A long and enjoyable League season came to a close in Victoria Park Birkenhead on Saturday. Sadly it was a defeat that marked the final game, but one in which the Waverton girls fought very well and were very much in contention for most of the game.
On a sloping pitch that would have been a great sledging spot in January, the Wavertonites lined up with a strapped up Cara in goal, a back two of Emma and Ellie R, a midfield of Kiera, Lily and Laura and Nicola up front. On the imaginary bench were Ellie M and Olivia.
Waverton took their place on the upper side of the pitch, kicking down towards the Mersey, whilst the Hawks played uphill. Our plan was to tire them out and get a 5-0 lead at half time thereby destroying their ambition to win. Sadly things didn't go to plan, but they started off brightly as it was the yellow shirts who grabbed the game by the scruff of its slopey neck.
Within the first couple of minutes a ball in the box found Lily in the centre and she was unlucky not to score, getting winded in the process. A short while later though it was Nicola who stormed through and smashed the ball home to take her to equal place with Caitlin in the leading goalscorers. Nicola had a great chance again when she broke through but her high shot was last seen heading into the Mersey. Cara was awesome in the Waverton goal and her strong kicks were setting us up each time. Emma was brilliant at the back alongside both Ellie R and Ellie M in turn. The Hawks though got one back but Nicola grabbed another before the home team got two more before half time including a well iffy 'did it really cross the line?' goal. 3-2 at the break and time for Ellie Riste's inspirational chocolate brownies.
Playing up hill in the second half didn't daunt our girls as Nicola once again got a goal to make it 3-3 scoring an amazing 22 goals and knocking Caitlin off the top spot by a clear two goals. Game on.
The Hawks took advantage of the slope and Cara was powerless to prevent one of the goals and unlucky to let the other go under her, but given the reduced mobility in her wrists, she is blameless. At the other end, a number of other players had great chances including Ellie R who ran the whole length of the pitch but just couldn't get the final killer shot in. Olivia too had a great mazy run but just couldn't finish it. Emma and Ellie M were solid at the back, Kiera was leading from midfield and Lily and Laura were excellent with their running and sublime passing. Laura took a knock and lay on the floor only for the concerned referee to find her laughing as the supporters laughed at the fist aid bag carrying coach running to her aid. We'll get you back Laura.
Finally Ref Bill Downey blew his whistle and the 2009/10 League season ended. 5 hours later and 70 miles away, Mike witnessed a similar referee's whistle blow the end on 99 years of football league history, but that is a more personal issue.
The waiting lads moved onto the pitch. The Hawks voted Cara as MOM which was even more special as she had played with bandages on both wrists following a fall whilst out walking with her dogs on Friday. She is so brave and well deserved the accolade. Cara has been fantastic in goal in recent weeks and today she was a star.
Although she couldn't play on Saturday, we have to give praise to Caitlin who has only played 9 times but has scored a staggering 20 goals. Thats a better goal to game ratio than Drogba, Rooney and Torres all put together.
Well played girls. You have been a delight to coach all season. It's a shame the team has to be broken up again but we'll all meet again the season after next in the u16s. We have the Waverton Festival on 22 May then finally finishing the season at Poynton on Sunday 20 June.
Watch this space for details of our training schedule. Plus review of the season and news!
