Lowestoft Town Ladies started their title defence with a comfortable 4-1 win at Mulbarton Wanderers on Sunday afternoon. Mia Rose gave Lowestoft an early lead before Rebekah Lake equalised for Mulbarton to send the sides in level at the break but Lowestoft produced an outstanding second half display as a Beth Turner brace and goal from Abi Bell saw Lowestoft secure a dominant victory. 

On paper this game arguably the hardest opening day fixture Lowestoft could have got in Norfolk Women and Girls League Division One, away to a Mulbarton side littered in experience and for the opening 30 minutes Mulbarton were a match for Lowestoft. The hosts began the game dominating the ball but struggled to really test Lowestoft in the opening minutes. 

On the five minute mark, the first attacking spark for Lowestoft resulted in a goal as a precision ball from Abi Bell found Mia Rose who timed her run perfectly and finished well into the Mulbarton net to give Lowestoft the lead.

Following the goal Mulbarton were the better side as most of the next 20 minutes was played in the Lowestoft half with Mulbarton getting into several promising positions and making life difficult for the Lowestoft defence, a couple of corners were headed over before Mulbarton got reward for their promising play around 15 minutes in when Rebekah Lake was there to finish from close range. 

Lowestoft lost Mia Wilson who had to come off early with an injury although did return to the pitch in the final 10 minutes of the game, her replacement Erin Stocking did a fine job along with the rest of the defence to prevent any further damage. 

After the half hour mark after a frantic start Lowestoft began to finally play football and Louise Nichols had a chance down the right but the angle narrowed before she could get a decent shot away and it was easy for the keeper to deal with.

Lowestoft continued to put pressure on in the closing moments of the first half Zoe Gibbons having a shot wide of the near post before shortly after testing the Mulbarton keeper with a powerful strike but the scores remain level at the break which was a fair reflection of the first half efforts from both teams. 

Half time saw a double change for Lowestoft with Lauren Goulder and Bea Silva coming on for Zoe Gibbons and Mia Rose, substitutions that turned out to be inspired. 

With the second half kicking off at exactly 3pm, Lowestoft went about their business with purpose and intent from the off, seven minutes into the second period came Beth Turner's first goal of the afternoon as Goulder found Nichols with a great ball, Nichols shot was pushed away by the keeper but Beth Turner was there in prime position to finish easily to give Lowestoft the lead.

From here it was cruise control for Lowestoft, Marcie Prettyman had a shot from distance which only just went over the crossbar. The chances were flooding in, Abi Bell who had tremendous dancing feet all afternoon skipped past Mulbarton players and found Turner who just missed another great opportunity. Turner then had a header just wide as Lowestoft continued to dominate. 

The goal that took Lowestoft out of sight was from Abi Bell and Bell only scores tremendous goals this was no different as a superb elevated strike beat the keeper from distance, its what Bell does and it was the gloss on a tremendous performance from the midfielder.

Mulbarton did rally after Bell's goal and hit the crossbar twice during the second half period but the outcome never looked or felt in any doubt. 

Lowestoft were fully in charge and playing with such confidence and flare it was a privilege to witness, Goulder who made a vital contribution to the action, played her part in every Lowestoft goal from when she was on the pitch had a chance of her own but the keeper saved. 

Goulder then set up Turner for her second and Lowestoft's fourth of the afternoon to round off what was a truly wonderful second half performance.

This was a statement win as Lowestoft raised the standards in the second half to blow away Mulbarton and announce to the division they fully mean business once again this season. In what was on paper one of the hardest away games of the season, after an even first 30 minutes, the ease of which Lowestoft won this game so comfortably will be the most satisfying thing for Iain Spoor and his coaching staff. 

It was a magnificent start to the season and gives everyone optimism for the weeks and months ahead. 

The next game for Lowestoft is away to Hickling on Sunday 27th September with kick off at 2pm. 

Up the Trawler Girls!

By Darrell Allen

Photo Credit: Lucy Eagle