August saw the start of the new season and a major overhaul of the squad, with only a handful of players still here from the 23/24 squad, it was interesting to see how the squad would shape up.

It was also the first season for the Reds in the Midlands league and coming up against a lot of new teams.

The first game, away at Boldmere St Michaels saw a 1-1 draw and some feisty touchline exchanges (which looking at December, will not be a surprise).

Our first game of the season at the OLP saw the Reds 1-0 up at half time and a second half that cost us and the manager Dan O'Hearne as he was relieved of his duties, with Craige Richardson taking over and a new backroom staff.

August highlights- The first outing for the new media officer 'Unit'.

September started off with a home game against Peterborough United and an outstanding test which deserved more than we got. We were 1-0 up for long periods of the game until the perennial late comers struck twice to snatch a 2-1 win.

Two away days followed, away at Solihull and Sutton Coldfield Town. 6 points from 6 followed with a 2-0 win away at Solihull and a 3-2 win at Sutton Coldfield. Highlights from these games were wonder strikes from Becks Hornsey and Jodie Snelson at Solihull and Laura Bartup top bins at Sutton Coldfield.

A busy September saw a Thursday night under the lights at the OLP against Notts County, where the real controversy was the inability of the linesman to make a proper decision. Dominating large spells of the game and heading for a 1-1 draw, the 'was it/wasn't it over' came into to play where the linesman clearly had X-ray vision and could see through 20 or so players. A 2-1 defeat and another one we did not deserve.

The last game in September saw a youthful looking Reds lineup win 5-0 at the OLP against Lincoln City, with a hat-trick from Jodie Snelson (who else!!)

September highlights- Some wonderful goals and three wins. And the celebration from Becks Hornsey.

October started with an away day at Sixfields to face Northampton Town. A 2-0 defeat, but loads of effort and loads to learn from.

A home game, well on paper but away from the OLP saw us come up against Loughborough Lightning with a depleted squad missing many key players. A 4-0 defeat, but the scoreline does not show the battle, where a long period of the game was 0-0. It was great to see some new faces, having seen a debut from Tally Diamond.

October highlights- Getting to play at a professional stadium and testing ourselves against two top teams.

November started with manager Craige Richardson giving the squad a target from the last 4 games before Christmas. 9 points minimum from 12. With some new players brought to bolster the squad, having seen a couple of squad players leave in October, meant we went into the last four games with optimism.

The month started with an away day at Worcester City. A comprehensive 5-2 win with a first senior goal for Olivia Richardson, a double from Jodie Snelson and a debut for Demi Barai, having made her debut having signed from Lincoln United.

Our second game of the month saw a debut for Brogan Hughes, signed on a dual registration agreement, against Lincoln United, and former Lincoln United players Paige Crossman, Becks Hornsey and Demi Barai coming up against their former club.

A 4-0 win and a dominant performance ensured maximum points from November with Jemima Jarvis getting two goals in the process.

A 100% November saw manager Craige Richardson nominated for manager of the month. Unfortunately it is not a vote amongst those who have a vested interest in women's football, it is just a 'whoever gets the most votes' and imagine my shock, the manager of the month went to the manager of Leeds United. Maybe next time we need to tell the FAWNL just how big a deal Craige is......

November highlights- 6 points from 6, two debuts and a manager of the month nomination.

December started with a highly anticipated clash at home to Boldmere, which felt like a real marker in the season. Having seen videos of the 'Boldmere Way' (only when they win games or videos of the goals, and zero mention of any media posts when they lose until a week later where they blame the referee as if we pick who refs the games!)

An enjoyable Sunday at the OLP, with the Reds winning 4-2 and playing some brilliant football, a double for Laura Bartup (including one top bins from a free kick, shock!) and another goal for Jodie Snelson (her 10th of the season) as well as a second a game winning goal from Olivia Richardson. All of this came whilst the Boldmere manager was sent off, the secretary carrying on with anyone who would listen and using the only two words he apparently knows 'yellow card'. All jokes aside, the majority of teams in this league conduct themselves in the right manner, this was an exception to that. It made me proud to involved with the club.

The last game before the festive period saw us test ourselves against a team at the top end of the table, away at Leafield Athletic. It was a game which saw an end-to-end attacking game and some good football. After taking the lead and then being 2-1 down, a Misty Russell goal looked like it was going to get us a valuable and deserved point, but a last minute goal cruelly meant we travelled home with less than we deserved. In hindsight we achieved what was set out, but in truth, we deserved more.

December highlights- Us scoring a 3rd at home to Boldmere as club secretary Gary Birchall was escorting the Boldmere manager away having been sent off.