Bridge Street Sports Park, Leominster.

Abberley were feeling confident on the back of third place in last week's Bromsgrove tournament. However they knew they would have to work hard against some strong opposition today. The matches were just 8 minutes one way so possession and quick goals were going to be key.

Match 1: Vs Hosts Moor Park. Moor Park were a solid team with some impressive set play, however Abberley started off strong, working the ball around the pitch, and assertive strikes from Jenny and Annie gave us a 2-0 victory and 5 points.

Match 2: Vs Winterfold. There were some strong players in the Winterfold team and it took a lot of skill and dedication from Holly, Annie and Alison to keep them away from the goal. Posession was even and Abberley had a couple of good chances. Unfortunatly Winterfold managed to slip a goal past Burtie in the last minute of the match. A loss 0-1.

Match 3: Vs Lucton. This is a match that Abberley really should have dominated, however the girls sat back and watched rather than continuing their strong team play. Great effort from captain Jenny: she had to take a penalty flick at which point CPW & CE felt horrified as we had not practised any. Jenny's technique was faultless, however the goalie made the save. A draw 0-0 and 2 points.

Match 4: Vs The Elms. This was another close game. Possession was even and Abberley even had two short corners where Jenny's fiersome shots from the top of the circle were just millimetres wide of the post! So unlucky. The Elms had good set play and passed the ball around the pitch well. A narrow loss 0-1.

Match 5: Vs St Richards. With only 7 points so far the girls knew that they had to turn things around now or they would be going home dissappointed. Fortunately Abberley rediscovered their form and with a hat-trick from captain Jenny (including a goal set up by sweeper Holly) and a goal from Immy, they secured another 5 points.

Match 6: Vs Monmouth. A team we had not played before but appeared to have some strong players. Olivia worked well up front to set Jenny up with the first of two great goals. She would have had another hat-trick had advantage been played but after the ball found the backboard Abberley had to go back to take a free-hit just outside the circle! A win and 5 more points.

Match 7: Vs Moreton Hall. Another unknown force but with a loud team cheer. It was the turn of the U12 contingent to show their excellent team play as Immy and Alison worked the ball around the defence to score the first goal. Jenny was robbed of another goal in this match because the opposition umpire decided it was lifted and disallowed it. Even so -
5 more points.

Match 8: Vs Hereford Cathedral School. Abberley were desperate for another win, however HCS had possession for the first half of the game and the girls seemed unable to retrieve it. Time was running out when Annie produced another trademark goal (now christened 'Doing-an-Annie' - dribbling the ball up the wing at 90 miles-an-hour followed by a firecracking strike from the edge of the D just inside the left hand post). A win and 5 more points!!

After all 8 matches we were on 27 points. The Elms had won all of their games and were way out ahead. Our fate now lay on the result between Winterfold and St Richards - a draw or win for St Richards would deny Winterfold 5 points and give Abberley 2nd Place. Slightly unexpectedly Winterfold were unable to dominate and St Richards battled bravely to finish 1-1 (aided by very loud cheers from Abberley).

Abberley finished a well deserved 2nd. A result which reflects their skills and efforts throughout the season. Well done girls!!