Trick or Treat?

AFC Waverton 9 - Heygarth Utd 1

Sparkling Autumn day. First League win of the season won in convincing style. All's well with the world.

Nicola scored 5 to take her tally to 13 for the season with goals being provided by Olivia (2), Lily and Emma. This was a dominant display and provided some cheer following last week's defeat at Greenleas.

With the luxury of 8 fit and keen yellow shirted girls at 9:30, Nicola volunteered to start on the bench. We don't have a bench, but you know what we mean.

So the yellows lined up against the yellows with green bibs. Cara returned from international duty to reclaim the number 1 jersey with Ellie M and Aimee in front of her. In the middle of the middle sat Captain Emma, with the two little 'L's Lily and Laura either side. Up front was Olivia of whom great things were expected. From her Dad anyway.

For the first five minutes the sleeping sickness descended and it was a bit, well sort of messy really. That's messy with a 'y' not with an 'i'.

And then it came together, good work down the right left Olivia to make a great pass to the unmarked Lily on the left who calmly, as they would say on Match of the Day, slotted home. First goal of the season for Lily and first blood to the yellows.

The provider of that goal popped up soon after for a 'tap-in'. Two-goal of the season Olivia looked well chuffed. Nicola came on for the stitch sufferer Emma and her pace and strength frightened the life out of the Eastham defenders. Nicola though was trying too hard and balls were despatched into the car park, the tennis court and nearly onto the school field instead of the net. Good things come to all those who wait as my mother used to say and it would be true of Nicola.

The half time comments from the girls were that Cara's lip was burnt and Olivia saying that she couldn't play in defence and "If they score, it's not my fault ok?"

In the second half it was all Waverton with great goals from super defender Olivia and Emma. Nicola though dominated the goal scoring in the second period with 5 to her name. She was convinced she scored 6 but she hadn't. Good stuff all the same which brought the man of the match award.

Each player took a turn on the fictious bench. Lily was pushed, ironically through the "respect' barrier by one of Heygarth players, which could have been nasty. If it had happened on the other side where the u16s had been playing, Lily would have finished up in the centre circle of that game. In the final minutes Heygarth scored a great consolation goal, a shot from way out which bounced off the cross bar into the net above Cara.

So for Waverton, Halloween was a non-scary day. Well done everyone.

MOM for Waverton - Nicola Jones, for Heygarth Emma Gould

Game v Heygarth this Sat/Winter training arrangements

This Saturday we play Heygarth Utd at home. Kick off at 9:30 but please meet there at 9:00.

Kiera and Ellie R are away. Can all other players confirm their availability with Mike on 07901552261 or on the poll on the right. This is important as Heygarth will not be happy if they travel down on Saturday to find us unable to put out a team. So unless enough players have confirmed by Friday night, the game will be called off and we will lose the points.

We spent last Saturday afternoon at the club repairing and tidying up the green lock up. This is now in pristine condition and all coaches and parents must keep it that way. The state of the lock up was nearly a resignation matter for the Club Chairman.

Training on the Queens Field in midweek is now not possible again until March. We lost the indoor booking at Christleton Sports Hall and many phone calls and discussions haven't come up with anything for us. Mike even thought he had secured an arrangement with Christleton Football Club to train on the field under floodlights but when he went to meet the chairman the Club decided that they couldn't cope with a group of u14 girls showing their first team how to play football. What happened to community spirit?

Anyway after half term we shall start off sharing the outdoor pitch at Christleton Sports Centre that the u16 girls have managed to grab. Its not ideal for the coaches nor for the girls being 5:30 -6:30 on Wednesdays. There may be some nights when for work and other commitments Heather or Mike can't make it and we'll have to cancel, but for now its the best we can get. It is only remotely feasible because of the continuing problems that Heather is having on her knee meaning that she won't be able to train with Birmingham City Ladies on Wednesdays for the rest of the season (this is why our training has been Tuesdays). Heather is gutted by the seriousness of the injury but should be able to limp down to the sports centre on most Wednesdays. Treat her gently!

Hooping Cough

Greenleas 7 - AFC Waverton 0

A late kick off at St Georges School due to malfunctioning sat navs. 6v7 looked better than 4v7 at 11:00. Olivia called in sick in the morning and with 4 other players absent, the game against the Greenleas 'A 'side was never going to be a walk in the park. Or school field even.

From the kick off Waverton looked as sharp as a knife and had a couple of attacks. Playing two at the back and three in midfield, Nicola looked strong supported by a lively Laura and Caitlin.

In defence Lily and Ellie looked solid in keeping the hooped shirts at bay. An unfortunate goal though gave the home side the lead as a high shot looped over the stand in keeper Kiera. A loop from the hoops. Cara's on loan gloves weren't able to get anywhere near the ball.

A mix up between Laura and Kiera presented Greenleas with another goal and with the extra player in the side, two other goals followed. At the other end Nicola was very unlucky not to get onto the score sheet. A succession of deep throw ins down the left put pressure on the home side but still Waverton remained goalless at the much welcomed interval.

Greenleas went down to 6 players in the second half making the game, in pure numbers terms anyway, more equal. Waverton had the wind behind them and replacement 'keeper Nicola was able to launch high balls from the back. Caitlin chased all of them but was unable to get a decent shot on target.

Kiera got a nasty kick on the thigh and dropped into defence to replace Lily who moved into midfield. Keeping the coach busy in picking up the first aid kit, Laura then got a ball in her face, but bravely continued. She just smiles so much!

Ellie made a fantastic last ditch tackle to stop a certain goal but the home side did score 3 more despite the heroics of Nicola in goal. Laura and Lily, not exactly the tallest of players at the best of times, were not intimidated by the taller opposition and used their silky skills to get round players. However the best player on the pitch was the smallest, Chelsea Brook of Greenleas. So now you understand why that guy was shouting 'Come on Chelsea'.

Not a game to remember, but the girls did very well in the difficult circumstances. Keep your heads up girls.

MOM - for AFC Waverton, once again, Nicola Jones, for Greenleas Chelsea Brook.

No training this week as there are few players around, the clocks go back tonight and Heather's knee injury is more serious than first thought.

Next Saturday we welcome Heygarth Utd to Waverton for a 9:30 ko. It is absolutely vital that we know whether or not a player is going to be able to play each game. If we can't put out a team, the club gets a fine. That's money that we could do keeping in the club. So let us know early if you can't make it. Thanks.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend and the half term week.

Game v Greenleas on Saturday

This Saturday we have an away game v Greenleas in Wallasey.

UPDATED - WE NOW HAVE CONFIRMATION TODAY THAT THE GAME WILL GO AHEAD AT THE UPPER SCHOOL OF ST GEORGES SCHOOL. THE SCHOOL IS SPLIT OVER TWO SITES AND WE ARE AT THE SITE ON CLAREMOUNT ROAD, THE HOME OF YRS5 and YRS6. FOR THOSE WHO REMEMBER IT IS WHERE WE PLAYED GREENLEAS LAST YEAR.

Take M53 to J1. Follow signs for Wallasey/Wallasey Village. Turn off the motorway and follow the road. A few hundred yards up this road get into the left hand slip just as you go under a road bridge. Take the sliproad which goes round and meets the road you have just gone under. Its easier than it sounds honest. This is Leasowe Road and turn left towards Wallasey Village. After about a mile and into the centre of the village you come to a roundabout. Go straight on down a one way street called St Johns Road. At the end turn left onto St Georges Road (you will see a church on the left) and then immediately right into Mayfield Road. At the end turn left on Claremount Avenue and the school is a few hundred yards down on the right hand side. Park on the street if you can't get into the school. The field is at the back of the school.

Nobody got lost last year!

Kick off is at 11:00. Meet there at 10:30. If anybody needs a lift there are spaces in at least 2 cars going.

We have 7 confirmed players :

Nicola, Kiera, Lily, Caitlin, Ellie M, Laura, Olivia.

See you there. If you get lost Mike's number is 07901552261.

Tuesday training cancelled this week

Training has had to be called off this Tuesday. Apologies for this. Heathers knee injury has flared up again meaning she can't walk whilst Mike is on a scouting mission in the Champions League. See you all on Saturday

Wake up it's a beautiful morning

AFC Waverton 3 - Greenleas Celtic 4

From now on we should only play the second half of the game as for the second game in a row, half time has been the point where the team wakes up, starts believing in itself and plays good attacking football. Last time against Birkenhead the girls got it back to 4-4 but this time they came so close to winning the game after being 3-0 down at the interval. Unfortunately the visitors scored a great goal in the final minutes to take the points but this should take nothing away from a fantastic performance and a second half which was a real advert for girls football.

A good squad turnout and the nice Autumn sunshine all looked good at 9:30, but by 9:31 things didn't look so rosy when on the first Celtic attack the ball was in the back of the Waverton net. Cara was still eating her Weetabix, this was unfair. A few minutes later the score was doubled as our defence struggled to clear the ball. Although another goal gave the visitors (and some of our parents it must be said) the impression that this would be a thrashing, the team started to play and to look more solid. Olivia had a couple of chances to score including a great run down the left which left her one on one with the keeper. Nicola too had chances which she put just the wrong side of the post and Waverton won a number of corners as half time approached.

At half time the advice was again about not just watching the ball but players drifting past us and the need for our girls to give everything and keep tracking back and forward as their were play hungry players itching to get off the bench. The second half performance was much better and with Nicola looking to use her strength and speed to run at the defence with every opportunity, a goal looked likely. It came from Nicola following a cleared shot from Kiera which boosted confidence more. Then a great attack involving Nicola worked the ball to Olivia on the left who coolly slotted home to collect her first goal of the season. At the other end, Cara was in absolute top form in goal denying attack after attack with some brave saves that would have graced the Premier League.

Another Nicola goal brought the scores level and a real feeling that a win was possible. The Greenleas 'keeper got hurt in a challenge with Nicola but recovered well. In the dying minutes though a breakaway from the hooped shirted girls resulted in the fourth and deciding goal for the visitors.

This was an excellent performance which would have brought victory against a good side had it not been for the poor start. The encouraging things were the rise in confidence levels, the great team spirit, a determination to not be beaten, discussing and learning from the mistakes and the excellent football all over the pitch. Most of all the girls obviously enjoyed it.

Have a good weekend

MOM for AFC Waverton - Kiera Berry, for Greenleas Celtic Danni Boyard.

Training Tuesday at 5:30. KEEP AN EYE ON THIS WEBSITE THOUGH AS HEATHER'S KNEE RECOVERY HAS GONE BACKWARDS AND THERE WILL A FITNESS TEST ON MONDAY!

Game away at Greenleas (Wallasey) next Saturday. It is the first Sat of half term. Can players let Mike know asap if they can't play if they haven't done so already?

Celtic visit on Saturday

We're back into some action on Saturday morning at Waverton when we welcome Greenleas Celtic for a 9:30 kick off. Our u12s are kicking off at the same time so say hello to our younger girls as they are all new to the Club.

Greenleas Celtic play in, wait for it, Celtic type hoops (well they were never going to play in blue were they?) and are from Wallasey. We played against their u12s last year and they were quite good. That's all we know really.

All players should be available. Meet bright and early at 9:00. These constantly changing kick off times are ruining my Saturday plans!

See you Saturday

Saturday's game off

We have had to call off Saturday's game against Delta Colts in Wallasey unfortunately. This is because the 12:30 kick off meant that neither Mike nor Heather could be there because of other commitments in the afternoon and other authorised people in the club could not make it either. The League has tried very hard over the last few days to get other games rearranged so that we could have an earlier kick off at the Delph, but it has not been possible.

We are very sorry, particularly since our game last Saturday raised our confidence levels, but it is just unfortunate. Enjoy the Saturday off.

Training next Tuesday at the earlier time of 5:30 given the disappearing light and again apologies to those girls who struggle to make this time.

We are back at home next Saturday against Greenleas and then have two games over the half term weekends. Please let Mike or Heather know if you cannot make any of those games as we might need to postpone if we can't get 7 players out.

Nic nicks the first point

AFC Waverton 4- Birkenhead Youth Ladies 4

A last minute goal from Nicola gave Waverton a share of the points and was an appropriate ending for a well fought game. Caitlin's pass from the centre was just right and Nicola running onto the ball smashed it past the 'keeper and the celebrations began.

On the big pitch it was Birkenhead who took the lead when a free kick deceived everyone and sailed in past Cara. Waverton though equalised through a great shot from Nicola. Birkenhead showed their strength and got two more goals back before half time but in between Caitlin got onto the score sheet with a fantastic shot from the right.

So 3-2 at half time gave the Waverton girls a real chance to get back into it and win their first points of the season. The second half performance was excellent. Aimee was real class at the back alongside Ellie Mageean who was calm and cool. Ellie Riste and Lily never stopped running and Olivia and Kiera showed some excellent touches. It was great team work that gave the Waverton girls the edge and Kiera's goal which took the game to 3-3 was testimony to the team play.

With the clock ticking away Birkenhead broke and their attack ended with the ball in the net and the girls all jumped on top of each other thinking they had sealed it. With great determination, Nicola grabbed hold of the ball and took it to the restart showing how much she cared to not lose. It was fitting therefore that a minute later she popped up to meet Caitlin's pass and smash the ball home to send her to the top of the goalscorers list.

There were some really good performances today. Cara was brilliant in goal and we should thank her for staying in for the whole hour. Aimee had her best game of the season and looked absolutely solid at the back and all the others were fantastic too.

Well done girls you were all excellent. Have a good weekend! Get well Emma, we're sorry you had to miss it.

MOM for Waverton - Kiera Berry, for Birkenhead Youth, Georgia Fairclough.

Training this Tuesday at 6pm.

FA Respect Campaign

LOSE RESPECT, LOSE THE GAME

Stamp out abuse of our players from the sidelines

Click on the links below to take you to a video made by the FA, starring Ray Winstone highlighting the problems of abuse in our junior game. It is very good.

Respect

Further information and videos to follow.