SUPPLIED CONTENT – 01 JUNE 2021
Tamworth remains fixed at the top of the local women’s league after a convincing win over Quirindi White on Saturday.
Violet Nicholson led the way for the home side with a hat-trick, while Skye Nicholson bagged a brace. Rebecca Bullen, Sam Howard, Rebecca Wrightson and Kerry Harris also found the back of the net on the way to a 9-goal win.
“The first 15 minutes or so was good but it ended up being our scrappiest half this season… We fell into the trap of stooping to their level for the remainder of the half,” coach Chris Hughes said.
“The second half though we were much better. We stayed a lot calmer on the ball and looked to find out feet which was pleasing and finished 9-0.”
Rebecca Wrightson drew strong praise from coach Hughes, while the side’s ability to shift back into its preferred style of play found its way to the highlights.
“I was just pleased that the second half the girls were able to get back to basics a bit and pass the ball around,” Hughes said.
Top-of-the-table action returns to Gipps Street next weekend as Tamworth host Oxley Vale Attunga.
“Next week we have Oxley Vale Attunga which is always a tough game…. They’ll be tough to beat as always but we’ve just got to keep working on what we’ve been doing all year ourselves,” the Tamworth coach said.
“There won’t be much needed to say to the girls to get them motivated this week, just looking forward to a competitive game this week.”
It was one-way traffic at Johnson Field as South United knocked five goals past Kootingal White.
Aleksandra Trajkovski and Tennille Johnston both bagged a brace for the visitors, while Abbey Dehnert added the side’s fifth goal. Coach Mark Ross full of praise for what was a strong performance across the park.
“It was a very good performance by the team… We kept our shape and created chances and put them away. The game was played in good spirits by both teams,” he said.
According to Ross, strong communication on and off the ball along with control in possession proved the difference in the five-goal win. Souths led 3-nil at the break.
They next face Kootingal’s second side, Kootingal Purple, while Kootingal White has the bye.
“We will keep working on our possession and finishing in front of goal,” Ross said.
In the weekend’s other matches, North Companions Black delivered a crushing 21-goal win over Quirindi Blue. Taleisha Bartlett scored 15 of the side’s goals, while Emma Allen scored five. Kayla Todd bagged a brace.
Kootingal Purple were edged out in a high-scoring affair by Oxley Vale Attunga, 6-3.
“We haven’t really hit our straps yet this year, but we were really well structured defensively on Sunday and I thought dominated the first half, but couldn’t find that quality in the final third,” Oxley Vale Attunga coach Steve Doherty said.
With the score locked at 0-0 at half time, Emma James turned the game on its head with five goals in quick succession. Emily Daley scored the side’s final goal.
“They are a very good side Kootingal… They play some really good technical football,” Doherty said.
“We have always had the focus of trying to play good football and we play football to win games, rather than setting out to win competitions.”
“It was a really hard game to single anyone out for their performance… They all played so well.”
With two sides in the competition, Kootingal coach Cassi Cutmore’s job filling both team’s each week isn’t an easy one, although it can be a rewarding one at times.
“Although it would be clear for me to say this, the side needs to improve their stamina though it is a far-fetched golden ticket at this point in time until we can source some more players for this side,” Cutmore said.
“Every single player makes me so proud in one way or another, they are all a true wisdom of crowds.”
“They all continue to complement each other. Of course, there is natural stand outs for skill, there is those that stand out for their ability to give any field position a go, that put everyone else above themselves.”
North Companions Black now turn their attention to the inner-club derby as they prepare to take on the club’s other side, North Companions White on Saturday. Their opponents will be fresh after a weekend off thanks to the bye.
Oxley Vale Attunga play Tamworth next Saturday in a top-of-the-table match up, while Kootingal Purple host South United. Quirindi Blue meet inner-club rivals Quirindi White.
