[P]enrith AFC Ladies preparations for the new season are now in full swing. The squad continues to train twice a week and recently spent 5 days in Amsterdam on their annual summer tour, playing 2 tough games while they were there.
Manager Simon Savage commented: “Our summer tours have become a popular feature of our pre season programme. Over recent years we have been to Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and Jersey. This season we’ve used a specialist company to assist us in planning this trip and it’s proved to be a great success”.
This season Penrith AFC Ladies took an U18 girls squad as well as a senior Ladies squad on tour. Savage said “Our club is reliant on producing and developing young talent which gradually filters through to our senior teams. Taking an U18 squad allows the youngsters to gain valuable experience and helps them make the transition towards Ladies football.
On the field Penrith AFC Ladies drew 0-0 with AVV SDZ Ladies on their opening fixture. The scoreline masks a very entertaining game in which both teams created good scoring opportunities but somehow the score line remained goal less.
In Penrith AFC Ladies 2nd game they were unlucky to lose 1-0 to a very good VV Hoogland team. A very high tempo and physical encounter again could have gone either way but Hoogland scored the decisive goal mid way through the first half.
Penrith’s U18s bounced back to claim a very creditable 0-0 draw against Hoogland after suffering a heavy opening defeat against a strong Purmerend team.
Savage concluded “Ultimately both teams gained alot from the tour both on and off the pitch. We have played tough, very competitive games against strong opposition and have given a good account of ourselves which is hugh credit to both teams. Equally importantly the Ladies / Girls have bonded well and this will stand them in good stead for the challenges that lie ahead this season .
This Sunday Penrith AFC Ladies travel to face a strong Durham Development team in their latest friendly.
