Stamford Girls
Arsenal Ladies v Nottingham Forest Ladies....
Northamptonshire Football Association and Corby Town are delighted to announce that FA Women’s Super League champions Arsenal Ladies will play Women’s Premier League side Nottingham Forest Ladies in a showcase charity match at Steel Park.
In what is the first of its kind to be held in Northamptonshire, the two teams - who boast youth and senior international players - will face each other at the Steelmen's new stadium on Tuesday 21st February 2012 with a 7.45pm kick off.
The match will provide the Gunners Ladies with a pre-season warm-up prior to the start of the second season of the Women’s Super League; Forest on the other hand are coming to the end of their Premier League season.
England reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup last year and many of the Arsenal team are expected to figure in Team GB at the Olympics and then in the 2013 European Championships in Sweden.
Northamptonshire has over 45 girls' teams and 24 adult female teams competing across various leagues, in addition to around 120 girls playing in mixed teams across the youth leagues.
This will be the first match of its kind to be played at Steel Park and it will be officiated by three of the female referees who operate on the men’s Football League and it will be a designated Respect fixture.
Kathryn Hall, Development Officer for Women and Girls football in Northamptonshire, said: “We are delighted to be able to host such a top level women’s fixture in our county and Corby Town will be great hosts.
“A number of Northamptonshire-based players have progressed to compete in the Premier League and some have been fortunate to move to the USA on scholarships. As an example, Annabel Johnson, who played for both Northampton Town and Rushden and Diamonds, is now at Leicester City and training with England Under-19's having started out with Ise Lodge.
“This match will provide players in the county with a great opportunity to see top level women’s football and aspire to reach those same levels.”
David Mallinger, Acting Chairman of Corby Town, added: “It is a real honour for the club that two high profile Ladies teams have agreed to play such a ground breaking fixture at Steel Park.
“The game is growing in popularity and this will be a great opportunity to witness the high standard of women’s football in this country and we are looking forward to welcoming a number of supporters to our new stadium for the first time.
“I hope that the people of Northamptonshire will also take the opportunity to come and support the Ladies and witness how much women’s football has developed in recent years.”
Proceeds from the match are being split between Kids Get Going, a national charity which gives disabled children and young people the opportunity of participating in sport, and the Northamptonshire Swain Benevolent Fund which raises money to support injured footballers in the county.
Tickets for the game are priced at £5 for adults and £2.50 for children under-16 and OAPs. Single tickets are available to purchase in advance from Steel Park on matchdays and Northamptonshire FA offices in person during the week. Admission will also be available on the night of the game but fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance to guarantee entry.
There are three discounted group deals available to purchase online: A family ticket of two adults and three children costs £15; a group ticket for two adults and 15 children is £40 and a group booking for 15 adults available for just £60.
Tickets are available online HERE
Stamford Girls u15 3-2 Terrington Tigers u15
On a very blustery day Terrington had the advantage of playing with the wind in the first half. Stamford conceded two goals in the first half, both giving the goalie no chance. Stamford were unlucky with the second with no match official seeing the Terrington forward pushing and shirt tugging in the area.
In the second half, Stamford got their game on and dominated. Ward opened the Stamford scoring by taking a very well finished chance, following a cross from Smith. Further pressure in the penalty area, following a Worthington corner, caused an own goal from Terrington and a fine move from back to front saw Ward finishing with precision to put Stamford in front.
This game illustrated that when Stamford pass and move they can dominate and win the game, despite being behind. Cotterill took the player of the match plaudits with a mistake free defensive display.
STAMFORD :- Worthington, Kaufman, Cotterill, Want, Henshaw, Bailey, Ireland, Clarke, Smith, Walpole, Heyward, Ward, Smith, Tolo, Hyland
Estover 3-4 Stamford
Stamford dominated this game and took a 2 – 0 lead going into half time. With Henshaw and Ward both having the speed and touch to beat the Estover defence at will, Ward powered in two goals despite the Estover goalie making a string of fine saves.
An inability to clear a corner led Estover to poke in a shot early in the second half to make it 2-1. However Stamford maintained control with two Henshaw goals. The front two of Henshaw and Ward looked threatening every time they went forward. Two late consolation goal flattered Estover, with the final score of 4-3 not reflecting the balance of play and chances.
With every Stamford player putting in an excellent performance, stand in keeper Bailey nabbed the player of the match award with a vocal and sure gloved performance between the sticks.
STAMFORD:- Worthington, Kaufman, Cotterill, Want, Henshaw, Bailey, Tolo, Clarke, Smith, Walpole, Heyward, Ward
Sunday 4th December
Stamford Girls U15 2-5 The Wootons Girls
During Sunday’s home match, it seemed like the Stamford girls used the absence of a few key players as an excuse to “lower their game”. As well as having to endure an almost unbearable eighty minutes of wind-chill, the loyal fans were forced to watch a display rich in apathy, lethargy and indifference. Although a couple of the Stamford team did their best to press-on-regardless, they couldn’t overcome the defeatist attitude that had overtaken the rest of the players.
The first half began well with some unsuccessful but impressive goal-attempts by Stamford’s Worthington and Want. Soon after, Kaufman scored the first goal of the match, taking advantage of a set-up by Ward. The next ten minutes, or so, saw Stamford continue to look quite strong but this wasn't to last. Twenty minutes in, the Wootons equalised, beating an almost non-existent Stamford defence. With Bailey retired, having injured her foot, from a powerful 30-yard attempt, Stamford appeared to lose interest. The Wootons clearly identified this and took full advantage, putting home another two goals before half time.
Stamford’s game didn’t really improve during the second half, with the Wootons, very easily, scoring another two goals. Stamford’s Ward and Worthington tried their best, with a few, decent, unassisted attempts – one of which Ward turned into a goal five minutes from the end.
For Stamford's supporters, the only real highlights of the match – apart from the two goals – were the lengthy, post-match reprimand by coaches Bailey and Walpole ; and an escaped, poorly-controlled dog invading the pitch.
Stamford: Bailey, Walpole, Ireland, Clarke, Kaufman, Cotterill, Tolo, Ward, Worthington, Want, Hayward.
Player of the match: Worthington
Saturday 26th November 2011
Stamford Girls U15 10-2 Terrington Tigers
Saturday’s match in Norfolk resulted in the Stamford team’s greatest-ever victory since its formation. An overjoyed crowd watched as the girls’ team – virtually unchanged since its original lineup – fired home goal after goal. Sadly, their dedicated, long-time coach, Phil Bailey, was prevented from attending the match and therefore denied the pleasure of witnessing the historic event.
Stamford started the game with a strong wind against them. Despite this, the standard was set forty seconds after kick-off, by Worthington, who weaved through the entire Terrington defence and delivered a morale-boosting first goal. However, five minutes later Terrington equalised. Unfazed by this, Stamford upped their game and very soon Clarke brought them back into the lead with a smoothly planted goal. This was followed-up by goals from Henshaw, Bailey and Worthington – who scored a second. Just before half-time, Terrington mustered some strength and beat the Stamford defence to bag themselves another point.
Going into the second half, 5-2 up, Stamford looked extremely confident. With the wind on their side, it looked as if anything was possible. Sure enough, the goals started coming again - with a Worthington cross being put-home by Ward. Next, Smith knocked one in, from close to the goal and then Ward scored her second from twenty yards out. A few minutes later Ward grabbed herself a hat trick with another strong, positive shot. With two minutes to go, Stamford were treated to their first-ever taste of double-figure-victory when Henshaw scored, as a result of a great Clarke set-up.
With the girls’ performance improving each week, a final position high in the league is beginning to seem a realistic possibility.
Stamford: Bailey, Walpole, Ireland, Clarke, Kaufman, Hyland, Cotterill, Henshaw, Smith, Ward, Haywood, Worthington, Want.
Player of the match: Cotterill
Sunday 18th November 2011
Stamford Girls U15 4-4 Wyberton Wildcats
A cold, foggy start to the day failed to deter Stamford, in what turned out to be a nail-biting eighty minutes for both teams’ supporters.
The Stamford-dominated first-half was peppered with some impressive displays of teamwork and skill. From the very start, some accomplished goal-work by Ireland dented the initial Wyberton enthusiasm, whilst simultaneously “kick-starting” Stamford's positivity. The home-team’s first (allowed) goal came by way of an excellent “three-pass” sequence – that was played-out between Worthington, Bailey and Henshaw - who, gracefully, sent the ball into the corner of the net. Ten minutes later, Worthington headed a second goal in, from the Wyberton 18-yard box.
Five minutes into the second half, Wyberton scored their first goal, from a free kick. Undeterred, Stamford continued to apply the pressure, maintaining dominance within the Wyberton half. From a large cluster of players, close to the goal, Walpole scored – giving Stamford a 3-1 lead. A few minutes later – and clearly not satisfied with just the two goal lead - Ward sliced another one in.
With fifteen minutes to go and 4-1 up, it seemed as if Stamford were going to get a well-deserved, first-ever victory against their long-term rivals. Certainly, as far as the home supporters were concerned, this was a forgone conclusion!
Unfortunately, having worked so hard, for so long, Stamford started to "run out of steam” and inevitably lost their rhythm. Taking advantage of this situation, Wyberton used their saved-up energy to put home another 3 goals – with the equaliser being scored within the final minute.
Overall, an exciting game, for all concerned, with Stamford playing incredibly well.
Stamford: Bailey, Walpole, Ireland, Clarke, Kaufman, Hyland, Cotterill, Henshaw, Smith, Ward, Haywood, Worthington, Want.
Player of the match: Ward
Stamford u15 girls 6-2 Clenchwarton u15 girls
Stamford built on their draw against Wooton with a fine attacking display against Clenchwarton. After three minutes Worthington set the tone with an excellent 20 yard effort that scraped the bar but just missed. Straightaway Clenchwarton bounced back with a shock lead. Stamford’s response came quickly. Walpole shot from 20 yards which resulted in a rebound off the keeper with Clarke on hand to poach a goal. Stamford took the lead after a cut-back from Henshaw was flicked in by Ward. Clenchwarton equalised just before half time. 2-2 at the break.
Stamford helped themselves to a goal fest in the second half, with an effort from Cotterill rebounding off the post for Henshaw to tap in. Cotterill then opened her account for the season by firing in from a corner. Henshaw joined in the goal action by shooting and scoring from distance and Kaufman rounded off a resounding win by poking in from an un-cleared corner kick.
With goals coming from all three forwards, midfield and defence, Stamford should go into the next game with brimming confidence levels.
STAMFORD:- Worthington, Kaufman, Cotterill, Want, Henshaw, Bailey, Ireland, Clarke, Smith, Walpole, Heyward, Ward
Player of the match: Cotterill
Wootton u15 girls 4-4 Stamford u15 Girls
In their third game of the season Stamford girls added two ingredients to the mix: finishing and fight back.
Playing a strong and skilful Wooton team, Stamford could not afford to squander their chances. In the first half Stamford raced into a three goal lead, courtesy of clinical finishing from Clarke, two and Ward, one.
In the second half Wooton upped their game, aided by the slope, and scored three goals in quick succession to level things. A resurgent Wooton then took the lead and Stamford looked beaten. However Stamford dug deep and a fired up Worthington led the fight back, breaking from defence and running the length of the pitch to release Clarke who fired in from a tight angle.
In a fine team performance-two performances stood out Smith and Clarke. But Clarke was awarded player of the match for finishing all three of her chances.
Stamford: Ireland, Hyland, Cotterill, Kaufman, Walpole, Bailey, Smith, Clarke, Tolo, Ward, Worthington, Ferry
Stamford Girls u15 1-2 Terrington Tigers u15
Terrington Tigers played the perfect away game, catching Stamford on the break twice and scoring both chances. Stamford’s Ward fired in to level the game at 1-1, but Terrington’s response was immediate and clinical.
Stamford chased the game but lacked composure in front of goal. Stamford created plenty of chances but finishing them posed a problem, particularly with an in form Terrington keeper blocking their way.
Coach Bailey and his assistant, Mr Walpole, gave the girls an extensive post match de-brief to analyse why their superiority on the pitch did not convert into a victory.
Stamford: Ireland, Hyland, Cotterill, Kaufman, Walpole, Bailey, Henshaw, Clarke, Hayward, Ward, Worthington, Ferry
The under 14 and 16 girls teams have returned from a wonderful week end tour to Skegness. Both teams entered the prestigious Butlins Tournament. Medals of attendance were presented by World Cup hat trick hero Sir Geoff Hurst.
The under 16s won their fair play age group. Under 14s head coach Phil Bailey confirmed everybody who attended, including parents, had thoroughly enjoyed the playing experience and had received compliments from other clubs for their willingness to play passing games combined with a fair competitive spirit.
Wyberton Wildcats U15 Girls 2-0 Stamford U15 Girls
Stamford’s first game of the season was an encouraging narrow defeat by Wyberton, the team tipped to win the league. Stamford’s squad this season has been strengthened by a number of players returning to the fold – Worthington, Ward and Smith. The additions to the squad meant that Coach Bailey had three subs on the bench and had the ability to use them regularly.
Stamford’s defence was statuesque for the first goal, allowing a Wyberton player to run the full length of the pitch before the ball ricocheted off a, ahem, defender. Stamford had the opportunity to equalise but a well taken penalty was pushed out by the Wyberton goalie. Wyberton scored a second with a Wyberton player again making a surging run before firing in, with Stamford tackles notable by their absence.
Stamford made plenty of chances and could have come away with a point. Ward, Henshaw, Bailey and Worthington all went close and the number of chances created must give the team confidence about the coming season.
Stamford: Ireland, Hyland, Tolo, Cotterill, Kaufman, Walpole, Bailey, Henshaw, Clarke, Hayward, Ward, Worthington, Ferry