It finally ended on July 4th after beginning in early September, but what a great season it was.
Our debut in the Wallasey Junior League was definitely a step up from playing in the Chester Junior League. There were some really good teams in the League and we had some really hard games. Nevertheless we held our own despite sometimes having no substitutes and sometimes less players than the opposition.
Arrangements for the season started so tragically in August when Rachel's mum was killed in a car crash, a tremendous shock to us all. Mike had that morning received a text from her arranging to meet up to collect the registration forms. We held a minutes silence in our first game in the League.
The bad weather delayed the start of the season but when we got going we had some excellent games in the Autumn. The comeback from 3-0 down to Manor Bullets to 3-3 was one of the highlights of the season and marked an impressive debut for Elia who started the comeback with a well taken goal.
We thrashed Wirral Rangers in the cup in October. November produced some good games. Just before Christmas we had a fantastic game against Heygarth at Eastham where we were comprehensive winners. The bad weather intervened in January and it was February before we got going again and produced some excellent wins including beating Irby Colts away with only 6 players against their 7.
In March we played fantastically against Wallasey Wanderers at Oxton Park despite losing against the top side in the League and beat Greenleas at home. In April we played some evening games and were superb including beating Ellesmere Port with two Lily goals and Ridgewood Rangers at Waverton. We finished off our home games with a 5-1 thrashing of Delta Rangers with goals from Lily, Emma, Hollie, Emma and Kiera.
We beat Delta Colts in the League at Oxton with Caitlin on superb form.
We beat Delta Colts in the League at Oxton with Caitlin on superb form.
We progressed well in the Presidents Cup beating, Delta Colts in the semi final in Central Park in Wallasey, before that memorable final against Irby Colts.
That night in Birkenhead in June was fantastic. The girls took time to settle but once Kiera had put us into the lead with a goal straight from the corner, we were always in control. Ellie Riste rang down the left to add a second and Meg popped up to knock in the third. Kiera collected the trophy, a really proud moment for all at AFC Waverton.
The season ended with an excellent performance in the rain at the Vicars Cross tournament where we made it through to the final of the Shield beating Winsford in the quarters and Buckley Town in the semi through a nerve wracking penalty shootout. In the final we could have won, but were undone by a quality individual goal with just two minutes left.
A great season indeed and all the girls can be proud of their achievements individually and as a team.
Lucie went in goal full time in November and really made a difference straight away. She is so brave and kept us in it so often.
Kiera has been inspirational all season and a true leader on and off the field leading the girls through warm up drills. Entirely appropriate that she was captain for the Presidents Cup Final.
Meg and Emma came to us from Vicars Cross and fitted in really well. Meg was absolutely solid at the back and Emma's passion and determination was a joy to behold.
Hollie improved so much during the year and grabbed a man of the match in April and a couple of goals. Well done Hollie!
Lily improved very well and grew in strength. Her inch perfect vision and passing was a real benefit to the team all season and her know how of where to be helped her to be one of the leading goalscorers for the season.
Caitlin now lives in Wiltshire and couldn't make every game but when she could play she was excellent and scored some cracking goals as well as playing superbly in goal in the tournament to help win the penalty shoot out.
Ellie is so strong and never ever stops running. She played many games in defence but was often seen running forward with the ball and popping up to score. Her crunching tackles were in evidence all season.
Finally to Elia who only joined us in September. What a star she has been and how she has improved. She is tricky, reads the game well and has grown in such strength that she will hold her own despite being the youngest in the team. She will shine in the u12s next season.
Thanks to all the parents and grandparents for their support and to David Harker, Simon Mageean, Matt Frost and Graham Frost for all their help.
Sadly the team is now being split up. Ellie, Lily, Emma, Caitlin and Kiera are moving up to the u14s with Lucie and Elia staying with the u12s. Hollie plans to retire and Meg has decided to hang up her boots.
Thank you girls for being a joy to coach. Have a great summer.
Thank you girls for being a joy to coach. Have a great summer.
