Walsham's flying start

NORTH Walsham Ladies' first game of the new season in Division Two North East saw them get off to a flying start with a resounding 7-2 victory over University of East Anglia.

The game was competitive from the start with both teams making quick breaks into each other's halves and challenging their opposition's defence in very hot conditions.

The captain, Nicky Pye, led from the front by opening the scoring in the first half with a well-taken shot on the left of the circle after fluent passing play opened up the UEA defence.

There followed a series of short corners for Walsham, which eventually resulted in a goal from a first time strike at the top of the circle for Ellen Vanlint, making the scoreline 2-0 at half-time.

UEA started the second half stronger, quickly scoring after muddled play in Walsham's circle.

However, Walsham were keen to maintain their lead and with strong team spirit, there quickly followed a lengthy passage of pressure on the UEA I defence which resulted in a series of comprehensive strikes from the Walsham forwards taking the score to 7 1.

The first was for Charlotte Else, a strong centre circle sweep following a cross from Sue Gardiner on the right wing which easily beat the keeper with it's pace and accuracy.

Charlotte followed this up with her second goal after a superb individual run direct into the circle, beating two UEA defenders and a cleverly angled shot fooled the opposition keeper again.

Centre forward Ellen then got in on the action by drawing out and beating the keeper with a spinning shot in the circle and then completed her hat-trick with a powerful half-volley shot from another quick paced Sue Gardiner cross.

Sue then completed the Walsham scoreline with a decisive strike from a right slip at a short corner routine.

UEA scored a consolation goal towards the end of the match when the Walsham keeper was committed and UEA I attackers outnumbered the Walsham defenders.