The result ended AFC Dunstable’s excellent recent form of four consecutive wins (14 goals for and 5 against in their last three) after not winning a competitive match previously this season.

Wroxham made two changes to the starting line-up that faced Colney Heath last Sunday – Rhianne Brister and Rosie George came in for Brogan Scully and Gracie Squire with Squire being named as a substitute.

Wroxham in their change strip kicked off attacking the Bateman Road stand. The hosts had the first chance when an in-swinging ball from Wroxham’s right needed Cyan Fulbrook to be at full stretch to tip the ball over the bar.

Ten minutes later, the host’s centre-forward Chelsea Jeffrey had an opportunity to curl a shot from 25 yards but didn’t fully connect. Moments later Birchall sent Brister through on goal but goalkeeper Nicola Raffermati came to the edge of the area to clear.

As the half progressed a pattern was emerging where Wroxham’s midfield was starting to intercept and win balls in midfield and expose Dunstable’s right flank. This resulted in Birchall opening the scoring with a fine strike midway through the half.

The opportunity to fire from distance wasn’t coming for Jeffrey who can score from 40 yards and was substituted with Shauna Smith moving into the centre-forward role until her return at the start of the second half.

After another Wroxham attack broke down, Wroxham high pressed the hosts defence resulting in Kiera Ward conceding a free-kick. Hope Strauss’s shot was narrowly over but was a prelude to Wroxham’s second. A clip on Becky Russell’s heals by Ward conceded another free-kick further out. From 35 yards, Strauss aimed the ball toward the edge of the goal area for Birchall to run on to and volley from 10 yards.

There were some tackles by the hosts which concerned the Wroxham players and bench alike. One near half-time by Daisy Robb caused Birchall some pain.

At the start of the second half Dunstable switched their defence to a straight back three with central-defender Brooke Hudson now playing across a line in front of them. They posed some early threats to Wroxham – Fulbrook was called upon to block one shot and then smother another when Hannah Ring managed to steal a yard on Jess Horn. Emily Wilson broke down the left and Wroxham managed to clear for a corner under a heavy challenge by a forward.

A bizarre incident happened midway through the half. A Dunstable player decided to catch the ball to stop play when one of her teammates was injured. The referee then whistled to stop play so that the player could then receive treatment.

Although Wroxham had the better of the territory and possession, Dunstable still posed a threat. 30 minutes in, an in swinging corner from Wroxham’s left was whipped in for central defender Mollie Burgess to head firmly but over the bar. Moments later, a slip by Burgess in Dunstable’s half put Holly Connell through to potentially seal the match only for the hosts keeper to block the shot and concede a corner.

With 10 minutes left, Wroxham appealed for a penalty for holding which the referee turned own. Wroxham continued to have most of the play and possession creating a number of opportunities. However, Dunstable still kept going requiring Fulbrook to block a late shot and see over a header from 6 yards by Burgess to keep Wroxham’s two goal lead.