CRICKHOWELL PANTHERS GIRLS JUNIOR FOOTBALL CLUB: Panthers Newsbitz

The Season started amongst the usual excitment and nervous energy last Sunday 6th Sept. for both Panthers teams - Under 12s and the Under 16s in the South Wales Girls League.

The Under 12s in their first competitive season were away at Abetyswwg whilst the Under 16s were at home to arch rivals Mardy Tigers - nice gentle start to the season.......lol.

The U12s sporting their new kit played their two matches with great committment and skill, even though missing some key players, performed well winning both matches. Their young age (average 10) proving no barrier to their competitive spirit.

The U16s, unfortunately were outplayed and outclassed by Mardy, who looked slick, pacey, confident and looked as though they'd been playing well into the season all ready. Second half saw a big improvement by the Panthers as they began to get to know eachother (first competitive match together) and there was room for optimism as the passing and movement began to come together in areas. Probably 3rd or 4th match should see the team settled once they've all got to know each other as well as the play style...... watch this space.

UNDER 11s

Most Improved Player         = Megan Rowlands

Team Player                        = Emily Grace Williams

Coaches Award                    = Grace Thomas Parr

Top Goal Scorer                  = Grace Thomas Parr

Coaches Awards                   = Rhiannon Chamberlain, Chloe Chivers, Jodie Buck

Players Player of the Year    = Chloe Chivers

UNDER 14s

Most improved Player          = Tiana Cook

Team Player                        = Mali Summers

Coaches Award                    = Shannon Cannan

Top Goal Scorer                  = Niaomi Cook

Players Player of the Year    = Shannon Cannan

Special Award - Panther Family of the Year - The Jenkins Family (Mark, Angela,  Sophie  &  Beth Jenkins).

UNDER 16s

Most Improved Player            = Stacie Gardner

Team Player                          = Harriet Davies

Coaches Award                      = Holly Perry

Top Goal Scorer                    = Hattie Powell

Players Player of the Year     = Megan Purvis

CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM ALL.

Our U16s secured the League Runners up spot despite the last league match loss to Cardiff last weekend. A gutsy performance from every Panther and despite  being down to 10 players after 10 minutes following a wrenching tackle by a Cardiff defender on Sophie Jones. Sophie was carried off (and after a hospital X-ray gave the all clear) was able to walk again 2 days later......................

Despite the on and off field intimidation the Panthers played some good football and all can be very proud of themselves, as we are of them. We have to remember our principles (which is hard at times I know) and as stated in the Club Constitution, to play the game in the spirit of both the law and intention and with good sportsmanship.

Only one League loss all season is an excellent performance - Well done Panthers.

2008/9 League Squad: Harris, Baynton, Meredith, Purvis, Tucker, Jones, French, Evans, Perry, Davies, Powell, Lewis, Gardner, Dixon.

Another sterling set of performances from the Panthers teams at this years Powys Easter Festival in Brecon:-

 The 1994s (U15s) finished Runners Up after narrowly losing 0-1 to Llanidloes in the deciding match, despite having much of the ball and the Llany are under constant attack, we couldn't get it in!  But, well done girls!

The 1995s (U14s) had a below par festival after coming off the recent U14 Gwent League Cup final victory. Drawing the opening two matches made it difficult and with the unlucky loss against local rivals Mardy Tigers really sealed their fate. Despite this though they finished on a high with a 7-0 demolition of Newtown.

Both of our 1998s (U11s) teams had a tremendous festival, meeting each other in the deciding match. Both teams played with great spirit and skill throughout and deserved their victories. Unfortunately both couldn't win and in the Inter-Panther final the 'Blacks' narrowly beat the 'Whites' 2-1. So the 1998s were both Runners Up and Champions!!!!!.

Well done to all of the players, parents and coaches who helped make a great day possible.

Many congratulations to Hattie Powell who has just been awarded her first Under 16 International Cap when she played for Wales in the recent International comptetion in Ireland. I'm sure that this is the first of many for Hattie who's been with the club since it's start in 2003 and looking around at the talent amongst our teams, I'm sure as well that other players could reach the same heights as Hattie. Excellent role model Hattie for the younger players and here's to your future International career.

PANTHERS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.

NDGL LEAGUE CUP FINAL, NEWPORT STADIUM, SUNDAY 29^th MARCH.

ABERTYSWWG ANGELS 0-1 CRICKHOWELL PANTHERS

With several hundred supporters, banners, flags and lots of noise both teams were led out onto the grass of Newport Stadium by their respective captains into glorious sunshine. Each player was then introduced in line by their captain to the Mayor of the City, as you would expect at the highest senior level of the game.

This must have been daunting for both sets of players as they would have never experienced playing in such a venue before and especially with the noise from the stands, pressure indeed but what an occasion.

With the wind beginning to whip up the match kicked off in the sunshine. From the start the Panthers had much of the early possession and made several probing moves down the wings. The Angels, with a well experienced defensive unit held firm and themselves attempted to counter attack down the centre with their pace and strength.

Neither keeper had much to do in the opening quarter as the teams parried each other in the midfield, but an attack down the left wing led to a low cross which the Angels cleared for it only to be launched back in by the Panthers midfield. Again it was cleared by a long header out to the feet of Lewis, playing on the right wing. She lifted the ball from the edge of the area toward the goal and although the keeper got a hand to the power and height took the ball into the net.

The place erupted.

From the restart the Panthers continued the momentum looking for the second to ease the nerves. Attacks down the wings continued but the Angels defence were solid and the narrow lead was taken into the Panthers dressing room at half time. Team Manager Summers made three substitutions to ensure that the whole squad had an opportunity to play in this final. The wind was now much stronger and now against the Panthers as the teams emerged out onto the Newport Stadium pitch for the second half.

The Angels took the early initiative as they looked for the equaliser and with sustained pressure, D’Arcy the Panthers keeper, was called upon several times to make the saves. The pressure continued to build but the Panthers defence, led by Cannan their very vocal Captain reduced the Angels to long range shots. Several of these came close and the groans and shouts from the Angels fans steadily built as the time ticked on. But the Panthers held and started to counter attack as the Angels began to falter. Barrell on the Panthers wing sent a blistering shot from a wide angle a metre over the bar after some clever play between her and Jones to create the half chance.

Niaomi Cook dribbled her way through the Angels centre beating three players, into the area and about the launch the strike to seal the match when she was brought down.

The ref (who also had a good game) signalled that it was a fair shoulder charge and play continued, much to the groans of the Panthers Fans.

The cut and thrust continued until the final whistle and again the place erupted!

The players shook hands and a formal presentation of individual trophies and the League Cup from the Mayor followed, as well as the photo calls and celebratory antics. Conmiserations to the Angels who fought bravely, it could have gone the other way on the day with no side with total dominance, but congratulations to the Crickhowell Panthers players, Manger, Coaches and supporters who made it a great day for the Club.

Congratulations also to the Newport & District Girls League who certainly put on a very impressive show, from the Stadium, organisation, dignatories and trophies. I’m so glad that the actual Final produced such an entertaining game in such a venue and on such an occasion – the players will never forget that experience.

Manager – Stuart Summers

Coaches – Jim D’Arcy, Ellan Sims.

Team – Hannah D’Arcy, Emma Stephens, Tiana Cook, Niaomi Cook, Shannon Cannan (Capt), Beth Jenkins, Sophie Jenkins, Abbie Jones, Rebecca Wrigley, Charlotte Barrell, Alice Baynton, Rebecca Sims, Mali Summers, Sian Lewis (1), Pheobe Davies.

Pictured with Panthers Under 11 ball girls on the day – Emily Grace, Yasmin Gillgrass and Grace Parr-Thomas.