6th November 2016, Villa Park

Goals : Merrick (29) Shepherd (48) Baptiste (51) Pepper OG (85)

The final game of the season, 6th place finish. A game at Villa Park that might not have much on the game itself but 1,300 people turned out for the game which was very pleasing and hopefully wherever we play our home games next season some of them will come down and support the girls again. Still little bit suprised at where we sitting but it is what it is. Gave a difference aspect of the game I guess.

I remember at Durham away we asked if we could play at Villa Park when Coles Lane was unavaliable and we ended up in Stratford. So was nice to actually have a game at Villa Park this year. Great to see our team walking out on the pitch and attacking the Holte End in the second half.

A slow start maybe to nerves and getting used to a big pitch until Merrick opened the scoring, Beth as always being one of the biggest and most influencual players in the squad as well as being Supporters Player Of The Year. Her engine and determination definatly pushed the rest of the team. It was 1-0 at half time and Watford didn’t look like the could cause any troubles but still at 1-0 there is that chance they could shock.

At half time there didn’t seem to be anything put on to maybe keep the interest but Chloe Beattie, Katie Wilkinson, Katy Moran, Ashlee Brown, Chloe Harper were taking pictures and signing autographs for the kids which is such a great thing to see and also makes me proud to be a fan because even though not playing brings greater exposure to the club.

Second half Villa came out swinging a beautiful goal by Shepherd as she jinxed past the keeper and putting the ball in making it 2-0. Pretty much a few minutes later Baptiste got the goal we was all willing for her to get. She has worked so hard from Dev to Bench to taking her chances the goal at Bristol one of favourite moments of the season, but seeing her put the ball in the net in front of the Hotle End was special.

Merrick’s free kick as all season caused trouble and the unlucky Watford defender put the ball into her own net making it 4-0 to Villa. In all fairness it proberly could of been a bigger scoreline but one that was very pleasing to finish the season.

Everyone played their part at Villa Park from Myers in goal, the defense that had George, Richards (twinkletoes who was so unlucky not to score from CB), N’Dow, West to the Midfield of Merrick, Mayling, Jones, Cusack, Shepherd to Baptiste up front. To the subsitutes Welsh, Rouse, Hinchcliffe. Was gutted didn’t get to see a few players get game time but injury’s and only 3 subsitues made it that it couldn’t happen (shame they couldn’t all play)

It was a great day getting together with the lads and giving it 7 shades of… hoping we could make enough noise in such a big venue. Now the season is over we can’t wait for the Summer Series and WSL 2 to start in the winter, it certinaly will be an intresting season next time. We are good enough to be chanllenging for the top 2 in 2017