After a long absence from game play because of the holidays, the girls played out the first half nervously and unsure. They were full of trepidation. To add to this, we were faced with a completely foreign playing service - artificial turf.
This affects ball speed and bounce and passing accuracy and the decision making in the first half. It affected their PDE (how they perceive, decide, execute).
During the first half, we played through them and created a couple of chances that we did not put away. We controlled the midfield and held our shape well. Because of this the other team had to resort to playing long balls and an odd bounce caught Jessica off guard. This happened on several occasions and they scored off this method twice. The score at half time was three nil.
During the break, in general as a team, we spoke about not panicking on the ball, keeping high and consistent intensity, using our wide players such as seven and eleven to give the team width. Individual player tasks were given as well.
Having in mind that our halves were only 30 mins, during the second half, we kept them in their half of the field for 18 minutes. We scored a goal and had passages of play that started from Jessica ( keeper ) and we played through them without losing possession and nearly scored. The opposition midfield struggled to combine and create attacking opportunities.
Overall in the second half the girls were able to absorb the instructions and delivered them effectively in the game. The coach was happy. The team dynamics and structure was excellent and the more experience and match practice we have the better we will become. It is a pleasure coaching these young women.
On behalf of all the football girls team and staff we wish Sidney Hale all the best for a speedy recovery after knee surgery
Ivor Nuñez
Girls Tour Coach
Development Team
Today saw the development team play their first game against the home team John Fawkner College. JFC fielded a very strong side and to the credit of the Saints they fought hard for the entirety of the game. After some very good lead up play, the home team managed to slot their first goal of the game after 10mins. The Saints fought back very hard with some quick and tactile passing to create a few goal scoring opportunities. Much to our dismay, none of the chances were converted. Not long after the home team went on a brilliant counter attacking spree and managed to score 2 goals. To our credit though, a brilliant through ball was played to Nathan who made a mazy run between the opposition centre halves to slot our first and final goal for the game. Just before the half finished JFC managed to slot another goal, leading to the half time score being 4-1.
In the second half, a much more experienced JFC took their play to another level and scored 5 goals. It was a good learning experience for our gentleman on how to play a fast, explosive style of football. Credit must go to Adam in goals who made some outstanding saves throughout the game. Even though we failed to put our best foot forward in this game, I believe it was quite successful in terms of the achieving the team and players tasks I had set at the start of the game.
In the next game we will look to build on our performance from this game and continue to set the bar high in terms of achieving team and player tasks. Bring on Geelong College!
Mr Leong
1sts
From the
outset, the boys demonstrated great control, and determination in the game -
despite an astroturf surface. Dominating the opposition, pressing hard, and
causing many turnovers, it promised to be a great competitive fixture between
the schools.
The
scoring was opened around the 15th minute mark, when George magnificently
intercepted a pass around the half way mark. From here, he drove forward,
finding the dangerous Thomas Piccirillo, who expertly skinned two defenders,
before finding an in-form Jack Thompson on the edge of the box; who turned and
finessed it calmly into the bottom left corner. 1-0 saints.
5
minutes later however, despite his great assist, Tom found himself on the wrong
end of a controversial red card.
For the
remainder you want of the first half, the saints boys demonstrated great work
ethic and determination, and were able to maintain the 1-0 lead all the way to
half time.
The
opening minutes in the second half saw Neuer (Spencer) make 3 outstanding
saves; resulting in several changes being made, and thus, causing the saints
boys to take a more defensive strategy. From here the game developed into a
more cage like game - both teams trying their best to pick apart the opposing
defence.
The
saints boys played brilliantly, however a lapse in concentration after a
controversial non-penalty call for Jack Thompson, saw a long ball split our
defence, and unfortunately equalise with 5 minutes remaining.
Unfortunately,
this goal startled the saints boys, and another long ball saw the opposition
score a winner in the dying minutes of the match.
Despite
the unfortunate result, the boys walked off the pitch knowing they were the
better side on the day - a great start to the tour!
Dougie
Mcindoe and Nick Rooney
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