State League 1 (0) def by Essendon (2)

This was a huge game for us today with a win needed to give us a chance of playing finals. Essendon are fighting with us for the same spot. A win to Essendon gives them a five point lead with one round to go and a win to us would mean we would need to win the last game to make finals.

The first half got underway with Footscray looking the better team with slick ball movement and great running but we could not convert up front. We started to make a few mistakes and Essendon had some great opportunities to score but missed some open nets and allowed us to stay in the game. We took back the ascendancy but once again we failed to get positive outcomes in the circle and a mistake in our back line from the umpire allowed Essendon to score the first goal. We were still in the game and playing some great hockey in patches but Essendon played good hockey consistently for the first half to go into half time with a one nil lead.

The second half got underway with both teams earning corners and having some good shots at goals but both teams could not convert. We hit a purple patch but could not score and Essendon with a breakaway scored to take a two nil lead. We kept on fighting but could not convert. Essendon ran out winners 0 – 2 to secure finals, knocking us out and leaving us with finishing fifth for the season.

Luke: “Very happy with the effort today. I could not doubt our effort but as we have learned all season if we don’t play out the game and make the right decisions under pressure then we will leak goals. The challenge is for us to keep the motivation going for one more game with the result not changing our position on the ladder. We need to finish off the year in style with a win. It was also Amy Turnbull’s last game for us this year as she is heading home to England to chase a spot in the national team, Amy has been a great servant for Footscray and we wish her all the best and hope to see her in the future back at Footscray.”

Next game: v MCC 3.30pm Saturday 25 August at S-1

Pennant B (2) def TEM (0)

We ground out a win against a defensive opposition, well done on holding a spot in the 4, hopefully we do the same next week

Next game: v MCC 3.30pm Saturday 25 August at MHS

Pennant C (0) def by Hawthorn (4)

Next game: v MCC 2pm Saturday 25 August at MHS

Pennant D (2) def Monash Uni (1)

Next game: v Essendon 2pm Saturday 25 August at Essendon

Metro 2 South (0) def by Waverley (4)

We travelled down the freeway to play 3rd placed Waverley who needed a win to stay in the 4. We had the bare minimum players this week (thanks to Jo Torr and Marj Aked for helping us out again). Whilst we were competitive and again had our chances in the first half, we ran out of petrol and soldiers (Waverley had the full complement of 16) in the second half. Yet again, we could not fault the effort the players put in. We will finish 6th irrespective of next week’s game, but let’s aim for a winning end to the season!

Next game: v ECHO 2pm Saturday 25 August at F-1

Metro 2 North (1) def Greensborough (0)

Next game: v Kew 12.30pm Saturday 25 August at F-1

Metro 3 North () v MCC ()

Next game: v Yarra Valley 5pm Saturday 25 August at Yarra Valley

Metro 3 South () v Bayside Cougars ()

Next game: v Monash Uni 12.30pm Sunday 26 August at Monash

Metro 4 North () v La Trobe Uni (1) ()

Next game: v La Trobe Uni (2) 12.30pm Saturday 25 August at F-2