Game 1 - EFC Juniors (3) Redgate Rovers (2) In their first game out in against a quality squad Redgate Rovers, coached by Paul and Keith, the Eastern FC Juniors put on an impressive showing of possession and hard work to win their first game of the 2008 tour. With goals from Daniela, Nikki, and Hannah and a great game from the entire 13 person squad, they earned a well deserved victory. This is the second year in the last 3 that Redgate hosted the American ladies in another thrilling contest.

  Game 2 - EFC Seniors (2) Mosley Hill (1) Game 2 brought the Eastern FC Seniors to take the most successful female club in England, Mosley Hill FC. Previously unbeaten (since July 07) Mosley Hill welcomed the Americans to their home club house/playing ground. The EFC girls went 1-0 up with a goal from Courtney off a cross from Haley only to bring the best out of their opponents. Coach Dave of and the ladies Mosley Hill brought the game to 1-1 soon after the break bringing the second half to a new level. When Caroline sent a through ball to Brooke she broke free from the last defender and scored the third and final goal of the game for the second hard-fought victory of the day.

  MVP of the day goes to the mother from Redgate who went head first (on purpose) trying to save the ball from going into the stream to the side of the field. She missed!!!!

Day 3:  Training session 1 at Liverpool Academy.  Topic - 1v1 skills
           Training session 2 at Liverpool Academy.  Topic - shooting

  Game 3 - Eastern FC Juniors (0) vs. Birchdale FC (0).  In a very exciting game under flood lights at Formby FC's ground, the Eastern ladies had much of the possession and many chances, only to come up with a 0-0 draw.  The Americans brought the pace of the game to a very high level with speed and attacking football from all angles.  Birchdale's goal keeper made many saves to keep the clean sheet for the English ladies.  

Day 4:  Training session 3 at Liverpool Academy.  Topic - 1v1 skills        
           Training session 4 at Liverpool Academy.  Topic - shooting

  Game 4 - Eastern FC Seniors (6) vs. Birchdale FC (0).  The Liverpool County FA invited Eastern to play on their County pitch against local Charter Standard Community Club Birkdale. Despite the cold and icy weather Eastern won 6-0.  With goals from Courtney M., Brooke P., and 2 from Emily J. and Erin M. the Eastern ladies definitely took their training straight into action on the same evening.  For more on the game, the Liverpool County Football Association and our time there please click the link below.  http://www.liverpoolcfa.com/development/showwomenandgirls.asp?recordid=263

Day 5:  Training session 5 at Liverpool Academy. Topic - 1v1 skills 

  Game 5 - Eastern FC Juniors (6) vs. Burscough United (2).  A goal 45 seconds into the game could have been the beginning of a long day from the young English side but they fought back hard to make this game much more exciting than the score would indicate.  The score was tied at 1-1 about 10 minutes later on a nice build up from the left side of the field.  Eastern then scored 3 unanswered goals to go into the half at 4-1.  When the game went 4-2 five minutes after the break it could have gone either way.  When Erin M. made the score 5-2 it proved to be too much to overcome even by the talented English side.  Goal scorers on the day were, Brooke R., Daniela C., Hannah W. Emily J., Erin M., and Lizzy A. 

Day 6:  Final Training session at Liverpool Academy.  Fun games

  Game 6 - Eastern FC Seniors (3) vs. Paris FC (1)  Today's game was a tough test against a physical Paris FC team.  The Eastern ladies went 1-0 up from a headed goal from Courtney midway through the first half.  The second goal was added minutes before the break on a goal from Emily J giving the Eastern team a 2-0 half time lead.  After the break Paris scored putting pressure on their American opponents making the game 2-1.  The Eastern ladies regained the 2 goal lead after a build up that took them from the left side to the right, and back before Emily J. got her second of the game.  Player of the match went to Caroline B. for her role in controlling the midfield and pace of the game.  Friday will bring one more game for each team then the bowling competition between the 2 age groups. 

Day 7:  Final games 

  Game 7:  Eastern FC Seniors (0) vs. Euxton FC (1)  In their final game of the tour the Eastern ladies came up short against a strong club in Euxton FC.  The Eastern ladies came out very strong creating many chances to put the game out of reach.  The final product let the ladies down going into the break at 0-0.  Euxton started the second half very fast and scored off of a corner kick 5 minutes in.  While the Eastern team through everything at Euxton but the kitchen sink, they could not put in that vital goal.  The Eastern team played very well during their trip across the pond and showed the level of play to be very high in the States.  

  Game 8:  Eastern FC Juniors (1) vs. Euxton FC (0)  The Junior remain unbeaten beating their last oppopent 1-0 in the final match of the 08 tour.  The winning goal was scored by Kesley N.  The game went much like the previous match between the Seniours and Euxton ending the half at 0-0.  The Eastern ladies continued pressing forward and in a scramble in front of goal Kelsy netted the winner. 

  At the end of both games, Euxton FC put on a banquet in the club house at Chorley FC ground including food, drink and presentation of awards in friendship as well as MVP awards for both teams in each age group.  The senior awards went to Caroline B. for her play during the earlier match.  The award for the Juniors went to Erin M. for her efforts.  Eastern FC would like to thank Chorley FC and Euxton FC for the welcome to their clubs and final send off of the 2008 tour. 

To all of the Eastern ladies, you have done your coaches, club, country, families and yourselves very proud.  We thank you for all of your hard work and look forward to the upcoming season as well as next year's trip. 
 
Later that night the girls went bowling on the Southport pier.  Spirits were high and smiles on everyones face made for an enjoyable evening had by all.  High scorers of the night went to Nikki, Courtney, Katherine and Kelsey.  

Day 8:  On Saturday we all traveled to the JJB Stadium to see live Premiership action when Wigan Athletic took on Derby County.  In a lopsided match Wigan beat Derby County 2-0.  If you look close enough after the 2nd goal you can see the Eastern ladies in the corner of the Derby County half at field level. 

A special thank you to Ronnie Smith for his work in organizing games and training at Liverpool Academy

Accommodations provided by The Aaron Hotel and the Crescent House.  For any information on these wonderful Bed and Breakfast guest houses please visit the links below.   

Aaron Hotel - http://www.aaronhotel.co.uk/
    
Crescent House - http://www.crescenthousehotel.co.uk/