First season together for the girls, for some, first time playing football or a team sport. So, starting from scratch for the experience of training exercises and playing football matches for the majority of the squad. 12 wins out of 15 games provides an extremely satisfying and rewarding debut season, with an exciting future ahead.
8 clean sheets and 5 other games only 1 goal conceded gives us an excellent team defensive platform to build on. Our team spirit is based on not conceding as we are confident, we will score goals.
The strides this team made together were evident midway through the season. Our first two games of the season resulted in a hard fought 2-1 win against Kibworth Town and a plucky 1-1 draw against Loughborough Foxes. Both games the girls had to dig in deep to earn the positive results. The return fixtures resulted in convincing wins, 13-0 and 5-0 respectively and provided a guide of improvement.
Christmas break and weather disrupted the season with no games in February and then of course the premature end to the season midway through March due to the pandemic. Before then the girls had disposed of arch rivals Oadby Owls and top-flight Market Bosworth in the Leicester City Cup to reach the quarter finals. With games scheduled in this round and the Semi Final against teams we had easily beaten in the league, a Cup Final placing was a realistic and exciting target.
The teams we played this season, showed more experience, skill and could play football. Some had been playing together from U7 to present date. However, from day one, our girls showed desire, commitment, fight and a never give in attitude. Battling from start to finish, these girls play for each other. They are not a team…. they are a family.
Squad Review
We as coaches, cannot praise the girls enough for their enthusiasm, energy, determination and willingness to develop and progress in training and matches. They have all been a joy to coach and their improvement both as individuals and team play has been immense.
Voting for individual awards has been exceptionally difficult as they all deserve praise in different ways. Nominations received for each category were spread amongst the players, proving coaches, supporters and players found it tough to agree
Frankie (Appearances 15 Goals 5)
Position – Goalkeeper / Midfielder
Frankie had a busy footballing season, also playing for our U12’s on a Saturday. In our eyes, she is arguably the best goalkeeper in our league. She is fearless, has safe hands, incredible shot stopper and has superb and precise goal kicks. She adds skill and pace as an outfield player, contributing to the team goal count. Goalkeeping can be thankless task, so we are pleased to announce Frankie as joint Parents Player 2019-20.
Parents/Players verdict: Outstanding in goal, performs superbly each week, consistently making great saves, brilliant, excellent performances on the pitch,
Pauline (Appearances 15)
Position – Defender
Pauline had a steady first season improving every week. Reliable, cool and calm, she can play her way out of trouble and easily turn defence into attack. Never panics and has a calming influence on her team mates. Pauline underestimates herself as she has the potential to take opponents on and beat them. Brilliant attitude to training and matches. We are proud to announce Pauline as Coaches Player for 2019-20
Parents/Players verdict: Big improvement and takes on board constructive advice, consistently good, supportive to her team.
Ruby (Appearances 14 Goals 2)
Position – Defender
Ruby has utilized her strength and experience of playing against boys for Weedon Juniors. A rock and the heart of defence, Ruby can be trusted to defend the line heroically. Utility player, plays in defence but happy to play midfield or forward. She is strong in her tackles, reads the game well to clear the danger and scored goal of the season with a screamer from outside of the box. We are proud to announce Ruby as joint Parents Player, and Sponsors Player for 2019-20
Supporters/Players verdict: Made massive improvement throughout the season, constantly awesome at the back, gets stuck in, always on top form and a team player.
Sophie (Appearances 8)
Position – Defender
Unfortunately, Sophie missed a few games in the season due to an injury. She is an assured tackler and breaks up many opponents attacks at goal. Always plays the game with a smile on her face and is determined to give her all for the team and plays the games in a beautiful courteous manner.
Supporters/Players verdict: Trusting in defence, sees danger early, reliable.
Emily (Appearances 14 Goals 4)
Position – Midfielder
Emily’s physique may be misleading to her opponents. They may be shocked to find out she is tough, can handle herself well and is exceptionally quick down the left wing, proving a handful to other midfielders and defenders. Has a sweet left foot chipping in with some vital goals for the team.
Supporters/Players verdict: Extremely quick, tricky, determined.
Vincey (Appearances 13)
Position – Midfielder
Vincey is an old head on young shoulders. She took time to find her position in the team, but has found it perfectly. She plays in the centre of midfield, giving opponents no time on the ball as she snaps in to intercept. Never gives in, if she doesn’t win the first tackle, she makes sure she wins the second. Vincey is always looking for the ball and is determined for the team to do well. She listens to clear instructions and performs them on the pitch to perfection.
Supporters/Players verdict: Terrier like, popular, intelligent footballer.
Soapy (Appearances 15 Goals 3)
Position – Midfielder
Soapy must cost her family a fortune in socks as she absolutely runs her socks off every game. She chases every ball and turns a lost cause into something potential. Always looks dangerous going forward and tracks back to do her fair share of defending as a box to box player. Another utility player, can adapt to play goalkeeper, defence or midfield. Extremely popular with her team mates, we are pleased to announce Soapy as Players Player for 2019-20.
Supporters/Players verdict: Gives 100% commitment and effort every game, shows real determination to win the ball, always tries hard, always puts a lot of effort into each game, scores and sets up some great goals
Bailey (Appearances 12 Goals 4)
Position – Midfielder
Bailey has the strength and skill to run at the opponents and cause havoc. Give her a free role to roam around in midfield, she must be really difficult for opposing teams to contain. Tireless and enthusiastic, Bailey pulls the strings in midfield. Listening to everyone’s advice she has taken any weaknesses and turned them into strengths. We are pleased to announce Bailey as Most improved player for 2019-20
Supporters/Players verdict: Full of running, top player, good passer, play-maker.
Havin (Appearances 12 Goals 13)
Position – Forward
As the season wore on Hav clearly turned from an individual player into an excellent team player. Quick and strong down the right, she has a habit of taking opponents on, and crossing the ball into danger areas. Not afraid to shoot, her powerful shot on target paid dividends as Hav finished with Top Goal Scorer for 2019-20 with an impressive 13 goals out of 12 games.
Supporters/Players verdict: Attempts at goal, great crossing to set up others to score, superb corner kicks.
Hevin (Appearances 12 Goals 7)
Position – Forward
Hev formed an incredible partnership with her sister Hav. She has the selfish streak that is required to be a top forward. She’s a constant menace to defenders, her presence and persistence up front aided her sister to so many goals. Preserves her energy and then utilizes it well with the ball at her feet. Not afraid to voice her opinion, her team mates soon know if they are not giving 100%.
Supporters/Players verdict: Reads the game well, consistent, team player.
Nicole (Appearances 13 Goals 2)
Position – Forward
Nicole is an un-sung hero for the team. She provides so much to the team that goes un rewarded. Constantly running around up front, chasing lost causes, hurrying defenders into mistakes and she can hold the ball up well. The joy on her face when she scored her first goal and they way her team mates celebrated with her with live with me forever. Everyone wants Nicole to do well.
Supporters/Players verdict: Great team player, warrior like, strong, improved loads from the beginning.
Kiki (Appearances 9 Goals 3)
Position – Forward
Kiki joined us mid-way through the season and her pace upfront added a new dimension to our forward play as she terrorized defences. She is another player full of running. Her energy and desire to do well will see her take the ball off anyone on the pitch, including her own team mates. Kiki has it all, pace, strength, vision and determination. All she lacks is self-belief. Towards the end of the season, you could see she started to believe the coaches positive advice as she started to add the one thing missing form her locker…goals. Next season, I am certain she will score many goals.
Supporters/Players verdict: Great team support and effort, super-fast and has great control, team player, unselfish, awesome.
Shania (Appearances 1)
Position – Midfielder
Joined us too late to play matches but got a taste in our last game of the season. Shania always tries hard in training. She listens to the coach’s instructions and always gives her all. Like Emily, her size may deceive opponents next year.
Afua
Position – Defender
Like Shania, Afua signed on too late to play matches but certainly showed in training she will be more than capable of holding her own next season. Defensive/Midfield player, she is strong and quick and will take no prisoners.
Thank you
None of our achievements would have been possible without the group of fantastic people we have supporting and helping the team on and off the pitch.
Our Coaches would like to thank Tony for setting the team up as without his first input none of this would have been at all possible. Tim for this fantastic and productive training sessions. Learna for all her patient administrative work. Kunis Coffee and Comics for sponsoring our sky-blue shirts and lastly but not least, the parents for their tremendous positive support they give to the players on matchdays.
Stay safe and we hope to see you all at training in the not too distant future.