With the final game of the first half of the season upon us we knew it would be a tough home game against Port Melbourne who were only one point below Rovers on the ladder. With coach Lee back at the helm the girls were charged and they came out committed from the word go. Again we were very dominant making most of the play and coming close to scoring many times in the first half. A combination of missed shots and some good goal keeping kept our girls from scoring but the goal did finally come before half time with Christina Napoleone wining the ball in the midfield and laying it off for Natasha who split the defense with a great through ball to Jordy who slotted her left foot shot past the keeper who this time had no chance!
The girls game out in the second half and again dominated the game with some great passes and moves but were again unable to capitalise in front of goal. They were unlucky to have a goal disallowed when the goal keeper clearly dropped the ball and Kelsey tapped it in after a great run. Justice was to prevail as Natasha drove home a free kick on the edge of the area after another clumsy foul by Port Melbourne with 10 minutes to go. The final score was 2-0 nil to Rovers but it felt like it should have been at least 5-0. The pleasing thing is that the girls are creating some nice play and passing much more effectively than their opponents. We are hopeful that the more goals will flow from this in the second half of the season.
It is also a credit to the girls that their behaviour and conduct has generally been very professional and of a high standard with their focus being to go hard at the ball. Unfortunately some opponents from a few teams this year have used rough tactics, foul language and attempted ridicule to put the girls off. It was very evident from one of the Port Melbourne players on the weekend who also refused to shake hands with the girls after the game. This type of behaviour will obviously remain unacceptable at our club.
The highlights from the game were:-
solid defensive play by our girls and our goalkeeper Holly resulted in no goals being conceded
the great passing in midfield was a pleasure to watch
those blistering runs by Kelsey from the half way line (I think we should call her the "roadrunner")
the first goal was built on great passing by the girls and nicely executed by Jordy
Nat and Cassy for helping push the ball around
Cristina Napoleone came off the bench worked hard and had a great game in midfield
Christina Moribito had a solid game in defense despite being intimidated by her older opponents with some very average use of the english language
Liz was outstanding in defence and won the coaches votes!
At the half way mark of the season the girls are well positioned in 3rd place on the ladder behind Berwick and Kensington.
Enjoy your weeks break and we return Sunday 12th July to start the second half of the season as we take on Peninsular Strikers again, this time at home.
Thursday, 2 July 2009
Round 9 - U15 A Boys
Finally the big day had arrived where we played the top team at their home ground Wembley stadium. This was as close as most of us were going to get to Wembley so we had to make the most of it. At least the coffee was as good as a Doncaster brew.
Rovers came into the game with 2 boys out, Nik had a groin strain from last week and Dion still had a sore ankle from 2 weeks ago. We began with Luke in goal, Chris S was sweeping, Chris T and Daniel were playing as twin Central Defenders whilst Elliot and Matt V were playing as wide wing backs on the left and right respectively. Alex was Central Midfielder, flanked by Mitch on the right and Drew on the left with Michael P and Matt D as twin strikers.
The game started with both sides scrapping hard for the ball with Rovers settling quicker
and having better use of the ball. The Rovers defence was well on top and good passing out to the wings gave Rovers first use of the ball through the midfield and gave forwards a chance to put pressure on the Box Hill defence. Some good through balls gave Pala and Matt D opportunities to shoot on goal and force a corner. Play was mainly in the Box Hill half and the few times Box Hill went forwards the defence cleared the ball with ease to keep the pressure up. The Ref started to get his whistle into gear and from then on it was one puzzling decision after another for the afternoon. Finally Rovers went down the right and Matt V centered the ball where Matt D was unmarked. The keeper, fresh on was caught well out of goal and Matt D coolly lobbed the ball over the keeper into the back of the net. The Box Hill defenders were all looking for a scapegoat but all they needed was a mirror. Shortly after the Ref blew the whistle once more, this time for half time.
Half-time score: Box Hill 0 : Rovers 1
At the restart Box Hill put some pressure on our defence following a back pass and miscommunication between Chris S and Luke, which resulted in a simple tap in for one of the Box Hill Strikers. York replaced Pala and gave the forwards a bit of toe to keep the pressure on. From here on the Ref blew his whistle about every 2 minutes to make the game both hard to understand and much more stop start. Box Hill were doing a lot more attacking with several corners and shots on goal but never really set for an easy shot. The defence stood tall with Elliot, Daniel, Chris S, Chris T and Matt V continually repelling the ball. In midfield, Alex was using the ball well and competing for possession along with Mitch and Drew. Nick Vass was also making some good runs and keeping the Box Hill defense honest. Box Hill although putting on the forward pressure where Luke made a couple of good saves, were still showing signs of cracking, especially in their defense giving away some silly frees incurring the wrath of the Ref and picked up 2 yellow cards and then a Red. This card came about after Mitch was tripped heading straight for goal just outside the box. Alex took the free but did not really trouble the keeper. The game finished shortly after with the air of invincibility at Box Hill definitely blown away.
Both teams had several chances to score the winner but really it was an even match up, all day. Rovers should have a good chance to put up a better show at home in the last game of the year. Box Hill are not world beaters that’s for sure.
Scores at full-time: Box Hill 1 : Rovers 1
ROVERS – enjoy your week off because we play Malvern next and this is a BIG payback game looming!
Rovers came into the game with 2 boys out, Nik had a groin strain from last week and Dion still had a sore ankle from 2 weeks ago. We began with Luke in goal, Chris S was sweeping, Chris T and Daniel were playing as twin Central Defenders whilst Elliot and Matt V were playing as wide wing backs on the left and right respectively. Alex was Central Midfielder, flanked by Mitch on the right and Drew on the left with Michael P and Matt D as twin strikers.
The game started with both sides scrapping hard for the ball with Rovers settling quicker
and having better use of the ball. The Rovers defence was well on top and good passing out to the wings gave Rovers first use of the ball through the midfield and gave forwards a chance to put pressure on the Box Hill defence. Some good through balls gave Pala and Matt D opportunities to shoot on goal and force a corner. Play was mainly in the Box Hill half and the few times Box Hill went forwards the defence cleared the ball with ease to keep the pressure up. The Ref started to get his whistle into gear and from then on it was one puzzling decision after another for the afternoon. Finally Rovers went down the right and Matt V centered the ball where Matt D was unmarked. The keeper, fresh on was caught well out of goal and Matt D coolly lobbed the ball over the keeper into the back of the net. The Box Hill defenders were all looking for a scapegoat but all they needed was a mirror. Shortly after the Ref blew the whistle once more, this time for half time.
Half-time score: Box Hill 0 : Rovers 1
At the restart Box Hill put some pressure on our defence following a back pass and miscommunication between Chris S and Luke, which resulted in a simple tap in for one of the Box Hill Strikers. York replaced Pala and gave the forwards a bit of toe to keep the pressure on. From here on the Ref blew his whistle about every 2 minutes to make the game both hard to understand and much more stop start. Box Hill were doing a lot more attacking with several corners and shots on goal but never really set for an easy shot. The defence stood tall with Elliot, Daniel, Chris S, Chris T and Matt V continually repelling the ball. In midfield, Alex was using the ball well and competing for possession along with Mitch and Drew. Nick Vass was also making some good runs and keeping the Box Hill defense honest. Box Hill although putting on the forward pressure where Luke made a couple of good saves, were still showing signs of cracking, especially in their defense giving away some silly frees incurring the wrath of the Ref and picked up 2 yellow cards and then a Red. This card came about after Mitch was tripped heading straight for goal just outside the box. Alex took the free but did not really trouble the keeper. The game finished shortly after with the air of invincibility at Box Hill definitely blown away.
Both teams had several chances to score the winner but really it was an even match up, all day. Rovers should have a good chance to put up a better show at home in the last game of the year. Box Hill are not world beaters that’s for sure.
Scores at full-time: Box Hill 1 : Rovers 1
ROVERS – enjoy your week off because we play Malvern next and this is a BIG payback game looming!
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