Abergavenny captain Katie Williams reflects on elusive season

Elusive. A feeling that something is difficult to find, catch, or achieve. Something that seems impossible.

That’s how Abergavenny captain Katie Williams has described this past season.

Going into phase two, the great escape looked to be on for the Pennies, after a draw away to Cardiff Met and a win at home to Pontypridd United.

But the footballing pendulum swung against the club, as the league announced that Abergavenny would be handed a six-point deduction, a decision that took the club by surprise.

“We only found out, players and staff, when the league announced it on Twitter.

“Everything had come out of the blue; there was no email or anything, so it was a massive shock and a massive downer on our season.”

Their first game of phase two saw Josh Anderson’s side head to Jenner Park to take on Barry Town United, the team nearest to Abergavenny in the table.

While the result went in the Pennies’ favour, there was also an air of inevitability about what was coming their way.

“We picked up three points against Barry, but I think that was mainly down to form, and we knew we couldn’t do anything about the deduction, it was in the hands of our staff, who thought really hard to try and get the decision overturned.

“As weeks went on, we became less hopeful of getting those points back, and our results were being affected by that.”

With their appeal to overturn their points deduction unsuccessful, Abergavenny were relegated from the Adran Premier.

While the feeling of being demoted is a disheartening one, Williams is proud of how her side performed throughout the campaign.

“It’s really disappointing. We feel that we were more than good enough to have stayed up, and our performances showed that.

“Even though we did go down, we all know that we’ve gone down with a lot of fight.”

Now back in the Adran South, Abergavenny will come up against Briton Ferry in a fight to win the league.

While they may have lost out in both finals, Williams was keen to praise Ferry as a guiding light for clubs on smaller budgets.

“Even though Briton Ferry didn’t come away with the win against Wrexham, I thought, and a lot of other people thought too, that they were the better team on the day. Attacking wise they look really strong.

“It would have been nice to see them promoted. Not necessarily because we wouldn’t have to play them, but having a smaller club like Briton Ferry in the Adran Premier would have felt like they were doing it for all the smaller clubs.”

While the season didn’t go the way that those of an Abergavenny persuasion wanted to, there have been a number of players who had a good season.

When asked who her player of the season was, Williams praised the talents of Alana Murphy, but there was one name who topped the lot.

“Overall, I’d say Lauren Boyd. I hope she won’t mind me saying, but she’s the oldest player in our squad and the leadership and confidence that she gives, especially for such a young team like us, is immeasurable.

“She really boosts confidence around the camp, and she’s played about six different positions this year.”

Williams didn’t come into this season in the best mindset, but the presence of Boyd has been a big help for the young captain.

“Coming into this year my confidence wasn’t the best, and I think Lauren saw that straight away and just her putting her arm around me and giving me advice on the pitch is brilliant.

“When you have a someone has experienced and talented as Boydy, it really does spur you on.”

Abergavenny’s U16 team reached the final of the FAW Girls’ Cup, and Williams picked out two names that fans should be keeping an eye on.

“Gracie Grosvenor has really stepped up this year. She’s only 16 and she’s played most of our games this season.

“Mia Sherrard is another one. She’s the youngest player in our squad and we’ve already seen glimpses of what she can do, she’s really talented.”

When asked what she had learned about the season, Williams stated that the strength of the dressing room has been a big factor to her development.

“As a team, we’ve learned that some things are bigger than winning, bigger than the three points.

“Obviously winning is great, but we’ve all gone through our personal battles this season, and sometimes you have to stay together, stay as a family, and we really are a family.

“About myself, I’d like to think I’m a lot better than I think I am. Confidence is everything, and this year has really helped me.

“Stepping up to women’s football is a massive step, but my growing confidence has really helped, and that’s down to my teammates and coaches.”

Featured Image: Perry Dobbins