Page 28 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.35 2021-22

Eagles flying high

It has been a great season for Arnold Eagles as they won the Division One North title in the
East Midlands League and are promoted to the Premier Division.
Arnold Eagles are managed by Neil Matthews, with Matt Button, Ian Shaw and
Courtney Walters as coaches. The team is captained by Jen Lorimer, whilst Natasha Leach
scored 32 times and Amy Gauvrit contributed a further 17 goals.
“After two shortened seasons due to the pandemic, we decided this season we were
ready to make a real push for promotion to the East Midlands League Premier Division,” Neil
Matthews told Women’s Soccer Scene. “The only certain way to achieve this was to win the
EMWRFL Division 1 North.
The Management Team and players knew we had to be competitive from the very first
kick of the season to the last and our pre-season was intensive, but got the players in great
shape for the start of the season. Our plan was to play an adaptable 3-4-1-2 formation, in a
pressing,, positive style of football.
“With a young goalkeeper in her first senior season and three at the back, we knew we
would concede a few goals but we always create plenty of chances and with two prolific
strikers, we were confident that we could outscore the opposition.
“The season started very well with three wins, so we travelled to a very strong Grimsby
Town full of confidence. This game was a real jolt, some sloppy mistakes saw us go 2-0 down
in the first 17 minutes, we responded well but just couldn’t convert our chances, failing to find
the net despite three one-on-one situations and hitting the bar. The Grimsby keeper was in
excellent form and they were clinical at the other end in the second half, hitting us on the
break as we chased the game and we came away with a 5-0 defeat.
“It was clear that this was going to be a major turning point in our season and we
needed an immediate response if we were to build on our early season momentum. No one
panicked, we kept to our plan and put in the hard work on the training ground.
“It is a great testament to the skill and determination of the squad and coaches that we
did not suffer another league defeat all season and that is the only league game in which we
failed to score. In fact we would only drop two more points all season in a 1-1 draw away
against Grimsby Borough.
“Injuries could also have derailed our season but the value of having strength in depth
and a real togetherness saw the squad pull together and keep our momentum going. Despite
having to cope with a knee injury for the last eight league games of the season, our captain,
Jen Lorimer produced some fine displays in the centre of midfield and saw out the season,
playing in all but one of our league games.
“Another injury to our top goalscorer, Tasha Leach came at a crucial point in the
season and would keep her side-lined for 2 games. The first was away at Nottingham Trent
University who were pushing for the top of the table themselves. The team dug in and
produced one of our standout performances of the season, winning the game 3-1 with our
keeper Kaci Riley pulling off two outstanding saves to help us secure a vital three points.”
Arnold Eagles had pulled clear at the top of the table as a result of their good run but
there was one more major hurdle for the team to clear.
“We had worked ourselves into an excellent position but would need a win at home
against Grimsby Town, the only team to beat us, if we were going to be Champions,” admitted
Matthews.
“At this point of the season, the preparation was more mental than physical and it was
important for the players to show confidence and express themselves in such a pressure
game. If they were nervous (and I am sure there were plenty of nerves) they did not show it.
“We had spoken a lot about our game plan and the players delivered it is style, putting
in what was probably our finest performance of the season and winning the game 5-1.
Issue no. 35 - 19 May 2022 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk