After another season that come to an end early with Covid causing the break. It lead to having a Pre-Preseason that started with welcoming Nottingham Forest to Grange Park in a game that was key to get the squad back together and push towards building fitness after the break in a game that Forest won 0-6. This was followed by a game against Leicester City Reserves where the team bounced back with a 9-1 victory but maybe more important Alex O'Neill impressed and caught the eye in this game (But more on this later). This was followed by another two games with higher level opponents that saw a 3-3 draw with Loughborough Foxes and a 1-6 defeat to West Brom at Grange Park seeing the team break on the 23rd of May.

After the break once again it was time for the team to get together for Preseason where we welcomed Sheffield FC to Grange Park on 1st July in an impressive 3-1 victory. That was followed by two games in two days as we had a 1-1 draw with a Mansfield Town team before a game many will remember against Haringey Borough. The next game was planned to be Bolton but as with Covid times the opponent changed with Stourbridge Town coming in at last minute and a real tough game against Andy Fisher's team saw a 1-0 victory.
With two remaining games planned the second didn't happen as Rotherham United had to pull out of the game but what a fantastic way to finish off a preseason campaign with a 7-2 victory over Loughborough Lightning to build towards the season starting on August 15th.

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As well as the games and training John Bennett was working hard behind the scenes with the rest of his team to bring in some new faces to build and expand the quality of the squad. We have four incredible new additions to the squad as listed below.

Alex O'Neill - Alex was impressive in the game we played against Leicester City Reserves and didn't look out of place in her first preseason game with Long Eaton United Ladies as she hit the ground running. Each and every game she has impressed and gelled with the team and will look to cement her place on the left side in the squad throughout the season.

Cala Thornton - Cala is someone new to me but not to anyone else in the team as they all seem to know and respect her presence which is something that can easily be seen. Without stepping on the pitch it was obvious to see she is a leader on and off the pitch with her talking to the team against Stourbridge and her impact on the pitch in the following games has been something that is easy to see.

Tilly Hallas-Potts - Tilly to me at this moment as well to many in the league coming up could be a brilliant enigma, an unknown. In the games I have managed to see her play so far, she is a player that could easily become one of the most important players throughout the season. Defiantly a player I look forward to see growing with the team as the season goes.

Lexie Spokes - Lexie is a player that has slotted in with ease since joining and looks as if she has already been with the team for a long time. After a spell at Loughborough Foxes she will no doubt bring in a level of experience to add to the team as the season gets underway and we get into the nitty gritty.

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Unfortunately injuries to key players such as Nikki Emery and Annie Taylor are the only down points to the start of the season. But hopefully they will return to the squad and action soon but are always a big part of the team and matchdays .

We will look forward to the start of the season which is only a few days away now when we host Leafield Athletic at Grange Park on 15th August.

You Blues!!