After a successful campaign last season, Boro women were promoted into Division 1 of the GLWFL, the season opener saw us take on local neighbours Tooting Bec at home. Having played them in a pre-season friendly a few weeks prior, we were looking to make amends from that defeat and kick off the new season in a positive manner.

The team were on a high following a boozy social on Friday night, hangovers were no longer hanging around and the ladies were ready to get going.

Summer recruitment had gone well and two of our new players, Freya Newman and Nicole Humphry were making their 'official' debut for the club and were straight into the starting 11.

Starting in a 4-3-3 formation, it was an evenly contested match. Both teams had passages of play where they dominated possession. Tooting started to edge the game slightly, creating more chances with through balls to their pacey no.9 for chances on goal. For 15 minutes Wandsworth were able to contain them with a strong back line and a high line from our keeper, however they finally got their goal after 16 minutes with their striker calmly slotting home into the corner from close range.

Things got worse on 23 minutes, the problematic no.9 managed to get her big toe on the ball after a bit of ping pong in the box, making it 2-0 to Tooting.

Debutant N.Humphry was suffering from toe cramps and had to be substituted on the half hour mark. B.Kill coming on in her place at CB.

After going 2-0 down, Wandsworth started to get the upper hand in the game, creating chances, dominating play and having a few breaks. Unfortunately, we couldn't capitalize on any of the opportunities. 2-0 down at the break.

Five minutes into the second half, Tooting added another with a shot from long range. Five minutes later they had added another. 60 minutes on clock, 4-0 to Tooting Bec.

Wandsworth continued to battle and showed some good glimpse of play. They worked hard on and off the ball and never gave up. Borough were on the attack when the ref had to stop play due to an injury to M.McAllister. Play continued with a drop ball, with L.Manley standing over the ball, the ref said 'do what you want' implying she could take a shot on goal. Which is exactly what she did, a left foot half volley from outside the box. The keeper stood zero chance and Borough had their well-deserved goal. It may have been gifted to us slightly, but the efforts the team had put it, it was well deserved.

Tiring legs and a few knocks saw a roundabout of subs in the second half.

With the game almost done, Tooting still looked strong and continued to attack the Borough defence. They added a 5th and 6th goal making the score line 6-1. They didn't look finished either, with almost the last attack of the game there was a tangle of legs in the box, the ref pointed to the spot, with the Tooting striker blasting the pen over the crossbar.

Full time, 6-1 defeat.

Not the result we wanted and perhaps not a true reflection of the effort put in by every single player. There were lots of positives to take from the game and things to work on in training. We keep our heads up, we go again next week!