State League 1 (2) def by Mentone (4)

A huge clash between Footscray and Mentone was on the cards as both teams had players missing due to Victorian Under-21 duty. This had our Keeper and Full Back missing but Shannara Main and Harriett Negus where called into the team. Harriett made a return after suffering a broken hand while diving across the ground to save a shot at goal earlier in the season.

The game got underway with both teams making some good attempts at goal but Mentone stepped up to take control of the first half and scored three easy goals. It could have been more but Shannara made some good saves even while carrying an injured hip. The first half finished with a lacklustre performance from the girls. At half time the girls were asked to increase running and to try and be first to the ball.

The second half started with Mentone scoring an early goal, but to our credit we fought our way back into game and started to threaten their back line. Once again we scored off a corner with Amy Turnbull converting and not long after Sam Ellis scored off another corner to put us back into the game. We could not score again but we controlled the rest of the game, really putting pressure on Mentone. After the game we have realised that our poor starts are starting to hurt us and recently we have clawed our way back in front but not today.

Luke: “Result looks good on paper considering the amount of people we had sick and injured and with a few out this did not help our cause. But our second half showed that when we played good hard running hockey we can match it with any team, including Mentone who are the flag favourites. Hopefully next week we will play out a full game. We will play Waverly at Waverly which is a very hard task but with our full line up back we should hopefully play some good hockey like we did against Greensborough. Well done to Shannara who played with an injury, true courage shown by her.”

Next game: v Waverley 3.30pm Sunday 22 July at HHF

Pennant B (4) def Southern United (2)

We scored goals… woohoo… more than the opposition… woohoo… and got a win…woohoo!!! We had a bit of a shock intro to the game with Southern scoring in the first 30 seconds, but we bounced back immediately with an equaliser and at half-time were 3-1 up…and feeling a little chuffed!! We then took our foot off the pedal, which nearly cost us as they snuck back into the game. A 4th goal in the second half wrapped the game up and everyone enjoyed the rarity of singing our song! Well done to everyone in a game where we had 6 changes in personnel to the previous week. For the first time this season we managed to get a lot of ball going towards goal and we proved to ourselves that keeping the goalkeeper under pressure, no matter how zippy the shot, will ultimately lead to points.

Next game: v Mentone 2pm Saturday 21 July at MNT

Pennant C (6) def Southern united (1)

Next game: v Kew 5pm Saturday 21 July at ELG

Pennant D (3) def Waverley (0) Goals: K Forsdike, R Wilkins, L Hopkins

The girls were missing their coach due to a clash of game times, but the girls were by no means left short, with Ryan stepping in to help out.

Captained by Carrol, the girls took the field and battled it out for the full 70 minutes, helped by a plentiful bench and Ryan’s rotating subs. However, despite numerous attacks on goal in the first half successful conversion was proving elusive. This was by no means down to lack of skill on the girls part, and much more to do with an outstanding opposition goalkeeper. At half time, Ryan helped the girls to understand how best to beat such a skilled goalkeeper and not long into the second half efforts were rewarded with a goal from a short corner. It took several of the girls involved in the short corner to get the ball around and behind the goalkeeper, making the most of the space that became available. With the first goal under their belts, the flood gates opened and two more goals followed in quick succession from great team work and finishing by Rachel and Lauren. Defence held strong throughout and even blocked several short corner attempts to enable the girls to win 3-0. The PD team remain top of the ladder.

Ryan was pleased with the girls’ performance and looked forward to telling Ben of the win. Huge thanks go to Ryan for stepping in and doing such a fantastic job. Huge thanks also to Rachel and Lauren for joining the PD team this week – it was great to have you with us! Ryan’s best players on the ground this week: Rachel, Kirsty and Carrol.

Next game: v Greensborough 2pm Saturday 21 July at S-1

Metro 2 South (3) v Southern United (3)

This week took on top side Southern and needed at least a point to stay in touch with the top 4. We had 4 regulars away overseas, and plenty of players battling the dreaded lurgy that is going around. The girls played super hockey for about 60 minutes, breaking away to a 3-1 lead. We just started to feel the pinch in the last 10 minutes, conceded a goal from a short corner, then another right on the whistle to end up with a 3-3 draw. Could not fault the effort, the endeavour or the support we got from Jo Torr and Sue Wallace who helped us out and got us to 12 players. Again we have shown we can match it with the top sides. We are still a great chance in this comp

Next game: v Swinburne 12.30pm on Sunday 22 July at Footscray

Metro 2 North () v Melbourne Uni ()

Next game: v PEGS 2pm Saturday 21 July at PEGS

Metro 3 North () v Essendon ()

Next game: v Brunswick 12.45pm Sunday 22 July at S-2

Metro 3 South () v Southern United ()  

Next game: v Sandringham Women 2pm Sunday 22 July at Footscray

Metro 4 North (1) def by Kew (3) Goal: A Thompson

M4NW lost this week to Kew 3-1. Our goal was scored by Anna Thompson in the 1st half. Kew were short of players, but we were unable to capitalize on this to win the game. We put together some great passages of play to move the ball down the field, but were unable to score more goals. We  unfortunately, suffered an injury to one of our players, and she was unable to take any further part in the game. Our defence had a lot of work during the game and tried their best.  All the players worked hard this week.

Next game: v Essendon 2pm Saturday 21 July at Essendon