2012 National Youth Championships for Girls ? Day One
All four NSW sides, both Country and Metro, started their week in the best possible fashion with victory in a mixture of fashions. The Under 14?s Country girls put the sword to a lacklustre Northern Territory outfit with a convincing 10-0 win. The Under 14?s Metro side despatched South Australia 3-0 with their best still to come.
In the Under 15?s both NSW sides ground out 1-0 results against stern opposition.
NSW Metro Under 14?s 3-0 South Australia
NSW Metro Under 14?s faced group B side South Australia in their opening fixture and with no points on offer when teams from opposite groups play, this match was a chance for the NSW girls to get a feel of the Championships.
But it was clear that coach Nadine Shiels was approaching the game with respect as Metro bustled forward in attack early.
It was just two minutes before the first meaningful strike with Georgia Plessas latching onto a through ball and rattling the side netting.
Plessas was in action a further two minutes later as she whipped in a cross that was met on the volley by Kristen Davis at the far post, but her shot failed to reach the goal.
Metro continued their assault and asserted their physical presence, which gave South Australia little chance of attacking.
Plessas opened the scoring for Metro in the 15th minute with a strong header off a well-placed cross from Davis.
For the remainder of the half, Metro peppered the South Australian goal with a series of sneaky balls in behind the defence. The same play proved successful in releasing their wingers, but Metro were unable to double their advantage before half time.
Not long after the break, the NSW side took a 2-0 lead in fortuitous circumstances. The South Australian goalkeeper miscontrolled a back pass which rolled through for an own goal.
The Metro defence were given a few tests but stood firm and the presence of Shania-Rose Pourrashidi meant a third goal was imminent.
It came in stunning fashion as Pourrashidi released Plessas down the left and the winger rocketed a shot which ricocheted off the crossbar and into the goal.
The final 20 minutes were relatively stagnant and coach Shiels will be eager to improve on their opening performance.
Next fixture: v Queensland 12.30pm Tuesday July 10
NSW Country Under 14?s 10-0 NT
The Under 14?s NSW Country girls stamped their authority at the National Titles with a resounding 10-0 whitewash against the Northern Territory.
Country never looked like relinquishing possession and they were on the front foot from the outset. A series of short passes and patient build up play resulted in the opening goal after just seven minutes when Phoebe McGeogh latched onto a cross at the far post. Kya Godbier grabbed her side?s second goal just five minutes later with a neat finish from close range thanks to a well-weighted through ball.
That opened the floodgates for Country and McGeogh helped herself to another goal in similar fashion to her first. A looping cross evaded the Northern Territory defenders and the striker happily tucked the ball away.
Four minutes later, Erin Holder made it 4-0 with a solid shot that the opposition ?keeper couldn?t hold on to.
Then came two goals in as many minutes with Godbier pushing Country out to a 5-0 lead before Annabel Meadley sent a looping header into the top right corner.
Country had time for one more goal before half time as Holder sent the Linda Khamis-coached side into the break with a seven-goal advantage.
Country emerged for the second half with the three points guaranteed, but they continued to hold onto the ball and create goal scoring chances.
Samara Wehmeyer was buzzing down the left side and after a short goal kick from the Northern Territory, she dispossessed a defender and sent Meadley through for her second goal of the game.
Wehmeyer then helped give Country a 9-0 lead as she drove to the goal line and cut the ball back for Holder who sealed her hat trick. It was then time for Wehmeyer to get something for her troubles and after two assists, the favour was returned as she curled the ball passed Northern Territory?s helpless ?keeper.
Next fixture: v Football West 9am Tuesday July 10
NSW Metro Under 15?s 1-0 QLD
An Aiona Mila strike was enough to secure three points for the NSW Metro Under 15?s side in their opening match against Queensland. The 1-0 score line was indicative of the pressure Metro faced from last year?s Under 14?s Pool B winners. It was the Queenslanders who piled the pressure on early, leaving the Metro side to set up a defensive formation early. But five minutes in, the NSW girls got some breathing space and went on the attack.
Their best chance came in the 17th minute when Mila shimmied past two defenders and blasted a shot across the face of goal.
While the midfield continued to create opportunities up front, the Metro defence were busy diffusing Queensland?s invasions on their goal. Their solid back four frustrated the Maroons who were reduced to long-range shots.
The pace of Mila upfront was giving life to Metro?s attack in the first half and they were unlucky to go into the break locked at 0-0.
A half time pep talk from coach Lisa Warrener had an immediate effect with Courtney Milone putting Mila through on goal. The striker?s first shot was saved but she was alert for the rebound to give Metro a 1-0 lead on 42? minutes.
Shortly after, Jemma Crane put Tia Gavin through for what looked like Metro?s second goal but the Queensland ?keeper was equal to the task.
Reagan Mitchell and Rhianna Pollicina controlled the midfield and found more gaps as the opposition searched for an equaliser.
It took a goal line save from the Metro defence to hold on for the win.
Next fixture: v South Australia 4pm Tuesday July 10
NSW Country Under 15?s 1-0 WA
The NSW Country Under 15?s girls kicked off their tournament with a 1-0 win over a resilient Football West outfit. Country began the match with the attacking intent that earned them a second place finish at last year?s Championships and they were quick to put the Western Australian?s under the pump.
The side?s first real chance came on the 10? minute mark when Amanda Stevenson pounced on a loose ball and went one on one with the Football West goalkeeper who was equal to the task.
Country looked most dangerous down the left flank with Matilda-Lee Potter and Alexandra Scobie combining on a number of occasions.
The Football West was given plenty to do as the Country girls pressed forward in search of the opener before half time.
Country looked certain to take the lead when Stevenson sent a low cross into the box on 29? minutes, but Heather Duffy?s volley went inches wide of the post.
Football West sent a scare through the Country camp before the break, but two runaway plays that failed to trouble Nadine Knight in the NSW goal.
Country started the second half just as they did in the first and they raided Football West?s goal but had nothing to show for it.
But Country got their reward after 71? minutes when Duffy received the ball on the edge of the box and buried the ball into the top right corner to break the deadlock.
In close encounters, defence is just as pivotal as attack and Country ?keeper Knight sent her side away with three points as she saved a deflected shot that looked a certain goal.
Next fixture: v Tasmania 2:15pm Tuesday July 10
-By Mitchell Grima
