Fakenham Ladies 4, Thorpe United Ladies 3THORPE LADIES: Newly-promoted Thorpe Ladies took to the field in the Eastern Region Women's League this weekend for their first taste of life at higher level.

Fakenham Ladies 4, Thorpe United Ladies 3

THORPE LADIES: Newly-promoted Thorpe Ladies took to the field in the Eastern Region Women's League this weekend for their first taste of life at higher level.

Their first task was to take on hosts Fakenham Town. With some new players this season the team needs to gel quickly to come to terms with the quality now on show in this new higher league.

The squad was Kristie Andrews, Kerry Rose, Kimberley Broom, Katrina Lee, Lauren Kett, Jemma Campbell, Judith Bloomfield, Meg Evans, Tonya Howe, Alice Ford, Millie Wilson, Rebekah Lake, Bethan Sommerfield, Charlotte Groves, Amanda Byrne; and the new players Charlotte Chandler, Laura Wiseman, Jasmine Cook, Camilla Watson, Mary Costello and Rebecca Russell.

In the first game Thorpe took on the strength and experience of Fakenham Ladies and gave their hosts a tough match before finally losing 4-3.

The main difference between the two teams may have been the fitness levels. Fakenham came out of the blocks quickly scoring in the first two minutes only then to concede again to make the score 2-0 to Fakenham.

Last season's top scorer for Thorpe, Rebecca Lake, took her second chance after some good work from Charlotte Groves shooting fast and low past the helpless keeper,2-1.

Millie scored from six yards out to make the scores level after Charlotte again put the chance on a plate for her team- mate.

The end of the half went the same as the start with Fakenham being quicker to the ball and making the score 3-2 to the home side.

After a half-time team talk from coaches Neil and Ian the ladies came out with more determination and took the game to their hosts.

Rebecca Russell, starting in her first league game for Thorpe, opened her goal scoring account with an unstoppable shot from outside the area with her left foot leaving the home keeper groping for air.3-3.

With Thorpe making all the running it seemed against the run of the game that Fakenham would get a fourth but that's what happened.

Fakenham's forward line worked the Thorpe defence all through the game and in the 30th minute all the effort caught up with the players, who had all worked their socks off but some good finishing from the home forward tipped the game in Fakenham's favour,4-3.

Thorpe player of the game was between Charlotte Groves, Rebecca Rusell and Laura Wiseman. With all her effort all around the pitch and showing determination in everything she did Charlotte Groves came out as player of the match.

This season Thorpe United Ladies' home games will be at Dussingdale Park (starting at 2pm) on Sundays, with spectators always welcome.