The AYL travelled to Cromer Park over the weekend to face Manly. This historically is one of our toughest road trips and it proved so on the weekend where we travelled home with just one single draw. The girls on the other hand are dominating the league and their trip to Mt Druitt was greeted with success with all three grades recording wins.

ASSOCIATION YOUTH LEAGUE | Under 13 Boys | Manly Warringah 2-1 Football South Coast
It was one of those games where the boys were a little flat yet somehow, they nearly got something out of the match.

The match was a bit of an arm wrestle right from the start where neither side appeared to gain any ascendency. Flame created some good chances however the boys lacked composure early on and these chances appeared to go begging.

Our fortune changed though when some good high pressure forced a turnover and Blake Pearson nailed a shot beating the opposition keeper and putting Flame ahead.

It was a little short lived as Manly hit back not long after as some poor defending saw them draw level just before the break.

The goal seemed to deflate Flame as the boys never really found their rhythm in the second half. Simple errors and a lack of efficient passing saw the opposition take control which ultimately led to the goal ahead goal. Manly were able to hand on despite some late chances as the boys will look back at this one as a case of what could have been.

Player of the week – Jackson Benuik showed great consistency and effort at training to improve his football knowledge and he put in a great shift on the weekend.

ASSOCIATION YOUTH LEAGUE | Under 14 Boys | Manly Warringah 3-1 Football South Coast
- No match report available -

Player of the week – Joshua Bussoletti

ASSOCIATION YOUTH LEAGUE | Under 15 Boys | Manly Warringah 1-0 Football South Coast
- No match report available -

Player of the week – Zac Borg

ASSOCIATION YOUTH LEAGUE | Under 16 Boys | Manly Warringah 0-0 Football South Coast
The wet weather during the week disrupted the preparation of the team but with some frustrating results in recent weeks, the boys were determined to set things straight.

Flame had some good possession early on which led to some decent half chances as the midfield was looking to get creative. The most notable chance for Flame fell to Kyle Capocchiano who found himself one on one with the goalkeeper who spread himself well to deny Flame a goal.

Manly looked to get themselves into the game and there were several momentum swings as Manly also had some good looks.

No score at the break and it was much the same in the second half as neither side could muster a goal in a match that featured few highlights.

With that said, it was a much-improved performance from the team, and they can take heart from the fact that they kept a clean sheet and earned a point.

Player of the week – Alex Manganas’ work ethic was second to none this week as his attitude and commitment was faultless.

GIRLS CONFERENCE LEAGUE | Under 14 Girls | Mount Druitt 2-5 Football South Coast
Flame started the match on the front foot right from the opening whistle. Holly Penning putting Flame ahead inside the first minute with literally her first possession.

A mix up at the back saw Mt Druitt equalise which seemed to reignite Flame. The girls went on to control the remainder of the half especially after Caley Tallon-Henniker converted a penalty which was quickly followed by a goal to Helena Halios-Lewis whose shot was just too hot to handle for the Mt Druitt keeper. Flame led 3-1 at the break.

The second half saw Flame skip ahead even further as Penning grabbed her second of the match weaving through defenders at will and finishing past the oncoming keeper with ease.

Bethany Horton got in on the action with a goal of her own as she was on hand to tap in a simple shot after a fumble from the opposition keeper. With Flame leading 5-1, Mt Druitt grabbed what was no more than a consolation after a long-range free kick found its way into the goal.

It was a solid result from the girls who are running away with the league championship.

Player of the week – Lauren Brooks has been improving in leaps and bounds particularly at training. After coming back from a serious injury and illness earlier this year, she has shown great determination in the front third and has been devastating in one on one situations whilst she also features in many of Flame’s scoring opportunities.

GIRLS CONFERENCE LEAGUE | Under 15 Girls | Mount Druitt 0-2 Football South Coast
A cagey affair saw both teams struggle to maintain any sustainable possession and take control of the game. As the half wore on, Flame looked the more likely as the girls were starting to probe the wide areas and create a number of chances. It was only some heroic goalkeeping from the Mt Druitt shot stopper that denied Flame the lead as both teams went into the break scoreless.

Flame looked to capatilise on their sustained pressure early in the second half however the Mt Druitt goalkeeper was having a mountain of a game as she pulled off save after save firstly from Sarah Ellis and then from Brooke Love.

It appeared to be a matter of time before Flame would take the lead and that they did. Emily Franklin was on hand to finish off a nice combination play on the edge of the area. Flame doubled their lead not long after when a long ball was chased down by Angelica Barraza who slotted past the keeper to make it 2-0 and game over.

With several girls feeling under the weather, it was a solid three points against stubborn opposition.

Player of the week – Caitlyn Zamuner was asked to play out of position for a large part of the game. She showed great composure in possession especially going forward and was thorough in her defensive duties.

GIRLS CONFERENCE LEAGUE | Under 17 Girls | Mount Druitt 0-2 Football South Coast
It was another professional performance from the Flame girls as they brushed aside Mt Druitt in a game they controlled throughout.

Flame were causing the home side all sorts of issues in the wide areas as the Mt Druitt backline was kept busy scrambling balls away. Flame was pressing and probing for much of the first half and Mt Druitt looked to have rode their luck on more than one occasion.

Flame breathed a sigh of relief as right on the stroke of half time, Sariah Wilson’s cross was met with a good first touch by Nikki Butkovic who calmly slotted home to put Flame deservedly ahead.

Flame had Mt Druitt on the back foot again in the second half and it wasn’t long before Flame doubled their lead. Taya Kelly found herself in the box after an exquisite overlapping run to finish in the bottom left corner putting Flame two goals ahead.

The girls continued their tempo and were in search for more goals however with the game starting to get out of reach, the home side appeared to turn to some rough house tactics with the Flame girls doing well to control themselves and not get drawn into ill-discipline as they saw out the game.

Player of the week – Anitta Harb has been diligent in adapting her goalkeeping style and becoming more of an eleventh field player for the team. She is well organised at the back and was much more positively vocal on game day.