Training Wednesday/Game at home Saturday/Half term already?

Match report on Saturday's game against Wallasey Wanderers below this post. Lucie was man of the match but you all were very good.

Training this Wednesday, 5:30 - 6:30 at Waverton.

This Saturday we are at home to Upton FC. Kick off is 9:30. All girls please meet there at 9:10 at the latest so we can have a good warm up.

The October fixtures have now been released and are set out to the right of this post> . We have been given games on 23 Oct and 30 Oct which are half term weekends. Please let Mike know ASAP if you are away and cannot play on those dates. Thanks

Other news -

We hope to get a whole new kit. The existing one has been around since we started the girls team. Watch this space.

Training after half term will be in Christleton High School Gym on Mondays 7-8. It's been a nightmare trying to find somewhere and this the best we have been able to sort out that isn't too late and doesn't cost a fortune.

We'll take orders for Winter Training Tops now. Any player who would like one please see Mike. Cost is about £30.

See you all this week!

Some might say

Wallasey Wanderers something - AFC Waverton 2

What is it about us, The Delph and September? Not a good mix.

Despite losing heavily this game was much more even than a cursory look at the score would have you believe. Indeed forgetting the goals for a moment, this was a fairly even game. Alright, it's a bit daft, but thats how it feels.

With Caitlin down south and Molly awaiting FA clearance (getting FA clearance for a Brazillian third division player would be easier than the red tape that is the Wallasey League - oops there's another £20 fine), the Waverton crew was 7 strong. In goal the impressive Lucie was up for it; Ellie and Emma, the two dependables, stood strong at the back; Lily, Kiera and Rebecca were the engine room in midfield; and Elia was the goal grabber up front.

Waverton started the brighter side and had a couple of shots that could have given us the lead, including a great chance from Elia. The home side scored one though and then another from a great flick on header. However, from a Wanderers goal kick, Kiera picked up the ball in the centre and ran straight at goal and let fly from the edge of the box. The ball zoomed past the 'keeper into the net and was a clear candidate for goal of the season. For that time we had 'em. We had 'em. Oh yes Capt Mainwaring we had 'em. Oh how they were worried.

With our girls trying to be here, there and everywhere, Wanderers took control and added to their lead. In the second half some great pressure resulted in an own goal for us.

Lucie was awesome and justified her player of the match award. The goals at the Delph were huge and Lucie showed just how great she is in pulling off some fantastic saves including bravely diving at the feet of on rushing players. Rebecca never stopped running and challenging all game and Elia showed how she is improving her way back into playing competitive football after a year out and was unlucky not to score. Elia also showed how she can tackle, with some crunching interceptions.

Ellie was brilliant and scared the living daylights out of some of her opponents with her tacking. Emma was so strong and well placed in defence and Lily too played superbly in defence when asked to drop back in the second half and was adept at passing the ball out to midfield. Kiera scored that brilliant goal and time after time showed her pallete of silky skills to dodge around players.

So girls, don't be down. You played very well, probably better than last week and remember Wallasey Wanderers are a good, strong, older and experienced side. They also had subs whereas we have to get our rests when the ball when out of play.

Heads up. Won one, lost one. Not a bad start to the season. Bring it on.

MOM Lucie for AFC Waverton, Georgia Fairclough for Wallasey Wanderers.

Wallasey Wanderers game details

On Saturday we play Wallasey Wanderers away at the Delph in Wallasey. Ko is 9:30. Meet there at 9:10 for a warm up. We can offer lifts just let Mike know - 07901552261.

Wanderers are a decent side and we have some good games in the past with them. Still lets try to keep the winning run going!

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. If lost call 07901552261.

Magnificent Seven

AFC Waverton 7 - Vicars Cross 1

The new season kicked off in style as the girls beat local rivals Vicars Cross 7-1 at Waverton. Caitlin signaled her intention to top the goalscorers league by sticking 4 in the net including a real screamer from way out. Ellie popped up from the back with 2 and Kiera finished off a great move to grab some of the glory too.

After their difficult Summer it was great to see 10 Vicars Cross girls turnout at the Queen Field. Waverton had 9 girls ready to do battle, a mixture of last years u14s, last year's u12s and a couple of old friends.

Lucie returned after a season off to keep goal and looked like she'd never been away, Ellie and Emma resumed their partnership in defence, Lily and Rebecca played alongside Captain Berry in midfield and Caitlin led the line. Elia and Molly started on the bench.

Waverton started brightly and camped in the visitors half. Caitlin and Rebecca had great chances to open the season account but the bar and fine heroics from the Vicars Cross 'keeper frustrated the home team. After about 10 minutes though the breakthrough came when Caitlin despatched a low shot into the corner. The visitors however soon got back into it, capitilising on a defensive mix up to put the ball past the grounded Lucie. 1-1 and all to play for.

The yellow shirts started to create a few more chances, although Vicars Cross always looked dangerous on the breakaway. Molly was replicating her u12s form and looked very lively on the left when she came on and Elia worked hard too in her first game for a year. Ellie got a goal from close range before Caitlin despatched a brilliant header from Kiera's corner into the net. A real bullet header and a great goal.

3-1 at half time and the girls were advised to play more of the same in the second half, play for each other, keep it simple and pass the ball between them. Elia moved up front to see if her tricky skills could produce a goal. Rebecca was battling very well in midfield.

The play was pretty much all Waverton and it was borne out as Caitlin and Ellie grabbed two more goals. Lily was putting some great passes through from midfield and it would be only a matter of time before more goals would come. Kiera finished off a great passing move to poke the ball into the corner of net before Caitlin finished off the scoring with a thunderbolt shot from distance which threatened to break the new Samba nets.

So well done girls. A great start to the season and as many of the spectators said, some great football played. It was great to welcome Elia and Lucie back and brilliant to see Rebecca and Molly coping very well with u14 level following the step up from last season. All looks well for a great season!

MOM - Caitlin, for Vicars Cross - Sian Roszich for great first half goal-keeping

Thanks to Robin, Mark, Rick, Lisa and John for the help with setting up and taking down. Much appreciated.

TRAINING THIS THURSDAY 5:30 INSTEAD OF WEDNESDAY - APOLOGIES - Heather is not available this weds.

Here's to next week!

Free Girls football courses

HQ, the coaching company that Heather works for are running FREE football courses for girls. These are based on the Wirral and are starting soon. Anybody interested see Heather.

Girls Football Competitions

The HQ Coaching Centre are running weekly football competitions for girls only at two

centres across Wirral. Each week girls aged 11–16 yrs are invited to attend 2 hour ses-

sions where they will be coached football, play tournaments and will have the opportu-

nity to see how fast their shot is against other girls of similar ages.

The courses are FREE and run for 12 weeks. At the end of the 12 weeks, awards will be

given out to the players with the fastest shot at the Wallasey and Birkenhead Centres by a

female England player.

Birkenhead

Where: Birkenhead Youth Club, Watson St

When: Wednesdays Starts 22ndSeptember

Time: 5.30pm –7.30pm

Ages: 11 –16 years

Wallasey

Where: Leasowe Recreation Centre, Twickenham Drive

When: Tuesdays Starts 21st September

Time: 5.00pm –7.00pm

Ages: 11 –16 years

To add your name to the popular courses please ring 0151 632 4150

New signings/Training Weds /Vicars Cross Saturday

Can we get started please?

Training this Wednesday with Heather. 5:30-6:30 on the Waverton field.

On Saturday we play Vicars Cross at home. kick off is 9:30. Please can everyone meet at Waverton at 9. This is our first Wallasey League encounter with Vicars Cross although we have played them many times at u12 level. It's great to see another Chester side in the Wallasey League which means we will have one easy away trip later in the season when we play them at the Rugby club. The Littleton girls can walk there!

We will need help to set up the pitch and goals for the game on Saturday. We cannot kick off on time if we don't have a support team to do this, so parents help will be very much needed.

Great news this week that we have almost secured the signings of three new players. Molly Attwoood played for our u12s with Rebecca last year and knows many of the girls. Jess Mort and Jade Dodd have also agreed to join us from Wirral Hawks and will bring experience and strength to our side. We'd like to welcome all three girls to the u14s team and a special welcome to Jade and Jess to AFC Waverton. We hope you all enjoy the season.

Training Weds/Game Sat/England Ladies Sunday

STOP PRESS 10AM - GAME OFF

We heard at 9:55 that the game had been called off and spoke directly to the manager and the ref. The earlier game at Overchurch School had been abandoned because of a major downpour and he decided to call off the 11:00 game as well because of the water on the pitch. The Upton Manager described it as an absolute flood. Fortunately everyone was contacted just before they set off.

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Great to see so many girls down for a good pre season workout on Saturday, including Caitlin and Ellie who had both travelled some distance to make it. Hope everyone enjoyed it. Training this Wednesday evening. 5:30-6:30 at Waverton with Heather.

On Saturday we play Upton Rangers away. Caitlin is unavailable. The game will take place at Overchurch School in Upton. Take the M53 to J2 and follow the link road (Moreton Spur) off the motorway to the left. Come off at the first junction and head left. This is Moreton Road. Keep on this road for about 300m when a school appears on the left. This is Overchurch School. Pull into the school entrance and park in the car park. The field is at the back of the school. Please meet there at 10:40 so we can warm up before the 11:00 ko.

We can offer lifts. Please let Mike (07901552261) know if anyone would like a lift there, back or both.

On Sunday evening England Ladies play Switzerland at Shrewsbury Town FC. As an FA Charter Standard club we get up to 25 complimentary tickets free. We are thinking of taking a trip there. Please let Mike know before Saturday if you are interested and are wanting a lift or offering a lift.

Ready for the season?

Time to get out the Wirral A-Z and look forward to a few months of hope, anguish and frustration. And that's just the parents.

The season kicks off in anger next Saturday (11 September) when we travel up to Overchurch School to play Upton. We then meet our very local rivals Vicars Cross who have joined the Wallasey League for the first time. Many of the girls will know each other and we have had some great games against the Dynamoes at u12 level in the past, so that'll be one to really look forward to. The final September fixture sees us travelling up to the Delph to take on Wallasey Wanderers, a team who we had a fantastic encounter with back in March when we took the lead but lost very narrowly.

Our squad is now coming together and the girls who have been pre season training with Heather all look sharp. We welcome back Lucie and Elia, two great players from the season before last plus Rebecca who starred for the u12s last year and who has been around the girls set up at the club since the start. Caitlin, Emma, Kiera, Ellie and Lily all remain from last years u14s and so we have lots of experience. We hope to twist a few arms persuade some more girls to join us and will be going into Christleton, Bishops and maybe Upton high schools in the next few weeks.

We will continue to train at Waverton until mid October from 5:30-6:30 which Heather will take. We have been trying to find a suitable venue for the winter and provisionally have Christleton Sports Centre Hall booked 7-8 on a Tuesday. We will be talking to parents about this as we need commitment as there is a cost of hiring the Hall which we have to pay for. So please let us know whether this is something you can support both time and a cost of maybe £2/£2.50 a week.