Page 17 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.19 2020-21

Division Two in the Gloucestershire County Women’s League has been one of the closest fought
this season, going down to the last game of the season where Olveston United took the title with
a 2-0 victory over Longlevens.
Olveston are managed by James Eveleigh, with Sian Rollings as captain and Abbie
Mitchell their leading goalscorer, but their success has been described as ‘one big effort from
everyone’.
“Our season began in September 2020 with an opening game against Longlevens Ladies
who led us 1-0 until the game was abandoned on 54 minutes following a serious injury to one
of the Longlevens players,” James Eveleigh told Women’s Soccer Scene.
“We then picked up nine points with victories over Dursley Town (6-1), Bishop’s Cleeve
(4-2) and Cheltenham Civil Service (2-0) before attention switched to the first round of the
League Cup. We drew Division One side Abbeymead Rovers in the first round and suffered a
3-1 loss in a game we created so many chances in but just couldnt put the ball in the back of the
net!
“Following the cup defeat we played a local derby against Bradley Stoke Ladies winning
that game 4-1. That was to be our last match for six months as the Government placed us into
lockdown. The players stayed in touch via zoom and we held regular social activities and set
them a training plan to keep themselves fit while we waited for lockdown to lift.
“With the league announcing they wanted to finish the season, with each team playing
each other once, we returned to league action on 11th April with an impressive 5-0 win against
Mitcheldean. With just three games to go we had the toughest run in of the chasing pack with
matches against Cirencester Town, Bristol Rovers Development and Longlevens to navigate.
We would emerge with seven points from 9 from those game to win the league and finish
unbeaten.
“For me, I would say the last three games were massive and probably the most
important results of the season. Longlevens kept winning and we knew one slip up would let
them in. The performance against Cirencester was immense, probably the best all season.
Against Rovers we came from 2-1 down to grab a draw and then on the final day we needed just
a draw against Longlevens to seal the title with them needing to win to take the title. A superb
performance saw us deservedly win 2-0 to complete a memorable season in our debut as
Olveston Ladies.
“It means we have secured back to back promotions as a group from Division Three to
Division One, going unbeaten in both seasons. Next season, we are also adding a Ladies
Reserve side to our ranks as well.”
Olveston United squad: Sarah Bailey, Rosanna Blacker, Amy Carter, Jes Fleming, Paige
Fowler, Emma Foxwell, Chelsea Giles, Sally Gill, Ashleigh Guest, Lucy Hayward, Natasha
Hibbert, Olivia Hood, Abigail Jefferys, Naomi Lengyel, Hannah Lewis, Courtney Lusmore,
Abbie Mitchell, Emily Nicholson, Jasmine Pither, Sian Rollings, Lauren White.

Issue no. 19 - 27 May 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk