Formed in 2006

Gained in only our second game a 4-4 draw with Vacarage Farm 08.09.06

Becky gay scored our first league goal in the 4-4 draw against Vicarage Farm. Becky scored all 4 goals that day in a great attacking display.

Thorplands United 3 Daventry Drayton Grange 2 * After Extra Time Score 2-2 on 90 mins

Northants County Cup First Round
Match Report from Lings Park - Northampton
By Glenn Lawrence

SUB WOODS SEES THORPLANDS UNITED THROUGH WITH EXTRA TIME WINNER AFTER EPIC NORTHANTS COUNTY CUP TIE AGAINST 10 MAN DRAYTON GRANGE

A battling Northants FA County Cup First Round tie saw newcomers Thorplands United edge out Daventry Drayton Grange with an Extra Time Winner from Rebecca Woods,After a goal on her debut from Thorplands Elspeth Wood just 2 minutes from time had sent this tie Northants County Cup tie into overtime.

A break from Northants FA Ladies League action saw newcomers Thorplands United making their debut in the Northants County Cup Competition as they welcomed lowly Daventry Drayton Grange to Lings Park.Last Weekend Thorplands shared an 8 goal thriller with Vicarage Farm as they secured their first league point of the season Becky Gay scoring not only the clubs first ever Senior Ladies League Goal but the Clubs first 4 goals in League Competition,That result following an opening game 7-0 defeat at the hands of high flyers Raunds Town.Daventry Drayton Grange travelled to Lings Park looking to end a run of four successive defeats which has seen them slide to the foot of the Northants FA Ladies League table having conceded 22 goals in their opening 4 matches.

Newcomers Thorplands United included Zoë Hillbourne in their starting line up formally with Kettering United she is the current Club's Captain Thorplands United had a full squad of 13 players for the first time this season in only their third ever Senior Ladies Competitive match Thorplands were making their debut in the Northants County Cup Competition also making her debut was Thorplands United today was Elspeth Wood.

Thorplands United enjoyed a good start on 12 minutes Rebecca Gay was unlucky when she miscued her shot at the near post,Despite a good opening spell Thorplands United found themselves behind on 14 minutes, Kiara Madden latching on to a through ball as she bore down on goal out pacing her marker advancing goalkeeper Jade Brewin cleared the ball which either hit the legs teamate Bright or Madden and the loose rebound rolling into the net from 15 yards out either way I am sure Madden will claim the goal.Only a good save at the near post from Drayton Grange goalkeeper Greenwood denied Rebecca Gay as the goalkeeper turned around the near post Gays well struck acute by-line drive.Thorplands continued to apply all the pressure on 16 minutes Ellis forced visiting goalkeeper Greenwood to save the loose rebound fell back to Ellis who hit wide of the near post.Rebecca Gay was causing the visitors defence problems down the left with some good runs on 20 minutes Gay outpaced her Drayton marker Lee only to see her shot rebound off the legs of sprawling Keeper Greenwood.Elspeth Wood was unlucky on 22 minutes as she volleyed wide of the near post from 6 yards out following Gay's corner from the left wing.Rebecca Gay levelled the score on 35 minutes when her rising 20 yard shot sailed into the Drayton Grange net despite goalkeeper Greenwood get an outstretched hand to the ball. Only the woodwork and the arm of goalkeeper Jade Brewin denied Drayton Grange the lead on 38 minutes as Madden's inch perfect cross from the right found Ashley Baker who shot from 12 yards out rattled the right hand post the loose rebound ricocheting off Goalkeeper Jade Brewin's arm and away to safety Good work by Madden on 40 minutes saw her turn the home defence but her low drive which lacked power and direction was safely scooped up by home keeper Jade Brewin at the far post.

Straight from the restart the visitors were caught napping as Christine Nelson forced goalkeeper Greenwood to save.Drayton enjoyed a good second half on 55 minutes Corey Kalym fired wide.Only another good save from visiting keeper Greenwood denied the home side once again on 69 minutes as Gay's cross was well held at the feet of Brown.On 79 minutes the visitors failed to clear the ball and Thorplands United rattled the Drayton Grange crossbar as the home side continued to press forward only a fine full stretched low save on the edge of her 6 yard area by visiting keeper Greenwood denied Wood on 81 minutes.Drayton Grange took the lead on 82 minutes when Megan Jones looping shot from the edge of the box sailed home high into the back of Thorplands net.Thorplands won a well position free-kick following a back pass on 84 minutes but the home side could not capitalize as Gays shortly taken free-kick found which Sarah Jane Brown who drilled wide of the post from 18 yards out.Thorplands United levelled the score on 88 minutes when Elspeth Wood turn the home defence beating 3 players and fired home a fierce unstoppable drive into the far top corner net from 18 yards out,Not a bad way or time to cap your Thorplands debut.Drayton Grange suffered a late set back when they lost defender Emily Hawksley who was carried off,She looked to be in some trouble with her injured foot and with extra time looming having already used their only sub Drayton faced the prospect of restarting with only 10 players.

Extra Time.
Drayton Grange faced an uphill task as they battle it out for 30 minutes with only 10 players,a battling first period of extra time saw neither side creating much in the way of clear cut chances.Rebecca Gay ballooned the ball over the crossbar from 18 yards out on 106 minutes Only a fine save from Greenwood denied Thorplands Duckenfield the loose rebound being pounce upon by Drayton keeper Greenwood while at the feet on Thorplands Rebecca Gay.only a late saving tackle by Thorplands defender Duckenfield denied Drayton's Madden a clean strike on goal.Rebecca Woods sealed victory with a well struck effort which sailed home high into the back of the Drayton net to steal victory and book Thorplands United a place in Round 2 as Drayton Grange were dealt the cruellest of blows

An epic and typical battling County Cup Tie between too evenly match teams Thorplands enjoying a good first 45 minutes and Drayton Grange becoming stronger in the second half.Certainly if anyone had said Thorplands United had only played 3 Senior Ladies League football games then judging by this performance that was not clearly evident Rebecca Gay always threaten more goals and 5 goals in the past 2 games shows she will cause problems for many defences this season.Christine Nelson battled away in midfield and altogether this was a good all-round Thorplands performance.If Thorplands had wanted to write a story line to end this game then they could not have written a better ending than to steal victory in the way they did as for Drayton Grange well they battle hard and with only 2 minutes of normal time remaining they had all but won this cup tie both sides played some good football but for me Thorplands always had the edge over their visitors take nothing away from Drayton in-form goalkeeper Cora Greenwood saved her side this afternoon with a fine display of goalkeeping although Drayton they need to tighten up defensively.A battling hard working display from both teams and an improved performance from Drayton Grange by all accounts this week

Certainly We could not have chosen a better County Cup tie to feature this week this game was a first class advert to Ladies Football in the Northamptonshire Area judging by this performance I am sure we will see some more cracking games featuring up and coming Thorplands United Ladies this season.Great hospitality by a new up and coming friendly football club playing on a council run playing field who served Coffee and Sandwiches in the car park the sooner the Local Council (and the Northants FA if they can) help Thorplands United ascertain their own football ground the better.An enjoyable and very entertaining game

Thorplands United Team 1.Brewin 3.Bright.4.Ellis 5.Gay 6.Duckenfield 7.Brown 9.Emms 10.Hillbourne 11.Spence 14.Bowers 17.Wood Subs 12.Nelson 8.Woods

Daventry Drayton Grange Team 1.Greenwood 2.Hawksley 3.Jones 4.Hyde 6.Witherall 7.Deacon 18.Moss 9.Power 10.Madden 11.Lee 15.Kalym Sub 14.Baker

Referee Mr Pete Spink

Match Bookings None

Glenn Lawrence Media Thanks and Acknowledge the help and hospitality of Peter Brewin and Thorplands United Ladies Football Club for this Afternoons Ladies Media Football Coverage We also acknowledge and Thank Keith Spires and Daventry Drayton Grange for their help and making our Match Coverage possible