It was a proud day for Stamford Strollers on Sunday when our new female walking football team played their first competitive league games.
Stamford 2:2 Lincoln (Thirsk, Kirby)
A tough test faced them in their opener with a game against last year’s league runners up Lincoln, but it didn’t take long for our ladies to surprise the Imps as we were on the front foot from the start. Dominating possession, it didn’t take long for Cath Thirsk to put the Strollers 1-0 ahead with a well taken shot.
The team confidence seemed to grow even more after the first goal and the game continued in the same manner, with Stamford well on top. Merryn Kelby doubled the lead before half time.
As the game wore on, it looked like we would ride the game out with a win in our inaugural game, but sadly two lapses in concentration in the last 5 minutes allowed Lincoln to draw level with two break away goals.
Stamford 0:5 Collingham
It didn’t get any easier for our squad in the second game where they faced up to last year’s champions Collingham. Packed with talented players and displaying excellent team work, Collingham rushed into a 4-0 lead before half time.
A few tweaks at half time and our ladies showed their team spirit as they dug in and battled hard in a much more even second half and were unlucky not to notch a goal or two.
Vicky France in goal was in inspired form for the Strollers and made save after save over the 24 minute match and was singled out for praise by the Collingham manager.
Strollers team manager Taff Lovesey said, “The mettle shown by our ladies in that second half was outstanding. Team spirit is high in this squad. Despite the loss I am proud of how they battled their way back into the game and didn’t let their heads go down at 4-0.”
Stamford 9:0 Cleethorpes Yellow (Kelby 7, Richardson, Keegan)
Bottom of the table Cleethorpes Yellow found the Strollers too hot to handle in the third and final game of matchday 1.
Enjoying almost complete domination only some great goalkeeping from the Cleethorpes keeper kept this one out of double figures as Stamford rained shot after shot at her goal.
Merryn Kelby enjoyed a goal fest with seven goals scored. Jan Richardson and Jemma Keegan added to this to make it a comfortable win.
Strollers sit in 3rd place in the league after matchday 1 and will be looking forward to getting back onto the pitch in December for the next set of games.
Squad:
Jan Richardson (capt), Jemma Keegan, Rosalie Gibbs, Vicki France (GK), Judith Jagger, Rachel Angell, Deb Smith, Julie Marsh, Merryn Kelby, Cath Thirsk
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