Goalscorers:  Kate McKenna x 2,  Hannah Hardy,
MOM:  Kate McKenna

Dragons faced 2nd placed Watton in what was likely to be a close encounter at the Den. The home team was once again largely unchanged, Stella Windsor-Waite who moved up from the 3’s the week before, rightly retained her place. Unfortunately, illness meant Dragons were down to 12 being denied the services of the talented Liv Leary, becoming unavailable late on Friday.

The game started brightly for the home team, with the ball being moved around well, the midfield of Gail Thomas, Annabelle Phoenix, Sam Franklin and Harriet Green battling extremely hard and distributing the ball well. Watton looked a threat in attack, but Issi Mumbray was strong in the Dragons goal, making some fine early clearances.

The break through came mid way through the half, Jessica Bennett, finding Hannah Hardy in the D, who turned in front of the outrushing GK and was able to slot the ball under her, to find Kate McKenna, who had found a great position to slot home. Dragons continued to be a threat, and before the break scored a second, with Donna Vaughan finding Kate McKenna with a firm ball, McKenna found a deft touch, deflecting the ball into the path of Hannah Hardy who swept home.

Despite the lead, Watton threatened the Dragons goal on many occasions but the defence was strong – Sarah Borrett her usual composed self, Karen O’Neill Simpson and Stella Windsor-Waite are already forming a good understanding, whilst Donna Vaughan was her usual dominant self in front of the back three. Watton forced short corners and had various routines, but Keeper Issi Mumbray was commanding kicking and clearing strongly.

After the break, as anticipated Watton came out firing and Dragons knew they were going to be in a battle. The deficit was reduced to one, with a Watton goal from a short corner directly from their left slip. This served to fire up the visitors and Dragons perhaps dropped a little deep, inviting the pressure. Again the whole team defended for their worth, putting their bodies on the line, none more so than Jess Bennett, who made an excellent run from deep, driving into the Watton D towards the outrushing GK; as she released her shot, the two collided, with Bennett taking the full impact. Fortunately she recovered to continue play and was instrumental in Dragons 3rd goal, forcing the ball down the left to Hannah Hardy who had come out to a wide position, turning the defender, Hardy spotted Kate McKenna who had once again found an excellent position in the D. Calmly McKenna drew the keeper, took it onto her reverse and slotted home for her second and Dragons third.

Watton were not done and piled on the pressure, pulling back another goal with around 10 minutes remaining. Both teams gave everything in this full blooded battle between 2nd and 3rd, and with Watton continuing to pile on the pressure, the final whistle went. A good contest against a strong attacking opposition; both teams headed for the warmth of Goals, for their well deserved hot cheesy pizzas.

Dragons Player of the Match went to Kate McKenna, not only for her 2 goals, but for her extremely high work rate, great positioning and all round confident play; special mention should also go to Issi Mumbray, who was dominant in goal for the home team.

East League, Ladies 2NE
Ladies 3s v Christchurch 1s:  2-3

Goalscorers:  Ally Windsor Waite, Beth Prakash
MOM:  Esme Potter, Beth Prakash

Norwich Dragons Ladies 3 rd team played Christchurch Ladies 1st team at the Den and following a heavy defeat in the previous encounter were keen to put in a good performance. Dragons started promisingly, creating some good play all over the pitch and were soon awarded with a goal by debutant Beth Pakrash.

Christchurch continued to look for long hits across and through the field to their forwards who were dangerous in attack, which resulted in two goals in the first half making the score 2 1 to the visitors at half time.

Dragons began the second half determined to gain something from the game, creating some good runs down both wings and winning a few short corners, but the game remained evenly balanced with both teams having opportunities to score.

Dragons managed to level the score with 15 minutes of the match remaining from a short corner strike from Ally Windsor Waite. However, Christchurch managed to clinch all the points in the final ten minutes also from a short corner strike. Player of the match was shared between Beth Pakrash and Esme Potter.

Empresa Norfolk Women’s League, Division 1
Norwich Dragons Ladies 6s v Lowestoft Ladies:  3-2