Friday 22nd January saw the newly formed Ross Juniors Ladies side play their first competitive match. The team has trained just 5 times to date but were keen to play a match and to wear their new kit which has been generously sponsored by Berry Game Birds, a local company. Trying to find opposition in women's football is always a challenge with just 2 other sides in the whole of Herefordshire who both are far more experienced than Ross' new team.
Fortunately Dave Johnson's Under 16's Ross Juniors girls team who play in the Gloucestershire Girls League stepped forward. The game had attracted quite a bit of interest locally and over 60 spectators turned up at JKHS to watch it. The Under 16's proved strong opponents and quickly took an early lead, they held on to this lead before adding another goal before the end to make it a deserved 2-0 victory. The Under 16's were well organised and played some great football at times. The Ross Ladies side though were thrilled with the result for their first match and are keen for a rematch, the team grew into the game as it went on. Minnie Hodges when called on in goal made some great saves and some of the more experienced Ross players like Danie Ward, Rosie Davenport and Nicola Wall caused the under 16 defence problems all game. Half the current team have played plenty of women's and girls' football previously, for many of the others it was their first ever competitive game of football.
A couple of players have been to have as many team socials as training sessions, which clearly illustrates the teams ethos is about having fun, getting fit and socialising!Following the game the club received messages of congratulations form Loren Dyke of Bristol Academy Ladies and the Herefordshire Football Association who through Jodie Williams have been supporting the club. It was also great to hear from Phil Reynolds who had coached many of the younger players in the team up to Under 16 level, it was one of his players Rosie who came up with the idea of starting a ladies team.
The Ladies team train fortnightly at JKHS on a Friday 6-7.30pm, the next training session will be Friday 5th February. Then the next game is a home fixture on Friday 12th February at JKHS vs Welland Ladies FC from the Gloucestershire women's league. Dan Morris and Jim Loftus could not decide on an individual Berry Game Birds player of the match and felt it was only appropriate to award it to the whole team.All new players are welcome just turn up to training, no previous experience needed.
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