This week, we tracked down Jon “Jonno” Noble to talk about the ladies Second Team.

“How’s it going Jon?”

“Well it’s been going alright”

“That’s good. Care to elaborate?”

“Actually, yes it’s been really good. Now it’s underway, the new open league has been the best thing that’s happened in a long while. The old County League was really bad. The ladies would win the league by a mile, get promoted and then get relegated again year after year. The new format means we are playing against consistently stronger teams which is good for Saints’ ladies teams and good for all ladies clubs across the county”.

So the ladies now have a chance to concentrate on improving as individuals ad as a team.

“Admittedly I’ve been grumpy at times, but the girls are learning to recognise what it takes to win games. It’s a work in progress and it’s paying dividends. Four girls have had the opportunity to play for the First Team, and that’s the benefit for kids with potential”.

I asked Jon if he wanted to name-check any promising young players but he declined to do so, emphasising that the onus is on teamwork and development. As a team, there’s plenty of talent and potential. “We’ve won two, drawn one and lost three, so we’re about mid table which is good for a team with lots of under 18s and under 16s and only two or three seniors”.

One of the Two’s closest mid table rivals are currently Loughborough Town 2s, who made for a high scoring tussle at the weekend, with Saints coming out 5-4 on top. The match was reported on by one of the team’s players.

After a disappointing performance the previous week vs Towcester 2s, Saints Ladies 2s were determined to step up and improve our game vs Loughborough Town 2s.

After winning the toss, Saints started with the ball and very quickly found themselves in Loughborough’s D where Ruby Curtis-Free, showing composure beyond her years, smashed the ball straight into the back of the net. Sadly almost immediately Loughborough replied with a goal of their own, and this set the tone for a high scoring and exciting match. Although still drawing 1-1, the balance of play was definitely in Saints’ favour, and it wasn’t long before we went 2-1 up.

After the restart Saints retained the upper hand and a superb team goal came from Maddie Down powering up the right wing and crossing it to Ruby CF who tipped it towards goal where Abi Saunders slotted it in behind the keeper. Loughborough came back strongly, taking quick passes and catching us slightly on the hop and replied with a goal of their own, so we went into half time 3-2 up.

Elise Ramoo had spent the first half settling as half-back and kick started the second half with some excellent play that led to a short corner, and it was only right and just that Elise then scored a beauty of a drag flick after all her hard work. Loughborough started to press us more effectively and this led to another goal from them and some nervous play from the entire Saints team. With the score 4-3, there were about 10 minutes to go and both teams were looking tired but without a doubt Saints were single-minded and resolute in their desire to get a much needed win. A scrappy goal from Caroline Dow, and another from Loughborough meant that the final whistle saw Saints win 5-4.

Grace Noble and Ruby Curtis-Free were jointly awarded Man of the Match – Grace for her excellent and tireless screen play in the middle, and Ruby for the endless running up the wing and the number of opportunities she created. That much needed win sees us in the middle of the table, with just a few more games to go before the Christmas break.