Railway started in determined fashion with Jess Newnham grasping an early opportunity to drive the ball down the right wing straight at the heart of the home side’s defence and was unlucky when the resulting shot went just wide of the post. The visitors continued to attack, with the midfield duo of Emma Julian and Helen Sterry causing the opposition all sorts of problems with their sheer speed and agility on the ball, but they were unable to penetrate a stubborn Old Buckenham defence.
The home side were quick to counter and Railway had cause to be grateful to keeper Beckie Edmeades for some quick thinking and positive action as she cleared her lines after the Old Buckenham centre forward managed to find a way past the back four.
After the break play continued at a fast and furious rate, switching from end to end with Railway building their advances with good passing moves, taking the ball from the defence right through to the attack, however, Old Buckenham always looked threatening on the counter. Forwards Nicky Clark, Niamh McLoughin and Hannah Atkin all combined well and all came close to scoring but just couldn’t get the ball to cross the line.
At the other end of the pitch defenders Jo Beare, Katy Harris and Sue Strachan needed to be at their very best to keep the speedy Old Buckenham forwards at bay and were unlucky when, with just five minutes remaining on the clock, the opposing centre forward won the ball in the middle of the pitch, made a quick break for goal and sent a tremendous shot passed keeper Edmeades who stood no chance of stopping it.
Despite the result this was another superb performance from the entire Railway team. Joint Player of the Match sponsored by M&S Cleans: Jess Newnham, Helen Sterry & Emma Julian.