SMITH: A long but successful campaign
Published Date:
22 May 2008
By Sue Smith
Our season has eventually come to an end and I think it would be fair to describe it as a long and successful one.
We finished third in the table with 40 points which is the highest position the club has ever reached and, of course, we got to the FA Cup Final.
With a lot of new players and new management too, that is quite an achievement.
However, when we have spoken together about the season we feel we have been so inconsistent and dropped too many silly points.
If we add up all those points we missed, we would be not have been too far behind Everton.
So I think for next season our aim is to be more professional and compete with the top two and for me to WIN something – I am fed up of being second best.
We finished the season on a high when we played Arsenal in midweek at their training ground.
We had our goalkeeper Carly Telford, left-back Olivia Thackray and our centre forward Amanda Barr missing, while Arsenal had a full-strength side, so we expected a very difficult game.
We went out with no fear and just wanted to enjoy playing on a fantastic pitch. It worked we probably passed it around better than we have done all season and showed passion and pride in wanting revenge for the FA Cup Final defeat.
We drew the game 1-1, with Jade Moore scoring a well-deserved goal for us. Jade was immense throughout the game, and we actually could have won it but a shot I had in the last few seconds of the game went wide of the post!
I couldn't sleep that night thinking what if?! Everyone associated with the club seemed pleased with the result and the performance.
I was the first point we had ever taken from Arsenal and only the second time in the league they have drawn – an excellent result for us.
Our last game of the season was against Watford and wanted to finish on a high.
Although it was a struggle and we were again not our best, we managed to win the game 2-1.
Steph Houghton came to the rescue with a great corner that beat the goalkeeper in the last few moments of the game.
So now we have a break, well two weeks, and then straight back into England training.
During this time I'll still go to the gym – got to look good in my bikini – and maybe play some other sports.
As you can tell I can't sit still and would be bored not doing any sport at all.
In among all this, we have the Women's Football National Awards in London and our presentation night so maybe we can all have a little drink to relax.
I will be a cheap date after not drinking for so long and I will also fit in a holiday at some point – I am not sure where but as long as its hot with a beach then it is good for me!
Also for next season all the girls think I am due a new hairstyle so any offers or designs are welcome. Please let me know.
Last, but by no means least, I will be taking my place at Wembley on Sunday for the play-off final so COME ON LEEDS let's finish the season on a high – who needs the 15 points?
The full article contains 582 words and appears in EP Leeds First & County newspaper.
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Last Updated:
22 May 2008 9:34 AM
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Source:
EP Leeds First & County
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Location:
Leeds