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Thistle promoted to SWPL

Scottish Women’s Football (SWF) has been advised by Hutchison Vale FC that they will not enter
a senior team into SWF competitions for the 2020 season. The side would have been playing in
SWPL 2 alongside nine other teams.
In place of Hutchison Vale, one additional team will now be entered into SWPL 2. Both
Inverness Caledonian Thistle, who finished second in SWFL Division One North, and Boroughmuir
Thistle, who finished fifth in SWFL Division One South (the next promotion spot) were approached.
Boroughmuir Thistle expressed an interest to enter SWPL 2 in 2020 but Inverness CT did
not. Therefore, Boroughmuir Thistle will enter SWPL 2 and replace Hutchison Vale in all listed
fixtures.
The league has also announced that the draw for the new look SWPL Cup will take place
on Saturday 25th January. The cup will be in a group format during the opening stages and
features 16 of the 18 member clubs, with Glasgow City and Hibernian entering at the quarter final
stage.
Rotherham’s tribute to Shirley

Rotherham United, who are enjoying better fortunes this season following a couple of tough
years, booked their place in the quarter finals of the Sheffield & Hallamshire County Cup thanks
to a 7-2 victory over Sheffield Utd Community Foundation. Rotherham’s goals came from a Nat
Shaw hat-trick, Zoe Beresford (2), Rachel Hale and Amy Pollock, with Tia Stancill scoring both for
Sheffield.
Rotherham dedicated the win to former secretary Shirley Pollock who passed away
before Christmas. Shirley served Rotherham for many years and was also secretary of the
Sheffield & Hallamshire Women’s County Football League for over a decade. Rotherham United
(men) did Shirley proud with a full page tribute in a recent match day programme. County FA
Chairman and also former Premier League referee Uriah Rennie was one of many at Shirley’s
funeral which was attended by a good number of current and former Rotherham players.
Oughtibridge, who have a fine record in the competition in recent seasons, won their
delayed third round tie away to Worksop Town Women 3-2 (aet). Codi Melia, Chelsea Wall and
Sam Woodham were on target for Oughtibridge who were 7-0 winners when the team smet in an
East Midlands League Cup tie several weeks earlier.
Hope Knight, with four, and a Tania Marsden brace were the Sheffield FC scorers in their
6-1 win over Huddersfield Town Development, whose consolation came from Sian Gibril.
Girls Futsal Cup a huge success
Taking place over the weekend of Saturday 14th December and Sunday 15th December, girls’
teams between the ages of U10 to U16 competed in the FA Pokémon Youth Futsal Cup qualifiers
at Sir Ben Ainslie Sports Centre in Truro.
With clubs for the first time ever being allowed to enter more than one team per age group,
a fantastic amount of 48 teams took part.
The event itself was a thrilling occasion, with the champions of each age group now having
an opportunity to progress to the regional finals and later the national event at St George’s Park.
The qualifying winners in each age group were St Agnes Dynamos Silvers (U10), Helston
Harriers (U12), Charlestown Angels Reds (U14) and St Agnes Dynamos (U16).
Speaking after the event, Daniel Greenough, Senior Football Development Officer, said: “It
was great to see the growth in the girls game with more teams than ever before entering the
competition.
“All the teams that entered demonstrated some excellent skills along with great
determination and commitment whilst playing. We now look forward to the league expanding
their futsal opportunities within the season and continuing their amazing offer to the game.”
(Source: www.cornwallfa.com)
Issue no. 19 - 9 January 2020 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk