At Penrith Leisure Centre, there were many faces from last year’s competition, with Carleton Rovers, Ingleton and Oulton Wanderers returning to play Carlisle College and Kendal Expats.
The competition then moved onto West Cumbria, with Workington Leisure Centre hosting the event. Oulton Wanderers and Carleton Rovers made the journey out West to play teams from Whitehaven Amateurs and Southfield.
Following success in the county events, Kendal Expats, Whitehaven AFC and Carleton Rovers travelled across to North Shields to represent the Cumbria in the regional competition last Saturday 14 June 2008.
The three Cumbria teams competed well against opposition from the North East. A closely fought group saw Whitehaven Amateurs and Kendal Expats finish equal on points. Kendal Expats qualified for the final due to a superior goal difference. The Expats faced the favourites Team Barcode, a team consisting of Newcastle United players in the final for a place at Wembley and looking to avenge the 5-3 defeat in the group stages. Despite putting in a good performance, Team Barcode were too strong and qualified for Wembley following a 3-1 win.
The two evenings of football wetted the appetite for teams who are gearing up for the Cumbria Women’s League. A Women’s County Football League is due to kick off in September with teams from across Cumbria entering. A number of meetings have been held with clubs interested in being part of the inaugural league giving women the opportunity to play football within Cumbria for the first time. The league will be supported by the Cumberland and Westmorland County FA’s along with Tesco and the National Sport Foundation.
Cumbria will finally have a County League of its own and it is down to the hard work of clubs and volunteers across the county. The girl’s leagues in the County continue to grow in strength with the Carlisle Glass League, South Lakes Girls League, the U16 County League and the West Cumbria Youth League laying the foundations for women to compete in the county.
To play in the County League players must be 16 and over.
The fixtures for the league will take place on Sundays with the exact format yet to be decided.
Clubs have been invited to apply to play in the league before 30 June 2008.
Teams are currently recruiting for new players. For club information click on the related document link.
If you require any further information please contact Helen Aitchison, Girls & Women’s Football Development Officer on 01539 730946 or via email Helen.Aitchison@WestmorlandFA.com