Ladies can look back with pride on best ever season (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Ladies can look back with pride on best ever season

DESPITE just missing out on a the League and Cup double, when losing 5-3 to Stoke Lane in the League Cup final played at Slimbridge on the Sunday before last, Cirencester Town ladies can surely look back with much pride on what has been their best ever season.

As to the final itself, played on a hot afternoon, Cirencester had the worst possible start when slipping two goals behind early on.

They did, though, then manage to stand firm at the back, until ten minutes before half-time when they leaked two poor goals.

With Stoke Lane holding a comfortable 4-0 advantage at half-time, Cirencester realised they would be facing an uphill struggle in the second half.

In fact, the only Town player to have gained any credit in the first half had been Lucie Vickers who, unfortunately, had to go off at the break after sustaining an injury.

It was Rachael Newman who slotted into her position in the centre of the park.

To their credit, Cirencester sought to redress the deficit with Karen Meredith battling away in the centre.

They were now creating chances, and Becky Wadd pulled one goal back and then Joey Clarkson got another.

And this gave Cirencester some hope, only for them to then suffer another a cruel blow when the Bristol side fired in a fifth goal.

Cirencester had two more good chances, but both were put over the bar. There was a fleeting moment of hope when Becky Wadd scored her second for the Town side with five minutes to go.

However, with time fading fast, Stoke Lane clung on desperately to seal their victory.

With Town playing so poorly in the first period, they had given themselves just too much to do in the second half.

Nonetheless, overall the local ladies have had a fantastic season in winning the league title and finishing as runners-up in the league cup final.

Cirencester now will be promoted to the South West League for next season.

Cirencester Ladies: R Elson, L Weaven, J Harvey , L Bradbury, A Brown (P Dunn 75), K Meredith, C Dudman, L Vickers ( R Newman 45),E Jarvis, J Clarkson, R Wadd. Subs: L Crozier-Davies, K Knowles, V Nicholls and R Senior.