Page 22 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.19 2020-21

Wallsend BC reserves finally managed to clinch the league title, and hopefully promotion into
the North East League, after winning 14 out of 15 league games this season with one league game
left to play, and a League Cup Final to come.
“The season had started with the frustration of a curtailed campaign last year, despite
being top going into lockdown, the second placed team had beaten us but had a number of tricky
games left themselves,” manager Carl Walsh explained to Women’s Soccer Scene. “However,
the team have stayed focused throughout this season with the main aim of winning the league,
completed after a 3-2 victory over Cramlington Town.
“What the team have had to learn to do over the second part of the season is win in
different styles. We are a team who like to play football through the thirds and utilise the width,
but we have found ourselves up against teams who not only park a bus but who have planes,
trains and automobiles parked to try stop us getting through.
“Some key matches have been the Cramlington games where we have beaten them in two
different cup competitions and twice in the league. Recently, a home 1-0 win was a key result
with Hannah Gosnold getting the only goal of the game despite the huge possession percentage
we had.
“Rachael Hepple has been instrumental in popping up with key goals, utilising her pace
and ability to get in behind defences from the wide left has been a pleasure to watch as she
battles with the two strikers Chloe and Abbie for top scorer. Captain of the team, Catherine
Shields has been solid in midfield with her team mate Julia Morris, both easily could be playing
higher.
“We managed to get a real test in the County Cup final against National League team and
eventual winners Newcastle United where, despite the 5-0 defeat, we took a lot of credit playing
a team from three leagues above with Michaella Sewell and Emily Stevenson really shining in
that game. Being able to bring in one recognised centre back Emma Parker to play with our
converted centre back Sam Deverdics has been key to helping goalkeeper Holly Jenkins keep so
many clean sheets and only conceding nine goals as a team scoring 122 goals in league and cup.”
Manager Carl Walsh is assisted by Rebecca George and Andrew Probert, with Catherine
Shields as captain. Leading goalscorer is Rachael Hepple with 20 goals to her name, whilst
Abbie Bolam and Chloe Roylance have contributed 19 and 17 apiece.
Photo by Rebecca George Photography

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