The world spins, the seasons come and go. With autumn comes certain inevitabilities. Brown leaves flee from the branches they once called home and settle underfoot, a gentle dampness takes root in the air, dark mornings and darker nights replace the last vestiges of long summer days, and the start of football season brings us back to that theatre of hopes, dreams, heartbreak and glory.

After a long and idle summer, our U12 She-Wolves took to the field this Saturday in a season opener against an old and elusive foe.

Reeves Rangers have over the last couple of seasons become something of a white whale for this team. The first time these teams faced each other we were a freshly formed team up against one with more experience and some physically dominant players. Hard lessons were learnt that day and on other days since where we’ve driven that scoreline closer and closer whilst pushing our insecurities further away.

The team that walked out to meet the Rangers this weekend was the same group of players more or less but it wasn’t the same team. Older, wiser and more determined the Wolves had a pint to prove and a message to send.

Despite going down 2-0 early on (we won’t speculate about any instances of off-side for that first goal) but the Wolves came back with a stunning free kick taken by Thea who effortlessly curled the ball in over the head of the keeper.

2-1 down going into half time but an early rally in the second half saw Evie send a bullet of a shot into the back of the opponents net to bring us level.

An error in midfield saw the Rangers take advantage and take the lead once more in the game’s most disappointing moment for the home side.

Another two goals in the final quarter saw tue Rangers take the day.

But a message was sent to the league by the She-Wolves. Whilst they remain everyone’s favourite underdogs, they’ve found their bite and the pack is on the hunt for glory.

Early signs of a promising partnership between Rosie and Priya as they closed down a key opposition player again and again and some reliably strong performances from some of the old guard, notably Emily and Neve.

Player of the match went to Darcey, who in her first game kept the back line clear and the Rangers frustrated every time she got close to the ball.

We go again.