Hosting second-placed Leek Town on Sunday 19th March, ‘Piv Ladies’ ran out 6-2 winners to move out of reach of not just their visitors but also Wyrley and Shrewsbury Town, thereby gaining promotion to the Premier Division.
Stockingford had won their all of their previous sixteen league games, except last month’s 4-4 tie at Brereton.
After 16 minutes Sharni Turnbull converted Amanda Turnbull’s pass, with the latter then doubling the lead with the first goal of her hat-trick. Leek struck back with a good finish but Catherine Smith’s header inside the near post meant Stockingford led 3-1 at half-time.
Stockingford’s ‘Green Army’
When centre back Lois Smalley won the ball and played wide to Jessica Shepherdsonm the hard low cross was met by Amanda Turnbull to make it 4-1.
Leek were by no means beaten and again reduced the deficit with a really good goal, exerting a period of enormous pressure,
The goal of the game came when Amanda Turnbull’s long-range lob from the touchline and against the wind beat the stranded Leek keeper.
Piv’s prolific striker Sharni Turnbull scored her 25th league goal of the season to make the final score 6-2. Stockingford have netted 89 league goals so far this season, scored by 15 different members of the squad.
Showing her commitment to the cause, Piv’s winger Jessica Sévellec had completed the Coventry Half Marathon as a pre-match ‘warm-up’!
Vice-Captain Lois Smalley commented on Piv’s success: “We are extremely excited about moving up to the Regional Premiership and we are hoping that as a team we can build on our success by recruiting new players and gaining further sponsorship to assist the club financially.
“The team spirit we have is legendary and is, I believe, one of the most important aspects of football – we can all play and every player has their strengths but our team play for each other and that’s what has won us games.
“We play best when we’re smiling and in the dressing room beforehand we like to have our music loud and our banter louder – there’s not one person who is classed as the “joker” as everyone gets involved and we all rib each other.
“The team for me is my family away from home – it’s my release from the stresses of work and life and I know I’m guaranteed to smile after being with them.”
