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Post Match Interview with Mark Hamblin, Supporter and Dad

Post Match Interview with Mark Hamblin, Supporter and Dad

Nuno Antunes20 Dec 2017 - 08:51
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Following the win against local rivals Wargrave, we caught up with Mark, May's Dad, on his views,the results so far and his message to the team.

Woodley United ladies, finish off the 2017 year with an expressive 5-0 victory over local rivals Wargrave, with May Hamblin on the scoresheet twice, Rosie Page-Smith adding to her tally too, and Bek Lowes & Katie Lowther finishing the score line.

Mark is one of the loyal supporters who week in week out, home or away turns up to every game. A special message of thank you to all our supporters - the Page-Smith family, the Surtees family, Ward family and all the other people who come and watch us!

In tough conditions, with a heavy pitch, strong wind and plenty of rain, we caught up with loyal supporter and dad, Mark Hamblin on his views of the game, the season, what's special about the team this year and a special message to the girls.

5-0 victory today against local rivals in very tough conditions, what was your take from the game?

Today's conditions were really tough, a really heavy pitch , rain and it was windy. What impressed me was how despite the conditions the girls wanted to play their football. They soon got into their stride and as soon as the first goal went in you could see they were hungry for more. Playing in these conditions is tough but they stuck to how they like to play and it was impressive.

Parent to one of our players, and loyal supporter of the team, what’s your view on the season so far?

I have been really impressed with how the season has gone so far. There has only been one game this season when the girls have not turned up ( Barton at home ) We are starting to show real character this season. We have suffered a couple of defeats in the cup against teams from higher leagues but have bounced back the following week.

Doing a comparison to last year, what’s been the biggest differences so far this year?

A couple of things I think. Firstly I think on and off the pitch the girls are a team, they have had some social evenings out with very late finishes !! and they also go to the B&C after home games for some food and refreshment. This is great for team bonding and you can see when they play together that they fight for each other. On the occasions someone makes a mistake all you hear is encouragement, last season there was some moaning but not now. We have also recruited some quality new players in Maddie, Faye, Tatty, Charlie to name a few. All the girls have been made to feel welcome.

Victories, defeats, draws, they are all part of the game. What would you say it’s been the most surprising game this year (good or bad)?

That's a difficut one. If I was to pick a game out it would probably be the match against our local rivals Wokingham and Embrook and not just because we won and my daughter May got her first hat trick ! Some of the football was excellent and clearly came from the training ground and was great to watch and must have been very rewarding for the girls as well as the efforts of both Marc and Nuno.

If you had one thing to tell the squad as a whole what would it be

Keep believing in yourselves and take each game as it comes and continue to play as a team. I have every confidence that we can achieve great things this season.

We ask this question to everyone interviewed - what do you think the girls can achieve this year?

As in my answer above , take each game as it comes keep believing and I can see us winning some silverware. The league is without doubt a possibility and also one of the cups. We have a strong squad and good players to step in when we have injuries etc . It would be a reward for all the hard work they have put in as well as the efforts of both Marc and Nuno.

The ladies return on the 7th January against another local rival, Wokingham & Embrook in a league fixture.

On behalf of everyone, we would like to wish all players, managers, supporters and sponsors a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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