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.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Friday, December 28, 2012
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.
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.
Friday, December 21, 2012
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.
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.
Saturday, December 15, 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.
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.
Friday, December 14, 2012
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.
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.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
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.
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.
Friday, December 7, 2012
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.
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.
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