AYL travelled to Cook Park to take on Nepean on Saturday on a pitch that wasn’t quite what we are used to. The GCL were looking to continue their shining season playing home to Dunbar Rovers.

ASSOCIATION YOUTH LEAGUE | Under 13 Boys | Nepean FC 2-1 Football South Coast
The boys were left disappointed with the result as they failed to match Nepean’s intensity.

The boys tried to play football but struggled to maintain some consistency on a bumpy pitch which appeared to contribute to some poor execution of passes. The home side played long balls and scored against the run of play to take the lead.

As the game wore on, we seemed to adapt to the conditions and playing surface. We managed to score an equalising goal when a great switch caught the opposition napping.

It was the opposition though that nabbed a winner when the boys failed to clear a long bouncing ball and went on to lose the match 2-1.

Player of the week – Jackson Beniuk showed great application at training and showed great football knowledge on game day.

ASSOCIATION YOUTH LEAGUE | Under 14 Boys | Nepean FC 1-1 Football South Coast
The boys played with good intensity, showed bravery and were positive throughout the game. The game itself was a tight affair with both sides cancelling each other out in a scoreless first half.

After a few encouraging words and tactical changes from the coaching staff at half time, the boys came out with a little more positivity. As a result, the boys started to create more chances and after a number of consecutive corners, we struck first.

To Nepean’s credit, that pushed hard for an equaliser and they too won consecutive corners after a period of sustained pressure. We failed to clear from our box and were punished conceding an equalising goal. The game finishing 1-1.

Player of the week – Kai Kubota stood out on game day with his distribution and leadership as he stood in as captain for the day.

ASSOCIATION YOUTH LEAGUE | Under 15 Boys | Nepean FC 1-1 Football South Coast
In an unfortunate incident in the 14 Boys, Goalkeeper Jackson Meers sustained concussion and was unable to play in the 15 Boys as was planned. This was not an ideal situation as we had to make do putting a field player in goal.

This posed a mental challenge to the boys and was perhaps a contributing factor to a flat first half. Nepean hit the lead 15 minutes in with our keeper chipped.

With a re-evaluation of their performance and some further tactical changes at half time, the boys started the second half much better. Unfortunately, due to the poor playing surface, we were unable to move the ball as effectively as we would have liked.

We did create multiple scoring opportunities however we could only convert one as we had to settle for a draw. The boys are looking to bounce back next week.

Player of the week – Daniel Merola had an outstanding work ethic both through training and the game.

ASSOCIATION YOUTH LEAGUE | Under 16 Boys | Nepean FC 1-0 Football South Coast
It was one of those games where we appeared to control the majority of the game without reward. Our movement and rotation was good however when we got to the final third, we lost control.

The only goal of the game came in midway through the first half when some slack marking saw Nepean convert from close range.

The boys managed to maintain some decent possession and created some good scoring opportunities however we were unable to take any of these as we fell 1-0. The boys were understandably upset at the result as it effectively ruled the team out from playoff qualification.

Player of the week – Luke Hoefsloot was playing a new role as a #8 and his work rate, distribution and communication was excellent.

GIRLS CONFERENCE LEAGUE | Under 14 Girls | Football South Coast 7-0 Dunbar Rovers
Top of the table Flame met a depleted Dunbar Rovers outfit who sadly struggled to field a full squad for the whole game.

The first half went much as expected with Flame having substantial possession and creating chances at will. Helena Halios-Lewis opened the scoring with an unstoppable strike from just inside the area which was shortly followed by a long-range effort from Chloe Aivaliotis which floated over the keepers reach.

Minutes later, Demi Gay followed up a fumble from the Dunbar goalkeeper adding her 14^th goal for the season. With seconds to go before the break, Bethany Horton found herself unmarked in the penalty area and made no mistake giving Flame a 4-0 lead at half time.

The message at half time was to keep up the intensity and keep the foot on the pedal with Lily Roodenrys wasting no time after the restart finishing a well taken goal from close range inside the opening minute.

With Flame’s next possession, Holly Penning was put through one on one and calmly converted to make it six. Halios-Lewis grabbed her second of the match and Flame’s seventh just before full time after she finished off a great solo effort.

Despite the lop-sided score line and lack of possession, a shout out to Dunbar Rovers who battled their hearts out with just 10 players and did not give up right through to the final whistle.

Player of the week – Helena Halios-Lewis has been focusing on her finishing and positioning in the final third and it showed in her game day performance.

GIRLS CONFERENCE LEAGUE | Under 15 Girls | Football South Coast 2-1 Dunbar Rovers
Flame started the game with great intent and the midfield combinations of Emily Kostovski, Caitlyn Zamuner and Brooke Love allowing the fullbacks to push high to create good scoring opportunities. Amelia Mastroianni, Arwen Oudekerk and Sienna Humphrey were busy in the first half dominating the flanks also contributing to the opportunities.

After multiple shots on target and several great saves from the opposition keeper, Brooke Love finally broke the deadlock after calmly slotting away a loose ball.

Flame had several more scoring chances however against the run of play, Dunbar found an equaliser after a long-range shot found its way past the keeper to level the scores just before half time.

The second half started much like the first with Flame in the ascendency. Emma Van Loo and Libby Loveday maintained strong defensive shape limiting Dunbar’s scoring opportunities. Oudekerk was also driving forward at every available opportunity. The Dunbar keeper though was having an amazing game pulling off some remarkable saves to keep her team in the match.

With just 2 minutes remaining, Flame’s pressure finally told as Monique Koloski found some space on the edge of the box before slotting the ball past the outstretched hands of the keeper to beat her in the bottom left corner.

The goal was not only the game winner, but it also secured the League Championship as well. A great effort from this group of girls.

Player of the week – Arwen Oudekerk put in a solid shift and she has been applying what she has learned at training regularly at games. She executed well on game day as she adapted to changes throughout the game.

GIRLS CONFERENCE LEAGUE | Under 17 Girls | Football South Coast 1-1 Dunbar Rovers
The girls can count themselves pretty unlucky in the end in a top of the table clash that could have seen the Flame girls move clear top.

Both sides were up for this contest, yet it was Flame who had the early dominance in possession. The emphasis of holding possession and working around Dunbar’s compact midfield seemed to be working with some nice link up play leading to Sariah Wilson scoring a bomb of a goal from 25 yards.

With Flame 1-0 up at half time, the girls seemed to get a little nervous as Dunbar pushed hard. An inconspicuous free kick was brilliantly converted by the Rovers to bring them level.

The girls went in search of a winner however despite a slew of chances particularly late in the game, they just couldn’t find that vital second goal. The girls can be immensely proud of their effort and remain hot on the heels of Dunbar with just four games left.

Player of the week – Sariah Wilson excelled in our football topic this week of combination play in the final third. Her play on the weekend reflected this in multiple different positions as she was always a threat to the opposition. Her leadership on gameday was also exemplary capped off with a great long-range goal.