“It’s been a difficult and trying year and if we go by results we have had a very poor season losing every game. However despite losing every week the team spirit has been good with everyone turning up to the next game starting afresh and giving 100%.”

I personally remember one goal being scored that season – which was great but unfortunately it was an own goal!

The following year at the 2015 AGM the Ladies 3rd team was reported to have

“Had a good season compared to last, coming 5th in a very close league. A new system was introduced and with the help of Anthony Paton, and the senior players the juniors have made good progress. The team has gelled well and work nicely together”.

What of this season?

Well, with practically the same team that began the 2014 season

> We have to date played 7 games and won 7 games.

> We have scored an impressive 29 goals and have only conceded 7

> We are at the top of the table with 21 points - 6 ahead of our nearest rivals Rushden & Higham and Wootton Wanderers.

The tremendous team spirit the squad now displays was demonstrated very well in our final re-arranged game before the Christmas break when we took on 2nd placed Wootton. The team had to withstand tremendous pressure against an extremely strong Wootton side but held firm and eventually emerged 2 – 1 winners in this vital top of the league clash.

The 3rd team is in a very good place as we near the end of 2016 and thanks must go to Shez and Barry and the 2nd X1 who have taken us under their wing. We have had to work hard at training sessions which have been both relevant and instructive and we have been able to transfer skills and ideas learnt there into our matches. Thanks also to our Captains who have helped to make the games fun and enjoyable through very positive encouragement even when things were not going too well,

The only downside, if there is one, is the pressure to keep on winning games in 2017!

A different but more enjoyable pressure however than trying to win a single point as we were in 2014.