Cawston Red Rose girls’ football team finally managed to play a match on Saturday 16 December after an enforced five-week break, which included a blank week and two rained-off Saturdays as well as one with players not available.

The team made the long journey into Suffolk for the last match of 2023 against Brandon, with all the girls keen to get back to proper football after weeks of training only.

In an even match with both sides giving 100% effort and showing much skill, the only goal of the first half gave Brandon a 1-0 lead.

The second half commenced with Red Rose a bit more dominant, forcing several corners, which eventually resulted in a defender giving away a handball and penalty to Red Rose.

Having had three different players all miss the three penalties awarded to the team so far this season, it was a brave team captain, Jessica, that stepped up to take the kick and dispatch it brilliantly to level the scores at 1-1.

An unfortunate slip-up in defence saw Brandon again take the lead but the Red Rose girls took control of the match once more and began to dominate.

Eventually, from another of their many corners, the ball dropped perfectly to Natallia to smash into the net and level the scores at 2-2.

Red Rose looked the more likely team to score any further goals but at the final whistle it still remained 2-2, so it was an away draw and a point for the girls, which pleased the players after such a long break from competitive matches.

Player of the match: Natallia; referee’s player choice: Amelia.

Cawston Red Rose FC are looking for new players in school years 5 and 6 to come along and give girls’ football a try.

Training is on Thursday evenings at Cawston Church of England Primary Academy, Aylsham Road, Cawston.

For more information, telephone 07926 004994.

Paul Willmott