CRICKHOWELL PANTHERS GIRLS JUNIOR FOOTBALL CLUB: Welcome

The Crickhowell Panthers Junior Girls Football Club

"Form is temporary but class is permanent". 

This is the only Club catering for Girls football in South Powys, Wales and the largest Girls football Club in the whole of Powys.

We encourage girls from aged 7 up to 16, of all abilities, who love the 'beautiful game' to make new friends, keep active and learn the game of football in a safe, fun but serious footballing environment.

All of our Coaches are fully insured and registered via the Football Association of Wales (FAW).

The Crickhowell Panthers has currently an Under 16 squad competing in the 'Direct Source' South Wales Girls League and Under 11 and Under 14 squads competing in the Gwent Girls Leagues.

We are always recruiting for our teams, no matter your ability.

Our only criteria is that you are passionate about playing football, ready to compete, playing your best but not to win at all costs. The spirit of good sportsmanship is critical to our Club.

"The future of our football lies in young boys and girls who must understand how to love the ball, who understand when to pass, and make sure they realise it is not 'win at all costs'. We must adapt the games programme to get our skills level high. We have undervalued youth coaching"    

Brian Barwick - Chief Executive - Football Association (August 2007)

Please contact initially Glen Perry (01874) 730544
or email -  perreez@uwclub.net
should you be interested in finding out more about our Club.

The new season kicks off shortly and it's meant some re-organisation within the various teams due to the changing age categories, new leagues and new players.

The old Under 10s will now be the Under 11s and have been invited to join the Gwent League. The Club is approaching parents and players to see if there is the committment and ability to support this young team across it's travels in Gwent on a regular basis.

The new Under 14s (last seasons Under 12s and several younger Under 14s from last season) will also be playing in the new Gwent League. With some seasoned experienced campaigners, new blood and for most of them the step up to full senior pitch and offsides this is an exciting season looming.

Last season's older Under 14s will join with the Under 16s and will remain in the South Wales Girls League this season. Again this is an exciting time with the mixing of the experienced with the younger players moving up and presents many oppertunities.

There's many more details to follow once the League's have confirmed the details which will then allow the Club to make some critical Team decisions - watch this space.

But I know, no matter what team, what league the girls of Crickhowell Panthers will play to the best of their ability, enjoying playing the 'Beautiful game' with spirit, good sportsmanship and above all, with a smile no matter what the results.

The rain held off and allowed the girls, mums, dads and other various family members to play in a series of footie matches in some lovely but rare sunshine. In between the burgers, sausages and ice pops the Under 14s drew 0-0 with the Under 16s, the Parents beat the Under 14s 2-0, beat the Under 16s 1-0, lost to the Under 10s 2-1 and drew with the Under 12s 1-1.  The final match saw the 'boys' beat the 'girls' 2-1 on the golden goal.

After various talks from the coaches about the season and a slide show with pictures past and present, we got down to the all important awards:-

The Under 10s each had an award for their achievements and effort throughout the season.

The Under 12s and Under 14s were presented with their League Runners Up trophies.

Most Improved Players; Emma Stephens (U12s), Angharad Meredith (U14s), Kelly Plumley (U16s) 

Coaches Awards; Rhiannon Chamberlain (U10s), Holly Perry (U14s), Alice Baynton (U14s) 

Top Goal Scorers; Sian Lewis & Mali Summers (U12s), Hannah Lewis & Hattie Powell (U14s) ,Katrina French (U16s)

 Goalkeeper Awards; Rhianna Lewis (U10s), Hannah D'Arcy (U12s), Kodie Baynton (U14s),  Charlotte Harris (U16s) 

PLAYERS PLAYER OF THE YEAR:  Pheobe Davies (U12s) Defender ,Harriet Davies (U14s) Right Winger ,Kirsty Wiliams (U16s) Defender

Well done to all of the players for their season's hard work, parents for their continued support and the Coaches who make it all possible. Also well done to the huge number of parents, players and families who attended and made it such an enjoyable afternoon.

By entering 4 teams (2 Under 13s and 2 Under 16s) into the Llanybydder Girls Festival, the plan was simply to let the players play. Being the last set on matches for the season it was an ideal opportunity to let the players old and new, get to know each other. It was also a good run out for the players going to Holland in late July. The idea was to let the players loose and enjoy and not knowing this Festival (1st year that we've been) we didn;t know what to expect either from the opposition or our own players...too be honest.

As it was, both Under 13 teams both reached the Semi Finals where, would you believe, they faced each other. The 'Silver' Panthers (Under Jim) had topped their group  and Stuart's 'Black' Panthers finished Runners up in theirs with only a single loss. In the end , after a close fought match, Jim's 'Silvers' clinched a 2-1 win and progressed to the final where they were out played by a Swansea team who they'd drawn against in the opening match. Runners up and Semi Finalists both teams though, a pleasant surprise !!

The Silvers collected their trophies as well as Jim and Niaomi Cook was announced as the Under 13 MVP of the whole Tournament (Most Valuable Player). Well done Niaomi, and she collected another even bigger trophy.

The Under 16s teams did almost as well, one the'Greys' getting to the semi final where they narrowly lost 1-0 to the eventual winners and the 'whites' getting close but had their revenge when they beat the greys 2-1 in the group matches. In in all, it was a satisfactory performance, with new players bedding in, some players scoring their first competitive goals and all having smiles and a good time, despite the weather which was atrocious most of the day with driving rain.

The Crickhowell Panthers Girls Junior FC entered three teams into the annual Hereford 7 aside tournament last weekend. This was the first  time that we’d  ever entered so didn’t know what to expect in terms of opposition and we quickly realised that we were the only Welsh Club there. Our pride and will to do well was probably a bit more focused because of this and knew that the experience in tough SouthWales Girls League had both sharpened us and built our self confidence having done so well over the past two seasons.

            Our three teams, Under 10, Under 12 and Under 14s made camp on Widemarsh Common with both the Club and Welsh flag flying high.

            The Under 10s commenced battle first and donning their new white and black sponsored strip took to the field somewhat nervously against one of the Hereford sides. Within a few minutes of kick off though the nerves quickly evaporated as the passing and movement between the midfield and strikers quickly opened up the opposition.

The return of Morris up front along with the two new signings, Gillgrass and Chivers, along with the on form Chamberlain and King in midfield totally dominated the play and the match ended up a 7-0 romp to the Panthers. They continued to battle hard and won two of the three following matches, only losing one to a last minute fluke goal. Having finished top ofthe table they then played the Runners Up in the Final and it happened to be the same Hereford side that had just sneaked a narrow win against them earlier. Coach Phil Harrhy got his players charged up and within a few moments of the match starting it was clear that there was ever only going to be one winner.

Frost and A.Harrhy combined well in defence, Russell, Mogg stood their ground in the midfield and the team creativity was superb, running out 5-0 winners.

            The team collected their trophies and Cup and were both delighted and surprised to be doing so. First blood the Welsh.

The Under 12s took to the field facing mighty Gloucester City FC, one of the largest and strongest Clubs in the area. This was always going to be a tough one for the players of rural Crickhowell to contest, but again, with confidence and experience high after finishing the League in Runners Up spot they knew how to battle. Bolstered by arrival of new signings the Jenkins sisters the Panthers immediately got after them.

It was fast and end to end and Panthers keeper D’Arcy made several outstanding saves to keep the team in the game. The pressure on the Gloucester goal started to build mid way through the second half as their efforts started to flounder on the defence of B.Jenkins, Thomas and Stephens. Grainger and Stahl played well in midfield along side Summers in the centre and  it was she who supplied the driven corner kick that Tucker half volleyed low into the corner of the net. The Panthers were ecstatic but Gloucester were stunned. The Panthers then did well to keep pocession that saw the match out.

            The Under 12s then went on to beat Ledbury and Golden Valley but lost 1-0 to Hereford Vixens. This placed them second in the table and drawn against the other group winners Pegasus in the Semi Final.  Coaches Stuart Summers and Jim D’Arcy again rallied the team to face this well fancied and large Club and it was a very closely fought contest. No team dominated but it took a long midfield pass two minutes from time to split the Pegasus defence that allowed S.Jenkins to run at goal.

With pace she drew the keeper to the left and placed the ball just inside the post to the right, pure strikers finish. With the opposition no time to recover, the Panthers were in the Final.

            They faced Hereford Vixens again who narrowly beat them 1-0 earlier in the league stage and once again it was a very closely fought game. In the end the Vixens came out 1-0 winners and on the balance of play deserved their win but we had our chances and ran them very close. The Runners Up trophies were presented and although the Panthers hadn’t won the Final they’d certainly despatched some big names en route and in the process had done themselves very proud.

The Under 14s played last and had a lot to live up to after the earlier exploits of their younger Club teams. They opened their campaign  with a 2-1 win over Pegasus, sealing the double over that Club and then comfortably beat two Hereford sides.

The signs were good and if they could keep playing their high tempo passing game they knew that they’d cause problems for even the best teams. Having won their group they then faced the hosts (Hereford Lads Club) inthe Semi Final. Hereford were a physical side but the League had toughed the Panthers up and the passing game through Dixon, Wrigley and Lewis in midfield were creating Hereford problems.

            Occasional high speculative shots were dealt with admirably by Barrell, Purvis and Perry at the back with A.Baynton up front continually hassling the Hereford defenders. The breakthrough came from Powell’s free kick just outside the area  that rocketed through the wall just before the break. She added another in the second half to seal the victory over the Home team and previous winners.

            The Final was against Wellington and they came also not having lost in the earlier rounds, so it was always going to be a tightly contested match. It was end to end stuff and Panthers keeper K.Baynton had a lot more to do than in the earlier games.

Panthers scored first midway through the first half, again from a free kick.

Wellington then came back second half for the equaliser and they changed strategy and floated high balls up for their striker to head / run on to, cutting out the Panthers midfield. It worked, with only a few minutes togo the Wellington striker managed to get her head to it and powerfully netted it to put the Final into extra time. It was a tense time as the Panthers midfield again started to turn the screw. Holding and releasing the ball well,a cleverly worked turn and pass released Powell just outside the area who then calmly through traffic placed the ball with power into the bottom left corner of the net with a low drive. That was the winner and the Panthers kept the ball well to deny any riposte.  Again with trophies and Winners Cup presented we folded away the flags and made our way across the border, tired but victorious.

Well, it was a stunning afternoons performance from all three teams. We’d never of dreamt that we’d end up winning two of the three and coming so close as Runners Up in the other age group. It just shows the depth  of talent that resides in the 75 registered players of the Club and all from the rurality of Crickhowell and its surrounds. As Under 14s Coach Lee Powell suggested ‘After today’s performance we’d probably not be invited back again after giving the English such a bloody nose…..’ we’ll wait and see.

Another cracking League season ends for the Under 14s as they comfortably finish as Runners Up. Having beaten off Georgetown's challenge a few weeks ago all eyes were on Mardy Tigers who had to win their remaining 4 games to secure the top spot and having to play the Panthers twice in the last remaining matches of the season, it was a hard call.

Fair play to the Tigers, they did what was neccessary and won their remaining matches (bar one) and secured the Championship with a 4 point cushion in the end. Congratulations again to them, they're certainly the team to beat..........and that we did!

The Panthers played the Tigers away four weeks ago and lost 4-2, after opening and closing the scoring, but a 12 minute lapse and the rampant Tigers put 4 passed us. But it could have been very different had the any of the near misses and any of the two post rattling goal efforts gone in, all happening when we were in the lead.........could've sealed the match. They certainly knew that they were lucky (comment from Tigers Coach).

The return Home bout was the last match of the season 2 weeks ago. Mardy took a first half lead and Panthers had to defend well as the Tigers pushed all half for the killer goals. Second half the Panthers came out battling and pulled the equaliser back from a Lewis half volley driven from a Perry corner. With spirits lifted the Panthers continued to push the Tigers back, it was a cracking game to watch...especially for a neutral ! Some end to end exchanges, some top saves from Panthers keeper Baynton and the final blow 10 minutes from the end with another shot from Lewis finding it's way through bodies in the area and hitting the net. The Panthers then defended well to fustrate the opposition and had some chances to make it a more comfortable margin, but in the end 2-1 to the Panthers.

 A deserved win and good all round team performance. The Panthers only lost 1 match all season in the League...to the Mardy Tigers, the Mardy Tigers only lost 1 in the League as well.... to the Panthers...touche!    The Panthers were the only team to beat Mardy all season in all competitions, high praise for Mardy certainly, but equally to the Panther lasses to inflict obvious pain to them, being local rivals as well !!

Three fine wins over Academy rivals from Aberystwyth, South Ceredigion and Mid & North Powys left the Panthers clear winners in this prestigious event today. The team played some exciting and excellent one touch football and were quite solid at the back (only conceding one goal all day). The players deserved their wins and overall Champion status and we all had some good fun as well.  Some of us later went out for a celebratory Maccy D meal where we won some additional grub as well.......just our lucky day.  It was a long day with over 3.5 hours in the car and bar some travel sickness it was all very much worth it!  

WELL DONE PANTHERS......................... 

 Team L2R back - Barrell / Powell / Wrigley / Meredith / Cannan / Perry

               Front -  Purvis / A.Baynton / Lewis / K.Baynton

It’s been quite a week for the Crickhowell Panthers Junior Girls Football Club.

For the first time the Club was nominated for the Junior Sports Club of the Year 2008 and at the prestigious awards evening held atTheatr Brycheiniog, Brecon a number of players in their Club shirts went up tocollect the Runners Up award. Not a bad start to the week.

Then on Easter Friday the annual South Powys Girls Football Festival took place at Brecon Leisure Centre which attracted over fifty teams from the whole of Wales, with team categories ranging from Under 10 up to Under 16s. This was the eighth year of this important sporting event and is on the calendar of most Welsh Clubs to attend. With its’ well organised match schedules, neutral referees and with good facilities the only complaint from both players and spectators alike was the erratic wintry weather.

Congratulations again need to go to the organisers, the Sports Development Unit at Powys County Council for this terrific showcase event.

The Panthers had entered all four age groups, which was based on mini league formats with the winners and runners up facing each other in Semi finals then the finals themselves. With the number of teams involved and the first match kicking off at 10am, it wasn’t until about 3pm that the final matches were being played out and in that weather it was quite a struggle to keep warm and dry for the whole day.

            The Panthers Under 10s struggled playing generally older girls and with three key players missing, but nevertheless battled until the very end, gaining much needed match experience in this their first season together. They were still smiling at the end!

            The Panthers Under 16s, again in their first season, ran one of the top sides in Wales, Margam very close, narrowly losing 1-0 but picked up the much vaulted scalp of League rivals Newport County beating them 1-0 with a spectacular goal from the side’s top scorer K.French. The team put in creditable performances in their other two group matches but narrowly lost out again to more experienced,older teams.

            The Under 14s played steady throughout the day, only losing narrowly twice in their six matches but with fine wins against Aberdare, Llanidloes and Aberyswyth and a draw against Mold clinched the Runners Up spot and claimed their trophies.

            Meanwhile the Under 12s were the stars of the show, winning all of their league matches without conceding, and then went onto to beat Port Talbot in the Semi Final 1-0 after the nerve wracking extra time and golden goal was played out. In the final they faced Aberyswyth and although having most of the first half play were pegged at 1-1 at the interval. The same pattern continued into the second half and the nerves were beginning to show on both players and supporters ofboth teams as the clock ticked away. With two minutes to go, facing extra time and perhaps the golden goal again, Panthers defender Stephens cleared a highball to the half way line and with the opposition pushed up this allowed the pacy Lewis a run from the half way line, latching onto and controlling the ball leaving the defenders behind her. With space between her and the keeper the excitement from the Panthers crowd was tangible, as parents and coaches with hands on heads, gritted teeth, clenched fists willing Lewis on as she honed in on the opposing keeper. As if in slow motion and without any panic, Lewis facedthe keeper from 2 metres one on one, jinked to the right and slotted a low drive into the bottom right corner. No sooner had the kick off been retaken,the final whistle blew, its was so close and what a finish!

            The Panthers Under 12s deservedly collected their winner’s trophies and the Cup with players, parents and coaches still catching their breath.

Well done all Panthers teams, great spirit and sporting conduct, well done Powys County Council, another fine run competition!

The Panthers Under 10s have just been issued brand new kit with the generous sponsorship of a local business.

With the Under 16s playing in Welsh national colours following their participation in the Youth Friendship Games in Holland in the summer of 2007, the Under 10s have followed the trend and have moved away from the all black kit with white tops but keeping the black shorts and socks. Both the Under 12s and Under 14s remain with the 'old kit'.

 David Harrhy, Managing Director of 'Rushar' stepped in to support the team as the Panthers were running short of smaller shirts with the increase of new players at the under 10 level. The players were presented the new kit by Mr Harrhy at a recently held 6 aside tournament at Nantyglo run by local rivals Coed Cae Colts where the young players did well against the mainly older opposition and ended the competition with a thumping 3-0 win over Caerphilly.

Once again, we thank David Harrhy for his generous support of the Crickhowell Panthers.

 The team are seen below sporting their kit, the players are:

Ali, Ella, Rhiannon, Elin, Rhianna, Carian, Aithney, Jasmin and Mia.

Thinking back to last season, when this new team lost it's first six league matches, who would have thought that by the end of it they would then win the following six and then be finalists in the Plate Competition, losing narrowly 1-0.

We have the same players, bar two that have moved up to the under 14s, so with experience, training and good coaching the girls have united into a formidable team.

 This season they have done themselves very proud indeed and the Club congratulates them, their parents for their continued support and the coaches (Stuart & Jim) for an outstanding season this year. It's been a first class effort and only to be pipped to win the Championship by the eventual winners in the last match of the season (losing 1-0 to Georgetown), the only loss all season, is a first class achievement.

 So don't be too dissapointed girls, we're all so very proud of you all  !!

Players:-  Hannah D'Arcy / Elin Gruffydd / Sian Lewis / Abbie Greenland/ Mali Summers / Bobbie Harris / Amy Brown / Kate Tucker / Rhiannon Stahl / Pheobe Davies / Georgina Walsh / Rosie Hawley / Emma Stephens  and Sophie Grainger.