Page 21 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.17 2020-21

Helston AFC Women have had a magnificent first season of existence and this was crowned
on Sunday when they clinched the West Division title in the Earthbound Electrical Cornwall
Women’s League, with two matches to spare.
The team was formed as Helston Women in January 2020 and their first competitive
match took place on September 13th last year, when they took on Saltash United in the
Vitality Women’s FA Cup.
The following week, they played Illogan Ladies in their first ever league match but it
was the FA Cup which saw most of their action in the opening weeks of the season as they
embarked on a run which brought them national attention.
After winning a thrilling tie 5-4 against Saltash, Helston travelled to play Marine
Academy Plymouth in the next round. Despite their opponents playing two levels above them,
and sitting on top of the South West Women’s League at the time, Helston produced a
stunning 5-3 victory which took them into the Second Round Qualifying at the first attempt.
Helston came up against Southampton FC Women of the National League and
although the Saints proved strong on the day, perhaps the biggest testimony to Helston’s
season is that their only defeat to date in seventeen matches was against a team which has got
as far as the last sixteen.
Helston duly turned their attention to the league and, either side of the lockdown, won
every match they played from that point. The title was sewn up in style with a 4-0 victory over
second placed Penryn.
The team is managed by Paul Parfitt, with Martyn Pennington as coach. Sasha Sparkes
is captain and also leading goalscorer, with 36 goals to her name in all competitions. Strike
partner Katy Barker-Thomas has weighed in with a further 24 goals, whilst midfielder Abi
Locke has found the net 12 times.
Other key players in the team are central defensive duo Ellie Brewer and Georgie
Sweet, as is Georgia Lane who parners Abi Locke in midfield.
Manager Paul Parfitt told Women’s Soccer Scene: “Off the pitch, the support of club
Chairman Paul Hendy and the efforts of my coach Martyn Pennington have been appreciated.
“As part of our aspirations for next year, we have recruited some more players and will
be holding open trials in June. We have applied for promotion to the SWRWFL and will add
a Development Team to the club, which will play in the Cornwall Women’s League. I have
recruited experienced manager Kev James to oversee this new team.”

Issue no. 17 - 13 May 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk