Golcar United Women FC warmed up for the new season with victory in a 12-team six-a-side tournament in Halifax.
The Weavers, who start their West Riding County Women’s Football League Division Two campaign next week, boosted confidence winning the tournament hosted by Halifax Friendly FC Belles.
The matches were played at 3GI Soccer Health and Fitness in Halifax and the early rounds were 10-minute matches with the semi-final 15 minutes and the final 20 minutes.
New manager Nathan Martin said: “This competition was all about fun after a very tough pre-season. We have worked hard on fitness, new tactics and bringing to the pitch a new style of play.
“I believed after all their hard work this tournament was a great way to set up the start of the new season. I wanted us to perform well obviously but the players were absolutely unbelievable.
“It was a great day with some excellent football on show and I was really proud of how the team played.
“There were some great individual performances combined with a great team attitude. This got us our first silverware before the season has even started!
“I hope this form and winning mentality continues throughout the season. Congratulations to everyone who took part and a big thank you for Halifax Friendly for hosting the tournament, and a big thank you to the players for their effort.”
Golcar Women made light work of the three games in the group stage winning two of them 6-0 and 4-0 respectively and drawing the other 1-1.
In the quarter-final they came up against Sublime Athletic FC A, a very tough and close match but Golcar secured a semi-final place with a 2-0 victory. In the semis Golcar beat Pontefract Collieries 3-0.
Golcar finished off the tournament in style defeating WFC Jaguars 7-2 in the final. Golcar’s Ellie Womersley was chosen as Player of the Tournament with 12 goals in six games. Weavers’ goalkeeper Demi Wood also earned praise conceding just four goals.
After the victory, Golcar captain Amy Gibson said: “Coming into the new season with new management our main goal this time around is to get promotion and to win the league.
“The tournament on Sunday was just the start. All the girls played amazing, they worked as a team, in what were much smaller, faster paced games. It was brilliant to eventually win the tournament and pick up the trophy.
“Having one of our own win Player of the Tournament just goes to show the class and ability we have within this team.
“Everybody is really looking forward to this season with Nathan’s vision for the team and hopefully we can bring home some more silverware.”
Golcar kick off the new season away at Garforth Rangers on Sunday September 4.
