The 2021/22 season may be gradually coming to a close, but it’s been another significant week for the Ladies team over at Stockport Sports Village. Find out what’s been going on in our latest weekly update!
First team secure safety with a game to spare!
It was a double celebration for Steve O’Hara’s first-team on Tuesday night, as we secured our league status with a game to spare after a superb 3-0 win away at Barnsley.
A first-half strike from Levi Rathburn was added to in the final 20 minutes through goals from Jess Battle and Libby Dixon to seal a seventh win of the season for County, who can now start to put plans in place for life at this level next season. We remain in 6th place in the 12-team division, but crucially now with a seven point gap over the bottom three.
Manager Steve O’Hara said after the game:
“Traveling away to Yorkshire on a Tuesday night was always going to be difficult. We had players missing, and some of the younger players from Reserves stepped up at the 11th hour and played their part.
“We set out a game plan, on a dreadful pitch, and the players executed it to perfection.
Not only that, but the work rate they put in was insane and we took our chances when they came to top the perfect night.
The win secured our league status, and I’m so proud of all the players for this achievement. We’re looking forward now to finishing the season strongly, and hopefully with a cup win to celebrate. The planning has already started for next season and the future looks very bright.”
Goalkeeper makes first-team debut:
It was also a special night for Reserve team goalkeeper Denika Connolly, who made her long awaited full first-team debut in the game, and capped it off with a clean sheet.
“A special mention too for Denika Connolly, who made her debut in goal for us after a good season with reserves and kept a clean sheet, my first since being at the club. So well done Denika!”
It caps a great season for the ‘keeper, who was part of the Reserve side crowned champions of the FAWNL Reserve Plate trophy a few weeks ago.
Coming up next…
The first-team are away to Northwich Vixens on Sunday 24th April, in the semi-finals of the Cheshire County Cup, before wrapping up their league campaign at home to Durham Cestria, Sunday 1st May, 2pm at Stockport Sports Village.
Entry for that league game is free for all Stockport County Season Ticket and Half Season Ticket holders wanting to go down and show their support.
