Lucky strike for DMU women’s football team as game was cancelled while being 0-3 down

DMU’s women’s football team breathed a collective sigh of relief after their game against University of East Anglia Women’s Team – which they trailed 0-3 – was cancelled after a head injury to the UEA’s striker.

The match, held at Beaumont Park on November 20, 2022, was cancelled in the 38th minute after UEA striker Katie Weaver and DMU defender Lara Alsaid had a head-on collision when both went to head the ball, which left Weaver concussed.

She was treated on the pitch for 45 minutes and was attended by paramedics. She did make the trip back to Norwich that evening. Attempts to find out if Weaver has fully recovered have not been answered by UEA’s Women’s football team.

The cancelled match means the two teams will have to replay the game at a later stage in the season. No points were awarded. This is fortunate for DMU who, at 0-3 down, would have gone bottom of the BUCS Aldi Women’s Midlands Tier 3 league. It’s not so fortunate for UEA who, with the three points they could have expected to gain, would have climbed from fourth to second.

The game kicked off under grey skies and wet conditions on a Wednesday afternoon. Changes in DMUs defence were made as Jennie Habbits, who has performed strongly in defence, was moved to central midfield.

UEA scored in the ninth minute through Piejko as DMU centre back Mia O’Connor passed back to a pressured goalkeeper Hara Bath, who lost control of the ball.

DMU couldn’t get through the UEA defence and the majority of DMU’s play was on the left-hand side towards quick left winger Zina Cheikh, who created most of the chances.

UEA scored after a solo performance from Van der Wal, who waltzed through DMU’s defence. With only 20 minutes on the timer, Stella Van der Wal scored her second goal of the game and made it 0-3. Hara Bath, goalkeeper of DMU, did well to keep the score at 0-3.

Frustration built up for DMU and Darcey Marshall received the first yellow card this season for DMU in the 19th minute after kicking the legs of a UEA player. After 25 minutes, DMU seemed to give in and allow UEA possession of the ball.

Weaver and her team had a three-hour drive back home with 38 minutes played, no points and a concussed player.