The Team
Karen Harris (c), Rachael Taylor,
Scooby, Maxine, Rachael Brown, Tess Ptonka (sub - Nichola Absalom 70 mins),
Emma Flint, Mickey, Michelle Hollihead, Maggie Holt
Gwen Davies (gk)

Match report
A brave and tireless performance by the Stingers as they travelled to Accrington Stanley. The team dominated for the first 20 minutes with some great one touch football and really impressive passing movements. The Accrington keeper appeared to have magnets in her gloves as shot after shot ended up in her hands. An unfortunate but gloriously lofted own goal over stand-in keeper Gwen's head at the other end put Accrington undeservedly ahead. They began to take control of the game and scored soon after. Stingers were 2-0 down at half time but definitely looked the more convincing side. The 2nd half began well, our aged defence held up well against an ever-advancing Accrington side. They couldn't quite stop the 3rd goal coming but at 3-0 down the Stingers didn't stop battling. An amazing goal by Maxine at the other end from a free-kick almost out by the corner flag gave Stingers a bit of hope. Heads were up again and the fight was on. Accrington scored one final time making the score 4-1. A positive performance despite the score line - a win is definitely on it's way.

Match report
The Stingers get off to a tempestuous start against top of the league Burnley, catching the young side off their guard. In the opening ten minutes, Burnley saw little of the ball but the yellows were unable to capitalise on this early domination and this was punished after 12 minutes by a goal for the visitors. However, 15 minutes into the first half the yellows' fortitude was finally rewarded when Gwen's corner-kick was put past the keeper by Lisa. Stingers remained positive despite two further Burnley goals and kept up the pressure on the visitor's defence.

The second half was equally competitive with good chances for the hard-working lone striker Rachel Taylor, who without the hinderance of outrageous offside decisions from the Burnley assistant, would certainly have scored. The young and agile Burnley forwards were just too quick for the Stingers defensive team and the visitors put away a further two goals.
It was a tiring and physical game for all concerned, but it was arguably the Stingers' best team performance so far this season.

Match Report
The venue for this cup game was a blustery sand dune on the Irish sea coast; hardly a glamorous location but sufficient for hardened amateurs such as ourselves. The game got off to a steady start, with fairly open play for the first twenty minutes. Southport then got the opening goal and became the dominant side, scoring a further two before half-time.

During the break the team decided to make a concerted effort to be more assertive and to win the ball, a tactic that within five minutes in the second half saw the Stingers in possesion inside the Southport penalty area. When Lisa was brought down in the box this gave the Stingers their first chance, which Jackie converted to much rapturous celebration by the rest of the team and supporters. Soon after, the home side again brought down Lisa and the reds lined up for a Maxine special, the direct free-kick soaring majestically over the wall and into the top corner. At 3-2 the home team started to get nervous and argue amongst themselves. A late flurry of goals and many rash challenges on the Stingers followed, with Jinny and Jackie amongst the casualties. Towards the end of the game Southport were awarded a contentious penalty, which they scored. After this point, the team felt like the string quartet on the deck of the Titanic; going out with dignity.

Match report
Knowing the strengths of the opposition and after last week's thrashing by the Police, the Stingers opted for a fairly defensive formation. Sadly, it was only five minutes into the game before the visitors took the lead, with agile footwork from the nimble young Evertonians. This set the scene for the remainder of the match, with Stingers taking the defensive stance and only breaking through occasionally, with chances from corners being saved by both the skillful and the RADA-esque antics of the greys' keeper. Everton, on the other hand saw regular goals into the yellows' net.

A ray of sunshine emerged however, when a quick team build-up set Rachel Taylor up to firstly beat the keeper, then to slot the ball skillfully into the net, prompting jubilant celebrations amongst players and supporters alike.
The second half saw a fantastic Beckham-style free-kick by Maxine which took many by suprise. This second Stingers' goal was a welcome consolation in what was predominantly a frustrating game. Two-nine was the final score.