Its been a while I know but I thought I should get off the couch and write a catch up report on the girls last 4 games to ensure we capture the girls entire season in ink.
Fair to say the results have been like a smorgasbord at the local pub... lots of variety, some times a little tough but some real gems in there as well...2 draws, a win and a loss... I believe the competition is improving and the opposition defences are getting better but the rover girls continue to play the best football in terms of overall passing and team play but they need to work on converting these into goals.
What seems like an eternity away now, we all ventured to Berwick 4 weeks ago to take on the top side after a stunning victory the week prior against another top side, Kensington. It was a windy day and we were down several key players so we knew it was always going to be a tough day out but the girls did well to hold Berwick to a 1-1 score deep into the second half. A draw would have been a good result but then Berwick scored a second goal which opened the flood gates in the last 10 mins seeing us go down 5-1 in our biggest defeat of the season. We were proud that the girls at least went down fighting with some tough but fair tackles, despite being out played by a better team on the day.
The following week we were again away to South Melbourne and it was fair to say they are a much improved side and despite leading 1 - 0 from a nice determined goal by Kelsey the match ended 1-1 and it was probably a fair result to both sides as neither side was able to convert their remaining chances.
We then returned home to play the bottom side Glen Ira, who like South Melbourne, have improved dramatically. In what turned out to be a tough match the girls found themselves 1-1 at half time. Early in the second half rovers scored a lovely goal when Jordan Moloney received a great ball on the edge of the area and nicely turned her defender and then laid an unselfish pass to Natasha who slotted the ball home with a great shot. We thought we had them at this stage but Glen Ira scored a goal after a penalty was awarded. Natasha then converted for a third and just before full time under the instruction of coach Lee she scored an amazing 4th goal - aimed a corner at the goal keeper which was a lovely weighted cross that got some assistance from the wind and went into the far corner of the net...would love to see that again on video.
Last week we ventured out to the wild west and played our old rivals Keilor. I am not sure what they feed them out there but their girls are certainly much larger in stature than ours. Anyway in one of the worst referee displays I have seen in a long time our girls played some great football and were clearly the dominant side on the day. We led 1-0 late into the game after Kelsey scored one of the best goals of the season. It started in defence with some great tackling and a subsequent quick pass to the midfield then a well weighted pass to Kelsey who picked the ball up on the half way line and beat 2 defenders, one who tried to cut her down. With the after burners well and truly on she then went head to head with keeper where she let the keeper make the first move before hammering the ball into the corner of the net...another video classic.
Other highlights include our defence which played tremendously all day with a couple of the defence girls getting the coaches votes. I also thought both Cristina and Katherine who came off the bench, both had great games and when asked to do certain jobs by the coach they did them exceptionally well. All the girls need to be more confident to shoot as we had many chances to shoot but instead took several extra touches or tried to pass to players that were marked. The aim of the game is to put that ball in the back of the net girls....
As I mentioned, the referee was very disappointing, he was only young but his inability to pick out obvious free kicks for both sides led to many dangerous tackles and subsequent injuries that a good referee would have prevented. The coach from Kelior and I were both amazed at his inability to blow his whistle for obvious free kicks. Like any sport the players are hard at the ball but can make mistakes or let their emotions get the better of them. I have a concern that these young referees can not stamp their authority on the game which makes it dangerous for the girls on both sides. I will take it up with the club as I believe the Federation needs to address this in the future.
So we are down to the last 2 games of the season and next week at home we have our so called play off against Boroondara for third spot on the ladder. Effectively, who ever wins the game next Sunday will finish third whilst Kensington and Berwick will fight it out for top spot.
Go Rovers...
Thursday, 27 August 2009
Monday, 24 August 2009
Round 16 - U15 A Boys
U15A Doncaster Rovers vs Bulleen 22nd August
This was another must win game for Rovers to consolidate second position. On a sunny but windy day Rovers started out with the wind but as usual could not take advantage of the good play coming out of defense to put pressure on the Bulleen keeper. The team was much the same but the opposition much more committed this week
We started with Luke in goal, Chris S sweeping, Chris T and Daniel playing as twin Central Defenders whilst Steve and Matt V were playing as wide wing backs on the left and right respectively. Nik was the Central Midfielder, flanked by Drew on the right and Alex on the left with Matt D and Michael as twin strikers. The game was evenly poised with both teams showing passing skills however Bulleen had control in the midfield and looked a bit sharper up front with several good saves by Luke keeping Rovers in the game. There were also many good individual pieces of play such as when Chris T shut down a very promising attack by Bulleen and turned it into a good attack by Rovers. Matt D had a couple of chances to put a score on the board but dribbled too long and gave the ball up to the keeper or put it out over the backline. Nik received a yellow card for a strong tackle and soon Bulleen were getting most of the whistle while Rovers did not receive a look in from the Ref. Mitch came on and had a good crack but hit it straight at the keeper. Just before half time Rovers gave away a free for handball. The Bulleen player buried the ball into the top corner to put them in front.
Half-time score: Rovers 0 : Bulleen 1
Bulleen came out more confidant in the second half and aided by some poor refereeing really put Rovers to the sword. Rovers passing fell away under pressure as we made a few fundamental errors, and also did not chase or tackle hard enough. Bulleen used the wind to more effect by having their forwards well forward to prey on any mistakes that eventually came their way when Daniel and Luke got caught out. Ouch, down 2-0 and our promising forward moves were either being cut off or our shots were well wide. York came on along with Dion and Elliott, but to no avail as Bulleen went on their merry way with better control and more purpose.
Alex had a couple of chances under pressure, Matt D had another chance, and Matt V’s header was also wide. Matt D had another strong shot that rebounded off the keeper to Alex but his shot went high. To rub salt into the wounds we gave away another free in the penalty area for another handball and Bulleen put that away as well.
It was a sad supporters group that watched on wondering if there is such a thing as form, as we seem to gain it then lose it from week to week. Boys do not worry about the Ref just look after your own game and beat your opponent.
A special mention to the two crowd controllers, Lindsay and John P. I do not know what they said to the Ref as they escorted him out but it really must have pissed him off judging by his decisions for the rest of the game!!
Scores at full-time: Doncaster Rovers 0 : Bulleen 3
ROVERS –only two weeks to go so lets put in a maximum effort for the whole 70 minutes of each game.
This was another must win game for Rovers to consolidate second position. On a sunny but windy day Rovers started out with the wind but as usual could not take advantage of the good play coming out of defense to put pressure on the Bulleen keeper. The team was much the same but the opposition much more committed this week
We started with Luke in goal, Chris S sweeping, Chris T and Daniel playing as twin Central Defenders whilst Steve and Matt V were playing as wide wing backs on the left and right respectively. Nik was the Central Midfielder, flanked by Drew on the right and Alex on the left with Matt D and Michael as twin strikers. The game was evenly poised with both teams showing passing skills however Bulleen had control in the midfield and looked a bit sharper up front with several good saves by Luke keeping Rovers in the game. There were also many good individual pieces of play such as when Chris T shut down a very promising attack by Bulleen and turned it into a good attack by Rovers. Matt D had a couple of chances to put a score on the board but dribbled too long and gave the ball up to the keeper or put it out over the backline. Nik received a yellow card for a strong tackle and soon Bulleen were getting most of the whistle while Rovers did not receive a look in from the Ref. Mitch came on and had a good crack but hit it straight at the keeper. Just before half time Rovers gave away a free for handball. The Bulleen player buried the ball into the top corner to put them in front.
Half-time score: Rovers 0 : Bulleen 1
Bulleen came out more confidant in the second half and aided by some poor refereeing really put Rovers to the sword. Rovers passing fell away under pressure as we made a few fundamental errors, and also did not chase or tackle hard enough. Bulleen used the wind to more effect by having their forwards well forward to prey on any mistakes that eventually came their way when Daniel and Luke got caught out. Ouch, down 2-0 and our promising forward moves were either being cut off or our shots were well wide. York came on along with Dion and Elliott, but to no avail as Bulleen went on their merry way with better control and more purpose.
Alex had a couple of chances under pressure, Matt D had another chance, and Matt V’s header was also wide. Matt D had another strong shot that rebounded off the keeper to Alex but his shot went high. To rub salt into the wounds we gave away another free in the penalty area for another handball and Bulleen put that away as well.
It was a sad supporters group that watched on wondering if there is such a thing as form, as we seem to gain it then lose it from week to week. Boys do not worry about the Ref just look after your own game and beat your opponent.
A special mention to the two crowd controllers, Lindsay and John P. I do not know what they said to the Ref as they escorted him out but it really must have pissed him off judging by his decisions for the rest of the game!!
Scores at full-time: Doncaster Rovers 0 : Bulleen 3
ROVERS –only two weeks to go so lets put in a maximum effort for the whole 70 minutes of each game.
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