WOMEN’S LATEST: “Building Game By Game” – Boss Vigneswaran Positive After Promotion

“A SQUAD to go and compete” was the assessment proffered by Head Coach Saj Vigneswaran about his Wealdstone Women group as they adjust to life in new climes after capping their inaugural year since reforming with promotion last season.

Two cup semi-finals, a cup quarter-final and second place in the league has to constitute a positive first term by any measure.

Speaking before last weekend’s Greater London Women’s Football League Trophy tie at Regents Park Rangers, Vigneswaran was reflecting on the start of the new campaign and the difference between Greater London Women’s Football League Division 2 North and the current Division 1 North.

It was good of him to spare the time…he’s an extremely in-demand coach – with roles at Northwood men’s first-team, Wealdstone Youth FC Under-11s and a ‘day job’ with Watford FC’s Community Trust to fit in alongside his Stones’ remit!

“The way the team came together last season to grow stronger and stronger, that was what pleased me most,” he reflected of a campaign which saw a 6-0 defeat to eventual champions Fusion – later avenged with a 1-0 win, showing the progress made in eventually taking the other available promotion spot.

“We dealt with the usual niggly bits around setting up a new side early on, but it was clear the foundations were there in terms of understanding and we quickly solidified a core base of key players.

“This summer we knew it was always going to be a big step up. Division 2 last year is where all new teams start, so the levels can be really up and down.

“We’ve recruited some players to add quality and help the team gel that much more, but in terms of the new standard we’re still laying those foundations and building game by game.”

Vigneswaran expected a tough start and Division 1 North hasn’t disappointed. Although in between two 4-0 losses and a bigger defeat at the hands of QPR Development, a first league win – by six goals to one – arrived late last month against Enfield Town Development.

He added: “The QPR game was a real eye-opener, even though we had already got a feeling for the jump in class.

“That’s why we’re not being shy about continuing to add new players, especially as we’ve got a couple of bad injuries at the moment.”

And the aim now is to quickly implement early-season learnings to make a further mark in their eight-team division and a number of cup competitions.

“Offering a stronger challenge to the better teams is our aim. Consolidating ourselves in this division; and, from what I’ve seen so far, it’s going to be about us being a bit more secure defensively as a team.

“Of course it’s about results, but also it’s very much about helping players develop and improve their game.

“Some of the girls are coming into this pretty new to football, although with some obvious technical capability, so it’s our job to harness that and allow them to flourish within a very positive and together environment.”

Next in action – Sun Oct 18:

Wealdstone Women are at the iconic Hackney Marshes this weekend for a 2pm kick-off against Clapton Community Reserves in the Capital Women’s Junior Cup. Please get along and support if you can.

A young player with designs on representing WFCW in the future?

Saj’s advice is to contact Wealdstone Youth Football Club in the first instance. Take a look at wealdstoneyouthfc.co.uk, which contains teams information and contact details to get in touch.

Up The Stones!