AFTER finishing in third place in the South West League Premier Division the previous campaign, Callington Town Ladies had hoped to push on for promotion.
Unfortunately, the untimely end to the season due to the coronavirus lockdown denied them the opportunity of going up.
First-team manager Adam McPherson said: ‘Callington Town Ladies FC had a successful season overall as we were in second spot in the South West Regional Premier Division before the season was cut short.
‘We also managed to establish a brand new second team, which sat comfortably in mid-table in the Cornwall League’s Division One.
‘Not only were both teams doing well in their respective leagues, but both were still in the hunt for cup glory.
‘The first team had two semi-finals on the cards, with St Austell lying in wait in the Cornwall County Cup and Bishop’s Lydeard in the League Cup semi-final.
‘The second team had a much-anticipated quarter-final away at Mousehole in their League Cup.’
Speaking on the progress made by both Callington teams, McPherson said: ‘Our objective at the start of the season was to try and match or better our first team’s finish of third last season but also to try and win a cup or two and firmly establish our new second team in the Cornwall League.
‘All in all, before the FA’s decision to end the season, we were right on track for those goals, led by leading scorer Gabi Alphous.’
He added: ‘Both sets of players really gave us everything over the season.
‘They also integrated with each other really well in training when we did mixed sessions or friendly matches between the two sides.
‘It was great that a few second-team players managed to sample some game time with the first team, too.
‘A few of our young players were showing real signs of improvement as the season went on.
‘But also, some former first-team players like Luise Ham and Gemma Farley helped us out a couple of times and gave us the experience we needed when the first-team squad was light for any reason.’
McPherson praised, in particular, two young players who were making strides towards progressing into the first-team squad.
‘Both 16-year-olds – Katlyn Bentley (from Bodmin) and Keisha Ellis (from Launceston) – had playing and training time with the first team and held their own well when called upon.’
Commenting on the reserve team, McPherson said: ‘The second team also proved to be a great avenue for some experienced former players to return to the game.
‘Torpoint-based Rachel Finch dusted off her boots once again and former Dobwalls Ladies skipper Suzi Porter also proved to be a valuable addition to the club.’
McPherson continued: ‘The second team forming in the way they have is a real bonus.
‘The mix of more senior players and younger up-and-coming talent is just what I’d hoped it would be.
‘They have bonded so well and have a brilliant blend of personalities off the pitch and abilities on it, which enables them to play some great football in the way we also try to create within the first team.
‘Having them train on the same night as the first team was a really good move as it means there is a sense of unity within the women’s section of the club.
‘Hopefully, next season, we can continue to grow and build our unique offering for the women’s game in this part of the county.’
Looking to the new season, whenever that takes place, McPherson added: ‘The first team will be boosted by the possible return to fitness of a few key players, most notably their captain Marie Wilson, who has been out for over 12 months following a cruciate knee ligament operation.
‘The experienced centre-back may take a bit of time to return to her very best form, which is where she was before the unfortunate injury, but having the skipper returning to match-day squads will give the team a lift.
‘Lucy Jones, a local central midfielder, who has made a great impact since joining the club, also returned following the birth of her daughter in the final few matches of the season, so will also be hoping to get back to her best next season.’
On the first-team playing squad, McPherson commented: ‘We lost a few of our new pre-season signings throughout the course of the season, all for reasons outside of football, but it meant that we were left a tad light later in the season.
‘It was great to have Lucy back during that tricky spell and also a shame we never got new signing Kellsie Miller on the pitch with us before the season was cut short.
‘She came with a good background from Exeter City the season before, so we were keen to get her involved.
‘However, lots of things did not pan out the way any of us expected on many fronts, so we live with it and try to look ahead.’
Both Callington Town Ladies’ sides are actively looking for new signings for next season, so get a head-start by messaging them via their Facebook Page by searching ‘Callington LFC’.