Harlow Town entered the Essex League Division 1 this season and have taken it by storm, with 12 straight wins and 133 goals, so we found out more from manager Grant Palmer.
SK: Can you tell us a little of your footballing history?
GP – This is the first season and it came about when last season U18s at Bury Rangers wanted to move into ladies football and Tom Cunningham, Chairman of Harlow Town FC, offered us the chance to be the catalyst in creating a platform for the development and growth of ladies football at Harlow. We were also fortunate that U16s from Langley Colts also joined the club as our U18 team. The plan is to develop the Ladies team to play at the highest possible level of the women’s pyramid over the next few years as well as create a full Women’s and Girls structure from U8’s thru to Ladies.
SK: Was the team put together including any experienced players?
GP – We were fortunate that nearly all of our U18 team signed on for the Ladies, so our only need was for a GK and we were fortunate that Sarah Walker, formerly of Spurs, joined us and has been a revelation, conceding only 3 goals in the 12 league and cup games she has played in.
SK: Could you have imagined you would take the division by storm?
GP – We absolutely had no idea of the standard of the league and to be honest the standard from most teams is really good. We go out to every match wanting and needing to play at the highest level, setting a quick tempo and getting into our passing game nice and early.
SK: Your goal-difference in amazing – who gets most of the goals?
GP – Its not about who gets most goals from my perspective, we win as a team and there are no superstars in the team, It is as important that we keep clean sheets and play football the right way throughout the team.
SK: Are you confident you can complete the season unbeaten, or even with a perfect record?
GP – It would be arrogant to even think that, We have played every team in the division once and we know their strengths and weaknesses and vice versa, plus we are there as a target to be beaten and we believe the opposition will raise their game against us. So actually, the second half of the season will be more difficult that the first. It is important we keep our attitude right and the effort spot on for every game.
SK: How did you feel about the big Ryman Cup tie with Charlton Athletic?
GP – We loved it, the opportunity to play against a team of such quality and learn from then was really beneficial to us, we played under the lights at the Harlow Arena with a decent crowd and a great atmosphere. We gave a really good account of ourselves up until the last 10 minutes, when fatigue set in and we conceded 4 late goals. The most pleasing thing was that Charlton were 100% professional and complimentary before, during and after the match a really great group of people.
Images by Heather Square
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