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Elliot Makin Interviews Jane Watkinson

An interview with first team player, Jane Watkinson, by sports journalist volunteer, Elliot Makin:

Elliot: How do you feel AFC Unity have performed so far this season?

Jane: I don’t think the table or the points we have reflect how well we have performed as a team this season – we have had other teams and referees surprised to find that we are bottom of the league, and I think that also relates to our attitude and approach to the games where we stay together as a team no matter what. We are building something special and the more we get to know each other as players and people the better we will get.

Elliot: What can you do to improve your performance as an individual in the upcoming games?

Jane: I have been frustrated with this season in an individual sense as I have been unable to play properly since October because of an injury (I attempted one game in January and made it lots worse) and I was recently told that my season is likely finished because of this injury, so my help has and will mostly come from the sidelines!

Elliot: What is the team’s morale like whether you win or lose a game?

Jane: Obviously, we want to win more games as a team but one of the best things about us as a team is that we never go inwards and attack each other when we lose a game; yes, you can critically consider what went wrong and the reasons for a result, but that isn’t about playing a blame game, it is about being constantly open to reflective discussion about how we all need to adapt as individuals and as a team to make sure we are all doing what we can for the tactics and style of play to work and translate into points – which I know it will do with time.

Elliot: How do you feel the club is being managed currently?

Jane: Jay does a fantastic job in balancing things to keep the team unified, together and positive through what has been a difficult season. There is a plan and a vision to where we are going as a club and despite the results this season it is certainly the best atmosphere I have ever experienced in the club and I am excited about where we are going given that pretty much everyone has committed to next season, which is so important if we are going to build on what we have started this season! Jay makes sure everyone knows they have a role within the team and that there is no reliance on one individual, that instead it is a collective effort that we all have to believe in and work for if we are going to do what we know we can do.

Elliot: What aspects of the team’s tactics are demonstrated soundly in your matches?

Jane: The change in formation half way through the season was important for us to become more defensively sound and our back line and collective defensive approach has been very impressive. We are now working on developing the width play given the new formation lends itself to that play and connecting the defensive and attacking elements of our game up better to create more goal scoring opportunities.

Elliot: Why did you choose to play for AFC Unity?

Jane: Because football needs an alternative environment where people are able to remember why they grew up loving the game, where they can make mistakes without people verbally abusing them and where there is something more to the game than kicking a ball – that it can be part of a movement for social justice. I love playing for AFC Unity and representing the badge and what it means and look forward to doing so again hopefully very soon!

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Match Report vs Sheffield Wednesday Development

By Elliot Makin

AFC Unity’s away trip to Sheffield Wednesday Development’s ground proved to be a tough fixture as they lost 13-1.

From the opening 20 minutes of the match Unity were pinned into their own half by Wednesday. However, Unity defended well and denied Wednesday from converting their numerous opportunities. Unity then broke forward and a cross was delivered into the box with which Wadsworth glanced a header across Wednesday’s goal in the 22nd minute. Wednesday then scrambled a goal into Unity’s net from close range following a brilliant save from Unity’s #1 Lamb making it 1-0 to Wednesday. The game was very uneventful for the next 15 minutes until Wednesday’s winger burst forward and slotted home her shot making the score 2-0. Shortly after this, Wednesday put away another chance extending the lead to 3-0. Despite falling 3-0 down Unity did not throw in the towel and attacked Wednesday’s defence which resulted in a free kick just outside the box with Wadsworth standing over the ball. She takes a shot from the free kick, but the ball flies just over the crossbar. Wednesday responded to Unity’s close chance and decide to throw players forward and as a result they scored 2 goals in quick succession just before the end of the first half making the score 5-0.

In the opening 10 minutes Wednesday started confidently and scored another 3 goals making the score worsen for Unity, 8-0. Although it could have been 9-0 if it wasn’t for Lamb’s great double save in the 55th minute. Wednesday continued to pile on the pressure upon Unity’s defence and a shot fired past Unity’s post. Wednesday pounced upon a loose ball and scored another goal extending the lead to 9-0 in the 62nd minute. There was an instance when Unity’s #17 Vizor made a fantastic last man tackle preventing Wednesday from scoring yet another goal. However, besides the heroics of Vizor Wednesday were able to put another two goals past Unity’s defence making the score 11-0 in the 78th minute. The game quietened down for the next 15 minutes, until Wednesday burst forward and converted another goal making it 12-0. Although Unity were looking at a 12-0 deficit, they didn’t let their heads drop and made sure when they did get their chance they were clinical as there was a sublime cross into Wednesday’s box which was met by #16 Smith who was able to slot home a goal making the score 12-1 in the 88th minute. However, just before the final whistle Wednesday scored to end the game 13-1.