Lowestoft Town maintained their 100% start to the season in a super performance at Crown Meadow against the University of East Anglia. Erin Stocking and Beth Turner both scored a brace each, with Lauren Goulder and Louise Nichols also finding the net in an impressive 6-2 win against strong opposition. 

In what was Lowestoft's first home league game of the season, autumnal weather conditions helped create an action packed game for the watching spectators with driving wind and rain blowing across Crown Meadow for the duration of the contest. Both sides had early attacking moments whipping the ball around on the slick playing surface. An early corner from UEA was well dealt with by the Lowestoft defence and early Lowestoft pressure saw Beth Turner have a half chance and a superbly delivered free kick from Lauren Goulder but unfortunately there was nobody to meet it.

On 17 minutes, Marcie Prettyman found Turner, who's low shot was stopped by the keeper and out for a corner as the Trawler Girls looked to up momentum in the game. The 20th minute mark saw Beth Turner fouled and Lowestoft awarded a penalty, Turner stepped up and finished well to the keepers right to give Lowestoft the lead.

With the conditions as they were, long shots were worth a go for both teams and so it proved, Two minutes later we were all square as Amnara Qureshi fired from distance and the ball went through Chloe Pearce's hands to level the score. UEA tried to find another as a corner for the visitors nearly went in but Pearce was there to keep it out. 

Lowestoft had to wake up, and they did as from here the Trawler Girls went on a rampage and blew their opponents away in a glorious 20 minute spell at the end of the first half. 

On 27 minutes we saw captain Charnelle Riggall find Erin Stocking with a pass who hit one superbly which went high across the keeper and in to put Lowestoft back in front, it was a brilliant moment for young Erin who dazzled and stood out all afternoon with her fearlessness and incredible energy. 

The Trawler Girls wanted more, Turner fired against the keepers legs before on the 40th minute Selina Rowland found Lauren Goulder out on the right who blasted across the keeper and into the net for 3-1. 

Lowestoft had to remain alert at the back though as UEA offered a danger all afternoon and Fran Heaney made a wonderful last ditch tackle and won the ball perfectly to deny the UEA attacker who was through on the break. 

There was time for Erin Stocking to add another right on Half Time with an audacious effort to make it 4-1 and a double for the youngster in a performance of true sparkle. In a blistering final 20 minutes of the half Lowestoft had blown the visitors away and were firmly in charge of this one. 

After the break, Louise Nichols added the fifth with a lovely finish six minutes after the re-start. UEA reduced the gap to three goals with their second goal of the afternoon on the hour mark scored by Natasha Coe to keep Lowestoft honest and on their toes. 

The four goal lead was restored when Beth Turner turned the ball in nicely after a shot came off the post for her second of the day, her seventh of the season and completing Lowestoft's super six for the afternoon. 

Nichols had a further decent opportunity for a seventh but couldn't find a way through. Chloe Pearce was called into action again late on and produced the save of the afternoon with a wonderful back handed stop to keep UEA out. 

Lowestoft managed the game well through the closing stages and were good value for their 6-2 win. It was professional performance with glitz and sparkle and a blistering 20 minute spell at the end of the first half which gave them full control at the interval and a second half they just had to manage professionally and they did to claim another vital three points. 

It was a super way to win the opening home league game of the season and kick off a run of home fixtures with Costessey Sports the next scheduled visitors on Sunday 25th October at 2.00pm.

Up the Trawler Girls! 

By Darrell Allen 

Photo: Lucy Eagle