Monday, March 11, 2024 - 09:04

Red Rose FC welcomed Heartsease for a knockout match on Saturday 2 March, with the Red Rose girls starting at a frenetic pace, pressuring the visitors’ goal with a dominating grip on the game.

This soon resulted in the first goal for Red Rose after a great challenge from Marcie to win the ball just outside the penalty area and slip it through neatly for Natalia to side foot accurately past the goalkeeper to establish an early lead.

Red Rose continued to dominate the half forcing corner after corner. Eventually, in a textbook training ground practice routine, from one of the many corners the ball was delivered to the penalty spot area as Jessica arrived with a late run to side foot the ball neatly past the keeper to put Red Rose 2-0 ahead – a lead which they held comfortably until half time.

In the second half the opposition came out with real determination and briefly dominated possession. The result was a brief loss of concentration which allowed Heartsease to get a goal back to 2-1.

However, usual service was resumed with Red Rose players Bea and Marcie able to smash in shots which the goalkeeper either managed to save or were just off target –one effort being deflected onto the post and another shot trickling along the goal line, then more point-blank saves from the keeper.

An “illegal” throw-in surprised the Red Rose defenders and put a Heartsease striker straight onto the goal to score a surprise equaliser and level the match at 2-2.

More pressure from Red Rose followed but still failed to break the deadlock, until in the last seconds of the match a forward run by Bea beat three players and drew others towards her.

She then laid the ball across the goal to an unmarked Natalia who side-footed the ball past the stranded goalkeeper for the winning goal with literally no time left to restart the match. Final score: Red Rose 3, Heartsease 2.

The opposition choice for Red Rose Player of the match was Bea; the referee’s choice for player of the match was Evie.

Red Rose FC encourages girls in school years 5 and 6 to try girls-only football. For further information, contact Paul Willmott 07926 004994.

Paul Willmott

All players’ names are changed to comply with FA rules.

Cup success for Red Rose FC girls’ football team. Photo: Red Rose FC

Monday, March 4, 2024 - 09:17

In their home match on Saturday 2 March, the Red Rose FC U11 girls took the game to Euston with a lightning start, pressuring the team from Suffolk. However, despite the pressure, a quick counter break from Euston resulted in the first goal of the game.

The home team kept up the pressure, which eventually resulted in an equaliser just before half time: a corner expertly delivered by Jessica landed in the middle of the goal for Natalia to smash into the net. Half time: 1–1

The second half was a more even affair with both teams giving players a rest and substitutes coming on as replacements, as Red Rose continued the policy of giving all players playing time for each game.

With the match now going from one end to the other, Red Rose struck again through Bea with a great piece of skill in the opposition penalty area, dribbling around two defenders to open up a gap to slot the ball into the goal past the stranded goalkeeper.

With Red Rose taking a 2–1 lead, the match continued to and fro and Euston managed to score an equaliser to make the final score 2–2, which matched the score at the away game a few weeks ago.

Reaching a significant milestone was Red Rose player Darcie (pictured), who made her 25th league appearance and received a bronze award certificate to recognise the achievement.

If you are in school years 5 or 6 and would like to play at a girls-only football club, please contact Red Rose coach Paul Willmott on 07926 004994.

Paul Willmott

Saturday, February 24, 2024 - 16:24

This month’s results so far for the Red Rose FC Ladies’ football team have been a win away to Yarmouth and a 10-0 home win over Martham.

Upcoming fixtures are:

  • 25 February: Home v. Munford
  • 10 March: Home v Waveney
  • 17 March: Home v. Shrublands
  • 24 March: Away v. Stalham
  • 31 March: Home v. Lingwood
     

These will be tough games against good sides and will be hard tests for the women, so come along and give them your support.

All games kick off at 2 pm and home matches are played at Reepham High School, Whitwell Road, Reepham.

Thomas Dack

Tuesday, January 30, 2024 - 17:10

The Cawston Red Rose FC girls played away at Open Academy, Norwich, on Saturday 20 January with a scratch team owing to two players being injured and a further two unwell.

With no substitutes available and the team shuffled around to fill the gaps, each player knew they would have to be at their very best to get any result.

The first half was dominated by the Red Rose girls restricting the Academy to shots from well outside the penalty area and conceding only one corner in the half.

Goalkeeper Betty did not have to make a single save during the half while the Academy keeper was kept busy and made several saves to keep the score to 0-0 at half-time.

Red Rose changed their goalkeeper for the second half and the match continued in the same vein, with defenders Evie and Amanda comfortably dealing with any forward runs by the Academy.

New keeper Daisy had to make only one save during the half as Red Rose again dominated, with the Academy keeper making save after save to keep them in the game.

Finally, mid-way through the half, Bea slotted the ball in for the first goal of the match, with further excellent strikes by Jessica, Bea, Della and Betty, all saved.

At the final whistle the Red Rose girls had at least got their well-deserved three points for a win in a match absolutely bossed, despite the single goal scoreline. Final score: Open Academy 0, Red Rose 1.

Left to right: Opposition choice for player of the match, goal scorer and referee’s choice for player of the match. Photo: Red Rose FC

Red Rose are looking for some extra junior school-age players to be in the squad for next season. You don’t have to be a great footballer yet (although we don’t mind if you are).

If you think you would like to take part please contact us. You will train with the all-girls team to improve your skills until you are confident to play with us; next season you could be part of the team.

For further information, contact Paul Willmott on 07926 004994.

Tuesday, January 30, 2024 - 17:12

The Red Rose FC ladies’ football team have three home games at Reepham High School, Whitwell Road, in February:

  • Saturday 4 February v. Martham
  • Saturday 18 February v. Horsford Hurricanes
  • Saturday 25 February v. Mundford
     

All kick-off times are 2 pm. Come along and support the ladies.

If you are interested in joining, ask any of the coaches or players, or contact Tom Dack on 07889 369732.

Wednesday, December 27, 2023 - 10:08

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

Wednesday, December 13, 2023 - 19:15

Red Rose FC Ladies finish the year with a home fixture against Valkyries at 2 pm on Sunday 17 December at Reepham High School, Whitwell Road, Reepham.

Their home fixtures at the high school in January are: Sunday 14 January vs. Great Yarmouth, and Sunday 28 January vs. Beccles Town, both starting at 2 pm.

Come and support the ladies and don’t be afraid to ask about joining us; all are welcome.

Thomas Dack

Monday, October 16, 2023 - 09:00

The Red Rose women’s football team will be playing their home games at Reepham High School and College from November, according to the team’s manager Thomas Dack.

He said the club’s youth teams have already started their seasons at the school and also train there on Thursday nights.

“With the help of Joe Easton, the high school’s head of physical education, we are looking to bring women’s and girls’ football to Reepham on a regular basis,” said Mr Dack.

Tuesday, September 26, 2023 - 17:50

The Red Rose FC girls sweltered in 30°C heat during the first match of the season on Saturday 9 September.

With the league insisting that matches went ahead despite the oppressive conditions, the game was played at a frantic pace with neither side wishing to take it easy in the heat.

The team coaches sensibly made sure there were plenty of drinks breaks for the girls, and at half-time, those that wished, which was pretty much all players, were drenched with cold water to cool down.

The second half produced the only goal of the game for Red Rose to take a narrow win.

Despite both teams creating many chances it was thanks to the brilliant performances of both teams’ goalkeepers that only a single goal was scored.

The match ended with smiles all round as the players were given ice lollies to help cool down.

The same day also saw the launch of this season’s Red Rose Wildcats for any new players that wish to try football: girls from school years 2–6 are welcome to come along.

All sessions are free up to half term. Sessions are held at Cawston Church of England Primary Academy, Aylsham Road, Cawston, on Saturday mornings from 10–11.15 am.

Red Rose is a Football Association certified and registered club.

Paul Willmott

Above: Some of the Red Rose FC girls after their hottest match of the season. Below: Red Rose players Phoebe and Jessie with player of the match awards, with teammate Pixie at the rear. Photos: Red Rose FC

Thursday, September 7, 2023 - 09:15

Red Rose girls’ football club is launching the new season’s Football Association Wildcats sessions for the local area every Saturday, starting 16 September.

Red Rose Football Club is based at Cawston primary school and is now in its 20th season.

In recent seasons the club has been running Wildcats sessions for junior school-age players.

Sessions are open to girls from Year 2 to Year 6 and are free during September (£2 per week after that).

The FA Wildcat sessions are targeted at new players interested in trying football. However, the sessions are managed so they will be challenging for both new and more experienced players – all levels are welcome.

Red Rose Wildcats sessions are held at Cawston Church of England Primary Academy, Aylsham Road, Cawston, on Saturdays from 10 am to 11.30 am.

Fully qualified female coaches run the Wildcats programme, and Red Rose is a fully accredited FA club.

The sessions concentrate on fun-based skills development, teamwork and confidence building. For girls that develop and progress, the club runs teams in the Norfolk girls league.

Parents are welcome to stay and watch the sessions. Changing, toilets and drinks are available on site.

For more information contact Red Rose FC 07926 004994.

Paul Willmott, Red Rose FC

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