August
August saw us play three friendlies the first of which was away to Roche. We won 12-0, which, considering we only took 11 players with us, was a fantastic morale booster. Seven days later, we stepped up the level of competition by playing away at St. Blazey. Again another fine performance and we could feel a little disappointed to come away losing 1-0 after competing well for long periods with our first division opposition. The final pre-season friendly was against Plymouth Argyle Reserves under floodlights at Kimberly on the following Thursday. A cracking game against a side who would run out Devon cup and league double winners. There were some fine individual performances and things seemed to be coming together for the season ahead.

September
Our first league fixture saw us take on Wadebridge at home. After a nervy first half, Wadebridge were swept away with a seven goal second half performance to give us a 9-0 victory. After the high of seeing us take our first three points, the low came a couple of weeks later when they were taken away from us for playing an ineligable player!. A week later saw us travel to Ilminster for our first forray into the FA cup. One of our finest performances all season saw us run out 6-1 winners. Cup action was the order of the month as our third game was against Penzance Res in the League cup. Again another good victory, 6-0, but the following week everyone knew was going to be tougher against Penzance South Western league side in the next round of the FA Cup. Indeed this was a real lesson for us, losing 11-0, but everyone to their credit never gave up battling away.

October
October saw the start of our injury crisis with us losing 5 players with long term injuries. Our first game was in the League Cup away at Penzance Res. With our squad short of numbers due to unavailability and injury, we lost this second leg tie 3-1 but still progressed 7-3 on aggregate. League action was next on the fixture list with unbeaten Camelford the visitors. After a hard fought game, we came out 2-0 victors, injuries again took their toll on the squad reducing numbers further. The next two games saw two competetive battles with St Columb Minor. The first was in the County Cup and saw a superb battle and we were unlucky to come away losing 1-0 especially after playing the last 20 mins with only 10 fit players. The second encounter was in the league and again we were on the wrong end of a 2-0 score line. Our final game of October saw us play the students of Tremough in the IT cup 1st round 1st leg. A one sided game saw us run out 12-0 victors.

November
November saw only three fixtures for us. The first was the second leg IT Cup tie against Tremough. Alredy leading 12-0 on aggregate, an easy tie was anticipated. Travelling down with only 11 players either fit or available from a squad of 18, this game set two new records for Saltash. Firstly we set a new high score winning 18-0, 30-0 on aggregate, and also Emma Nichols set a new individual record by scoring 5. Our next game was going to be tougher, a lot tougher, as Torpoint were the visitors. With the team on a high after our win the previous week, the momentum was continued as we ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a Ness Nickson special! However, victory was gained at a cost with three players visiting casualty that evening. The final game of November saw Newmoor visit Kimberly. A disappointing performance after last week saw us scrape home 2-1 and move into 4th place in the league with games in hand.

December
Our first fixture saw us travel to meet St Columb Minor (again!) in the League Cup 2nd round. A down pour thirty minutes before kick off turned the game into a lottery which Minor had the winning ticket coming out 3-0 victors. The pitch was such a state, that the Cornish water-polo championships were held straight after the final whistle! Then it was back to league action with a visit to Roche. Again under strength due to injury, we ran out comfortable winners 5-1. This win moved us up to third in the league and Roches' goal was a classic which will forever live in Saltash folklore. Dan came rushing out of her area to clear a hopeful long ball, kicks it directly at Coxy who was chasing back. The ball hits her on the knee and ballooned into the back of the net from 25 yards!! Next came a welcome break for Christmas and gave some of our walking wounded chance to recover. Our league record so far was
P6 W5 L1 F18 A4 Pts12

January
First up was a visit to Stoke Climsland. This was another first for us, as we actually had four subs available for the first time this season. After trailing to a Danni Thomas goal, we fought back well and ran out comfortable winners 4-1. Our second fixture was against Minor in the League Cup. On another horrible day for weather, we lost 3-1 on the day and 6-1 on aggregate. Minor had to work hard for their win coming from behind to another Nickson special from 25 yards! Cup action continued the following week with a trip to Falmouth for the IT Quarter Final 1st leg. A hard fought game with our first draw of the season 0-0. Our final game of January saw us travel to meet Minor, for the fifth time in all competitions, in the league. Sitting at the top of the table with a 100% record to their name, Minor had a shock coming. At half time, we were deservedly leading 2-0 and in control. However, we couldnt maintain the level of performance and came away with a bitterly disappointing 2-2 draw having been denied a penalty claim in the last minute.

February
Falmouth provided the opposition in the IT quarter final second leg which, after a bruising encounter, we ran out 2-0 winners to progress to the Semi. Two away trips were next for us. First up a trip to Camelford. Another solid team performance saw us run out comfortable winners 4-0. This was followed by a trip to Newmoor. Another difficult pitch, and after a few scares another 4-0 victory. Finally a home game against Stoke Climsland and a 1-0 win to round the month off. How we came away with all three points is still a mystery as Climsland hit the woodwork three times and had a goal ruled out too.

March
March saw the eagerly anticipated IT semi final 1st leg with Torpoint at The Mill. Another hard fought battle ensued and a fine 1-0 win with guess who scoring another special (Ness). St Breward were the visitors the following week and another team record was set when we won 4-0. This was our sixth clean sheet in a row.

April
This was a disappointing month for us. First up was Wadebridge where we had to come from behind to win 3-1. The following week saw us entertain Roche and comfortably win 7-0. Next the big one. Torpoint at home in the cup semi 2nd leg. For whatever reason it wasnt going to be our day. Already trailing 1-0 to a 5th minute goal, Sam handled on the line and was sent off. The next 25 minutes were a total nightmare (our worst performance of the season) as we didnt compete and all of a sudden couldnt defend corners! At half time we were losing 4-1 (4-2 on agg). Tempers flared and tackles flew in during the second half as battle commenced. Torpoint having two sent off and going through 6-3 on aggregate. Normality returned the following week with a good performance and a 7-0 victory away at St Breward.

May
Having to wait a couple of weeks for our final game, put us in the position of knowing what we had to do to claim runners-up spot. Torpoint had beaten Minor and only a win would be good enough for us. Unfortunately we were up against it with Torpoint going ahead from a hotly disputed penalty, and then after somehow managing to stay on the pitch their keeper saved a penalty of our own five minutes later. We lost 1-0 that day, but we got our pride back and showed just how far we have come as a team since those friendlies back in August.
Well done girls, you have made an old manager very happy. Heres to next season.