Darrell Allen brings us six things you might have missed from Lowestoft Ladies 6-2 win over UEA on Sunday at Crown Meadow. 

Three Big Ticks

Three league games, three wins, three big ticks in the box for Lowestoft Town, the fixture list hasn't been the kindest to Lowestoft in the opening weeks but they have come through with flying colours. An opening day assignment was negotiated in the end comfortably at Mulbarton, next up was a trip to newly promoted Shrublands which turned out to be a bruising affair but again Lowestoft came through this battle with flying colours. 

The other side of last weeks emphatic cup win at Aylsham saw Lowestoft finally return to Crown Meadow for their first home league game of the season, University of East Anglia provided the opposition for what is always a tough contest. After an even start Lowestoft blew UEA away with an incredible spell of play between the 25th and 45th minute which saw the game go from 1-1 to a 4-1 lead for the Trawler Girls at Half Time. It was an magnificent period of the game and one that put clear daylight between the teams on the afternoon and set them well on their way to three points. 

The game eventually ended 6-2 as Lowestoft managed the second half well, to see them move onto nine points from three games and just one point off top with a game in hand. Lowestoft sit proudly as one of the division's two only 100% teams, the other Kings Lynn Soccer Club visit Crown Meadow on Sunday 1st November and if they both still have their records going into it, this could be some contest to look forward to. For now though, its three massive wins from three different but equally challenging games and all players and staff at Lowestoft should be delighted. 

A Star is Born

Sunday saw a new star born at Crown Meadow, enter Erin Stocking on the left for Lowestoft Town. A performance of incredible energy and electric pace saw Erin be one of the stars of this 6-2 win. The second and fourth goals of the afternoon belonged to Stocking who on 27 minutes was found by captain Charnelle Riggall and Stocking hit one superbly which went high across the keeper and in. After Lauren Goulder got the third, Stocking had time before the interval for her second and Lowestoft's fourth with an audacious effort. 

Both of the goals from Stocking prompted wonderful celebrations and congratulations from her team mates, It wasn't just her pink boots that stood out as this was a performance of true quality from Stocking as a new Trawler Girl was born at Crown Meadow. Erin was roared on through the afternoon by electric support from the main stand, several shouts of "Go on Erin" could be heard as the support for the new young star was there for all to see. 

Having done a fantastic job on the season's opening day at Mulbarton standing in with no notice during the first half on that day due to an injury to Mia Wilson and following it up with this wonderful stand out Crown Meadow display, Stocking has showed in just a few short weeks she is firmly part of and a valued part of this Trawler Girls team and long may this talent and the great performances shine through as it was fabulous to see. Well done Erin! 

Hunter Masterclass

It is difficult to write about Ellie Hunter in the main match reports because her role in the team rarely makes the headlines, however last week in my Aylsham Pointers I wrote about how the NWGFL signing of the summer was a player who didn't actually sign in the summer, being Zoe Gibbons. Out of the transfers that were actually made between clubs, without question Ellie Hunter would triumph. 

To be able to sign a player full of experience in Tier 6 and Tier 7 and get her to move from a big title rival in Mulbarton Wanderers, plus Hunter even began the current season playing at step 6 Thetford, to still get Hunter to be at Lowestoft and playing regularly is a huge cue for the football club and a piece of transfer business to be delighted with for Iain Spoor and his coaching staff. 

Hunter has been vital to the team in all games so far, and produced a further magnificent performance in this 6-2 success over UEA. Hunter produced another player of the match performance controlling the game perfectly in midfielder in a role that doesn't get headlines but provides the vital security in the centre of the park to help others and enable others to get forward more. Hunter is a fantastic signing and will be an important player as Lowestoft look to achieve their aims this season. 

Goals Galore

Five games, 21 goals in all competitions for Lowestoft Town so far, Beth Turner keeps up her stats of scoring a third of the teams goals so far, this time last week it was five of the 15 goals, now its seven of the 21 goals as Turner hit another brace in this 6-2 win over UEA. Louise Nichols joined Zoe Gibbons on three goals each after finding the net against UEA, Nichols has now scored in three consecutive matches for the Trawler Girls. 

Lauren Goulder continues to impress to in a fabulous start to the season for all forwards and has scored or assisted in all of her appearances so far this season, also sitting on three goals after finding the net in the Fa Cup vs Needham Market and the league games vs Shrublands and UEA. Mia Rose sits on two goals and with all forwards firing and continuing to do so this is a fine start to the season a big positive for Iain Spoor and his coaching staff. 

Pearce Protection

Despite Lowestoft being comfortable in the game, UEA had their moments and Lowestoft keeper Chloe Pearce prevented further damage on a few occasions. Everyone will be disappointed by the manner of the first goal but Pearce thereafter was excellent and made sure chances thereafter were dealt with. Two moments in particular stood out, shortly after making it 1-1 UEA thought they would try and use the weather conditions to their advantage and they did, Pearce doing well to prevent a wind assisted corner going directly in. 

Pearce produced her moment of the season so far late in the game when just as the game was easing to a conclusion, Lowestoft had to remain alert and a superb back handed stop from Pearce that looked if it had beaten her but somehow it was clawed back from behind her by the experienced keeper which saw the scores remain at 6-2 and a deserved four goal win for Lowestoft. 

The Big Games Keep Coming

Sunday's win over UEA was the beginning of four consecutive and five out of six Sunday's at Crown Meadow, with Costessey Sports, Kings Lynn Soccer Club, Long Stratton (League Cup) and Mulbarton Wanderers all down on the fixture schedule to visit Crown Meadow between now and the conclusion of 22nd November. Sandwiched in between the Long Stratton and Mulbarton games is a trip to Stowmarket on 15th November in the Suffolk Women's Cup. 

The aim for Lowestoft is to continue to pick up league wins and progress in both of the mentioned cup competitions. This next period is going to be vital in shaping the season and the team will need all your support at these fixtures to come. An impressive crowd braved the driving rain and wind at Crown Meadow on Sunday and the hope will be we can continue to grow the support for the Trawler Girls as the team looks to kick on, chase their aims and have another special season. 

Up the Trawler Girls!

By Darrell Allen 

Photo: Lucy Eagle