New London Lionesses v Watford Ladies

Today a group of players that started a journey with me as 15-year-olds playing U18 football played their final competitive match as the reserve team with many of them due to leave for University to begin their studies both in the UK and USA. With this in mind we took 17 players to the game including many who we hope will be able to make the step-up next season into the first team. After some indifferent recent results as we tried to regain the fluidity and momentum that we had showed prior to the last lockdown. Thankfully we were finally back to our swashbuckling best as we took on New London Lionesses at Hackney Marshes.

GAME 1

No slow started this week as the players went about their business, winning the early physical battle with Charmain Dakin determined to stamp her authority in midfield. Once this was established Katie Riddington opened the scoring assisted by Hannah Brown on 14mins. Shortly after our second goal was added by way of a deflection following good work from Katie Riddington on 32mins. Our third goal came from our most reliable source of goals, Hannah Brown assisted again by Katie Riddington on 38mins. Hannah Brown added a fourth assisted by Katie Philpott 49mins and completed her hat trick again assisted by Katie Philpott in the 55min. Katie Riddington completed the scoring with the final goal of this match assisted by the excellent Emma Buse 57min

Player of the match was Neve Twomey with a sure-footed half back display that was personally very pleasing for the coaches. An ever constant, reliable player that we will miss, with her total of 47 appearances, evidence of her value to this team over these past three years.

GAME 2

Going into the second game we were able to freshen up our team and go again making six changes introducing our new players and they didn’t disappoint continuing where we had left off with Katie Riddington again opening the scoring assisted by Lillie Clibbon-Grant 12min. By now the team was in full flow and there was nothing for the coaches to do but enjoy the display with Katie Riddington striking again in the 29min this time set up by Alex Roye-Banton to complete her four-goal haul for the day. We made further changes at half time to ensure all the 17 players played a minimum of 60 minutes. The scoring was continued with a goal by Alex Roye-Banton this time assisted by Hannah Webber in the 54min. Hannah Perkins added a fourth goal from long range for her first senior goal 56min

By now Hannah Webber was searching for her first competitive goal for the team in her final game and with seconds remaining it duly came for our most improved player. Receiving a pass from Alex Roye-Banton to rifle the ball into the top right-hand stanchion to bring the house down.

Player of the match was Katie Riddington who was back to her thrilling best with a devasting display of attacking intent that will leave the opposition defenders with a sleepless night.

And so, the journey for this group of players I've been privileged to coach and manage these past three years is at an end. A group without equal in terms of their professionalism, attitude, love of the game and application both at every training session and every match, home and away, win lose or draw. They have given me their trust and respect with regards to their football development as have their parents and for that I am truly grateful.

As they go on to play for their University teams both in the UK and the United States, I have no doubt that they will return is some capacity, be it as players, coaches or just supporters of the club. However, this is not totally the end as we transition into the first team, I'm sure I can continue to count on the support of these players both at training and for the exceptionally challenging friendly games we have taken on to assess and prepare the new players for the challenges of next season, and it is due to their willingness to help that I would expect the transition of new players into the team to be a smooth one.