| Match Report - 05 April 2008 |
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The start of a new season and a huge step up to 11-a-side for the under 9. We
arrive to find a full size pitch which had been roped off and a official ref,
welcome to the big league. You can see why the association have brought in
small-sided games as it is madness for eight years olds to play 11-a-side and
have an understanding of the offside rule.
We had no subs so it was a full 40 mins for all. We were under pressure from
the start with Epping having most of the play but our defence stood firm.
Towards the end of the first half we had corner kick and we had been practising
corners in training and bang we were one-nil up from a good strike from Jackson
and a great corner from Sam.
In the second half the game was more even and we rode our luck a couple of
times but a good move down the left from Thomas who threaded the ball to Jay
to poke home a second goal. After the second goal we knew the points were in
the bag.
Always good to get the first win and three points and if we can ground out
results I will not be complaining. MOM to Daniel who was solid in defence and
won some great 50-50 challenges.
- Mark Maclean
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Cyndi Lauper sings, "Oh girls, they wanna have fu-un, Oh girls, just wanna
have fun". And that's exactly what the Under 12 girls had on Sunday while
playing their first game in the North Western Sydney Women's Football
Associations Competition.
It's always best to start at the beginning, so for those who don't know, North
Ryde now has an Under 12 girls soccer (sorry football) team playing in a Sunday
Competition. It's the first time in the 55 years since North Ryde's formation
that the Club has had a dedicated girl's team and, despite the lyrics in the
song, and that most hadn't played competition soccer before, they were able to
display soccer skills and team work which would make most weekend coaches
envious.
I said most coaches but not their coach, Tess Barritt, a lovely young English
woman, who has in a very short period of time and with a "no nonsense" approach
guided them to an exhilarating & crowd pleasing victory.
Back to the start, with rain dampening this momentous occasion the girls
gathered in the change room to adorn the mighty blue & gold jerseys, Coach
Tess worked on a magical plan assigning the girls to field positions for the
game. Mia in goals 1st half, Stella 2nd half, Paula, Leeanna, Bhenita, Gaelyn
& Ellen providing the backline. Amany and Emma at the front end, with Jemma,
Stefanie & Karagh in the midfield.
There wasn't any sign of apprehension or fear; the girls were just there to
have fun. With the referee indicating he wanted the girls on the field, they
jogged out of the change room in single file; it was just like watching the
Matildas entering the arena, focused, with a job to do, well not really,
despite the intimidating name Wildcats, they
just want to have fun!
A sign of their inexperience; it took 3 attempts at getting the ball into play
to satisfy the referee. It was at this point the girls forgot the lyrics in
the song and the competitive desire to win came out. The girls dominated the
first half, edging their way to the opposition's line, but without a goal to
reflect the team's efforts. There wasn't a weak link in the
Wildcats defence or attack; it was as if the
YMCA had some invisible barrier to protect the goalmouth.
As Grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, friend & neighbours nervously
watched on, Tess coolly formulated a revised plan. At half time she simply
reminded the girls to pass the ball wide and that would give them the space
in the middle to attack. The opposition were good, but with the Tess's wisdom
instilled within the girl's soccer brains the advantage was there. With some
beautiful passes, the girls were able to put a couple of thru balls for Jemma
(who is quicker than lightning) too charge down the field and fire off 2
fantastic shots at the goals, only to be stopped by a fearless YMCA's goalie.
Our defence was so good, YMCA only made it into our half 2 or 3 times, whereas
it felt we were almost continuously in their half, but struggling to finish
off. Then with only minutes to full time, it happened... A GOAL, the first
goal for the team. The North Ryde crowd went Wild, yelling, jumping &
screaming. The girls quickly gathered in the penalty box congratulating each
other, smiling and laughing. You could sense the emotions both on and off the
field. You could feel the heart racing and see tears forming in the eyes of
mothers.
It was an extremely exciting game to watch and the girls displayed skill and
determination that had everybody watching intensely, however what I saw was a
team of girls, some new to the game, (Emma only 9 years old) playing with huge
quantities of energy, passion and commitment, playing fair, showing genuine
concern for a player in the other team when hit in the stomach by a very hard
ball.
I'm impressed by the girl's manners, their friendship, and willingness to
listen and learn. I'm excited at the potential they have shown in just a very
short time and look forward to watching the challenging season ahead. Their
spontaneous excitement, the way they acknowledged each others efforts during
and after the game, the huddle & singing of the team chant are moments that
their coach, mums and dads will remember for seasons to come.
I would like to thank Tess, for taking on the coaching role, also Tim Thorne
for his never ending assistance and Alex McCoy for rounding up a tremendous
bunch of Truscott kids to form the team of
Wildcats.
Remember, Oh girls, just wanna have fun...
- David Burn
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What a great start to the season for the boys who had a well deserved 5 - 0
win over a very competent team first up. Congratulations to all the boys on
a tremendous TEAM effort, there was not a weak link or anybody who did not
contribute to their best on the day.
The game was characterized by some outstanding interchange passing in both
the backs and the forwards, and given that the team has only had 3 training
runs together with several new boys joining the team this year the combinations
were great and hopefully can only improve from here.
Special mention to Stephen Barrett-Hough on scoring a treble first up, well
done Stephen on some great finishing. Other goal scorers were Dana Bahrami
and Jordan Colussi who coolly converted a penalty in the second half.
Although the score was 5 - 0 this was not a true reflection of the game, the
Epping Eastwood team never stopped trying and had several attacking raids which
were only halted by some outstanding defense, and some good goal keeping. Well
done to all the backs and to the 2 goalkeepers Sam Bradley (1st half) &
William Greer (2nd half), who both kept a clean sheet despite both boys having
to make several saves in both halves.
I am sure that Scott our new coach came away from the game feeling positive
about the team effort and with his knowledge and the cooperation of the team
at training this could be a great year. Remember boys your attitude and efforts
at training will be reflected in your efforts on game day, and how far you go
this year. Welcome aboard Scott.
As a new parent to the club on behalf of William, Tyler, & Lewis & anyone I may
have missed I would like to thank everyone involved with the team for the warm
friendly welcome the boys have received and the positive spirit in the team &
the club.
- Bill Greer
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