WCWFC | Mid-Season Review – Reserves and U18 Pathway
We take a look back at a fantastic first half of the season for the Reserves and U18 pathway.
Photo by Photofoyer
WCWFC Reserves
City’s West Midlands Regional League Division One South campaign recommenced in September with new boss Christopher Xuereb at the helm. He took charge following the promotion of former manager Katie Heath to First Team Pathway coach, as the club looked to push on under his stewardship.
City welcomed Leamington on the opening day and came away with a 2-2 draw, with goals from Ellie Roberts and skipper Tinny Conway. A week later, City were hosting again as Crusaders were the visitors and got their first three points of the season, thanks to strikes from new signing Victoria Snape and Jasmin Springer.
The first away game of the season, Worcester travelled to Hereford Pegasus and came away 3-1 winners. Victoria Snape, Chloe Barnard and Emma Bowyer secured City a fantastic away win; however, in the final match of the month, City were beaten 3-2 by Droitwich Spa as Lorna Watson and Snape’s goals were to be in vain.
City were only in league action twice in October, which saw them pick up six points out of six, as Worcester defeated Hereford Pegasus 3-1 at home, and Kingfisher 4-3 away.
It was a similar story in November, as City only played two league matches, which saw them lose 5-1 at home to division pace setters Knowle and a 3-0 home victory against local rivals Bromsgrove Sporting 3-0, thanks to goals from Freya Wood, Lauren Smith and Snape.
Unfortunately, City suffered back-to-back defeats in December at home to Halesowen and away to Droitwich Spa.
In the cup competitions, City are out of the FA Women’s Sunday Cup and the Women’s League Cup.
City went into the Christmas and New Year break sitting in 5th place, registering sixteen points from ten games and will hope to kick on in the second half of the season.
Did you know that the total number of wins across all competitions for our three teams is 16?
• First team – 7
• Reserves – 5
• U18s - 4
WCWFC U18s
After finishing third last season, the U18s stepped up into the Central Warwickshire Girls Football League Premier Division. The move came alongside significant personnel changes, with twelve players moving on from the junior pathway and a reshaped squad taking their place.
Head Coach Emma Collins and Assistant David Roberts have been absolutely delighted with how the new group has settled, blending well with the returning players to form a competitive unit. Strong leadership from the captains’ huddle has helped shape a resilient squad with a clear sense of purpose and togetherness.
City’s season began with a tough introduction to Premier Division football. A 1-4 home defeat to Lye Town was followed by a challenging away fixture at title contenders Stourbridge, ending in a 4–0 defeat.
Momentum shifted with back-to-back fixtures against Sutton Coldfield, where City responded well, earning a 2–1 home win before backing it up with a confident 0–4 victory away.
Did you know that the total points at the halfway point of the season, combined for all three teams, stands at 41 points?
• First team – 16
• Reserves – 16
• U18s – 9
October brought further tests. A League Cup trip to Lane Head ended in a 7–2 defeat, followed by a very difficult home fixture against league leaders Sporting Khalsa, with City losing 9–1.
The remainder of October and November was heavily disrupted, with poor weather, opponents' cup commitments and a team’s withdrawal from the league leading to a prolonged break in competitive action. The period was filled productively with a five-a-side tournament, a friendly away at Bustleholme, which City won 1-3 and the appointment of Harvey as U18’s Strength and Conditioning coach.
The restart in December saw the U18s return with real intent. A physical and committed performance away at Boldmere St Michael's delivered a 1-4 victory. The final game before Christmas was a dramatic County Cup quarter-final away to Bromsgrove Sporting. Two late goals in the final five minutes saw the match finish 1–1, sending the U18s into their first-ever penalty shootout, which they won 2–0.
Currently sitting 4th in the league, the squad heads into the second half of the season with confidence and anticipation, having shown competitiveness, adaptability, togetherness and a growing belief at Premier Division level. The New Year will also see a County Cup Semi Final, which the squad will relish.
