Crawley Wasps boss Paul Walker praises players, committee and sponsors for great season

Wasps brought the curtain down with a 2-1 victory at Leyton Orient on Sunday.

Not only did they secure promotion to the third tier, Wasps also reached the FA Women’s National League Cup final – losing 3-0 to Championship-bound Blackburn Rovers – and hosted Women’s Super League champions Arsenal in the Women’s FA Cup fourth round.

Walker said: “We not only have the strongest set of players we’ve had, across all teams, but we also have the best off-field set-up we’ve ever had, and never been better supported by commercial partners.

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“The support we’ve received from (main club sponsor) Thales has been game changing and is helping us build towards a future vision of building a top ladies and girls club. We’re on a journey.

“Winning the league, facing Arsenal and playing in the League Cup final at Burton Albion were obvious stand-outs.

But so too was playing our first competitive game at Crawley Town, part of a relationship everyone hopes will flourish.”

Wasps went in front through Darcey James’ strike, and despite being pegged back, won it courtesy of Naomi Cole’s penalty.

Now they can put their feet up – ahead of a historic first season in the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division against the likes of Watford, Cardiff and Portsmouth.

Wasps: Gibbs; Niamh Stephenson, Russell, Young, Palmer (Measures); James, Cole; Davies (Green), Stow, Rabson; Woollard (Carter). Sub not used: Graves.