By popular demand Paga's Mum has kindly allowed me to write her kit cleaning tips on the website!  No doubt these tips go back generations so be careful who you share them with!

1.  Put dirty kit under to warm tap untill all the mud is out.

2.  Put kit in a bowl / bucket with washinmg powder and vanish (Product placement!) and leave to soak.

3.  Repeat stage 2 until all the mud is out.

4.  Each time you take the kit out wash it under warm water.

5.  Put kit in the washing machine with washing powder and a famous cleaning agent mentioned above, at 30 degrees.  If not clean wash again.

Many thanks to Paga's Mum.  We should now have clean kits every week - there is no excuse!

Its getting to that time of year again where we need to start thinking about next season.  Despite only being half way through this season it is essential that we start thinking about players we would like to add to the squad for next season...thinking caps on please girls!

We are about half way through the season now girls and we currently sit 5th in the West Midlands Premier League.  On a positive note, we are currently the second highest scorers in the league behind the high flying Dudley Utd, so well done to all those who have contributed with goals.  We have had some excellent performances throughout the season, most notably against Kingshurst and Kidderminster.  In addition, despite being knocked out of the league cup at Stoke City, we gave a credible account of ourselves in what has become a seasonal fixture for us.

In recent weeks we have played some attractive football without getting the results we have deserved.  At some point we knew this bad luck had to change and we seemed to have turned the corner last weekend with a great home win.  Another result like that one would do nicely this sunday.  On the slighlty negative side, we have also had some poor performances, most often when key players have been missing.  We need to stick together over the next few games, work hard and the results and points will come our way.  The next few fixtures will be tough; Kingshurst should not be taken lightly despite their league position.  They will be out for revenge for their league defeat at the Brinsford Stadium.  After that we have Solihull and Allscott, who are both going well in the league.  

We have made a solid start to the first half of the season, but we all know we can do better...we are already ahead of our points total this time last year.  A big push in the second half of the season should see us cement our place in the top half of the league.

Every month our inspiring Captain will lend us a few words to help us through the season...

What did you think of the overall performance of the team?

"Overall we worked hard, but the game got very scrappy at times.  We lacked some concentration at times and let in some sloppy goals.  This is virtually a new team so its going to take time to develop composure on the ball."

How do you think we can improve further?

"Keep the same goalkeeper for 90 minutes and hope that it's not windy!  Home advantage should help!"

What were the positive aspects of the performance?

The talking was good.  The team seemed to be really effected by the result and this team sprirt should see us through the season.  Lack of concentration cost us.

What are your personal goals for the season?

To score goals and challenge for a top 3 place in the fantasy points table!  I want to be a great captain!

After a long hard seaon Cannock managed to survive with five late wins and two credible draws against Alscott and Solihull.  The eventual champions, Worcester, have now folded.  The belated promotion of Stratford resulted in only 11 teams being entered into the Premier League this season.  It will be interesting to see how the new teams, Wednesbury and Dudley Utd get on and can anyone beat Solihull to the title?!  Here's a preview of the runners and riders this time out:

Alscott - Pretty strong first season in this division and always a tough match up.  I expect them to make this another solid season in the Premier league.

Reults last seaon: 3-1 (W), 1-1

League finish last season: 8th

Predicted Finish this season: 5th

Bradwell Belles - Really good season for the Belles who finished in the top half of the league.  They are always strong at home and dominated when we played them at our place.  Their midfield is especially impressive and are difficult to break down at the back.

Reults last seaon: 1-3 (L), 2-4 (L)

League finish last season: 4th

Predicted Finish this season: 3rd

Cannock - What can I say?! Five league wins and two draws at the end of last season saved our bacon.  We cant afford to leave it that late this time, but with a new and improved squad I expect to be challenging for the title.

League finish last season: 7th

Predicted Finish this season: 1st

Dudley Utd - The new boys of the league and an unknown quantity.  Dudley walked their league last season, scoring 90 goals so they should be strong this time out - one to watch.

League finish last season: 1st - Division 1 South

Predicted Finish this season: 4th

Hereford Pegasus - Both Hereford teams struggled last season and Pegasus were lucky not to be relegated.  They conceeded 75 goals in one league campaign so they will need to improve at the back if they are to survive.

Reults last seaon: 5-1 (W), 2-0 (W)

League finish last season: 9th

Predicted Finish this season: 11th

Hereford Pheonix - Poor season last year although they are tough to break down.  Will probably be scrapping for points at the lower end of the league again this season.

League finish last season: 11th

Predicted Finish this season: 10th

Kidderminster - Great start to last season but dropped like a stone towards the end.  Always dangerous with a strong strike force and they use their small pitch to their advantage.

Reults last seaon: 3-4 (L), 5-1 (W)

League finish last season: 10th

Predicted Finish this season: 8th

Kingshurst Sporting - Physical side who always pick up points due to their battling nature.  Probably the worst game we played last season.  We will look to put the record straight this year.

Reults last seaon: 2-4 (L)

League finish last season: 5th

Predicted Finish this season: 7th

Lichfield Diamonds - Always a tough match-up.  We seemed to play them a lot last season and enjoyed a home victory over our closest rivals.  Two tasty games guaranteed this season.

Reults last seaon: 1-2 (L), 1-0 (W)

League finish last season: 6th

Predicted Finish this season: 6th

Solihull - Probably pre-season favourites.  Strong all over the pitch with quality to match.  With two second placed finishes in the pevious couple of seasons they will be difficult to stop.

Reults last seaon: 0-1 (L), 0-0

League finish last season: 2nd

Predicted Finish this season: 2nd

Wednesfield - Another newly promoted side with a lot to prove.  Unknown quantity but did score over 100 goals last season so will be good going forward.

League finish last season: 1st - Division 1 North

Predicted Finish this season: 9th

Cannock has now started its own version of fantasy football for our more "competitive" players.  Pre-season counts too...here is how you score...

Goal = 5 points

Appearance = 2 points

Man of the Match = 7 points

Sub Appearance = 1 point

Assisst = 1 point

Gemma McSweeney is leading the way so far...obviously we cant allow that to continue!

Well done to everyone who "survived" Stanstock this year.  We had an amazing weekend so a big thanks to everyone who went.

Looking back through the pictures I have just realised that i dont have any of us actually playing football so i will attempt to describe it instead for those who couldnt make it!

Friday was a bit of a blur...lots of tents going up and lots of alcohol!  

The first game was dominated by the superb performances from Woody and Tonks in the midfield - i think Woody was so overcome with her performance she left a little reminder at the side of the pitch.  After failing to win the first 17...sorry 3 games we looked on our way out, but two wins saw us through to the next round where we met Layland.  Goalkeeper Johnson was immense in her over sized 70's shirt and we progressed to the quaters.

Quarter finals - lets not dwell on this too much . . lost on penalties to the eventual finalists (sorry everyone!)

Now...onto some awards:

Most shots without a goal - Hannah Mackie

Biggest shirt - Adele Johnson - has anyone seen her since or has her shirt swallowed her?

Most times a player can be sick in one weekend - Gemma "captain" Wood

Top goalscorer at Stanstock - Helen "Golden boot" Tonks

Hornage Queen  - Michelle Darby - what a legend!

Biggest drunk - Hannah mackie

Anyone who has no life can now access "Who's Eye?"  on the pics...answers on a postcard please!

A big thanks to woody and adele for our comms and for organising the weekend!