We hosted both the AYL and GCL over the weekend. Some of our boys will be a little disappointed with their results whilst the girls clearly appear to belong in a higher division as they dominate once again.

ASSOCIATION YOUTH LEAGUE | Under 13 Boys | Football South Coast 5-2 Blacktown Districts FA
The conditions were quite difficult with cold temperatures compounded by blistering wind which made playing football difficult but credit to both teams who did a pretty good job.

The wind was always going to be a factor and Blacktown managed to take advantage of that as they took a 2-0 lead into the break after having quite a stiff breeze at their backs.

The boys didn’t panic and when they managed to pull a goal back, the boys soared with confidence and with the opposition looking desperate to hold on, it wasn’t long before Flame scored an equaliser.

With their tails up, Flame managed to go on with the job as Blacktown struggled to get the ball out of their own half. Three more goals saw Flame blow the game wide open and record a strong 5-2 win to maintain their position at the top of the ladder.

Player of the week – Cassidy Mar put on an excellent performance in the match. His efforts at training have been recognised and rewarded.

ASSOCIATION YOUTH LEAGUE | Under 14 Boys | Football South Coast 0-2 Blacktown Districts FA
Sadly, a match report has not been made available to us for the second week in a row.

Player of the week – Riley Stafford

ASSOCIATION YOUTH LEAGUE | Under 15 Boys | Football South Coast 1-2 Blacktown Districts FA
Sadly, a match report has not been made available to us for the second week in a row.

Player of the week – Ashton Vozza

ASSOCIATION YOUTH LEAGUE | Under 16 Boys | Football South Coast 2-2 Blacktown Districts FA
The wind didn’t die down throughout the day and it was a factor again in this match. The boys fought out a 2-2 which dents their playoff aspirations.

Playing into a gale force wind, the boys found it difficult to play out from the back and the opposition were able to peg the boys back into their own half in the main. The visitors opened the scoring on 11 minutes when they were awarded a penalty which was converted.

Not long after, some good build up play saw Kyle Cappocchiano slot an equaliser.

The game became a little scrappy however with Flame looking like they were getting some ascendancy, Ned Glasgow made a darting run and finished well to put Flame up 2-1.

Just before the break, Blacktown pumped a long ball forward that was not dealt with and they capitalised scoring an equalising goal.

Both teams probed but were unable to add any further score as the game ended in a stalemate.

Player of the week – Ethan Hawken led from the front with his communication and organisational skills.

GIRLS CONFERENCE LEAGUE | Under 14 Girls | Football South Coast 2-0 Hills United
A frustrating game of football ensued as a howling wind blowing directly down field ensured Flame would have to be on their game to beat an improving Hills United outfit.

Running into a stiff breeze in the first half, Flame showed composure and intelligence executing combinations of short passes which looked to take the wind out of play. The girls regularly picked holes in Hills’ defence with the post denying Caley Tallon-Henniker and Lauren Brooks in the first half as the teams went into the break scoreless.

With the wind at the back, Flame adopted a different strategy and their high press forced a number of turnovers from the opposition thus creating a number of good scoring chances. With the pressure mounting in the visitors, a turnover was finally converted when an interception saw the ball whipped across the goal finding Holly Penning free on the back post tapping in for the opening goal.

Flame were made to work hard for the win and it wasn’t till 5 minutes from the end when the girls iced the game. A well worked passing sequence down the left found Brooks who rounded the defender and beat the oncoming keeper to make it 2-0.

It was a great learning experience for the girls who stuck to the game plan despite the challenges with the weather.

Player of the week – Hayley Cowie is a leader at training who is always looking to improve aspects of her game and recently, she has showed great creativity and poise particularly in attack. Against Hills, Hayley’s determination to win the ball and her range of passing going forward in difficult conditions showed experience beyond her years.

GIRLS CONFERENCE LEAGUE | Under 15 Girls | Football South Coast 5-0 Hills United
Again, in windy conditions, the girls were always going to be challenged by the conditions and an ever-improving opposition.

The girls took advantage of running with the aid of the wind in the first half continually peppering the opposition goal in the early stages. Hills were desperately defending aided by some wayward finishing; they were holding on.

The breakthrough came about 15 minutes before half time when Brooke Love scored from close range. Two more goals to Angelica Barraza and Piper Cowen before half time saw Flame blow out to a three-goal lead and given this side has conceded just four goals all season, the game was effectively over.

The girls had to fight a lot harder in the second half into the wind. The opposition seemed to get some confidence with it as they were taking some long-range efforts with one striking the cross bar.

Against the run of play and as good sides do, Flame countered well converting twice with goals to Caitlyn Zamuner and Sarah Ellis to round out a strong 5-0 win.

Player of the week – Sarah Ellis has been continuously working hard at training to improve and execute tactical instructions. She capped off the week with a strong game.

GIRLS CONFERENCE LEAGUE | Under 17 Girls | Football South Coast 1-0 Hills United
Flame scraped past as determined Hills United to stay within touching distance of league leaders Dunbar.

After being against the wind in the opening half, Flame can consider themselves a little unlucky not to be up by a couple of goals. Chance after chance went begging with Brinley Smart going closest after hitting the post. The girls took shelter at half time with the scores locked at 0-0.

Flame appeared to suffocate Hills as they were pegged back into their own half with their strategy seemingly being to kick it out of play and regroup. This led to a bit of frustration from the girls as their momentum was being interrupted.

With time ticking away and frustration kicking in, Alannah Merchant found herself in space before neatly finishing past the keeper with a little more than 10 minutes left to relieve some of the anxiety.

This proved to be enough as the conditions made it difficult to play. It wasn’t the prettiest of games, but it was entertaining, nevertheless.

Player of the week – Alannah Merchant showed dedication and put in a big effort this week. Her quick forward passing, and movement was a strong emphasis at training, and she brought both of those things to the game in abundance and even managed to get the winner on gameday.