After an impressive opening half of the season, the UEL Women’s Football first team have registered a positive calendar year of results while maintaining a high standard of performance.
Beginning the campaign with a dominant 14-0 win over the University of Kent, many would have backed them to carry on their fine form. However, bitter rivals Brunel University away from home was next, where they were grounded after losing 7-2.
In response, they managed five wins and one draw thus completing the calendar year with only two losses and a six-game unbeaten streak. Meanwhile, they are still in contention for the cup as well as the league title.
Winning Mentality
Speaking exclusively to Rising East, Davis gave an insight into the team’s ambitions moving forward:
“I do believe we can maintain our unbeaten streak. When we played Brunel for the first time it was very early on in the year, and we weren’t ready or playing like we are playing now. There’s no reason for us for this streak to end. Our goal for the rest of the season is just to continue how we play and the results will show.”
Positive Perspective
Joint top of the table with Brunel, UEL were denied a thoroughly deserved three points by a late equaliser when the sides drew 2-2 in their final match of 2018. This may deem costly as Brunel have one game in-hand over the East Londoners.
In spite of this, the skipper was full of optimism and belief at the halfway stage of the campaign:
“Most definitely, our season has gone to plan. The girls that were in the team last year knew this league wouldn’t be a walk in the park like previous years. Our goal was to play well, support each other while we play and have fun.”
Singing Praise
Throughout her three years of playing for the university, Davis believes the team have always been strong and played well together. She handed special recognition to one individual who is a commanding voice between the sticks:
“I’d say our most influential player that helps the team the most would be our goalkeeper, Ellie. She can see a lot of the back and is very talkative, which we all love and it is great support.”
Achieving Goals
Upon their return, UEL will host University College London looking to continue their fine form on Wednesday January 30th. UCL currently sit fourth in the South Eastern 1A Division. With a game in-hand, they will be looking to gain ground on third-place St Mary’s.
Conveniently, UEL’s next cup game is against Brunel where the teams will meet for the third time this season. With their track record of two consecutive league titles and going for a third, a cup success is not beyond the East London side.
