Lowestoft Town Ladies produced arguably their best performance of the season so far with a comprehensive 10-0 win over Bure Valley to make it 10 league wins out of 10, it saw Lowestoft reach the 30 point mark and go five points clear at the top of Norfolk Women and Girls League Division One.

The game, which had sparkle and class throughout from the Trawler Girls was played on the 3G facility at Barnards Meadow and saw Hat-Tricks from Lucy Eagle and Bethany Turner and countless more positives all over the pitch. If it hadn't have been for the excellence of visiting goalkeeper Danielle Barnes, the scoreline would have been closer to 20.

The game saw a first start of the season for Louise Nichols and the young forward was energetic and vibrant throughout and gave a performance to be proud of. Several first half chances fell to Nichols, but she either found goalkeeper Barnes in rock solid form or the ball went narrowly wide of the goal. Nichols who didn't let the missed chances get her down, remained positive, upbeat and engaged in the contest throughout and on another day would have scored a Hat-Trick of her own.

The opposition Bure Valley, a very well respected and admired club in Division One played as we know they do with great passing pleasing on the eye football especially in the first half but were unable to trouble Lowestoft in the final third at any stage of the contest.

The deadlock was broken on the Half Hour mark when Hazel Saddington opened the scoring with a finish from close range after a Lauren Goulder assist. The lead was doubled just before the break when Selina Rowland scored after her shot went off the post and in to give the Trawler Girls and 2-0 Half Time advantage.

The second half saw the introduction of Bethany Turner from the bench which signalled the start of an incredible 45 minutes as the Trawler Girls hit a further eight goals in the second half period.

The first of the second half, and third of the day an absolutely outrageous corner from Lucy Eagle which deceived everybody, including the energetic Nichols who would have been there to tap in had the ball not gone in, it didn't need a touch and Eagle had produced a moment of magic within three minutes of the re-start to begin a remarkable second half.

The fun was really underway, the fourth a trademark goal from Bethany Turner, the fifth a perfect finish from Eagle from the edge of the box for her brace and the game was comfortably won within a few minutes of the second half.

In some previous games, Lowestoft have failed to finish teams off but all across the park the team raised their performance levels to greater heights in the Barnards Meadow sunshine in what was a real statement second half. Turner and Eagle were having their own goalscoring competition, the sixth of the afternoon saw Turner grab her brace, it was then time for Lauren Goulder to get on the scoresheet with an outstanding seventh.

We were not done there, Eagle completed her Hat-Trick with the 8th of the afternoon before the defence wanted a piece of the scoring as Marcie Prettyman scored a superb 9th. A wonderful afternoon was then finalised as Turner made it double figures, completed her Hat-Trick and a share of the match ball with Eagle on a fabulous afternoon for the Hat-Trick heroes as both shone in a magnificent all round team performance.

10-0 was the least Lowestoft deserved, and Danielle Barnes prevented it being more in a stand out goalkeeping display for Bure Valley. The game played in fantastic sporting spirits by both teams throughout from the very first whistle to full time.

The result sees Lowestoft Town make it 10 wins out of 10 in Norfolk Women and Girls League Division One and go five points clear at the top. With just eight league matches remaining for both themselves and nearest rivals Costessey Sports, Lowestoft are in a great place to win the title in their first season since re-birth in summer 2025. 29th March is a date for your diaries as Lowestoft host Costessey at Crown Meadow in a game that could go a long way to deciding the title.

Next game for the Ladies is on Sunday 8th March when FC Viking Valkyries visit Crown Meadow for a 2.00pm kick off.

Up the Trawler Girls!

By Darrell Allen