The amazing run of blue sky weather continued when the Under 13 girls traveled to Morwell to take on second placed Falcons this week. Last time we met the Falcons girls beat us 5:0 so we wanted to see how we matched up this time around. The Trafalgar girls were right on their game from the kickoff and applied pressure all over the ground forcing Falcons to defend strongly. At the six minute mark Skye burst through into the forward line, dribbled and even with a defender right on her shoulder unleashed a fierce shot that the keeper could not control. 1:0 to Trafalgar. The game then moved from end to end with both teams passing the ball with precision. Falcons got on top for a ten minute spell and scored two good goals. Chloe kept us in the game with her saves and ability to find a teammate with her passes. With 5 minutes left in the half it was time for the Trafalgar girls to dig deep and they did to win a corner. Haylea stepped up to take the kick and, with a move straight out of our playbook, put the ball right on to Ambers hip from where it flew past the keepers out stretched hand to make the half time score 2:2
The second half began again with both sides creating forward moves. On Thursday night at training we had practiced the skill of jockeying to defend and it was fantastic to see us defend in this manner instead of diving in to win the ball. Nyah, Mackenzie and Tia all won the ball from their opponents by waiting for a ball control mistake to occur and then dispossessing their opponents. Awesome work!! Falcons did create and score twice to take a 4:2 lead.
Natalie and Allyssa both created scoring chances with some brilliant control and then a terrific pass and Ivy show great determination to win the ball in a number of clashes in the midfield. When Chloe went down with a hip injury it was Gabby who took over the gloves and she made some great saves and clearances. Her combination with Livvy set up a chance which finished with Haylea hitting the back of the net to get the score to 3:4 and the Trafalgar girls were back in the game. Unfortunately the equalising goal would not go in for Trafalgar and in the last minute of the game the Falcons girls persisted and scored the last goal of the game. Final score was Falcons 5 Trafalgar 3. It was a fantastic game to be involved in and I am impressed with the way the team is always trying to play the way they are being taught at training. Each week the improvement is evident for all to see and the whole team is to be congratulated on their team spirit and willingness to put the game plan in to action.
Report by Coach Warren Steen
