SUPPLIED CONTENT – 07 JUNE 2021
Tamworth FC is now four points clear of second placed Oxley Vale Attunga on the Tamworth Women’s division table after FC edged out the Mushies 3-1 on Saturday.
Lauren Daye opened the scoring for the home side before Skye Nicholson bagged a brace to secure three points.
“Her [Skye] first goal was our best all year with good lead up work from the midfield and a brilliant finish from Skye which looked really good,” coach Chris Hughes said.
“They were brilliant this week, the first half in particular was our best half all year… They showed effort and energy all game and finished the game 3-1 winners against a very tough side.”
OVA coach Steve Doherty described the game as “terrific” with the end-to-end contest exactly what was expected from the top of the table sides.
Zoe Lambert made the switch from the edge to centre back while midfielder Jess Pace drew praise from Doherty, who was left to lament execution in the final third.
“I thought we sat too deep in the first half and conceded a soft goal,” Doherty said.
“Their keeper was outstanding and won them the game. We had three or four one versus one and she saved them all and made a couple of smart saves at the near post too.”
“It is all about taking your chances and whilst we created a lot, we didn’t put them away.”
FC coach Chris Hughes shared the same perspective on goalkeeper Kirby Fox, who proved the difference between the two sides.
“OVA was all over us for a good 20–30-minute period in the second half but she pulled off some amazing saves to keep us with a comfortable lead,” Hughes said.
“Without her performance I think we would have been lucky to keep it to a draw.”
“Our goalkeeping was a key to the win but just the energy early in the game and the scramble from the backs and midfield in the second half was great to see.”
There were goals aplenty at Quirindi as the clubs’ White side edged out Blue in a high-scoring affair.
Abbey Lobsey, Amanda Hayward, Lily Owen, Alison Whitten, and Lou Fogarty all found the back of the net for Quirindi White, who held the ascendancy by four goals at the break.
“Overall, it was a good match with white scoring four goals in the first half. In the second half of the match the blue team stepped up their defence and held Quirindi White out well but did allow one more goal in the back of the net,” coach Neil Wilcox said.
“The opening goals were scored from a few key crosses with players taking the correct positions for an opportunity to strike the ball at the goal.”
Dominated by first time footballers, Wilcox admitted both sides have work to do but was full of praise for the determination shown by the women both on and off the ball.
“Both sides struggle to deal with the pressure from the opposition, need to build their confidence on the ball and learn to deal with that pressure before they can make any substantial progress against the stronger teams in the competition,” he said.
“Overall, the blue team has seen a large improvement in their defensive play. No matter the situation they persevere as a team and lift their game rather than dropping their heads.”
At Marius Street, North Companions Black proved too good for teammates North Companions White.
“The game was won with respect for the ball and not giving it away easily… Working more on that will assist both sides moving forward,” coach Pat Warren said.
Chantelle Corby led the way for Black with an early goal, before Taleisha Bartlett and Kayla Todd extended the margin. The final score 6-1 in favour of Black.
Without seven regulars across both sides, Warren looked to the next generation to fill the void.
“Everyone did well, between both teams we were missing seven regulars so both teams had a good hit out our juniors did very well,” he said.
“The two keepers did very well making some solid saves, the back line in the white team handled the attack very well in the second half, they were some of the standouts.”
Meanwhile, Kootingal Purple delivered a crushing 11-goal win over South United.
It was a tough day in the office for Souths, who struggled to gain any level of ascendancy in the thrashing. Coach Mark Ross hopeful next week’s bye weekend, and his side’s bye in round seven will give them time to regroup.
“It wasn’t one of our better performances, but the girls gave it everything they had till the end which I’m very proud of,” Ross said
“The two weeks off will give the girls time to get over any injuries then we will regroup at training and get ready to go again.”
Kootingal White had the bye.
