On Sunday 12th September 1993, Leasowe Pacific, who were adopted by Everton two years later, played their first ever top-flight match. They faced Wembley in the WFA National League Premier Division at their home ground, the Cuemasters Ground in Moreton.

Leasowe Pacific earned their place in the top flight after winning the WFA National League Northern Division by 4 points, earning 33 points in 18 games – 16 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat – and scoring 101 goals. The chief markswomen were Louise Thomas and Gayle Formston: Thomas scored 36 goals (51 in all competitions) and Formston scored 30 goals (42 in all competitions).

Leasowe Pacific’s promotion was sealed in unorthodox circumstances. The 1992/93 season had to end on 30th May, however due to postponements, Leasowe Pacific still had two games to play – home and away meetings against bottom-placed club Milton Keynes. Both games were played at Milton Keynes and lasted 60 minutes. Despite having to play two games in one day, they claimed back-to-back 11-0 victories – a goal every 5 and a half minutes!

Wembley were also making their debut in the top flight after winning the WFA National League Southern Division as District Line Ladies. They became Wembley during the summer following an amalgamation of District Line Ladies and youth team Pinner Park Girls and moved from Acton to Vale Park, the home of Wembley’s men’s team.

Unsurprisingly, reports on the match were very brief. The first half ended goalless, mainly thanks to Leasowe Pacific goalkeeper Gill Parkinson. Parkinson saved a barrage of shots, namely from Wendy Grant, Yvonne Baldeo and Justine Lorton. Lorton eventually broke the deadlock in the second half but then Leasowe Pacific scored their first ever top-flight goal, appropriately courtesy of the previous season’s top scorer Louise Thomas. With a little help from the inside of the post, Thomas slotted the ball past Jacky Eimermann from a tight angle to level the score. Neither team could find a winner, and Leasowe Pacific’s first ever top-flight match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Line-up: Gill Parkinson, Paula Oldham, Julie Griffiths, Michelle Berry, Mo Mallon, Nicky Gallagher, Vanessa O’Brien, Lisa Collins, Gayle Formston (Becky Easton), Louise Thomas, Andrea McGrady (Kathy Bell)

Thanks to Gayle Formston-Wright for providing match details from her spell at Leasowe Pacific from 1992 to 1994.