Lowestoft Town clinched the Norfolk Women and Girls League Division One title in dramatic fashion with an incredible 4-3 victory at Aylsham on Sunday afternoon.

Lowestoft had raced into an early two goal lead thanks to a goal each from Beth Turner and Selina Rowland which is how it remained until the break. Beth Turner thought she had secured the victory early in the second half with her second and Lowestoft's third but Aylsham fought back to 3-3 before another special moment to add to this incredible season as Selina Rowland scored the winner to make it 4-3 and confirm Lowestoft Town as Champions.

The game played on 3G at Youngs Park, in a fixture originally scheduled for Sunday 12th October 2025 when the original fixture lists came out last summer, postponed due to cup progress then on the second attempt due to an unplayable pitch at Aylsham on 8th February.

Lowestoft received the delightful news on Friday that they had been given the three points for the postponed match on Sunday 8th March when FC Viking Valkyries failed to show for the match at Crown Meadow, near 7 weeks on and the points were awarded to Lowestoft taking Lowestoft up to Played 14, Won 14 and 42 points.

With nearest title rivals Costessey Sports only able to reach a maximum total of 44 points due to Lowestoft's epic victory with 10 players against Costessey back at Crown Meadow on 29th March, That meant the trip to Youngs Park took on extra significance as Iain Spoor's team knew a win would see them confirmed as Champions in the clubs first season since the re-birth of their ladies team in Summer 2025.

Lowestoft came into the game very much on the back foot, after an epic but energy sapping performance against Tier 4 AFC Sudbury which saw Lauren Goulder injured and out for the season to add to the long casualty list. The game did see local football stalwart the legendary Selina Rowland return following suspension which was a welcome boost to the Trawler Girls as they headed North to Aylsham for the first meeting of the season between the clubs.

The game got off to the perfect start with Lowestoft in total domination, Lucy Eagle put in a low cross for Beth Turner who finished well to open the scoring. The lead was quickly doubled when Hazel Saddington provided the assist for Selina Rowland to double the lead and see Lowestoft on course to secure the title.

The only bad moment of the first half saw Lowestoft lose Lucy Eagle to injury who had to come off straight away and didn't return for the rest of the contest. The Trawler Girls led comfortably 2-0 as we went in for the interval.

Beth Turner made it 3-0 in the early stages of the second half before two quick goals from Aylsham made it a contest again. Around 15 minutes later the scores were levelled up at 3-3.

We were back all square, and it was all set up for someone to be a hero, a legend in fact, someone to write their name into Lowestoft Town history. Up stepped who else but Selina Rowland to score a free kick that the home keeper fumbled and it went in to secure Lowestoft all three points and the title in the most dramatic fashion with a late winner.

Our rolls royce of a player Marcie Prettyman was fortunate late on to avoid injury after being victim of a highly dangerous tackle, Prettyman being the hugely intelligent footballer she is was able to see it coming and almost get out of the way from a tackle which otherwise would have caused serious injury. The referee providing a caution to the Aylsham player for said tackle.

The full time whistle went to signal a wonderful 4-3 victory for the Trawler Girls and to see them confirmed as Champions. Selina Rowland scoring a dramatic late free kick to secure the title away from home, we really couldn't have written a better script if we tried.

The Trawler Girls have conquered all in their path so far to secure the title, doubles over Costessey Sports and UEA both vital to secure the title with three games to spare and the title secured in the sunshine away from home at Aylsham, it truly was a special way to clinch it with the legendary Rowland seen happy to be leaving with a bottle of bubbly to celebrate the success of the afternoon.

It was a day that secured the title as part of a special season and the title has been won comfortably with still three matches remaining.

Lowestoft Town travel next to Mulbarton Development on Sunday 3rd May, before their final home game of the season which is the reverse fixture vs Aylsham on Sunday 10th May, The Aylsham game was originally scheduled for Sunday 31st August 2025 as part of the season's opening day fixtures but is still is yet to be played. The season concludes on Sunday 17th May with a trip to Sprowston.

Well done and congratulations to all our wonderful players plus manager Iain Spoor and his coaches Maz and Andy.

It is a truly wonderful achievement for the team to win the title in its opening season and the next few weeks will see lots of joy and lots of celebrations as a remarkable bunch of people have achieved something truly special and left lots of established Division One teams behind.

It is something truly to behold.

Up the Trawler Girls!

By Darrell Allen
With appreciated contributions from Lauren Goulder, Annie Ward-Buckle and Iain Spoor