Watford v Sutton United

Our opening league game ended in disappointment with a terrible display for which I can only apologise to our supporters. We tried our best to prepare the squad for the start of the season however, for a variety of different reasons we have not been able to produce a level of match fitness across the squad that would enable us to compete properly at this level.

There were a few bright moments most notably Katie Riddington's superb solo goal, and league debuts for 16-year-olds Reese Ayres and in particular Erin Shacklock who came off the bench to put on a virtuoso performance of centre forward play.

We regroup and go again next week away to Dulwich Hamlet and can only hope that the players who are part of this squad can attend training so that they can start/complete their pre-season. There are no short cuts to fitness at this level as was proved today and I hope that this finally acts as a wake-up call.

Our thoughts are with Milly Thomson who is currently still in hospital following a head collision in the 70 min which resulted in her being taken to hospital by ambulance. Simon is still outside the hospital due to covid restrictions and says that she has been on her back in a neck brace since the game, and has had a (precautionary) CT scan and is waiting for the results. She seemed in good spirits when she left and we all wish her a speedy recovery.

Player of the match was Erin Shacklock who did everything right and scored a goal full of character and determination.