2012 review

Well that's another year gone. It's been nearly 6 years now since we started girls football at AFC Waverton and the current u16s have got to know each other pretty well. 2012 has been a great year. Here's some of the highlights:

January

We started with a home game against Irby and short on numbers due to illness, we borrowed Hannah from Irby to play for us. All our other games in January were called off to waterlogged pitches and we trained every Tuesday at Northgate. The Irby game was also Ellie Mageean's last ever game for us. Such a talented player, it's a shame her injuries and illness forced her to quit.

February

With bad weather again, we didn't play any games until the end of the month when we went to Irby for a friendly. We got beat, but played well, Lucie being awesome in goal. Annaliese made her debut after training with us for a few weeks beforehand.

March

In March we lost in a tough game against Birkenhead Ladies at the Delph. Emma got a smack in the face from the ball. "Emma, I think I can see ADIDAS written backwards across your face" to which Emma says " Oh no, really?"

Two weeks later we went back up to the Delph and beat them 6-5 in one of the best matches of last season. Sophie was player of the match, but Ellie Riste scored a wonder goal right at the end to take the points back to Waverton. This was our last League game of the season.

April

Due to the small number of teams, our league season had ended and we didn't have any games in April but we moved our training from the warmth of Northgate Arena to outside at Waverton

May

We were only one player short of putting out a team for the Blackpool tournament which disappointed those girls who had planned a weekend,  but we did manage to get a game organised against Bolton Wanderers Academy side in deepest Bolton. We joined up with Irby to put out an 11 a side team, and although thoroughly beaten by a class u17 side, it was a great introduction to higher level football. Lily, Laura, Cara, Emma, Sophie and Ellie all played. We played a friendly at Upton where we introduced some of the younger girls from the u14s, well Rebecca, to the u16s action.

June

In June we started skills sessions at Waverton and were joined by coaches from Chester FC as we started to build a partnership with the Deva Divas. Ellie, Sophie, Kiera, and Lily went to watch England women take on Holland and Kiera and Lily went to watch England men take on Belgium at Wembley. A tube full of Belgian fans sang "We love you Lily, we do".


July

We played a Girls v Parents game on a lovely evening, the parents winning marginally.  Kiera's brother Joe scored for the parents and interfamily squabbles also ensued in the Parkinson and Croft households given brother/father/sister participation. We then concluded the season with the annual night out and presentations at the Ring of Bells. Ellie Riste won Goal of the Season for the wonder strike at The Delph. We said goodbye to Sophie who was moving to Chester FC and Olivia who was leaving football for weekend employment and as u16 League players Cara and Laura. Laura continued to train with us this season and is looking to return if we can get an u18 side going. Cara went on a self imposed football exile until Christmas 2012.  Kate and Lauren decided to hang up their boots, but we thank them for their valued contribution to the team and they are welcome down to training anytime.

August

We watched the Olympics, a few of the girls went to some events, and then we started pre season training at Waverton in the heat!

September

Our first game was called off as Irby had folded, sad to see but later to have a silver lining for Waverton.  We then went up to the Delph to play Birkenhead and lost heavily against a much improved side. We only had 5 players out for the visit of Upton, with illness decimating our ranks. Sophie made her debut for Chester FC first team. It poured down for our last training session at Waverton and with most of the players calling in with 'rainfear', it was left to Ellie and Emma to show the spirit and come on a run down the canal and dodege the huge puddles in Christleton and Waverton.

October

Amy rejoined us and we moved our training base to Old Hall. We lost to Wirral Hawks and then drew 4-4 with Birkenhead in a fantastic game which infamously sparked Caitlingate and a full league investigation.

November

We lost at the Delph in a tough game with Birkenhead. Rebecca was outstanding and was one of the stars of 2012. Emma injured her shoulder again and was sidelined for a few weeks. There was an incident involving a deep heat spray, the application of which, the watching League Secretary informed us was against the league rules. We are still waiting to hear which rule.

December

We played the best all year in a game at Greenleas, winning 10-3. Mackenzie and Meg made their debuts for us in a muddy game at top of the table Wirral Hawks. The year ended with a quiet night out at the newly extended Ring of Bells.

Happy New Year and may 2013 bring us lots of goals and laughs.

Homeward bound in January

The League has now published the January fixtures. We start 2012 with a home game against Birkenhead on January 5. Kick off is 9:30 and hopefully we can see a repeat of the performance when Birkenhead last visited in October.

We have no game on Jan 12 but we might play a Girls v Parents game like we did in July. The parents won out winners in a close encounter that evening. Will the girls  be able to get revenge on the parents this time?

We return to league action when we play Greenleas at home on January 19. Mike is away that weekend, so  if the game is to go ahead, parents will need to ensure all the necessary tasks are done.

We round off January with another home game, on Sat 26 Jan when we welcome Wirral Hawks to Waverton.

Night out/Christmas/the magic of the Cup

Wednesday night saw, instead of training, the annual Christmas night out. Much lower key than last year's bowling, this time a few girls went to the newly refurbished and extended Ring of Bells. How they have matured too, with them sorting out all the bill including a tip, themselves. Mind you 35p  wouldn't have been the biggest tip the staff had received that day. Nevertheless, it's the thought that counts isn't it? Glad that the days of arguing over who had a pizza with extra topping and who ordered the third chocolate brownie pudding are long gone.

We are awaiting the January fixtures. The league promised us verbally on Monday night that they would be published before Christmas. Our first game is likely to be Saturday January 5, and we understand it will be a cup game. Oh the excitement. Training begins on Wednesday January 9.

Best wishes to all the girls and their families for Christmas and the New Year and thanks for your on and off field contributions and support in 2012.

Mud, glorious mud

After last weeks comfortable victory at Greenleas, it was back to a very tough encounter on the heavy and very muddy pitch at Victoria Park against the the unbeaten and runaway leaders Wirral Hawks.

We welcomed Mackenzie and Meg, AKA Kenzie and Brownie, and they had a very real impact on the game. Meg slipped comfortably into the defence alongside Ellie with Lily moving to centre midfield. Mackenzie started up front and then moved into wide midfield. There were some great individual performances and the girls should not get despondent about the result. Ellie was superb at the back and richly deserved her player of the match award. Lucie was a brave as ever in goal although Lucie being Lucie will be kicking herself about the one which slipped through her feet.

Lily controlled midfield and was here there and everywhere again, whilst Rebecca never stopped running. Annaliese played well but in the second half struggled with the lone role up front and never got the ball enough to take real advantage.

That's it for 2012. Training starts again on Wednesday January 9 but before that there is the Christmas night out, at the Ring of Bells this Wednesday (19 Dec) at 7:30. See you all there apart from Rebecca who will be away on holiday and Caitlin, for whom we are going to arrange something special when she is back up in Chester in January.

Wirral Hawks on Saturday

On Saturday we play Wirral Hawks at Victoria Park, Birkenhead. You know the one, its the pitch with the huge slope. Be careful Rick, you know what happened last time.

Kiera is away down sarff, Caitlin is darn sarff west and Emma's shoulder is still not right. The team is therefore: Lucie, Ellie, Lily, Rebcecca, Annaliese and a special welcome for Meg and Mackenzie making their Waverton debuts.

We went 1-0 up at Victoria Park in October before losing in the second half. Big goals and middy goalmouths, yes park football at its finest.

Meet 10:40 for an 11 ko. Should all be back in Chester by 12:45.

Directions below:




Take the M53 to the Clatterbridge junction (J4). Go up to the roundabout over the motorway and take first left. This is Mount Road the B5151. Follow this through Storeton past the Travellers Rest pub.


Keep on this road for a while until you get to a funny little double mini roundabout. Take the right hand turn at the second mini roundabout onto Thornton Road. At the bottom turn left onto Borough Road and then first right onto the Wiend. Follow this through a junction and it becomes Mount Road again. Keep on this road and when you get to the end, you'll come onto a little funny roundabout. The park is on your right, but take third exit and park on the main road just after the roundabout thing or pull into Victoria Park Road or Well Lane on the right and park. The entrance is on the main road or off Victoria Park Road or Well Lane. If you get to the Black Horse pub on the right you've gone too far. If lost call Mike on 07901552261.

Well done!

Greenleas 3 - AFC Waverton 10

Well done to all the girls for a great performance at Greenleas, ensuring our first win of the season against the team which beat us 3-1 at Waverton in October. It was a good performance all round with 5 goals from Caitlin, a hatrick from Annaliese and one each from Rebecca and Kiera.

Player of the match for us, Lucie and for Greenleas, Shannon Gower.

A great all round performance. Great to see Annaliese score her first goals for Waverton in what was her best ever performance in a yellow shirt.  Rebecca put in another excellent display in her wide position. Lily was commanding at the back in the first half and then dominant in centre midfield in the second.  Ellie was solid at the back and didn't put a foot wrong.  What can you say about Caitlin?  5 goals in one game, brilliant.

Kiera did well considering this was her first game since her operation and she was suffering with a cold. Lucie was again in total control at the back, except of course when Kiera and her were having a chat during a corner at the other end, only to see Greenleas break and beat the two of them for their third goal. You can't get everything right!

More detailed report to follow.

Greenleas game ON

The Greenleas game is ON tomorrow unless there is severe rainfall or frost overnight. The pitch has been inspected and is playable. We are told it drains well and the referee is happy with it.

Everyone is to meet at 9:10. Emma is still injured but everyone else is available. If anybody needs a lift who hasn't sorted one yet, just shout, theres loads of spaces in cars going up to Wallasey.

We've not been to St Georges School for a year, when we narrowly lost 5-3 in a tense match.  We went 2-0 up through a brilliant Kiera goal and one from Caitlin but then lost it before coming back strongly at the end through another Kiera goal. It was one of Ellie Mageean's last games for us and she was outstanding. How time flies.

Take M53 to Junction 1. Head off left down slip road and at roundabout take first exit to Wallasey following signs A554 to New Brighton and Wallasey. Keep on this dual carriageway and ignore turn offs for Leasowe and for Wallasey. Keep on this road as it goes into a single carriageway and into the housing area of New Brighton. You will go past a big church on the right and then soon after turn right into Harrison Drive. Follow this for 200 yards and then turn left into Grove Road (there are some car showrooms at this junction). Keep on this road past the Nelson Pub on the right and just past a park on the right turn right into Claremount Road. St Georges School is 200 yards on the left. Park on this road or in Lyndhurst Avenue just before the school. If you go past the church on the right you've gone too far. The field is at the back of the school.

Training Wed/Game at Greenleas Sat (hopefully)

Training this Wednesday as usual at Old Hall. On Saturday we are playing Greenleas away, at St Georges School in Wallasey with a 9:30 ko. Players to meet at 9:10. Hopefully Emma will be back though she's having medical advice this week. Caitlin should be available and Kiera will be fit enough to return to competitive action.

We'll be in touch to confirm numbers and the directions to St Georges will be on here on Friday.

The weather is the thing to watch out for. Wirral school pitches are usually the first casualties of the wet weather and as we are writing this on Sunday evening its absolutely bucketing it down, so lets keep our fingers crossed. All three Waverton girls games were called off on Saturday.

Our game at Wirral Hawks on Sat 15 has been moved to an 11am ko. We'll wait and see until after this Saturday who can make that one.

We have had another useful chat with Richard Smith at Chester FC and we will have some more news to tell you soon. There'll be an invitation for all of the girls to go down to a mens first team game at the Deva Stadium and meet the players and go in the dressing rooms before a game. On the Ladies front, Sophie is doing well for them playing at left back in Chester FC Ladies team in the Cheshire Div2 league. We are looking at a joint arrangement for helping us form an u18 team for next season. More to follow soon.

See everyone at training on Wednesday. The goals are there, just need the nets now.

Game v Upton GAME OFF

UPDATE - SATURDAY MORNING - GAME OFF

The Upton game has been called off as the pitch is too wet. There is standing water in three areas in the goalmouth (where we would put the goal), in the centre circle on on the bowling green touchline. The centre strip is also sodden and will cut up badly if played on today. We had a little kick around but it was far too wet to play on and so after consultation with the ref, we called it off at 8am so as to avoid Upton travelling down to Waverton.

Notes on a day at the Delph

Early start. Little traffic on the M53. Arrive at 9:10. There's Lucie and Ellie. 6 of us and 1 of them. Check watch. 9:30. Now 2 of them and still 6 of us. Lets kick off now. Caitlin lost in New Brighton somewhere. Phone rings. Caitlins dad on the end. Where the hell is Martins Road? "Oh I can see the Liscard Chippy now, I know where I am" One goal goes up. Second goal going up. Emma points out dog poo in 2 locations. Lucie getting warmed up, she's up for it. 5 of them turn up at 9:40. We do shooting practice. Neighbours rush inside. Hello Caitlin. Ready to go. Pick up the dog poo. Horrible but Jason has some spare dog bags.  Emma is captain. Channel the aggression into the next 60 minutes Emma.

First 10 mins Waverton doing well. Handball! Yes Bill, well spotted. Caitlin steps up. Bang no messing, in the back of the net. 1-0 to us. Emma gets clattered. Rebecca doing well. Lily controlling centre mid. Rick gets the teas in. Oh dear easy goal for them. Annaliese, yes, oh nearly, but good chance. Emma's shoulder goes. Time for deep heat.  Lily corner goes too long. Back up this end. Another goal, can't believe it poor Lucie was completely taken out knocked over. She feels sick.

2-1 and we're still in this at HT. Emma gets shoulder massage from her dad. Big queue forms behind. Hughie the watching League Sec says deep heat treatment is against the League rules. Think he's getting it mixed up with doping.

Second half. Pitch getting difficult. No subs so take a rest girls. Getting stretched. Another goal, oh poor Lucie. Ellie boots the ball. Emma knackered  tired. Annaliese dead on her feet. Rebecca never gets tired she runs and runs and doesn't get put off by girls three times her size. Nice sliding tackle Lily. Annaliese fouled. Lily's free kick brilliant. but just needs a Caitlin head. From defence we work the ball up well. Now we lose the ball, goes up the other end. Lucie can't do anything.

Come on Waverton, lets get another. Great move from Lily then to Caitlin, yes back of the net. 1 minute left lets get another. Whistle goes. Hard luck girls, well played. Special praise for the girls from Ref Bill Downey - "girls are a credit to your club". Special mention for Rebecca - "heart of a lion" he says. Home to showers and scraping mud off legs. And that was just the parents.

Birkenhead but not in Birkenhead

We're back to League action tomorrow when we head up to the Delph to play Birkenhead Ladies. Meet at 9:10 so we can have a chat and a good warm up.

Team: Lucie, Ellie, Caitlin, Emma, Annaliese, Lily and Rebecca. Kiera is still ill.

If anybody need lifts let Mike know.

We've been to the Delph many times before, but in case you've forgotten heres the directions:




Take M53 to end following signs for 'All Docks' not Liverpool (DO NOT GO DOWN THE TUNNEL ENTRANCE). Follow link road down to roundabout making sure you get in the right hand lane signedposted 'Docks', as the left one takes you back down to the Tunnel entrance. Turn left at the roundabout following signs to Wallasey (just in front of the big Tate and Lyle tank). This is Mill Lane. Go straight through lights at the Pool Inn pub (on the right) and follow road over the M53/tunnel link road below to Liscard Village centre. Follow the one way road system left then get in the right hand lane to head right at the junction following a sign for New Brighton.






Keep straight on through the shopping area and onto Rake Lane following the New Brighton B5143 signs. Go past the Liscard Chippy. The Delph is behind the houses on the right on this road. Park on the main road on the left just before New Brighton Bowling/Cricket Club and take the path on the right hand side of the road through to the Delph. If you get to the Cemetery, you've gone too far.

Back into action this week

Training will take place this Wednesday, at Old Hall, 7-8. £10 training subs are due this week, which will cover us to Christmas.

We also get back into League action after a a two week break when we head up to the Delph on Saturday to play Birkenhead. We lost to them at the Delph in September but drew 4-4 at Waverton in October.

The Delph pitches were not playable this last Saturday so we could do with a reasonably dry week to help.

Kick off is 9:30 and the confirmed team is: Lucie, Ellie, Lily Emma, Caitlin, Rebecca and Annaliese. Kiera is still recovering from her operation and is doubtful. Amy hasn't confirmed.

The u12s lost 1-0 to Heygarth and the u14s lost 5-2 to the same club. Jodie Tinsley was the star grabbing both goals for Waverton.

Training off

Training tomorrow night has been called off because Mike is working but also as three girls are unavailable due to school work or illness.

No game this Saturday, so we'll see everyone on Wednesday 21 November and then the next League game on Saturday 24 November at Birkenhead.

Just because there is no training or a match, doesn't mean its easy time. No, get out for a jog, kick a ball around the garden or get to the gym!

The Wallasey League have decided to award the points from our match on Saturday to Upton. Thanks gentlemen, both teams wanted a rearrangement as we had a player in hospital and others injured, but never mind eh. The result is more important than the game or is it the other way round? Thats 4 points Upton have taken from us this season, one playing against 5 of us and the second not even playing.

Upton game off

For reasons explained in a text to parents and girls, we will not be playing our scheduled game at Upton on Saturday.  You know why this has happened and share our frustration. We're disappointed but thanks to those girls who could play.

Enjoy the Saturday off.

Well done

Well done girls for the game on Saturday. Wirral Hawks are the best technical side we have played against this season. Their girls were very strong and excellent at turning with the ball. Well played everyone, we were unlucky not to score with all the opportunities we created. Lily's long range shot, Kiera's shots, Annaliese's header from the corner, Rebecca's miss and Emma hitting the post. Well done to Ellie for player of the match.

We struggle with just seven. When we get the full team out as against Birkenhead three weeks ago, we play really well and pick up points. Does anyone not know anyone who wants to play football?

Training this Wednesday then away at Upton on Saturday ko 12 noon. Please let Mike know asap as we need to see how many players we have.

November Fixtures

First of all there is no training tonight. Back next Wednesday Nov 7 at Old Hall 7-8.

The League finally published the November fixtures yesterday. The Chairman of the Wallasey League has called it 'unacceptable' that the fixtures are published so late and we hope that there is some action in this area. We know that certain members of the League Management Committee scrutinise our website and Twitter feed very intensely, so perhaps if you are reading this gentlemen, see what you can do to get the December fixtures drawn up early enough to not cause us real difficulties. We know everybody is a volunteer, but for us when we've only got 7 players available at best and having to get referees organised and sort travel arrangements in just a couple or so of days, it is very hard.

We have a League game this Saturday at home to Wirral Hawks. Kick off is 9:30 and players are asked to arrive by 9:10. Help with setting up appreciated from 8:45.

We then have an away game at Upton on November 10 ko 9:30, no game on November 17 and a game then back at Waverton on 24 November against Birkenhead again ko at 9:30.

We are looking to get an 11 a side friendly game sorted for the near future as we move towards next season. We just need 11 players!

Don't stare at the sun, too long.

AFC Waverton 1 - Greenleas 3

A lovely sunny Autumn morning at Waverton and a decent game.

Both teams arrived with just enough players, such is the fragility of girls football in the Wallasey League. Whilst the girls stood around having a chat, Robin set to task in putting up the goals. "That's a number 4, it should be a number 2" "Where's the instructions gone?" "Which idiot put this goal down last time?"

Ready for kick off, the cunning plan saw Waverton take the horses field end so that our Lucie could start with the low sun on her back and whose dazzling rays would blind any would be Greenleas attacker. It worked for 3 minutes.

Emma captained the side, and played at the back alongside Ellie. Lily, Annaliese and debutant Amy started in midfield and up front we had in form Rebecca. Caitlin was ill, and Keira was singing for her supper somewhere. Will the impending tonsillotomy affect her singing voice? Just a thought.

All was well for a few minutes but then a ball came across to the near post, a pretty innocuous one, but it caught Lucie out and bounced in. However we got back in it straightaway when a great move from Emma and a fine run down the right from Ellie led to the ball being put low into the centre. The Greenleas keeper fumbled it and there was Rebecca to knock the ball home. 1-1. Emma forgot how to tie a shoelace and the game was stopped to sort it. Left over right, right over left then something about round the tree and down the hole. Sounds like a party game.

Annaliese had a good shot at goal, as did Emma. Amy chased. Lily was tricky in the middle and setting things up, but they just couldn't get through. Just before half time another relatively easy ball came in and Ellie and Lucie mixed things up a little and a green hooped girl got in and tapped home. 2-1.

In the second half Waverton played well and the game was very even. Amy went up front instead of Rebecca who dropped to midfield. Rebecca is playing really well this season and links up with Lily so effectively. Ellie, Lily and Emma had shots and Rebecca went close, but in pushing Ellie up for the equaliser in the last 10 minutes, it left a gap at the back and in the final minutes, a break from Greenleas ended up in the net as Lucie was left helpless.

Not as top notch a performance as against Birkenhead last time, but if Caitlin and Kiera had been available, we'd have had a stronger side. Well done girls, again, the performances have been very good in the last three games.

Player of the match, Emma and for Greenleas, Tayler Johnson.

Game on.

It's a bit chilly but the game is on.

Team: Lucie, Ellie, Lily, Emma, Amy, Annaliese, Rebecca.

Caitlin is unlikely to play as she is not well.

See everyone later. Girls to meet at 9:10. Help with set up appreciated. Thanks for the offer Robin.

Half term but business as usual

Training will take place as normal this Wednesday at Old Hall, 7-8. Let's hope the new goals have arrived. Parents are very welcome to have a coffee in the bar whilst waiting. It's very nice inside.

Game v Greenleas at home on Saturday 27, meet 9:10. Thanks to those who have confirmed availability.

Wow!

AFC Waverton 4 - Birkenhead Ladies 4.

Sometimes all the hard work, the training, the organising, the lifts, the playing in the rain, the form filling, and the phone calls all become worth it. Today was such a time. The girls were brilliant from start to finish and played some of the best football ever produced by a girls team at Waverton. There's not much more to say, all of you were fantastic. Enjoy the weekend. See you at Old Hall on Wednesday.

Report to follow.

Player of the match, again Lucie. For Birkenhead Chloe Forshaw.

Birkenhead Ladies tomorrow. Don't let them shoot!

Looks like a full team tomorrow for the visit of Birkenhead Ladies. The heavy rain on Thursday afternoon and evening cast some doubt on it going ahead but todays drier weather has improved its chances. If there is any change it will be on here and on Twitter.

We lost to Birkenhead at the Delph last month and we know their biggest danger is their shooting. Lucie was left powerless at least three times, but on general play we pretty much matched them.

KO is 9:30, please meet at 9:10 - don't be late. Help with setting up would be appreciated from 8:45.

Rockin in Rock Ferry

Wirral Hawks 5 - AFC Waverton 1

There's an hilarious scene in Phoenix Nights where Paddy and Max are sitting in a van outside the club.  A group of dwarfs arrive and Max squinting his eyes, says to Paddy, "How far away are those people?'. It was a bit like that arriving at Victoria Park. As we sat in the car we looked across to the pitch and the Wirral Hawks girls warming up were partly hidden by the undulating nature of the Park and looked liked very very small people kicking into a big goal. Anyway it was funny at the time.

This was a very good performance by the girls. Kicking off up the huge slope at our call, we started with 6 against their 7, as Rebecca was lost somewhere in Birkenhead. For 15 minutes we had to do without her, but managed to do very well, conceding one and then grabbing an equaliser through Kiera.

Just as Rebecca arrived halfway through the first half, the Hawks scored to give them a 2-1 lead. That's how it stayed until half time.

Kicking down the slope the Waverton girls went for it. Loads and loads of chances were created but a lack of positivity in front of goal prevented us from capitalising on the opportunities. Emma, Lily, Rebecca, Kiera and Annaliese all went close. Lily and Rebecca were brilliant linking together down the left whilst Emma and Ellie were solid at the back. Crunching tackles were flying in on both sides, but everything was fair. Ellie was back to her 'close your eyes' tackling and Lily, Emma and Kiera all threw themselves into heavy tackling. Our girls took some challenges too, Lily was winded, Annaliese had a kick from behind and Rebecca a bang on the head. Emma was at her best playing in defence and the fitness effort paid off as she looked on top form.

In goal Lucie showed why she is the best keeper in the League. A string of save after save and diving to the feet of attackers in desperate muddy conditions showed how brave and strong she is. A well deserved man of the match award again for our Number 1.

At times the passing was fantastic and the tackling superb. The effort could not be faulted. Just a bit more confidence in front of goal and we would have been in with a chance of winning. The extra players that the Hawks squad have helped them too as our subless girls tired towards the end. All in all a great effort from both sides and a credit to girls football. Well done to Paul from Wirral Hawks for calling the game on yesterday.

Training this Wednesday at Old Hall 7-8.

Wirral Hawks away

This Saturday we have an away game at Wirral Hawks. We just hope the weather stays dry enough to keep the game on. Updates on Twitter (over there to the right) as soon as we here anything.

Meet at Victoria Park at 9:10.

Directions to Victoria Park:

Take the M53 to the Clatterbridge junction (J4). Go up to the roundabout over the motorway and take first left. This is Mount Road the B5151. Follow this through Storeton past the Travellers Rest pub.

Keep on this road for a while until you get to a funny little double mini roundabout. Take the right hand turn at the second mini roundabout onto Thornton Road. At the bottom turn left onto Borough Road and then first right onto the Wiend. Follow this through a junction and it becomes Mount Road again. Keep on this road and when you get to the end, you'll come onto a little funny roundabout. The park is on your right, but take third exit and park on the main road just after the roundabout thing or pull into Victoria Park Road on the right and park. The entrance is on the main road or off Victoria Park Road. If you get to the Black Horse pub on the right you've gone too far. If lost call Mike on 07901552261.

Running up the hill

Saturday on the field was a great advert for girls football. Fantastic early Autumn sunshine, nicely cut pitches and three games. The. U12s won with a last minute goal, the u14s were
were outstanding beating Manor who never ever gave up and the U16s played heroically despite only having 5 players against the might of Upton's 7.

Without Kiera and Emma it was always going to be tough against a full strength Upton side, but with Upton also playing 7 and having the benefit of subs, well it was just an impossible task. The girls though applied themselves really well, with player of the match Lucie outstanding in goal. Lily was excellent in defence, Ellie made some great tackles and runs. Rebecca ran her socks off covering so much ground and Annaliese was good in the difficult midfield and was so unlucky not to get on the score sheet.

We know we have many visitors to this website beyond those connected to AFC Waverton.  Perhaps they might like to come down to The Queens Field and see for themselves the passion, the spirit, the sportsmanship  and love of football shown by 20 plus girls from Waverton every Saturday morning, whether they are winning or losing.

Saturday's game ON

Saturday's game v Upton is on. We need to get out playing so it's on. Upton are coming over with a smaller squad and we'll play equal numbers. Meet 10:40 for 11ko on the field!

Saturdays, oh Saturdays.

Birkenhead Ladies 6 - AFC Waverton 0 

Sometimes the scoreline is a reflection of the game, sometimes not. This 2012/13 opener was the latter, although the home sides shooting prowess was the clinical difference between the two teams, particularly the sharp shooting of Chloe Humpheys and Katie Brady. Joe Hart would have struggled to stop at least two of the Birkenhead sides goals, let alone our Lucie. She was excellent though making a string of decent saves and in diving in the box into a crowd of boots, showed how we have missed her bravery. Up front we shot wide, hit the post and had a couple of great chances saved really well, but this difference in finishing between the sides was noticeable.

Rebecca was excellent on her first u16 game and she really has become much stronger and skilful in the last 12 months. The youngest player on the pitch but the equal of anyone in this group in terms of determination, running and quick thinking. Emma captained the side and did well despite struggling with a shoulder injury. Lily was excellent at the back drawing praise from the opposition supporters whilst Ellie was off on a number of those storming runs, the kind that nobody dare tackle her such is her strength and speed. For this performance she was voted player of the match.

A decent start but a fairly hard one with no subs and all credit to the girls as it was really tough out there on a big pitch. Fitness will be crucial this season on such a small squad and we need to target this in training and in the girls own time.

Training Tuesday again at 7. Two more then we go to Wednesdays 7-8 at Old Hall Leisure.

Here we go.............

Just a few hours now to the start of the season. We kick off against Birkenhead Ladies at the Delph early on Saturday morning. Meet 9:10 for a 9:30 ko.

We won on our last visit in April with a great winner from Ellie Riste, voted goal of the season. Come on girls let do it again.


Directions:

Take M53 to end following signs for 'All Docks' not Liverpool (DO NOT GO DOWN THE TUNNEL ENTRANCE). Follow link road down to roundabout making sure you get in the right hand lane signedposted 'Docks', as the left one takes you back down to the Tunnel entrance. Turn left at the roundabout following signs to Wallasey (just in front of the big Tate and Lyle tank). This is Mill Lane. Go straight through lights at the Pool Inn pub (on the right) and follow road over the M53/tunnel link road below to Liscard Village centre. Follow the one way road system left then get in the right hand lane to head right at the junction following a sign for New Brighton.

Keep straight on through the shopping area and onto Rake Lane following the New Brighton B5143 signs. Go past the Liscard Chippy and the Vauxhall Garage. The Delph is behind the houses on the right soon after the Vauxhall Garage. Park on the main road just before New Brighton Bowling/Cricket Club and take the path on the right hand side of the road through to the Delph. If you get to the Cemetery, you've gone too far.

First game on Saturday

Great training session tonight which sets us up for Saturdays first game of the season, away to Birkenhead Ladies. KO is 11am at the Delph. Meet at 10:40. Lifts offered just ask Mike. Directions on here later in the week.

All signed players to play

Happy Birthday to Lucie for Wednesday 12th. Have a great day.

First day of the season/training

Upton lead the table this weekend with a 6-0 win at home to Greenleas, whilst Wirral Hawks sit just behind them after beating our next opponents, Birkenhead Ladies, 5-0.

In the u12s Waverton did really well drawing 2-2 with Manor at home (the referee was one Steve White!) whilst the u14s lost 9-3 at home to Irby. There were three great second goals once Charlotte Robinson had pushed into midfield with Charlotte herself, Jodie and Lucy getting on the scoresheet.

Next Saturday we are away at Birkenhead Ladies ko at the Delph is 11:00. Let Mike know if anyone needs a lift.

Training this week (Tues) will start half an hour earlier at 7pm, as it was getting a bit dark out there last Tuesday and we thought we'd lost Kiera in the darkness at one point. We will have the mini-soccer goals out so we can fire some shots at Lucie. Laura is coming down too, so we'll see you all there.

Irby game off

Saturdays game v Irby has been called off as they have pulled out of the league.

Training 7-8 on Tuesday at Waverton

Training this week/match on Saturday

After last week's first session, training this week reverts to Tuesday (4 Sept), 7:30-8:30 on the field at  Waverton.

We have our first game this Saturday (8 Sept) at home to Irby. Ko expected to be 11am depending on us sorting out the pitch spaces with the boys teams. Can everyone please let Mike know if available?

Fixtures/training

Training this week will be Wednesday, 7:30 - 8:30 on the field. Work and leisure commitments mean that both Tue and Thur are out this week, so apologies for the inconsistent pattern.

The League has published the Sept fixtures. We start the season at home to Irby (poss 11am ko), and are then away (15 Sept) to Birkenhead at the Delph,  then home (22 Sept) to Upton, then away (29 Sept) at Greenleas.

They have a super new website too - www.wjfl.co.uk and its much improved from the old one.

So not long to go now before we are back in action!

The season starts (very) soon!

Refreshed by holidays and motivated by the Olympics? The Ladies football was excellent. It was a shame that the GB Ladies could not repeat their form against Brazil in the quarter final. No surprise to see the USA win. Great to see so many spectators including a world record crowd for a womens game for the final at Wembley. Generally the Olympics were fantastic and hope you have your favourite moments and stars. For some reason, the girls in our house were all hooked on watching the diving or rather the divers mainly Tom Daley.

The League season kicks off on Saturday September 8, although we don't know who are where we are playing yet. We have 7 players now registered with one to complete - Lucie, Ellie, Emma, Kiera, Lily, Rebecca, Caitlin and Annaliese.

We hope to have a friendly game before then, possibly Saturday September 1.

We are going to have to move the first pre season training session from this Tuesday 21 August to Thursday 23 August. 7:30 on the field, for those who can make it.

We think we have lost the booking for our Winter training session at Northgate Arena. The manager told us she had reserved the slot for us, but when we came to sort out the paperwork, it appears that it has been allocated to somebody else. We will await any developments. However, Old Hall Leisure have come to the rescue and we have got a place on their Astro pitch on Wednesday evenings from 7pm to 8pm Oct to April.

Looking forward to the season.

Last training fail

An overturned tanker on the m56 put an end to the final training session tonight as both Mike and girls were stuck in the ensuing chaos around Chester. Anyway thanks to everyone for sorting out the Registration forms. We can now enter a team in the Wallasey League for 2012/13, with our first game being Sat 8 September. Thanks to everyone for a really good season and some great laughs and some excellent football. We'll say goodbye for now to Sophie and maybe Laura, Cara and Olivia although all four are welcome back in August to train with us for the season. Sophie has signed for Chester FC Ladies as part of our new partnership. More about that soon. All four have you have been great to coach and have played a great part in the wonderful spirit of the squad this year. We have already welcomed Rebecca and she is a big part of our plans for the coming season. We"ll have a break until Tue 21 August 7:30 on the field. Have a great holiday and keep fit.

Final training session this Tue

The final training session of the season will be this Tuesday at Waverton 7:30. Pre season training will start on Tue 21 August, 7:30 at Waverton. Updates throughout the holidays on here and continuous information also on Twitter. @afcwaverton. All of the girls have Twitter accounts. Why follow Justin Bieber and not Waverton girls? Madness.

Training is Wednesday this week

Training has been moved to Wednesday this week, same time, same place. Hope you can make it. For those girls playing in the u16 next season we will need 2 passport photos ASAP and definitely before end of school term. This applies to: Emma, Ellie, Lily, Caitlin, Lucie, Kiera, Annaliese and Rebecca. Hopefully Kate too!

Festival off

The waverton football festival has been called off as the pitches are flooded

A great night

Thanks to all the girls for a great night at the Ring of Bells. Hope everyone enjoyed it.

Football Festival this Saturday for the girls who said they could play:

Sophie, Cara, Lily, Olivia, Emma, Lauren, Annaliese

Meet 10:20 at the Field.

There's burger vans, ice cream vans, penalty competitions etc

Girls v families tonight

Tonight on the field the girls will take on their families in a long and eagerly anticipated game. Meet 7:30. This could be fun. Everybody welcome. This is the parents chance to show just how easy it is (or not).

Training/Families/Presentations

Good training session tonight. Thanks to the girls who came down. We are working closely with Chester FC Ladies and it was good to have Richard Smith of Chester FC join us. Next Tuesday we will have a training session where we will invite family members to join in and then have a game. Do you think your Dad could beat you in the fitness test? Can you tackle your mum? 7:30 to 8:30 on the field. The day after, Wed 4 July , we will have our Pizza and Presentation evening. 7 pm at the Ring of Bells. Parents to join us at 8:30.

England duty/Training/Festival

Eight girls were at the England v Holland womens game on Sunday to see a 1-0 win for the Lionesses. No training this Tue as England men are playing Ukraine in Euro 2012. 26 June - training 3 July - girls v parents 4 July - Pizzas and Presentations 7pm 8 July - 10:30-11:30 Waverton Football Festival

Training and things

Thanks to those girls who came down to training last night. No training next Tue due to the England v Ukraine game. Back training on Tue 26 June. Anyone else for England v Holland women on Sunday in Manchester. Hoping for free tickets. 3 girls are def coming. Let Mike know. Ko is 5:15 leaving Chester about 4. AFC Waverton football Festival is Sat 7 July. The girls teams will be playing at 10:30 and we are asked to support. This was an excellent turnout from the girls last year. Please do your best to get down for one hour at 10:30. We will play a game for about 45 mins. Cost £5 to club funds.

Not over yet

The games may be over but there are still bits and bobs left before we pack our boots away for our Summer holidays. Thanks to those girls who came down to training on 31 May, we had a good session. Thanks to the parents too who came down to Parents Evening on Mon 30 May.

The next few weeks look like this:

Tue June 12 - Skills training 1- Waverton - 7:30-8:30
Sun June 17 - England Women v Holland Women - Salford 5:15 (free tickets and transport if anyone is interested)
Tue June 19 - Skills training 2 - Waverton - 7:30-8:30
Tue June 26 - Night off - England are playing!
Tue July 3 - Girls v Mums and Dads - Waverton 7:30 - 8:30
Wed July 4 - Pizza and Presentations - our annual end of season do at the Ring of Bells. Girls meet at 7:00. Parents welcome at 8:20.

There has been a mixed response to our idea about a day out. Of the 5 who got back to us, there was a mix of available dates. After discussing it at parents evening we therefore have decided to not organise anything. If anybody wants to take on the task of organising it though, let Mike know.

Most of you have now discussed with Mike what your plans are and what our plans are for next season. We need to make decisions re our u18 and u16 players.  The time is running out and we need to get the girls who are staying all signed up.

End of season arrangements

The end of the season is on us. We played our last game against Upton last Saturday and having only being able to get 6 players for the Blackpool tournament, the game at Overchurch was the last competitive action of the season. We have scoured the tournament database for the the Uk and cannot find any tournaments for u16 girls in the north or midlands in June. If we find one, we'll let you know.

The end of season is starting to look like this. We said last Tuesday 15th was the end of the training but we know some of the girls want to carry on. We also know that some have exams. What we will do therefore is have a final general training session on Tuesday 29 May at 7:30 on the field, then break for the Bank Holiday and run some dedicated skills sessions on Tuesdays in June. These will be Tuesday 12, 19 and 26 June. We will then call it a day for the season. These skills sessions will only be for those girls who are 100% up for it and would be a smaller group. One hour of no mobiles, no chatting and no trying to train with hands in your pocket. It's listen and learn.

We also need to speak to all parents about next season. We are suggesting holding two meetings with parents hopefully finding one convenient. These are:

Thursday 24 May - 8:00-9:00 at the Ring of Bells or
Monday 28 May 8:00- 9:00 at the Ring of Bells

Could parents let Mike know if they can make either of these two dates? If not suitable can parents let Mike know when would be a good time to have a conversation on the phone - 07901552261

We are also looking at a social event on either Sat 23 June, Sun 24 June Sat 30 June or Sun 1 July. Last year we went to Go Ape. This year the girls have suggested Blackpool, but it would need parents support.  Please let me know asap what the girls want to do, when is convenient and whether you support.

Finally, we are going to hold a final event, our Pizza and Presentation evening on Wed July 4 at the Ring of Bells. Please put in your diary.

The only other thing we might do is a Girls v Mums/Sisters game on the field. Any takers?

That's it!

Last game of the season

Our last game of the season is a friendly away at Upton. Meet at Overchurch School in Upton at 10:40.

This is a game against what will be the Upton u16s team for next season organised especially to give a run out to the players who will be eligible to play u16s football next season for both teams.

At Waverton we only have two girls who could step up from u14 level.  Lucie is away so Cara has stepped in to play in goal. Rebecca will however join us after a good season with the u14s. Sophie and Laura will represent the older girls, whilst Emma, Lily, Kiera, Ellie Riste, Annaliese and Lauren will also play.

After playing against Bolton Wanderers on Sunday and doing so well, we are expecting great things from Cara, Ellie, Lily, Emma, Sophie and Laura.

As this is the final game of the season, the Captain's armband will be worn by Sophie. Cara and Sophie have played more games than anybody else this season, 15 each. However Sophie has only missed one training session since September and Cara two. Therefore, Sophie will be our Captain.

This is one of the easiest grounds to find. To get to Overchurch School, take the M53 to J2. This is signed Hoylake and West Kirby.  Take the Moreton spur off the M53 and then take the first left off the spur signed 'Upton'. Go up to the junction above the spur road, turn left and Overchurch School is about a quarter of a mile on the left hand side. Go into the playground and park.

We've seen the future Gerry, we've seen the future.

Bolton Wanderers 8 - AFC Waverton/Irby 0 

Well done to all the girls who played today against Bolton Wanderers. A good introduction to 11 a side against a very good, fit and organised Bolton side who contained older players than our team. Outdone by  strength and experience at this level, but not by commitment and skill.

Well done Cara, Lily, Ellie R, Emma, Sophie and Laura and to Laura, Megan, Laurie, Hannah, Sarah, Megan, Holly and Charlotte from Irby.

Bolton - its definitely on this time!

Bright sunny day at last. We're all off to Bolton at the 4th attempt.

Our team of; Cara, Lily, Ellie R, Emma, Laura and Sophie will be joined by 8 Irby girls to play 11 v 11 against Bolton u16 Academy team.

The game will be played at AFC Dobies ground, Ainsworth Hall Road, Bolton. Take Bury New Road out of Bolton and just opposite the Masonic Hall turn left up a track. Just up the track a little on the right is the entrance to the field. We will meet there at 10:20 for those making their own way there. For those travelling together meet at Christleton duck pond at 9:20.

Wear full Waverton kit and boots and shin pads. Bring a top. Bring drink if you need your own.

We should all be back in Chester by about 1:30.

Bolton - keep your fingers crossed

This is the 4th attempt to get this game played but we are still very confident that it will happen this time.

Ko will be 11 in Bolton. Meet at Christleton duck pond at 9:20 for a 9:30 departure. Come in kit. Lifts offered by Emma's dad, Ellie's dad and Cara's dad, so lots of places.

8 Irby girls will join Lily, Cara, Ellie R, Sophie, Laura and Emma to play 11v 11. Annaliese is ill and has had to pull out and Kiera is unavailable.

Wear full Waverton kit, boots, shin pads, waterproof top, bottoms (we know you don't like to wear them but don't complain to us if you are cold) and make sure your fake tan is waterproof (also applies to the girls).

The game will be played at Ainsworth Hall Road, Bolton, B12 6QU. We are told the pitch drains well so taking no chances with the weather.

Come on Waverby! or Irton? You get the picture.

Waverton girls save Frankie the kitten

With the help of two Police Officers, Emma, Lily and Laura helped save poor Frankie the kitten from a certain death on the way home from training. Poor little thing was lying in a bad way in the middle of the road between Waverton and Guilden Sutton.

Tuesday training off. Switch to Wednesday instead.

Apologies, but we have had to call off Tuesday's training. We will, for this week only, switch to Wednesday (2 May) instead. Same time, same place, 7:30 at Waverton. We know that not everyone will be able to make it, but hope to see those that can.

When you see the weather this Sunday afternoon, you will understand why we called off the Bolton game. On Thursday we were given warning of a big storm in the North West for Sunday afternoon, and we were told that the pitches were waterlogged. We are hoping to play it next Sunday (6 May), 2pm at Bolton. Cara, Lily, Emma, Ellie R, Laura and Annaliese are available. Sadly Kiera is not. Anybody else available?

For Blackpool on 26 May, we have 7 players. Tough without any subs. We'll speak to you individually before we enter. Closing date is this week.

Some good end of season football in the Premier League yesterday. Suarez' third goal was inch perfect and we were at the DW Stadium in Wigan to see 45 minutes of total football, pass and move, pass and move.

Earlier we'd been on the pitch at the Deva and spoken to keeper John Danby about coming back to Waverton to do some more goalkeeping coaching. We are also meeting Chester FC ladies tonight to see what their plans are with their new set up for next season. We'll keep you posted.

Training Tuesday/Bolton Wanderers game Sunday

Training takes place again this Tuesday, 7:30 at Waverton. Thanks to everyone for abiding by the rules last week and coming prepared. Same again this week please.

The Bolton Wanderers game will take place at New House Farm, Bolton with a 2pm ko. We will be in touch with our players regarding travel, but will need to be at their ground by 1:30 at the latest. Brush up on the 11 a side rules this week and we'll run through some at training on Tuesday. Team is Cara, Ellie R, Kiera, Sophie, Emma, Laura, Lily, and Caitlin. The other players will come from Irby making it a strong joint side.

See everyone Tuesday at 7:30.

Training resumes this Tuesday

Hope everyone has had a good Easter break.

Training resumes this Tuesday evening at Waverton at 7:30-8:30. We only want those girls to come who are 100% committed to the training as it is only an hour, takes more organisation to set up outside and some girls have said that they are not happy with having training disrupted by others continually talking. If you want to chat and we understand why you do, why not meet for a chat at 7 and then be ready to train seriously at 7:30?

• Wear boots or football trainers if ground is hard, and bring shin pads.
• No Converses or plimsolls
• If you need to bring a mobile phone, leave on the side, do not bring onto the training pitch
• No excuses of being too tired to warm up or run. If you are tired, don't come to training.
• Bring a drink with you
• Save the chatting for before and after training
• Show respect to your teammates and coaches

The Blackpool tournament is on Sat 26 May. Just waiting for a commitment from everyone. Squad is: Cara, Lucie, Ellie Riste, Ellie Mageean, Lily, Annaliese, Emma, Caitlin, Laura.

We're looking at the Bolton game for weekend 28/29 April. More details to follow.

The healing has begun

Birkenhead Ladies 5 - AFC Waverton 6

Two weeks ago we went up the Delph and performed badly. We knew it, the girls knew it. So this was a chance for the team to redeem themselves and this is just what they did. A brilliant, spirited performance on a hard Delph surface saw us take all three points and more importantly gain praise for the way in which we conducted ourselves and for our style of play.

Olivia and Laura dropped out of the team from the last visit and in came Kiera, although clearly suffering from a virus. The team lined up: Hatted Cara in the nets, a back two of Emma and Sophie, coughing Kiera anchoring centre midfield with Ellie and Lily either side and leading goalscorer Caitlin up front.

The attitude though was very different this time and as we kicked off it became clear that this was going to be a much better performance. It didn't take long for the yellow shirts to find the net, with captain Kiera tucking the ball home. Birkenhead equalised through a brilliant shot high beyond Cara before our girls took the lead again and went onto score 3 succession. Caitlin, Lily and Ellie found the net. Lily's was a sweet shot into the left corner and Caitlin's goal came as a result of total football from a series of passes between Anzy and Lily before setting up Caitlin.

Birkenhead though got back into it and got back on equal terms and sensed the game could once gain be theirs.

In the second half another Caitlin goal was cancelled out by a Birkenhead equaliser before a stunning Ellie goal right into the corner of the net brought victory despite a late onslaught by the home side. Ellie was put on up front deliberately to use her speed and it worked a treat capping a great game for a player who has been outstanding in 5 a side recently.

This was a fantastic game and all the girls played well. Sophie was given player of the match and well deserved it was as she was awesome in defence. Emma was excellent despite hurting her ankle and spending most of the second half hobbling, Lily was tricky in the midfield, Caitlin dangerous up front and Anzy did very well in the middle of the park linking between defence and attack and showed how she is improving. Cara made some great saves and her kicking was back to its best. Bill the ref praised our girls for the quality of the football.

All in all a very good game and a worthwhile trip up to Wallasey. Have a good Easter break and we're back in training on Tuesday 17 April at Waverton, 7:30-8:30.

MOM for Waverton - Sophie, for Birkenhead Jade Short.

Back to the Delph

Back up to the Delph this Saturday to once again play Birkenhead. Meet there at 12:10 for a 12:30 ko. Lets show them what we can really do this time.

Team - Cara, Lily, Ellie R, Sophie, Caitlin, Kiera, Emma and Annaliese.

Ellie M is ill and had to pull out.

The Delph is on Rake Lane Wallasey, close to Liscard centre. Directions on here on Sat am for those who can't remember. Lifts offered so just let us know as it makes sense to take fewer cars up there.

No games now until after Easter. Training starts again on Tuesday 17 April at Waverton 7:30-8:30. More details to follow on the arrangements for training.

Directions to the Delph:

Take M53 to end following signs for 'All Docks' not Liverpool (DO NOT GO DOWN THE TUNNEL ENTRANCE). Follow link road down to roundabout making sure you get in the right hand lane signedposted 'Docks', as the left one takes you back down to the Tunnel entrance. Turn left at the roundabout following signs to Wallasey (just in front of the big Tate and Lyle tank). This is Mill Lane. Go straight through lights at the Pool Inn pub (on the right) and follow road over the M53/tunnel link road below to Liscard Village centre. Follow the one way road system left then get in the right hand lane to head right at the junction following a sign for New Brighton.

Keep straight on through the shopping area and onto Rake Lane following the New Brighton B5143 signs. Go past the Liscard Chippy and the Vauxhall Garage. The Delph is behind the houses on the right soon after the Vauxhall Garage. Park on the main road just before New Brighton Bowling/Cricket Club and take the path on the right hand side of the road through to the Delph. If you get to the Cemetery, you've gone too far.

Last Northgate training tonight

Last Northgate training of the season tonight, so let's all make it and have a good session. Cost is £25 and will be split between us.

Two important meeting this week. On Weds there is an emergency meeting of the clubs managers and coaches. The call to parents to help out with the running of the club has had a very poor response, so poor that I believe it is nil. That means that the club could fold without this help. An option is for us to close down some teams to allow the managers to do the admin of the club, another option is to pay for people to do these jobs for us and put the subs up to cover this cost.

The second meeting on Thursday is with Irby to explore potential for a joint U18 girls team for next season to play in the Cheshire u18 league.

Doggie do doos at the Delph

Birkenhead Youth 8 - AFC Waverton 3

Beaten before you started. One of those days. Lets forget it, apart from the three excellent goals, two by Caitlin and one from Emma. We know you can do much better and you know it too.

MoM Cara

Training Tuesday as usual. The last within the £10 payment. All girls to cover cost of training on Tues 27 March.

The League Secretary Hughie Gilmour turned up at the Delph on Saturday to check our girls passports. We have never ever had a league officer check them in four seasons but he went through them all one by one. It was like the scene from Dads Army when the Germans capture the troop who refuse to give their names. The German officer goes to Corporal Pike and says "whats your name boy?' at which point Captain Mainwaring shouts "Don't tell him Pike"

The pre-match atmosphere was then lowered by our diligent League Secretary calling AFC Waverton ' a waste of space'.

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant.

Birkenhead kept us waiting whilst they drove around Wallasey looking for lost players. Surely they couldn't have been still in bed at 12:45? We didn't mind but it did go on a bit with the game kicking off half an hour late. Better than not getting a game at all.

Cara was concerned about what she described as 'doggie do doos in the goalmouth. And there was a fair bit of it which we had to clean up before we could play. Perhaps the League should be more concerned with checking the pitches for doggie do da's than checking for illegal u14 players hiding in disguise. Whats the greatest risk to child welfare a load of doggie do doos in a young girls face as she dives to palm away a certain goal, or a girl getting a second half run out for a team she will be playing for next year?

Not much to say about the game really. 3 great goals for us and for Birkenhead a stormer of a goal for their opener, a candidate for goal of the season. Lily was the best outfield player, Emma was solid and got a ball smack in her face for her sins. We could still see SADIDA written on her face afterwards where the ball hit her (Hint - read it backwards). Sophie gave her all and Laura struggled a little in her first game since being ill and injured.

The day was rounded off by the League Secretary calling AFC Waverton " a waste of space". Absolutely brilliant. You get treated like you've smuggled Lord Lucan into your squad, you're kept waiting for half an hour to kick off, you have to clear up doggie do doos on your goal line and then get beaten 8-3. And then the club is called 'a waste of space'. You couldn't make it up.

Birkenhead game confirmed

The Birkenhead game is now confirmed and will go ahead on Saturday at the Delph in Wallasey. Kick off is 12:30. Meet at 12:10 prompt please so we can have a decent warm up.

Team: Cara, Ellie R, Sophie, Emma, Lily, Laura, Caitlin, Annaliese and Olivia.

Directions to the Delph on here on Friday.

We are due to play against Birkenhead again on March 31 but given that two of our girls have seemingly decided not to play matches anymore, they won't let Lucie play, and its the start of the school holidays, we could be struggling to get a team out. Therefore this Saturday could be our last League game of this season.

We have sent everyone a text about training. We need responses please. Only Sophie, Lucie, Ellie M and Laura have replied.

Next Weds there is an important meeting about the future of the club at the Waverton Institute 7:30. We have had little response from parents to help next season and we are facing an uncertain future as the coaches cannot do everything. We need parents to come forward and help with some admin jobs, without it we may not be able to survive as a club.

On Thursday 29th March we are meeting Irby about a joint u18 team for next season. Again another important meeting.

Directions to the Delph:

Take M53 to end following signs for 'All Docks' not Liverpool (DO NOT GO DOWN THE TUNNEL ENTRANCE). Follow link road down to roundabout making sure you get in the right hand lane signedposted 'Docks', as the left one takes you back down to the Tunnel entrance. Turn left at the roundabout following signs to Wallasey (just in front of the big Tate and Lyle tank). This is Mill Lane. Go straight through lights at the Pool Inn pub (on the right) and follow road over the M53/tunnel link road below to Liscard Village centre. Follow the one way road system left then get in the right hand lane to head right at the junction following a sign for New Brighton.

Keep straight on through the shopping area and onto Rake Lane following the New Brighton B5143 signs. Go past the Liscard Chippy and the Vauxhall Garage. The Delph is behind the houses on the right soon after the Vauxhall Garage. Park on the main road just before New Brighton Bowling/Cricket Club and take the path on the right hand side of the road through to the Delph. If you get to the Cemetery, you've gone too far.

Game v Birkenhead on Saturday 17

Our next game is on Saturday 17 when we make the trip to the Delph to play Birkenhead Youth. Kick off is 9:30. Meet 9:10. Directions on here on Friday.

Team is : Cara, Ellie R, Sophie, Kiera, Caitlin, Emma and Laura. We are hoping to enable Annaliese and Lucie to play too. Olivia and Ellie M are hoping to be available which would give us 11 players. Lauren and Kate have not responded so we assume that they are not available. Lily is not available. With 4 subs the girls will have to be patient but this is a strong team.

In like a lamb, Out like a lion

Well done girls for today our first proper game this year at Irby. Typical March weather too, an absolute horrible downpour before kick off then brilliant sunshine at the end.

It took a little while to get going but in the second half we did really well and you played some excellent football. Great to see Caitlin back and scoring. Lucie was awesome in goal in the second half only letting two in whilst Cara did really well in defence alongside the brilliant Sophie. Annaliese's first game and we hope she enjoyed it. Ellie R and Lily were unlucky not to get on the score sheet, in training they'd have buried them. No subs so everyone did really well on a heavy pitch.

So well done, Lucie, Cara, Ellie Riste, Annaliese, Lily, Sophie and Caitlin.

Player of the match - Ellie Riste.

By the way Greenleas u16s have pulled out of the league and their results 'expunged'. I love that word. Trouble is it was our only win, so we are back to zero points and 5 goals off our score sheet. For our own records we'll keep them on though.

Training as normal on Tuesday. £10 still owed from Laura, Lauren and Olivia.

Game Saturday v Irby

Back into competitive action this Saturday against our friends from Irby. This is a rearrangement of a game that we should have played some weeks ago and is an 'unofficial' game.

Meet at Irby Mill for a 9:30ko.

Team is : Lucie, Cara, Ellie R, Ellie M, Lily, Sophie, Caitlin, and Anzy.

Laura is injured still. Kiera is away. Emma, Olivia, Kate and Lauren not available to play.

Directions below. If anybody needs a lift let Mike know.

Take the M53 to the Arrowe Park junction (Junction 3).

Turn left and go up to the roundabout at the top by the Arrowe Park pub. Turn left and go past Landican cemetery to a roundabout. Turn right and then soon after, opposite a block of flats, look to turn off right again along Thingwall Road towards Irby. Go along that road all the way (1 mile), and just after passing The Shippons pub you'll reach a T junction. Turn right go past the Anchor Pub on the left (starting to see a pattern here?) and then immediately right again into Manor Road. Then left at the end onto Mill Hill Road and then soon after right into the car park. If lost call 07901552261 and you'll be talked in.

Nearest postcode we know - Da Piero - the best Italian Restaurant in miles, in Michelin book again this year and nearly almost opposite - CH61 4UB

Good session/another one Saturday

Well girls, that was a good training session tonight. One of the best of the season. Well done everyone.

Training this Saturday morning 10:30-11:30 at Waverton. This will be a good workout for the Bolton match and we will use the goals set up for the u14 game which finishes at 10:30. All players expected to attend. No shows may not start against Bolton. Everybody welcome though even if you can't play against Bolton. You know it is better to get out for an hour in the fresh air on Saturday than being in bed!

Bolton have been hit by the weather too and their league might give them a game on March 4. If this happens we will know this Thursday. If they are still free we will play them at Bolton on Sunday March 4 ko 10:00am.

Training Tuesday

Training at Northgate as usual on Tuesday. 8-9. £10 subs due from everyone to cover until end of March. Need to buy a new furry ball, the old one went pop last week!

Half term report

Thanks to Emma, Ellie R, Ellie M, Lily, Lucie and Cara for training tonight. Special points to you 6! Thanks to Kiera, Laura, Annaliese and Sophie for letting us know that you couldn't come.

Hope your thumb returns to a normal shape and colour soon Lucie but keep scoring like that and you can stay out of goal for now.

We found out by email on Tuesday eve that the League have decided to give us a fixture this Saturday (18 Feb) away at Irby. We don't think it is right that the League can just drop this in at short notice when girls (and the coach) have made arrangements as this Sat has been down as a free week ever since the fixtures came out. We will struggle to put out a team at this short notice given it is half term plus Mike can't go. Consequently we will tell the League that we cannot fulfil the fixture at this short notice. Expect points deduction and fine.

We've reached half term with only having played five matches since the last half term in October. Unbelievable really, partly due to non-availability and a smaller league, but mainly due to the weather. We do not have any league matches on the horizon either, although our calculations are that we have to play Irby twice and Birkenhead twice. Maybe we might get those played before June.

Even our attempts to get a small sided friendly sorted for this Saturday came unstuck with both Upton and Irby having to decline. Thanks anyway to Sophie, Cara, Lily, Kiera, Annalise, Ellie M and Olivia for making yourselves available for this game.

We have a friendly against Bolton Wanderers in March, with the weather surely having to have improved before the first weekend of the month, when we are scheduled to make the trip to Lancashire. That will be a joint team with Irby and the girls who confirmed are:

Laura, Lily, Kiera (if Sat), Lucie, Cara, Olivia (if Sat), Ellie M, Sophie, Emma and Annalise.

Irby will provide 5 0r 6 girls making a potential squad of 17 for an 11 a side. That will give us 6 subs. However Irby's availability is more to Sunday as is Bolton's so our squad will not be as big as it could be. I will put other girls on the reserve list but have to give preference to those who have confirmed already as it would be unfair to the Irby girls who we asked to make up our shortfall based upon not having enough Waverton girls for 11 a side if we now said we don't need them. They will also bring some strength to the 11 on the field.

We will have a training session on Sat Feb 25 at Waverton to practice for the Bolton game. Attendance is required for all the Bolton squad.

Training will take place this Tuesday for those girls who are around. Cara and Lucie are receiving goalkeeping training from John Danby, Chester FCs brilliant keeper, over half term.

We have asked everyone if they wish to continue with training on Tuesdays as the next £10 will be due on 21 Feb to cover 5 weeks to end of March. Only four girls have said yes and none have said no. I presume this means everyone is happy so am expecting £10 from each girl on Feb 21.

Annaliese has been training with us for a few weeks and now is going to join the club. This is good news as Annaliese is an experienced player who is very keen to get some games in. This will bring the squad to a record 14 players.

Have a good half term. Keep fit.

Training tonight

Training tonight as usual in the nice warm surroundings of Northgate. Be there.

Calendar for next few weeks looking like :

Sat 11 Feb - poss 5 a side friendly
Tue 14 Feb - training - its half term but we can't cancel as its a block booking
Sat 18 Feb - no game, no training
Tue 21 Feb - training
Sat 25 Feb - outdoor training for Bolton
Tue 28 Feb - training
Sat 3 or Sun 4 - Bolton Wanderers 11 a side game

We will need an indication from everyone that they want to continue with training at Northgate as another £10 to cover the next 5 weeks from Tue 21 Feb will be needed.

The end of our League season ?

No league games in February for us. Possibly a friendly on 11 Feb and a game v Bolton on March 4/5. We need to know availability for the Friendly on 11 Feb and for the Bolton game on 4/5 March and whether we prefer Sat or Sun. Without this information, we can't organise the matches.

Only three players want to train this Saturday, actually probably the 3 fittest in the club ironically. Our fitness levels have dropped considerably and if players don't want to train or work hard in training when we get together, the results will be there to see when we play matches.

Let's have a winter break?

We've had so many games called off this season, mainly due to water logging of pitches, that it would have been better to scrap all formal games during December and January and concentrate on training and friendlies on Astro. The new Cheshire u18 league do this and it does seem sensible. Its a debatable point of course and everybody has their own view.

For each game called off there is a huge amount of abortive work. For example the main tasks we had to do in setting up Saturday's postponed Bolton Wanderers game were:

• Arrange date to suit both sides.
• Check on pitch availability with the club chairman
• Check on availability of our girls by text and verbal contact.
• Confirm with Bolton that we have 9 players.
• Re-confirm availability of our players this week.
• Contact Irby to invite 3 guest players.
• Irby's manager texted the 3 to check on availability and their desire to play our game at 9:30 and their league game at 12:30.
• Confirm with our club chairman that pitches are playable
• Contact a referee and check his availability.
• Check with our u12s to ensure no conflict of pitch use.
• Contact Bolton to check on pitch size preferred
• Contact Bolton to provide directions
• Bolton contact their girls to ensure transport arrangements leaving Bolton at 8am
• Irby confirm girls availability and playing positions
• 
  
• Club chairman confirms pitches not playable 5pm Friday.
• Inform Bolton, Irby, the ref and our girls
• Update website.

Anyway we will rearrange for a date in February.

Training this Tuesday. We don't yet have any details of our league fixtures for February, but as soon as we get them, we will put on here.

Bolton Wanderers game OFF

Bolton Wanderers game called off tonight due to waterlogged pitches at Waverton.

Anyone for a short run instead?

Saturday game v Birkenhead called off

Saturday game v Birkenhead called off

Two games

We play Birkenhead Youth at the Delph on Saturday. Meet 9:10 for a 9:30 ko. Mike is away as is Heather (celebrating her birthday), but the League have agreed to these arrangements - Kiera will be player/manager for the day whilst Paul Harrison will be authorised to be the responsible parent but not allowed in front of the Respect barrier and not allowed on the pitch.

Team - Cara, Lily, Kiera, Ellie R, Ellie M, Laura, Sophie, Emma and Caitlin. Directions below just for Shirley.

On Saturday 28 Jan we host Bolton Wanderers at Waverton, ko 9:30. This is a very prestigious friendly game against a top u16s team. Mike works with Terry their manager so there is a bit of work banter about this game! We will play 9 a side and it will be tough as we have no subs. We may try to get a couple of guest players to join us, watch this space.

Team: Lucie, Cara, Ellie M, Ellie R, Lily, Laura, Sophie, Emma, and Kiera.

PARENTS EVENING - 8:30-9:30 at Ring of Bells - THIS THURSDAY 19 JAN - Thanks to the two parents who came.

Club parents meeting - 25 January 7:30 at Christleton Primary School - this is not a girls section meeting but for the whole club. We need the girls team to be represented though.

Still waiting for a number of parents to come back to Mike regarding next season. Already this week we have spoken to Cheshire FA about entering the u18 League and the Wallasey League who we are encouraging to go for an u17 league. Mike needs to know what everyone wants to do.

The Delph:

Take M53 to end following signs for 'All Docks' not Liverpool (DO NOT GO DOWN THE TUNNEL ENTRANCE). Follow link road down to roundabout making sure you get in the right hand lane signedposted 'Docks', as the left one takes you back down to the Tunnel entrance. Turn left at the roundabout following signs to Wallasey (just in front of the big Tate and Lyle tank). This is Mill Lane. Go straight through lights at the Pool Inn pub (on the right) and follow road over the M53/tunnel link road below to Liscard Village centre. Follow the one way road system left then get in the right hand lane to head right at the junction following a sign for New Brighton.

Keep straight on through the shopping area and onto Rake Lane following the New Brighton B5143 signs. Go past the Liscard Chippy and the Vauxhall Garage. The Delph is behind the houses on the right soon after the Vauxhall Garage. Park on the main road just before New Brighton Bowling/Cricket Club and take the path on the right hand side of the road through to the Delph. If you get to the Cemetery, you've gone too far.

Game on

The Irby game at Waverton this morning is definitely on. All girls to meet at 9:10. We need to set up from 8:45 and parents help with this appreciated. No Kate, Olivia or Caitlin. Lily is doubtful, everyone else will play. Cara in goal first half, Lucie second.

The Future

Take yourself back 5 years and to the setting up of the u12s girls squad at Waverton. Some of the little 10 year olds are still with us. Kiera, Lily, Ellie Riste, Cara, Olivia, Ellie Mageean, and Lucie who even then was frustrated that she was a school year younger than the others by only days.

We've watched them grow and develop as footballers and as people and whatever they do in life, we hope they will look back with fondness at their time at Waverton and hope that they have learned something to carry with them.

Now though we have reached a crossroads as that some of that squad reaches a point where there is nothing for them to progress into at Waverton. We had our first 16th birthday this week and as we move into the last few games of our 2011/12 league we have to decide where we go. It is a real crossroads. Added to this, the club Chairman, Graham Frost, a man who has been critical to making AFC Waverton the best junior football club in Chester and who has been so supportive of the development of the girls squad, (although because of his quiet and calm manner many parents and players would not even be aware of his presence and role), has announced he is to step down in June after 14 years with the club.

We have fun and laughs over the last 5 years and it has been a big part of all of our lives. Where now though do we go next September? What do we want? What do the girls want?

We have two options really. One we stay within the u16 group within the Wallasey League for next season. The advantage is, we know the league (oh yes we do!), it's Saturday mornings, we are already registered, we only need to put seven players out etc. However, Cara, Ellie M, Laura, Olivia, and Sophie will not be able to play. Lucie and Rebecca can join us, but unless we get others in, the squad will struggle for numbers even more so than last year. We do not know how many teams will be in the Wallasey League next season. We also have to be conscious of the feeder system to enable progression from u12s, u14s. There are variations on this option as we could try again to get into the Northwich based u16 league on Saturday mornings, but Y12s will not be be able to play.

The second is to move to an u18 squad so that we can keep all of our current squad together. We have always wanted to establish an u18 team so that our girls can keep playing football at our club until they go off to University or college. Graham Frost has been supportive of this and we will not have any problem with funding etc. The Wallasey League do not support u18 football though and so we would have to move to another League. The new Cheshire u18 Womens League is the obvious option, but would involve travelling further for away games and most likely playing on Sundays. This may be a no-no for some of you for family reasons and we will have to do some negotiation on pitch availability. Fundamentally it is 11 a side and so we need a big enough squad and players who are going to be comfortable playing at that level and it is a step up. We understand that next years Y10s (Lucie) would be able to play at u18 level in that league, but would have to have this clarified. We might also be able to persuade the odd ex player from last years u16s to play as I have spoken to one and she is interested.

I am very conscious (how could I not be?) that some of our current squad don't see things the same as others. What the girls want from being in the football team varies. Some want to learn and just play and absolutely love it, whilst some, to put it carefully, enjoy the camaraderie and friendships more than the playing of the beautiful game. We know without a doubt that if all of the squad was in the former camp we could improve the team as a whole football wise, but we also recognise that this is about people as individuals and that one of the great things that we have here, and which teams such as Irby, Upton and Ridgewood have so often remarked on, is the fantastic team spirit and atmosphere.

So that is where we are. We cannot make decisions without knowing from the parents and the girls what you want. It has to be inclusive. We have to make decisions relatively soon too, as options will be closed off to us (League cut off dates) plus we need to prepare. For example if we are to try to recruit more players we need time to do so plus if we are to go to 11 a side, we need to get some 11 a side games fixed up for this Spring.

I am therefore requesting feedback from all parents and the girls through them. I need to know by the end of January where it is we wish to go. We can change and adjust but I need to know the preferred direction of travel.

You can let me know by email, phone or by face to face. I will make myself available in the Ring of Bells 8:30-9:30 on Thursday 19 January to meet parents (and girls if they wish). This is not mine or the club's decision alone, we have to make it together. As a coach, I am happy to continue, as long as I have support from parents and the girls, and it is what the girls want to do.

On a wider note, the Club has called an open meeting for 7:30 -8:30 on Wednesday 25 January at Christleton Primary School to discuss the future of the club in the light of Graham's intended departure and the need to get more new blood onto key positions (non coaching) in the club. It would be good to get parents from the girls side to make that meeting too.

Look forward to hearing from you

Happy new year and lets hope we can get playing football again soon

Mike

Irby away on Saturday

UPDATE - Game called off due to waterlogged pitch.

We kick off 2012 with an away game against Irby. Meet at 10:40 at the latest for an 11:00 start. We know some of you have found difficulty finding the ground on time in the past and we have started without key players for the last two games. So please try to get there for 1o:40.

Directions on here later. The game is not certain to go ahead as the pitches are still wet and much depends on the weather on Thursday. We will let you know if it is called off.

Confirmed team: Lucie (oh yes she's back), Cara, Ellie M, Emma, Lily , Keira (tooth fairy), Kate, Sophie and Caitlin.

Happy New Year/2012 training starts here.

Happy New Year to all girls and their families. The January fixtures have just been published and take us to Irby ko 11 this Saturday before meeting them again at Waverton on 14 Jan in the Cup. Then we finish with a game against Birkenhead at the Delph on 21 Jan (only if we can get a coach to cover Mike who will be away) with no game on 28.

Training starts again this Tuesday (3 Jan) at Northgate. Cost has gone up to £25. For the moment we can sustain it at £2 per player but only if we keep getting the numbers. If they drop we will have to go to £10 per month in advance to cover our costs.

See you Tuesday to run all that Christmas pudding off!