Umbro International Cup Champions 2009

Last updated : 28 July 2009 By C. Morris

The owls headed for Manchester in their 2nd step of pre-season preparation to play alongside some of the top sides in the women's game in the Umbro international cup. The tournament which has been established 17 years is now firmly acknowledged as Britain’s Premier Women’s Tournament attracting teams from all corners of the UK and abroad. Wednesday were seeded in the elite table to face Everton, Blackburn, Hibernian and Portsmouth. The Owls drew Everton, who narrowly missed out to arsenal in last years premiership campaign in the 1st game of Saturday morning and it was the Toffees who looked like early favourites when they slotted 2 past Danni Maslin in the Owls goal inside the 1st 2 minutes. The Owls rallied and steadied the boat for what must have been one of the results of the tournament as they clawed back the deficit to come good and bang home 4 goals while playing some very tidy football through the 2nd period to beat Everton 4-2.

The afternoon brought Hibernian, one of scotland top side up against the high flying Owls. Wednesday shuffled the pack and sent out the troops who again showed great quality passion and desire to put that fixture to bed, winning this time to a score line of 3-1, finishing the 1st day with 6 points in the bag and leading the table.

As Sunday morning broke and the sun of Saturday nowhere to be seen for the drizzle the Owls headed back over to the Manchester university playing grounds to face Portsmouth, the Owls had put themselves in a great position and the staff had given the players the directive of two clean sheets for the day and two good results would see them crowned champions. Portsmouth played some nice football but couldn't break trough a very determined Wednesday side and with the Owls in hunting mode 3 goals came easily.

Blackburn had been doing very well in every one of their ties, winning all three and had not conceded a goal, which set up a very exciting final fixture with the Owls on 9 points and Blackburn also on 9 points. The goal difference was the only thing separating the two finalists with the Owls on plus 7 and Blackburn on plus 6, a draw would do for the Owls and that’s just how it finished 0-0 with Wednesday unable to break through a very well organised Blackburn side.

Wednesday were crowned champions by just 1 goal but never the less UMBRO INTERNATIONAL CUP CHAMPIONS 2009!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
 
Owls coach Dan Duke stated, "We are all massively pleased with all the players over the weekend, after some very promising signs through early pre-season and the result last week we went into this tournament full of confidence. We have a very strong squad this year with the new girls coming in and offering what we didn't have, which is now fully backed up by a great coaching and backroom staff. We are geared up for the coming year which we have high hopes for and are laying foundations for being one of the most respected and successful women's side in the country".