FLEETWOOD, Lancs, September 1, 2008

Left to right back row:  Sarah Fay, Emily Hanson, Demi Parker, Em McCarthy, Steph Massie, Jess Smith, Cory Stewart.

Front row:, Paul Holme (Manager), Lauren Lynch, Rebecca Foulds, Chloe Holme, Cath Robinson.

On the Bank Holiday weekend the U14 Girls entered the Blackburn and Darwen Council 11 a-side pre-season tournament. With a much depleted squad due to injuries and holidays, manager Paul Holme was down to a scratch eleven including the recruitment of soccer school players.

The girls started slowly losing 1-0 to Inter Mill Hill in the first game, then suffering a further defeat of 2 -0 to Bury FC Girls & Ladies it looked like the girls were down and out. But in the true Cod Army fashion and a tag of being one of the best girl teams at this age level, they rolled up their sleeves and commenced battle. With them being in a Round Robin the girls had to play Inter Mill again and won 1 - 0. The second game against Bury FC was the decider, needing a draw or a win to get to the final were they would then again meet Bury the girls gained a well deserved draw.

The Bury team began to look nervous as the battlers of Fleetwood entered the pitch for the final. Town started strongly and dominated with great work from Jess Smith, Cath Demi Parker, Em McCarthy and the fantastic goalkeeping of Cory Stewart. But Bury were not going to lie down easily and showed signs of scoring had it not been for the work of Chloe Holme, Cath Robinson and Steph Massie in defence. Five minutes into the game Fleetwood gained a corner which Em McCarthy fired into the box sweetly and Bury were unable to clear. The ball fell to Lauren Lynch who shot at target but this was blocked by the Bury defenders causing the ball to run to Sarah Fay who slotted home. Fleetwood dominated the rest of the game and finished winners.

Manager Paul Holme was extremely proud of the girl's determination and never say die attitude, is now looking to forward to the season ahead.

The girls play on Highbury Park on a Sunday mornings with an 11am kick off please come along and support them.