Moatsiders' first 11-a-side team for women launched

'PERFECT MATCH' HAILED AFTER LEAFE LINK-UP

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MERSTHAM Football Club have announced their first 11-a-side women's team will be playing at the Hybrid Fitness Stadium in the coming season, competing in the South East Counties Women's League.

As well as a thriving girls' section among their youth set-up, the Moatsiders previously had a recreational seven-a-side senior women's team, but no full 11-a-side squad.

The team is a result of conversations between Merstham's director of women's football, Sarah Collett and AFC Whyteleafe's chairman Kelly Waters.

Many of the squad previously played for AFC Whyteleafe's women's side, which will now transfer over to Merstham and wear the amber and black of the Moatsiders.

"One of our challenges was the lack of a girls' player pathway to have enough players at the right standard," said Leafe chief Waters.