When The QPR U18 Girls Won The League Cup Final Last Month

When The QPR U18 Girls Won The League Cup Final Last Month

Paul picked me up from South Ruislip and we followed the team bus up the motorway and eventually down a leafy lane near Redhill in Surrey. To the south-east of Merstham village is a large housing estate which was built after the War to house Londoners including many from Bermondsey. We disembarked with the Coaches and team heading for the Ground and we made for the Clubhouse for a pint.

Merstham Football Club was established in 1892 and they now compete in the Ryman League South. I was talking to a local Millwall fan and eventually the Chairman, Ted Hickman came over and introduced himself. To get to the Final, the QPR Girls had beaten Bisley Girls 8-2 in the 1st Round, then St. Albans City 2-0 followed by an emphatic 4-1 victory over AFC Wimbledon in the Semi-Final. Dave Robinson wrote in the programme:-

‘Today’s Cup Final will be the last game, not only for me as Manager, but for a number of girls in the squad. Seven of today’s team were in my very first team selection as U14 Manager back in 2005. Since that first season we have gone on to win two League titles in the Middlesex & Surrey Leagues respectively and hopefully after today’s game, two Cups after our Middlesex Cup Final win back in 2006. Our overall record up to and including March 8th is as follows:-

Played 77…won 52…drew 7 and lost 18, scoring 405 goals and conceding 125.

As much as it pleases me that we have been successful with regards to winning Leagues and Cups, the most pleasing thing is the way we have played the game over the years. Both individually and collectively, the team has improved with technical ability and game understanding. The brand of football being played has been a joy to watch and hopefully we can produce a performance to back these comments up today. Every player, past and present, are now good friends and have all been a credit both to QPR FC and Girls/Women’s football as a whole.’

The Indy R’s flag was unfurled behind the goal and the match kicked off at 2.00pm. An early goal was followed by a further two. Sandhurst Sapphires pulled one back with a penalty but Rangers then went up a gear and took control again. It finished 7-1 with goals from Carly Bartlett (3), Chloe Russell (2) and one apiece from Kasha Petit and Aman Khatkar. Thanks to Paul for the lift, I really enjoyed the afternoon, nice venue, great result and well done to Dave Robinson, Dale McGinnes and all the players.

Steve Russell