Forest Green Rovers Women boss Louise Fensome has described her side’s current campaign as “positive” despite likely missing out on promotion.
Rovers were top of the South West Regional Women’s Football League Premier Division – the fourth tier of women’s football – in November, but a run of two wins in five games has seen them drop to fourth, with only the league winner achieving promotion.
Fensome, who took over the role of head of women’s football after Joe Manns departed the club in October, was keen to point out the progress made from the previous season, where they finished fourth.
“I’m positive with where we’re at. Yes, we were pushing for promotion, and the likelihood is that we now won’t get promoted.
“But looking at where we’ve come from, and where we’re at now, as well as the depth that we now have in the squad, it’s been a great season for all,” she said.
“In terms of last year to this year, we’ve won more games, we’ve got more points, and are on course to score more goals, so it’s a really good, interesting year, and I look forward to the remainder of the season.”
Fensome’s side have been let down by their performances against their three promotion rivals, only picking up three points from their four games against Torquay United, Sherborne Town and league-leaders Marine Academy Plymouth.
Under Manns in September, they managed to defeat the table toppers 1-0 at their home of Hartpury College, but in the return fixture last weekend, a young Rovers side were defeated 3-1.
Fensome believes the youthful Forest Green can learn a lot from those tough fixtures against promotion contenders.
“Of course there are positives. We’ve ensured that we’ve got that continuity amongst the squad, and the depth of players that we have.
“We’ve also had a lot of players from our girls’ pathway come through into the women’s first team,” she said.
“We’re especially proud of the fact that we’ve got players just turning 16 that are making our first team, which is great for them, and a great step into women’s football and for their development. Hopefully, we can see them progress.
“We want to keep them as long as we can and stay with us, but if they go on to bigger and better things, that’s my job done.”
Erin Williams is one of the young players who has hit the ground running, finding the back of the net eight times in nine games, with Fensome delighted with her progress.
“As soon as she turned 16, she started training with us as the first team, and you can see her progressing every single week.
“She’s played nine games, had eight starts, and she’s got eight goals. She has been a great addition in every aspect,” she said.
On top of tonight’s local derby with Cheltenham Town in the semi-final of the Gloucestershire FA County Cup, Fensome’s Rovers have five league fixtures remaining, the next four of which will all be at Hartpury College.
They’ll be hoping that a spirited performance against the tier three Robins, and a run of home games will provide further progress and greater optimism to go again next season.
