Match Report: Young Norton side beaten in cup opener
FA Women’s National League Cup- Determining Round: Norton & Stockton Ancients Ladies vs Liverpool Feds Women
The determining round of the cup saw Tier 4 Norton host Liverpool Feds from Tier 3. Feds have always been a strong team and won the National League Division, One North back in the 2021/22 season beating Norton 3-0 at Station Road and 5-0 in Liverpool, so the encounter was going to be a tough one for Norton.
Norton had an unbelievable amount of players unavailable due to holidays and injuries however the plan has always been to try out some new things in this round of the cup.
With only 4 players starting from the previous week, a big challenge laid ahead for a new look Norton side with a number of players gaining National League experience for the first time.
The starting line up saw Rachel Chisnall replace last week’s opposition player of the match Kelsie Moore in the Norton goal.Jordan Moore and Ash Coyle started in the back three alongside Vicki Burton. Izzy McEwen kept her place at right wing back and 16 year old Pippa Brown made her competitive debut at left wing back.17 year old Chloe West was the experience in the middle with 18 year old Jess Robinson and 16 year old Anna McArthur with their first FAWNL starts making up the midfield three, with teenagers Maddie Myers and Katie Ormerod playing up top.
Liverpool took hold of the game immediately and Norton struggled to match them in the early stages. The pressure told after 5 minutes when a poor clearance from Vicki Burton fell to a Feds player 25 yards out and she let fly, giving Rachel Chisnall no chance.Feds continued to dominate and extended their lead with another long range strike on 13 minutes. Norton eventually grew into the game and had a great chance to pull one back when Katie Ormerod beat two players and sent Maddie Myers clean through with only the ‘keeper to beat but Myers shot was tipped around the post and behind for a corner.
Norton suffered an injury which saw Pippa Brown leave the field and Ruby Oxburgh replaced her for her FAWNL and Norton debut. The change saw Jess Robinson switch to left wing back and Oxburgh go in the centre of midfield. Norton worked hard to contain a very good Feds for the remainder of the half and the score remained 2-0.
Half Time: Norton & Stockton Ancients Ladies 0-2 Liverpool Feds Women
The second half began like the first; Feds having the majority of the ball and causing Norton a lot of problems. The visitors grabbed their third on 49 minutes when a Feds player drove a shot that was well saved by Chisnall but the rebound was lashed home from close range.
Another injury saw Norton make a second change with Kelsie Moore replacing Chloe West. Kelsie Moore went alongside Vicki Burton and twin sister Jordan Moore in a back 3, Ash Coyle went to her more natural position of right wing back and Izzy McEwen went into the middle of midfield alongside Oxburgh and McArthur.
The next chance fell to Norton. Maddie Myers closed the Feds ‘keeper down, forcing her to slice a clearance that fell to Katie Ormerod. Ormerod tried to lift it over the keeper but she returned to her line and made the save. On 71 minutes a switched ball over the top by Izzy McEwen found Katie Ormerod who ran at the last defender but her tame shot was easily saved.
Feds completed the scoring with ten minutes remaining. The Feds forward found a gap in the Norton back 3 and the ball was slipped through to her. She rounded Chisnall and Jordan Moore made a superb last ditch tackle, but Ash Coyle was unfortunate to turn the ball over the line as she darted back in to cover.
The game came to an end and Feds were worthy winners. Norton now go into the FAWNL Plate competition for the first time in their history.
Norton Team Rachel Chisnall, Izzy McEwen, Ash Coyle, Vicki Burton, Jordan Moore, Pippa Brown (Ruby Oxburgh 35’), Chloe West (Kelsie Moore 65’), Jess Robinson, Anna McArthur, Maddie Myers, Katie Ormerod
Full Time: Norton & Stockton Ancients Ladies 0-4 Liverpool Feds Women
Player of the Match: Anna McArthur