“A special group, I’m very proud” – Calderhead on Women’s Under-16s cup triumph

Stella Calderhead was full of pride after guiding our Academy to the Under-16s Professional Game Academy Plate glory on Sunday.

Following a well-worked set-piece, combined with a stunning finish on the volley, to break the deadlock in the first-half, we saw off a spirited Leicester City side in the second period at Wheatsheaf Stadium to secure the trophy for the first time – the second time in as many seasons for our Under-16s.

A special afternoon in front of their family and friends, who watched in the stands in the glorious sun in Staines, it would have also been a memorable moment for coach Stella after taking the role with the Under-16s at the start of the season, but she directed her pride to the players for their performance.

“Very special,” she told us. “It's a special group and I'm very proud of them. I think with how far they have come and how challenging it was in the final, it was deserving that they have gone and lifted it.

“I think we started really well and that came from us preparing well tactically because we faced a side, or a tactical structure, that we have never faced or come across in any other games. With the changes and Leicester adapting, we then had to start adapting ourselves and there were moments where they dominated phases in the second half, which we did struggle with.

“But, defensively, there was a big desire and, across the whole group, there was a desire to defend, if it was even players on the bench who came on and contributed to the success. I’m just so proud of every single player in this squad, even those that were injured and watching from the sidelines, to dig deep and come out as champions.”

Our starting XI on the day in west London saw six first years involved, their first campaign competing at this level after stepping up from the Under-14s, and they certainly didn’t look out of place on a very big afternoon.

“The group is very versatile, and we had to make a lot of tactical decisions due to the fact of Leicester's set up and what they play and what they do,” Stella added. “The fact that they are able to conduct themselves that well and show their resilience, how good they are as first years, as well and that they can compete without any problem, especially with dominating first half, is very, very positive to see.”

There’s still plenty left to play for our Under-16s this term as, this weekend, they continue their defence of the PGA Champions Trophy – where they lifted that silverware last term – with a trip to Manchester City in the semi-final.

“This is a very special group,” she told us. “They are very different characters, but they all build a very good team together and I think you can see that from the start of the season. So, to come this far, winning a trophy and now still being in a competition where you can still win another trophy or play in a final, it is very important and we want to push that momentum.”