1st Half
Upminsters quick start and high press had Norwich defending deep, a pass into the D caused confusion forcing a S/Corner with the strike from Michelle Wright being deflected wide.
Upminsters midfield of Megan Miller, Kerry Hodges, Lucy Falzon & Wright constantly released Siggins & Bailey to take play into the Norwich D whilst their defence had to remain alert as a back pass went straight to a Norwich forward outside the area which saw Lauren Slater -Harvey come to the rescue.
With Siggins continuing to cause Norwich problems out wide her drive and pass across the D found Alexa Marston whose quick stick work enabled her to finish well as Keeper and defence closed in on her 1-0.
Within a minute the score was level as Upminster were slow to react as Norwich worked the ball out wide and into space in the D for their forward to finish past the diving Keeper Charlotte Triggs 1-1
With no let up in their high press some intricate passing and recycling of the ball had Upminster continually looking for an opening ,Issey Uzal & Siggins combined well to test the Keeper , the loose ball found its way to Falzon who with defenders and Keeper closing in was able to lift the ball high and see it nestle in the goal 2-1 on 24 Mins
With Norwich sending long passes past Upminster’s midfield goal Keeper Triggs was quickly out doing enough to push the forward wide , recycling the ball inside the Upminster D a goal bound effort saw Keeper Triggs save with her stick on the near post.
2nd Half
Maintaining a high press in the 2nd Half Upminster earned an early S/Corner , from Uzal’s injection Slater-Harvey’s strike evaded the defence making it 3-1 on 43 Mins. With space in behind ,Norwich continued to send long passes past the Upminster defensive line earning a S/Corner which the defence cleared but overturning the ball in midfield and a pass in behind had GK Triggs forcing the forward wide though she was able to take the ball around and send a high shot into the roof of the goal over the defenders covering on the line 3-2 47 Mins.
Now having more possession Norwich pressed Upminster back ,finding room in the D between players Norwich steered the ball towards the corner of the goal 3-3.
With the dangerous Siggins double marked the busy Falzon looked to take Upminster forward down the middle, her fierce pass into the Norwich D was deflected goalwards by the alert Jemma Cresswell evading the Keeper & defenders 4-3 on 60 Mins.
Falzon continued to take the ball forward, her run into the area forced a S/Corner , from which Miller’s effort failed to be touched home by the Upminster player on the post. With the game in the balance Norwich’s long passes out found their forward in on goal but GK Triggs was quickly out to force her wide. As Norwich continued in search of the equaliser they gained a S/Corner which was put away through a crowd of players making the final score 4-4.
