Viv Thomas A Norfolk FA representative side overcame top-quality opposition to win the East Anglian Counties competition.They lifted the Fred Welham Cup on Tuesday night after a thrilling 4-1 win over Suffolk sealed overall victory.

Viv Thomas

A Norfolk FA representative side overcame top-quality opposition to win the East Anglian Counties competition.

They lifted the Fred Welham Cup on Tuesday night after a thrilling 4-1 win over Suffolk sealed overall victory.

Inspirational captain Gemma Farman, making a record 52nd county appearance, netted a late penalty to wrap up the scoring.

The first three goals were scored by Kate Parsons and a brace from Paige Shorten.

It was a crunch game as Suffolk, full of Ipswich players from National League South, had also won four games out of four before Tuesday's game.

So five wins out of five saw Norfolk, predominantly players from Norwich City Ladies of the SE Combination League, top the table over Suffolk, Essex, Hertfordshire, Hunts and Cambs.

Darren Moss, Norfolk FA Women's and Girls' Football Development Officer, said: “It places the Norfolk women's game at the forefront of eastern regional representative football.

“It's a massive achievement for us - we're really proud of it. It's high-quality football and a hard thing to win.

“We've won it once in ten years. You play teams once, not home and away, and only have five games to make an impact.”

He added: “The team is run and administered by Norfolk County FA and I am proud to have now managed the side for three years.

“The squad age range is from 16 to 31 and this year has become a real potent force.

“The Norfolk FA representative team does in fact 'represent' all those women and girls in our county. This should be an inspiration to all those playing out there,” he added.