FHC Premier League Team take the field for round 1.
8 out of 9 of our women’s sides won in round 1! Was a near on perfect start to the season and Nicole Virtuoso, Ladies Director who would have had to shout if all 9 teams had won!
Premier League 3 def MCC 0 Goals H McAlinden, L Merrett 2
Welcome to 2013, round 1 had the Premier League Team of Footscray Hockey Club facing the teams old rival of three years now, MCC. Both teams were very keen to get off to a great start and with a tough few rounds to follow the points are extremely important.A few new faces have been welcomed to the team with the inclusion of Hayley McAlinden, Bethany Russ, Emily Bannon, Lisanne Lamars, Greg Hopkins and Kevin Redden. A few nervous faces were observed in the pre-game talk but the warm up set the tone for the game.The first half got underway with FHC making some attacking moves up the pitch and getting off some shots. MCC lost the best player of the team, Carla Bond, with a hamstring injury which reduced some nerves for the FHC back line and FHC dominated the next 15 minutes creating opportunities to score but failing to convert. A great run up the left side from Sammy Ellis who then put the ball across the face of goals was clinically finished off by Hayley McAlinden, for her first goal in Premier League. FHC had numerous more shots at goals but could not score again. The team earned the first corner and the shot was saved by the MCC goalie. MCC started to get some attacking runs up the pitch and to put some pressure on the FHC back line which held. At half time FHC had the lead 1-0. The second half was underway with MCC setting the tone and attacking down the left side putting the FHC defense us under the pump. FHC steadied and earned a few corners which were converted by Leah Merrett resulting in 3-0 lead. FHC created some chances and limited MCC scoring chances and took the points to get the season off to the perfect start. It is hard to single out a few players who played well when everyone at some point made quality contributions to the game. The next match has FHC playing cross town rivals Essendon, which will be a huge game as Essendon have a few players back in the team and are already one of the premiership favorites. Essendon is a very experienced team with a couple of young guns. The match will be a great test for the FHC young team. As it stands each team has one win each from last years encounters and early wins can set up your season.
Premier League Reserves 2 def MCC 1 Goals E Druce, R Browne
The Premier League Reserve team of FHC played MCC. Even though the play was a little rusty at the start, a win of 2-1 for FHC resulted. It was a good team effort with everyone playing a role and good linking up at times was demonstrated. Best for the day were Dannielle Pereira, Ellen Druce and Riley Sutherland. The goals were scored by Ellen Druce and Rachel Browne. Welcome to the club Fiona Bloss, Riley Sutherland and Paula Van Meeuwen.
Pennant A 3 def ALT 2 Goals C Di Dato, M La 2
The first match for the FHC Pennant A side was against good friends Altona, which was a great start to the season. The team now a well disciplined unit arrived at 1.00pm for the scheduled 2.00pm start, after the usual welcome greeting of one another, that seems to be the in thing, the team got down to business. The game started slowly with both teams trying to settle the nerves and check out each other’s game plan. This game promised to be absorbing as it pitched the FHC team, a side of young, enthusiastic and very skillful girls against the more experienced Altona outfit. After the first 15 minutes the skill and speed of the FHC attack created numerous opportunities and FHC scored through Chloe Di Dato against the run of play. The second half started on a very fast note and the speed of the FHC forwards, saw Chloe Chatterton make a brilliant run down the right to pass the ball to FHC striker Monica Singh who scored, giving the Altona GK no chance what so ever. Altona demonstrated experience and a couple of moments of lack of concentration saw them score two quick goals. Score now 2-2. FHC lifted the tempo and the persistence and endeavor of the team paid off, as Monica Singh once against scored as a result of some excellent teamwork from the midfield and attack. FHC emerged winners 3-2, a game where every single team member gave her very best, but a special thank you must go to the defence, they withstood a barrage from the experienced Altona outfit and came out on top. A great start to a season that promise’s to be exciting and challenging. Well done team.
Pennant B 2 dev PHSK 1 Goals F Gates, R Robertson
The FHC Pennant B team played Round 1 at the State Hockey Centre with a few supporters to cheer the team on. After the first 15 minutes the team settled into a confident playing style which resulted in good possession of the ball and some proficient attacking moves but no goal resulted in the first half for FHC. Thanks to some strong defence from FHC, the Powerhouse/St Kilda attacks were kept at bay and the score at half time was 0-0. A confident FHC took the field after half time demonstrating strong attacks, earning a short corner which resulted in a goal, giving FHC the lead, 1-0. Powerhouse/St Kilda fought back and took the opportunity to steal the ball and level the score 1-1. Alexandra Leeder (GK) did an outstanding job preventing the opposition from getting anymore balls away, despite some very strong shots from the opposition throughout the game. The whole FHC team fired up after the equaliser and put pressure on the Powerhouse/St Kilda defence. With about 5 minutes before the final whistle a ball was fed to the top of the circle and a quick touch then shot caught the opposition’s goalie off guard resulting in a goal and a win for FHC, 2-1. A great start to the season for the Pennant B team.
Metro 1 North 3 def ALT 1 Goals H Bloomfield, Leona Lang 2
The FHC Metro 1 North team took about 15 minutes to get organised in the first half, with Altona playing three high forwards. After the team settled down, control of large patches of the game was maintained. With three on the bench multiple rotations were run enabling the full 70 minutes to be played at a fast pace. A very consistent effort across the game from all players was noted. The three FHC goals came from short corner conversions where lots of options were open (people lining up to have a crack). A bit more poise in the circle and in general play will ensure the scoreboard is hit even harder. With 2 goals from Leona Lang and 1 from Harry Bloomfield the final score was a win for FHC 3-1. Well done all, a great start to the season.
Metro 1 South 0 lost Knox 3
An unfortunate 3 nil loss today for the FHC Metro 1 South team against Knox. A hard game was played hard but Knox was just better on the day. Everyone played well as a team and made the connections, great work team.
Metro 2 North def
Metro 2 South 2 def Southern 0 Goals K Farrel, S Wallace
The FHC Metro 2 South team got away to a good start, showing some great signs of a team to be reckoned with, especially in the second half. After a terrific pass into a vacant forward line, Sue Wallace on the right wing scored the first goal for the season. The second came from a short corner neatly dispatched by Tania Bezzobs to Kate Farrell who cracked it in from the top of the D. A fabulous effort for a team that has never played together before. FHC defeated Southern United 2-0, very well done team!