TOURNAMENT REPORT – The National Cup
The heat, the hollering, the hammering, where to start?
The Battle Axes headed up to Nottingham University for The National Cup full of hope and a degree of trepidation. As soon as we arrived our hearts sank a little as we learned the schedule had been re jigged to make amendments for a team who couldn’t play and so our new group looked pretty daunting. We were set to play Blackburn, Nottingham Forest, Birmingham, Cheshunt and Northwich.
The Axes battled valiantly throughout all their group games but despite solid shots on goal from every member of the squad nothing converted. We were pressed deep into our defence and Hayley, our goalie was tested throughout. We held our heads high and managed to stave off any embarrassing volley of goals against us but unfortunately lost all our matches.
A mixture of disappointing 1:0 & 2:0 games. We were outclassed and out played by players who had exceptional ball skills and by teams who had a long history of playing together and being coached.
Talking of coaches we were all gobsmacked by the unhelpful and negative screeching from some male coaches on the sidelines & felt sorry for the poor women listening to the negative feedback from their ‘support’ staff.
Day 2 was the turn of the over 50’s squad. A ‘lambs to the slaughter’ feel pervaded as boots hit the 3G in tbe 26°heat. However, The Axes proved themselves to be tough and resilient and came out fighting against Bournemouth and Braunton. Stellar goal keeping from a very brave Sharon Kirk kept the goals at bay. Former champions Bolton were a hard coda to an intensely hot round of games.
It was a challenging competition that could have left us feeling defeated and deflated. However, neither of these feelings pervaded. We left feeling stronger and more united as a group because of how we played and interacted with one another.
We were supportive, positive, valiant and all doggedly determined to play our best until the final whistle. I’m immensely proud of the team. A brilliant group of women who are on a trajectory of greatness beyond the football pitch.
Top level tournaments may not be for us at this point. We know that now. However, that doesn’t dent our enthusiasm for local, regional and friendly tournaments. Fun, friendship and football remains our goal. It was a fabulous experience and every Axe should hold their head high.
Source/pic credit: https://www.facebook.com/battletownfootballclub
Author: The Walking Football
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