What a great week it was for our junior sides this week. Big wins in two of the three AYL matches whilst the Girls are flying the flag with three from three and clean sheets all round. Let’s get into the reviews.

ASSOCIATION YOUTH LEAGUE | Under 13 Boys | Football South Coast 5-0 St George FA
A fantastic first 20 minutes set up this result with the boys getting off to a flyer.

Right from the start, the boys were moving the ball well and finding space across the park. This allowed the boys to create a number of opportunities as they regularly got in behind the opposition’s defence. The boys bagged several goals to build a comfortable lead going into the break.

The foot appeared to come off the pedal in the second half as play got a little sloppy with players holding the ball too long. As the intensity level dropped, so did our quality however the damage was already done as the boys cruised to a 5-0 win.

Player of the week – Micah Leimbach for stepping up from the 12 Boys, working hard at training and using some good distribution to get the boys going from the back.

ASSOCIATION YOUTH LEAGUE | Under 14 Boys | Football South Coast 0-3 St George FA
It was a disappointing morning for the lads as they just couldn’t get any rhythm going in the match. The pacey forwards from St George gave us trouble and we struggled to move the ball swiftly enough if we are fair.

St George scored after we failed to deal with a counterattack on 8 minutes and on 15 minutes, we got busted open again conceding a second. St George got a third on 25 minutes to all but put the game to bed inside the first half.

The opposition lost a little discipline as they lost a player to a red card late in the first half, but we failed to take advantage of the extra player and subsequently, St George saw out the game.

Player of the week – Bowen Spencer for his continued application, attitude and commitment to understanding and trying to solve football problems.

ASSOCIATION YOUTH LEAGUE | Under 15 Boys | Football South Coast 14-0 St George FA
One has to feel a little sorry for the opposition this week who were steam rolled. The title favorites seemed to be creating chances at will.

It was a ruthless display from the boys who failed to let up as they were at times queuing up for shots. Given the scoreline, the boys also managed to play some decent football in the process and built up a healthy goal difference as they ran riot.

Player of the week – Mason Videla worked hard at training and adopted to the team tasks very well.

ASSOCIATION YOUTH LEAGUE | Under 16 Boys | BYE

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GIRLS CONFERENCE LEAGUE | Under 14 Girls | Football South Coast 4-0 Blacktown City

A top of the table clash saw Flame welcome Blacktown FC to Ian McLellan Park as the girls looked to extend their lead at the top of the table.

The game started at a frenetic pace as both teams tried to gain the upper hand early on. Chances went missing at both ends of the field until a swift attacking move from Hayley Cowie put Holly Penning one on one with her defender inside the box; Holly flying past her defender then unselfishly passing to Caley Tallon-Henniker to score the opening goal from close range on 20 minutes.

Two minutes later, a superb free kick from Lili Rosandic found Demi Gay inside the 6-yard box who finished cleverly to double the girls’ lead. Before Blacktown FC could recover, Jelena Radic was brought down inside the penalty area and Holly Penning stepped up and converted the penalty to give Flame a 3-0 half time lead.

Blacktown FC started the second half strong, pressing the girls and looking to use their pace up front with some long ball tactics. Flame's defence held strong and the girls went on to produce one of their most impressive halves of football this season.

Flame's attacking combinations going forward created a number of chances; a missed penalty and the woodwork preventing the score from being doubled early on. Flame's pressure was finally rewarded as Demi Gay showed why she’s the leading scorer in the competition, beating two defenders in the penalty area and driving the ball home from 10 yards to give FSC a 4-0 lead which was carried through to full time.

Flame finished the game strong and showed their class in the second half to extend their lead at the top of the table to 12 points.

Player of the week – Charlotte Basham has been working hard at training, focusing on her passing and listening to feedback on her positioning in attack and defence. Against Blacktown FC, Charlotte followed her defensive instructions intently and combined well going forward, creating a number of good scoring chances.

GIRLS CONFERENCE LEAGUE | Under 15 Girls | Football South Coast 3-0 Blacktown City
- No Match Report available -

Player of the week – Not provided

GIRLS CONFERENCE LEAGUE | Under 17 Girls | Football South Coast 3-0 Blacktown City
It was an interesting game in which neither side really played their best football. Despite this, Flame managed to make multiple chances in the first half. One of these chances was scrambled into the back of the net by the hardworking Beth Portelli.

This was the beginning of a very shaky period for both teams in which passes went askew and the overall style by both teams became more direct.

After gathering themselves at half time, the girls responded well and began to play at more of a Flame standard. Blacktown's defence and lightning counter still remained a threat but goals to Sariah Wilson and Lara Golding iced the game. Overall it wasn’t the performance we have hoped for but some individual moments spared any blushes.

Player of the week – Beth Portelli made marked improvements in recent weeks. These improvements in positioning in the final third have provided a different dynamic for our combinations in the final third. These improvements have led to 3 goals in her last 4 games including 1 on game day against Blacktown.

29 June 2019