Nearly there but not quiet

Nearly there, just a few more things to do before we pack up our football boots and head off to the beach for the summer.

First up is the June training sessions. Back for the first two Mondays in June, 6 and 13, 7-8 at Waverton. No messing these will be a couple of serious sessions.

On Saturday 18 June we have the Waverton Football Festival. This is when the whole club turns out to show off who we are and what we do, whilst trying to make a bit of money to keep our subs down. More details to follow, but all girls across the whole years are expected to turn out for the morning. If there is interest we can have a girls v mums game, something which has been talked about in the past.

On Sunday 19 June we have the Halas Hawks tournament which this year will be held in Stourbridge. This is a 5 a side tournament that we enjoyed last year. We will take a limited squad so to avoid players travelling a long way and then only getting a small amount of time on the field. We know some of the girls were frustrated at Sandbach and felt they should have played more minutes, but there was little we could do when we had 3 subs every 10 minute game. We therefore will only look to take 6 players, 7 max. We have 5 definites confirmed (Lucie, Kiera, Elia, Ellie and Lily) so only one more needed to make up the squad. Please let Mike know if interested asap.

Then we have two further events. We want to hold a pizza and presentation evening at the Ring of Bells one Wednesday evening before we break up. We suggest Wednesday 6 July at 6:30.

Finally the girls have talked about a day out to celebrate the end of the season. Alton Towers, Manley Mere, Go Ape and a trip to the beach have been mentioned. We need some feedback and ideas on this from girls and parents as there will be commitments relating to time and cost. We suggest either Sunday 10 or Sunday 17 July.

10 minute spells

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it's the courage to continue that counts"

9 yellow shirts, 9 black shorts, 17 black socks and one sky blue sock (just explain that one to us again Ellie), descended on a Sandbach School field to enter into end of season combat with girls from Crewe and Nantwich, Halton, Manor (Wallasey) and Crossfields (absolutely no idea from where but it sounds like a builder merchants in Middlewich).

Oh it is so tricky with having to pick 6 players and 3 subs, except of course that one of the 6 will be super Lucie.

"Me!"

"It's got to be me Mike!"

"I was here first"

"I'm the tallest"

"I'm the oldest"

"I live in Waverton, you don't"

"I'll tell Mum"

With the tent up, ice creams planned and water taken on board, the first game was against the smart pink and black outfitted Crewe and Nantwich girls. The most experienced line up was sent out, Lucie, Lily, Kiera, Elia, Ellie, and Emma and what a splendid job they did. They were on top for most of the game but fell to a last minute scramble from a corner. Undeserved, but with 10 minute games we have to take our chances and not let the opponents take theirs.

The second game saw the introduction of the other players against our Wallasey League foes Manor. A fairly even game for much of the 10 minutes but 2 goals to the good for the Wirral folk at the end. In the break, Emma's little brother complained that Kiera was pushing him. All nine girls wanted to start the next match.

Next up were Halton, a game we had to win to have any chance of progressing. A very even game overall and a fair 0-0 but given its significance it felt like a defeat.

The final encounter was against Crossfields, probably the tallest girls in the competition. The team selected themselves, literally. Again very even until a late goal did for us.

And so that was it. Au revoir Sandbach. Most of the girls felt deflated but they all gave their best and were always in a fairly even encounter. It was so close such is the nature of short burst football and as a team we are no worse than any of the four teams we met today. We should be proud of how well we have developed and recognise the League we play in is very strong on the Wirral. Not a bad way to see out the last few hours of life on planet earth.

Some girls went off for an ice cream. Emma was dejected and wandered off to pack her suncream. Others helped pack the team tent up and we headed home. Good luck to the u12 girls there tomorrow.

We have an opportunity to take part in the Halesowen tournament again this year. Sunday June 19, the day after the Waverton Football Festival (again as last year). It is 5 a side and it might not be possible nor desirable to take a big squad unless players accept that they will spend time on the sidelines. More details on here soon, but we will be looking for a firm commitment.

No training for the next two Mondays, as we shall have our half term break. We shall train again on Mondays in June until the tournament and that will be our absolute end of the football season, with just the celebration event left. We're looking at Saturday 10/Sunday 11 July to do something.

2011 5-a-side Tournament Entry Form

18^th/19^th June 2011

We invite you to the 22nd annual Halas Hawks 5-a-side football competition, which will be held at Stourbridge Rugby Football Club, Bridgnorth Road, Stourbridge, DY7 6QZ. The event continues to be very popular and clubs are asked to apply early as positions will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis. Please note there is a fee of £25 for each team entered with all cheques made payable to Halas Hawks Junior Football Club. Age groups are as per 2010/11 season. Please complete the details below.

NB: For U7s & U8s we will be holding a round robin football festival. All participants will receive a memento of the day.

……………………………….

Those little biting things

Upton 6 - AFC Waverton 0

Not the end of season game we were hoping for but at least it was great to see a joint u12/u14 team working together in black and yellow. We've seen the future. Well done to Jodie, Ellen, Charlotte and Izzy who joined Kate, Emma, Lily, Rebecca and Lauren. For the first time since the Gabi and Darcy days, two sisters played in the same Waverton team, Lily and Ellen.

The ground was hard, the pitch was small and the midges were biting. However it was far better to staying in and watching Corrie. Wow those throw ins of Emmas are something special aren't they? Think we have a game plan for Saturday. Delap Harrison bring your towel.

Player of the match - Kate for a fine goal keeping display, for Upton, Emily Sullivan.

Upton away and Sandbach

This Thursday we have our final game of the season in the League, away at Upton. Kate, Emma, Lily Rebecca and possibly Lauren, will be joined by 3 u12s and Upton will also play a mixed team. Meet 6:30 for a 6:45 ko. Anybody needing a lift let Mike know on 07901552261. Take M53 to J2 go along the spur and take first slip off it, up to the junction, turn left and Overchurch School is about 1/4 mile on the left hand side.

The first of two tournaments takes place this Saturday at Sandbach. Meet at Sandbach Boys School at 12:40. Games ko at 1. It is 6 a side, we have a squad of 8 - Kate, Lily, Kiera, Emma, Ellie, Elia, Rebecca and Lucie. Anybody needing a lift or wanting to share please contact Mike. The cost of entry is £5 per player. Mike has already paid this so will collect from the girls on Saturday.

Details below. All players please study the rules as they differ from our League rules, mainly the 6 second time allowance for the goalkeepers to hold the ball- watch out Lucie and help her out team!

Your registration is 12.30pm on Saturday 21st May with the tournament commencing at 1pm prompt

The rules and team sheet for the competition are attached please complete team sheet and hand in at registration on the day of your tournament.

The address of venue is Sandbach Boys School, Crewe Road, Sandbach, CW11 3NS

Please advise all your parents and supporters the following school rules and to satisfy health and safety precautions

. There are to be no BBQ's on the site. The Club will run two official BBQ's.

. There is a strict code of no alcohol on the site.

. Toilets: Following last years tournament the school was besieged by complaints from neighbouring houses of children using the hedges. Toilets are provided so there is no excuse. Any team seen using the hedges as toilets will removed from the competition.

. Please make parents and supporters aware there will be a £2 entrance fee for a programme.

. Please refrain from erecting a gazebo in front of the admin tent. A clear line of sight is required from the admin tent over the surrounding pitches also during finals the players parade from the admin tent on to the first pitch.

Thank you again for entering the competition and hope you have an enjoyable day.

Regards

Myles Hanlon

Tournament Organiser.

SANDBACH UNITED FESTIVAL OF FOOTBALL

RULES 21st & 22nd May 2011

1. MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPETITION

The Tournament Organising Committee will adjudicate in all cases of dispute, protest and Complaint.

2. QUALIFICATION AND DECLARATION OF PLAYERS.

2a) All teams will be required to report at least thirty minutes before the start of the competition, irrespective of the schedule time of their first match. Up to ten players may be declared for each team except for under 11 & 12 boys U14 Girls where up to 9 players may be declared.

2b) All players should be bona fide amateur members of their club and should meet the required age qualification as at 1st September 2010. Should any reasonable query arise relating to a player’s age, proof of that player’s date of birth will be required. Players registered with academies or schools of excellence are not eligible to play in the tournament.

2c) Team Managers should ensure that they have a change of strip available for use in the event of a clash of colours (bibs are accepted). If this occurs the away team will be required to change.

2d) Teams MUST be affiliated to their respective County Football Association and have at least the minimum insurance requirement as dictated by their respective County Football Association.

3. PLAYERS EQUIPMENT

3a) Football boots or Trainers shall be allowed.

3b) The wearing of shin guards, covered by stockings is compulsory.

3c) The wearing of jewelry including ear-rings during a game is forbidden.

3d) For safety reasons extra footballs will not be allowed. Any footballs being used that are not part of the competition will be held by the tournament organising committee and returned at the end of the age group competition or when the team leaves the competition whichever occurs first.

4.FIELD OF PLAY

4a) Each pitch will be a maximum size 60 yards long and 40 yards wide, The pitch sizes may be within 10% of this criteria but not larger. The penalty area will be 18 yards wide and 10 yards deep.

4b) The goal size will be 12ft x 6ft.

4c) A size 3 ball will be used for under 7s & 8s and a size 4 ball for under 9s, 10s, 11s, 12s, and girls.

4d) No person other than the manager and one assistant and the players and substitutes will be allowed on the pitch side of the rope. All substitutes and substituted players must wear a different colour if they are not on the pitch playing.

5. COMPETITION

5a) There will be no competition for Under 7s & 8s all teams will play on a round robin basis with no scores recorded. Each player taking part at Under 7 & 8 will receive a medal when all fixtures are completed. A trophy will be awarded by the tournament committee to the team considered to be the most sporting and fair.

Seven players including the goalkeeper are allowed on the field of play at any one time except for Under 11 and 12 boys U14 Girls where six players including the goalkeeper are allowed on the field of play at any one time. A maximum of three substitutes can be used during the game when there is a suitable stoppage in play and with the referee’s permission. Substitutes may be made on a roll on roll off basis I.e. a player substituted may come back on to the field of play at a later point in the game.

5b) In the qualifying competition for U9, U10, U11 U12 and Girls three points will be awarded for a win, two points for a score draw and one point for a no score draw. In the event of two teams finishing with an equal number of points for a qualifying place, the qualifier will be decided by the following, in order:

1b) The result of the two affected teams, if there are 3 or more teams start with goal difference.

2b) Goal Difference

3b) Goals Scored

4b) Play Off: Each team starts with 1 player less and will loose a player every 1 minute upto a minimum of three a side until a goal is scored.

5b) Quarter Final, Semi Final and Final. Time allowance will be decided on the day of the tournament and may be different to each individual age group. Should the scores be equal at the end of normal time, then extra time will take place to rule (4) as above.

6) Any team failing to report for a match on time will forfeit that match, which will be awarded to their opponents by a 2-0 score.

6 PLAYING RULES

6a) Play will start and re-start after a goal has been scored with a centre kick which must be passed forward, the ball must be touched by another player before the person taking the centre kick can touch the ball again, opposition players must be a minimum distance of 5 yards from the centre when the kick is taken.

6b) Any player may enter the penalty area, any foul committed by the defending team in their own area will result in a penalty kick. The goalkeeper may touch the ball with their hands anywhere in the penalty area, and are permitted to take as many steps as they like with the ball in their hands in the penalty area. Any goalkeeper holding on to the ball for more than 6 seconds will result in a direct free kick being awarded on the penalty area line parallel to the goal line at the nearest point to where the offence was committed.

6c) Goalkeepers may use any method to put the ball back into play.

6d) Goal kicks are to be taken from any point within the penalty area by the defending team. All opposing players must stand outside the penalty area at least five yards away from the ball.

6e) A goalkeeper cannot pick up a back pass (except for u7 & u8) If a goalkeeper picks up a back pass a direct free kick will be awarded on the penalty area line parallel to the goal line to the nearest point to where the offence was committed.

6f) Opposing players must stand at least 5 yards from the ball at free kicks, all free kicks are direct.

6g) Penalty kicks will be taken from the goal line opposite the centre of the goal. Distance will be determined as per age group with a minimum of 7 and a maximum of 10 yards from the goal line.

6h) At corners opposing players must stand at least five yards from the ball.

6i) There is no offside.

6j) Throw ins should be over arm and within the laws of the game, referees will allow a degree of flexibility unless foul throw ins are persistently being made.

Each team manager is responsible for providing their team with a first aid kit.

ALL GAME SHOULD BE PLAYED WITHIN THE SMALL SIDED SPIRIT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MID-CHESHIRE YOUTH LEAGUE CODE OF CONDUCT AS PROVIDED TO YOU WITH YOUR APPLICATION.

7. OFFICIALS

7a) Registered referees where possible will be appointed, at the conclusion of each game the referee shall be responsible for notifying the Tournament Organising Committee via the pitch steward of the result.

7b) Time keeping will be the sole responsibility of the Referee, time will be added on for stoppages only at the discretion of the Referee.

8. MISCONDUCT

8a) Any player receiving two cautions, dismissed from the field of play by the Referee during a match, or reported by the Referee for misconduct before or after a match, must change out of kit and will not be permitted to take any further part in the competition. Additionally the Tournament Organising Committee reserves the right to expel any team from the competition, on the event of serious misconduct of players, officials or spectators connected with that team.

8b) All cases of misconduct will be reported to the Cheshire County F A.

8c) Any player, official or spectator found to have damaged any property will be deemed to be guilty of serious misconduct and will be expelled from the competition. The club concerned may also be charged with failing to control their players/spectators.

9.TROPHIES

9a) The presentation for each competition will take place immediately after the final has been completed. All members of the winning team’s squad and runners-up squad will receive individual awards. The winning team will also receive a trophy.

9b) Any player excluded from the competition under rule 8a shall NOT be entitled to receive any award in respect of that competition.

10. PROTESTS AND COMPLAINTS.10a) All questions of eligibility, qualification of players or interpretation of the rules shall be referred to the Tournament Organising Committee, but no objection relative to the dimensions of the playing area or other appurtenances thereon shall be entertained by the Tournament Organising Committee unless a protest has been lodged with the Referee before the commencement of the game.

Happy hour again

AFC Waverton 5 - Ridgewood Rangers 4

What a fantastic match to end the home season on. End to end, lots of passion, commitment and running from two teams withouts subs. The only sad thing is that it will probably be Ridgewood's last ever match, as the number of girls left playing for the club has reached such a low level that they are likely to fold.

5 girls arrived on time ready for the early 9am kick off. Where was the sixth? Waiting to hear the whistle from her bedroom? Just as we kicked off, Lauren rushed through the gate and sprinted to the game still eating her breakfast.

With ever present Lucie not present and Emma, Caitlin and Kate all away, the team was down to a bare 6. Ellie offered to start off in goal leaving Lily, Kiera, Elia, Rebecca and last minute Lauren outfield. A diamond of 1-3-1 for the tacticians.

Minutes into the game though the visitors took the lead when a ball wasn't cleared properly and the red shirted Rangers slipped into the net from close range. Elia though was playing really strongly and as she went forward her shot was challenged by a defender but it looped goalwards and into the net. 1-1 and back in it.

Lily went in the nets after another visitors goal and made some excellent saves and the team looked more solid and became more familar with only having 5 outfielders. Lauren and Rebecca were non stop runners covering the attack and defence whilst Kiera and Elia were more the play makers. Ellie in fit for the day Man City socks covered the back on her own. Kiera grabbed a goal back but Ridgewood got another goal to take a 3-2 lead into the interval.

In the second half Lily stayed on in goal before giving way to Kiera and then the dead on her feet Elia. All of the goal keepers played brilliantly and all made crucial saves. Lily , who was playing brilliantly, grabbed a goal back, then Ridgewood scored and then Ellie got another from close range despite the heroic efforts of the visitors defence. Rebecca had a brilliant shot meeting a low cross from the right perfectly but her effort was inches wide. Lauren was so close to getting on the mark too with an excellent effort.

A draw then was on the cards until the final minutes when with Waverton pressing, Kiera scored what she at the time thought was the equaliser but was in fact the winner. The final seconds were played out by 12 shattered girls but the referee blew the whistle and Waverton had won its second game in a month and extended its unbeaten run to the best ever. The girls dropped to the ground and all had given their all.

The game was played in a brilliant spirit and a fantastic way to end the home campaign.

Player of the match was once again, Elia and for Ridgewood Molly Brewster.

Lauren, Lily, Ellie and Kiera stayed on afterwards for bacon butties and to play in the u16s game v Greenleas. All made great contributions to that team with Kiera voted player of the match. Ellie hurt her ankle again in that game and will be out of the games this week.

With Ellie's injury we only have four player available for the game on Tuesday against Birkenhead Youth at the Delph. We have therefore decided to concede it, disappointing given our current run of form, but we can't play with only 4 girls. On Thursday we only have 4 girls too for our game against Upton (ko 6:45 at Overchurch School, Upton), but we are hoping to bring at least a couple of our current u12 girls along too. We will let everyone know.

In the light of the cancellation of Tuesday's game we will run with training this Monday, 7-8 at Waverton, where again some of the u16s will join us. Hopefully we will play our final League game on Thursday and then we have the Sandbach tournament on Saturday. We all need to be there for 1pm. More information on here later. Lifts offered.

Confirmed squad for Thursday - Lily, Emma, Kate, Rebecca.

Confirmed squad for Sandbach - Emma, Lucie, Lily, Ellie (subject to fitness test), Caitlin, Elia Rebecca, and Kate.

We need to start making arrangements for next season and have to put in details of our teams for 2011/12. We intend to enter u16 and u14 teams but not u12 as we are lacking in players. We will talking to all parents and girls about their intentions for next season but we hope everyone will be back playing for us next season.

We also need to think about our end of season celebration. The girls are still talking about Alton Towers!

Ridgewood Rangers game is early kick off

The final home game of the season against Ridgewood Rangers will now kick off at 9:00 to enable the away team coaches to get back for a boys final at 11. Boys eh? They always mess us around don't they?

So, a bright and early start for us. Please meet at Waverton by 8:50. We are missing this season's ever present, Lucie, so we'll need to cover the goal keeping position between us.

Help appreciated with set up as at the moment its just Mike. We will leave it up at the end for the u16s but setting up is going be for us to do.

We are definitely in the Sandbach Tournament on Sat 21 May. All girls will need to be there by 1pm. More details to follow. Confirmed squad - Emma, Lucie, Lily, Rebecca, Caitlin, Elia, Ellie, Kate.

Remember to follow the girls team on twitter = @afcwaverton

Ooh, aaah, listen can you hear it?

Greenleas 2 - AFC Waverton 2

The residents of the houses around St Georges School in Wallasey would have had their Saturday morning quiet punctuated by an hour of "oooh", "aaah", "go on", "yes" "no" etc, such was the excitement. One of them would have their quiet disturbed by a ball nearly hitting their window. It was a great game, another good advert for girls football, and another good encounter with Greenleas.

As the team warmed up, they sang 'Happy Birthday' to Elia, last week's player of the match missing to celebrate with her family, but not forgotten. Ellie was on the subs bench but unlikely to play given her still sore ankle.

The subs selection was done on a toss of a coin with Lily losing out. The team lined up: Lucie still angry from the non-goal last week in the goal with the hole (a big huge hole on the goal line); Kate and Emma at the back; the midfield trio of Rebecca, Kiera and Lauren and surprise visitor Caitlin up front.

Waverton took the initiative with an attack down the right and it soon led to a breakthrough with Kiera putting the ball into the net. 1-0.

Greenleas came back into it and equalised and took the lead soon after. The first was a good goal but the second was a defensive mix up which finished up with Lucie saving a close range shot, scrambling to save it on the ground, but her momentum carried her back into the net holding the ball.

Waverton continued to pepper the home end. Lauren would have scored the goal of the season connecting well from a cross from the right but her shot went over the top. Lily went close, Rebecca went close, Caitlin was inches wide, then inches over, before Kiera picked up a ball on the edge of the box and hit a high firm shot over the keeper and into the net. 2-2 and back in it. At the other end, Emma was unhappy but was doing fine. Kate was playing brilliantly, easily her best game, getting more and more confident and strong as the game went on. Some of her tackles were very well timed.

The half time talk was about keeping things simple and that the game was there for the taking. Rebecca came off with Lauren back on. Kiera had a brilliant chance when she ran through the middle and clashed with the keeper just as she was about to put the ball in the net. It was so brave and she got injured. Caitlin went close again, but too often we were having snatched shots. In training they'd have been buried.

Right to the very end it could have gone either way although it was Waverton who looked stronger. A succession of corners near the whistle put pressure on the home side, but they defended very well.

It ended even, a fair result for all girls on the pitch. If all games were like this, we'd be charging for watching.

Player of the match, Caitlin and for Greenleas Lucy Jones.

Training resumes again on Monday night. 7-8 at Waverton.

Greenleas 2- AFC Waverton 2

Great game at Wallasey and so many chances. Two goals from Kiera, the second being an absolute screamer. Good display all round including an excellent defensive performance from Kate. Player of the match - Caitlin. Report to follow.

Game v Greenleas away on Saturday

We hope to keep up the winning run at Greenleas this Saturday, following the fantastic performance at Victoria Park last weekend.

The game will take place at St Georges School kick off 9:30. Please meet there by 9:15 at the latest. Please can everyone let us know of availability by signing in on the right or texting 07901552261- so far confirmed are Lucie, Ellie (yeah she's ready to go again!), Rebecca, Lily and Kiera. Caitlin is away, Elia is doubtful as its her birthday. All the rest please let us know. If anybody needs a lift let Mike know.

We were only up at St Georges a few weeks ago, so the route should be familar. In case you've forgotten here is the way:

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.

Net busting

Wirral Hawks Girls 1 - AFC Waverton 5

When the fixtures came out, this game looked in doubt given that we could struggle to get 7 girls out on a bank holiday weekend. At 10:45 however we were so pleased that we had managed to play it, the performance was absolutely brilliant and the scoreline easily reflective of the dominance of the yellow shirts.

With football news dominated this week by El Classico, as well of course of the pizza night, we had some Spanish like sunshine and a Spanish star player in player of the match Elia.

The first 7 players arriving at Victoria Park were given the starts, with Rebecca and Kate starting on the bench. In goal was the League's number 1 Lucie, Ellie and Emma at the back, Lily in centre mid with Lauren and Elia alongside and surprise arrival Caitlin up front. Wirral Hawks won the toss and decided to play up the slope. This meant Waverton would have to capitalise on the advantage in the first 30 minutes and would have a tiring task in the second.

The ground was hard and dusty and it was going to be very difficult out there. Lots of breaks and water needed. Lucie was worried about the dust affecting her eyes and wanted to wear sunglasses.

Right from the start Waverton looked sharp. Elia ran down the left and set up a chance for Caitlin. At the back Ellie was buzzin' and was brilliant bringing the ball out. Lauren wide right was playing her best football ever and one pass forward was as inch perfect as it could be. It was brilliant to see how she has improved. Emma was calm and solid at the back and Lily was keeping things together in the centre. Bits and pieces, the centre midfield players simple task.

It was Caitlin though who gave the away side the lead and could have had many more than the 4 she did score before half time. The goals were wide and ripe for a high scoring game. At 1-0 to Waverton though, the Hawks got a goal back in bizarre circumstances. A shot at goal was handled by a yellow shirt and when it spun backwards, Lucie cleared it off the line. However, instead of giving a penalty , the ref gave a goal, explaining that it deserved a goal. Lucie was furious, she had set out this morning with a determination to keep a clean sheet and the ball had not crossed the line. She was adamant later that she would have saved the penalty.

1-1 it was but not for long as Caitlin went up the other end and restored the lead with another net buster.

Lucie made an absolute brilliant save after first misjudging the bounce of a long ball on the hard surface but got back fantastically to knock the ball out for a corner.

The football being played was first class and some of the spectators not connected to the club watching commented on how good it was. Two lads said they were impressed.

Not long before half time, Ellie challenged for a ball on the far side of the field but went over on her ankle in pain. The game was stopped and Ellie was in distress. Cold water and a compress was applied and then ice and then frozen peas from the corner shop courtesy of Mark Brooks. The hard pitch was the culprit, it is so easy to do at this time of the season. Ellie's game was over and although it hadn't swelled up too much at the time, Ellie would later have to go to A&E for a check up.

Lily dropped to the back to play alongside Emma and was superb.

At half time the team talk was just about keeping it simple and doing what the team had been doing in the first half. "Lets do it for Ellie" was the plan.

It was clear that despite having the downhill advantage, and Waverton had lost a star player who had been driving the team along, the heads of the Hawks girls were down and Waverton were managing to keep their lead.

Kate, who was unwell, was thown up front for 10 minutes whilst Caitlin was rested. Kate later almost scored a goal but hit the post following great work from Caitlin. Rebecca too nearly scored when a great cross came over but she just couldn't make it. Lucie kept out the home team with another brave dive on the hard and dusty surface right at the feet of the attackers. She's brilliant.

Caitlin made sure the game was done and dusted with a fifth goal near to the end. That puts her in an uncatchable position in the goalscoring table, impressive for someone who can only play half of the games.

The game ended to cheers from the away side. It had not only been a decisive result against a team that thrashed us 8-2 at Waverton in October, but a brilliant footballing performance. Some of the passing was excellent. Even more the conditions had been tricky with a hard and dusty surface and the heat making running around hard. Losing Ellie too unsettled the side, but they adjusted so well.

Once again Elia was given player of the match, another well deserved accolade for the tricky one. Sophie Goldtress was the Hawks player of the match.

Well done everyone and lets hope Ellie gets better soon.

Funniest bits of the day:

• Geoff the referee trying to explain to our girls before the game that the players must not say 'leave it' or 'mine' when going for the ball, but put a name on it. He was bombarded with a series of questions that made him wish he hadn't started. "No, you can't say Justin Biebers"
• Lucie's face when the non goal was given. You don't mess with an angry Lucie.
• An unamed parent who asked if the goal still counted if the ball went through the back of the net.
• Everyone willing Rebecca to dive to head the ball into the net in the second half.