2005 to 2014 U18 Lions

MJ Thompson Cup Final

Droitwich Spa Lions U18 Girls 3 – 0 Wordsley Wasps U18

The Lions played a very competitive game in the MJ Thompson Cup Final, organised by the Hereford & Worcestershire County Ladies and Girls League and hosted at Stourport Swifts FC.

U18 LionsWe started with our normal 3-5-2 set up with Gee Howells, Jade Shekells and Jess Bailey providing a strong back line, protecting Jordan Maycroft who was deputising for our goalkeeper Vicky Brown. Unfortunately Vicky couldn’t make the cup final, although she was instrumental in getting the team there. Chloe Lakin provided the holding midfield, with Hollie Somers and Lucy Solloway providing width down the left and right flanks respectively. Through the centres we had Leah Baker and Gee Brooker (Capt) and up front Gemma Wilks and Charlotte Holden. The substitutes were Chloe T Morris and Bobbie Dutton.

Pre Match the Lions changing room was full of loud music, everything from Rock & Roll to “3 Lions on your Shirts” and accompanying banter – the team was well up for showing the crowd a display of Spa football they would not forget, and they didn’t disappoint.

From the off, the passing was crisp and precise and the Lions used the size of the large pitch to their advantage, using both wings and pace to create many opportunities. The first half saw a brace of goals from Lucy Solloway, who settled things down with her first goal just a few minutes after kick off. A number of excellent corners from Leah led to Lucy’s second goal, where her positioning and reactions in the box ensured decisive finish, and there were a number of further chances from all areas of the pitch coming close. Several bar rattling shots provided entertainment to the vocal supporting crowd and the team worked hard for each other. The 3rd goal came from a well worked and creative shot from Charlotte on the edge of the 18yd area to see us going into the half time changing rooms at 3-0.

Once again the carnival mood and accompanying music from the home changing room at half time showed the confidence the Lions had in their ability to provide a similar performance in the second half.

The second half saw changes in personnel and, having the luxury of players that could play in 2 positions (a Lions trait), we continued to demonstrate exhibition football despite Wordsley providing tough opposition. Wordsley continued to press but with our defensive line comprising Bobbie Dutton, Gee Brooker and Jess, and with a forward line of Chloe T Morris and Gemma, the tackles and interceptions plus very quick short passes and movement from back to front, kept Wordsley at bay and continued to create goal scoring opportunities.

The final whistle saw Lions winning 3-0, achieving a consecutive treble of League & Cup titles (2012, 2013 & 2014). However, more poignantly for me, this marked the end of an era with Droitwich Spa Girls football, during which I have been proud and privileged to manage a fantastic girl’s team – the Lions.

Big thanks to Droitwich Spa Boys & Girls Football Club and a special thank you to every player and parent who has been involved and supported the Lions’ journey.

The Droitwich Spa Lions’ Journey – 2005 to 2014 (U10 – U18)

Players who have played for Droitwich Spa Lions since inception.

Felicity Gandy, Becky Williams, Gemma Goldstraw, Harriet Reeve-Langford, Jenny Turner , Lucy Sanders, Holly Wallis, Sally Anne Smith, Sarah Ives, Esme Dyson, Amber Cox, Alex Haffner, Emily Burton, Lizzie Fry, Holly Smith, Leah Cullen, Jas Bishop, Jas Plummer, Lauren Williams, Jordan Blake, Kris Timmins, Lucy Dayer, Kath Maggs, Vicky Brown, Jess Bailey, Jordan Maycroft, Jade Shekells, Gee Brooker, Chloe Lakin, Leah Baker, Lucy Solloway, Hollie Somers, Charlotte Holden, Gemma Wilks, Chloe T Morris, Gee Howells and Olivia Dutton.

Lions Achievements

2005 / 2006 U10 Mercian League Cup Winners ~ 2005 / 2006 U10 Mercian League Runners Up ~ 2008 / 2009 U13 Mercian League Fair Play Winners ~ 2008 / 2009 U13 Worcestershire County FA Female Fair Play Winners ~ 2009 / 2010 U14 Mercian League Runners Up ~ 2009 / 2010 U14 Worcestershire County Tesco Cup Winners ~ 2009 / 2010 U14 South West England Regional Finalists Tesco Cup ~ 2010 / 2011 U15 Mercian Festival League Runners Up ~ 2010 / 2011 U15 Mercian Festival Cup Runners Up ~ 2011 / 2012 U16 Stourbridge & District Youth League Cup Winners ~ 2011 / 2012 U16 Stourbridge & District Youth League Winners ~ 2012 / 2013 U17 Stourbridge & District Youth League Cup Winners ~ 2012 / 2013 U17 Stourbridge & District Youth League Winners ~ 2013 / 2014 U18 Herefordshire & Worcestershire County Ladies and Girls League Winners ~ 2013 / 2014 U18 Herefordshire & Worcestershire County Ladies and Girls League Cup Winners




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