back with Hannah, now playing as a striker, pulling one goal back with a brilliant run from a feed in by Elise and then smashing the ball into the net.

Shortly after, Hannah scored again from a brilliantly taken free kick to bring the score to 3-2 and the chase was on to get an equaliser.

With Hetty keeping all the shots out at one end and Red Rose pushing hard for an equaliser the match went from end to end until Taverham managed to make the game safe with a fourth goal, which made the final score Red Rose girls 2, Taverham girls 4.

The player of the match was deservedly given to Hannah, but each player contributed brilliantly towards what was an excellent result against the top team.

Most importantly, the whole team had an enjoyable match, with our opponents proving to be a great team and perfect guests.

 Red Rose girls’ teams are still open to all players, of any skill level, in school years 7 and 8 and also years 3 and 4.

For further information contact Paul Willmott on 07926 004994 or visit the Cawston Red Rose FC website.

Both our year 5 and year 6 groups are now full, but we are taking names on the waiting list for these groups.

Paul Willmott