State League 1 (4) def Altona (1) Goals: A Turnbull, L Merrett, E Fithall, E Robinson

After our disappointing draw against Waverly last week we trained the house down all week. With our next game against cross town rivals, Altona, it was a do or die game for us as we need to win all our games to, dare I say it, make the finals. Last week left our squad a player short with Megan Berriman sustaining a knee injury that will have her out for the rest of the season.

Our young back line was given the challenge to stand up today and right from the start they played with poise and composure. Our midfield helped to make the back line’s life easier with great support and we started to get some great run from our forwards to help us break into the circle. Not long after we earned our first corner, which was converted by Amy Turnbull, the Doggies had a one nil lead. Five minutes later our mid field punched through Altona’s midfield to earn another corner that was converted by Leah Merrett to give us a two nil lead. The game went into a mid-field battle with our back line mopping up any stray Altona break-aways. A couple of great saves from goal keeper Penny Mather shut the door on Altona and allowed Footscray to get another corner late in the first half that was converted by Esther Fithall, giving us a three nil lead going into half time.

The ladies were challenged to play a full game of fast paced hockey. We knew Altona would come out harder than the first half but we held on and weathered their attacks and took control of the second half. We had numerous opportunities to score and halfway through the second half we finally scored our fourth goal with Emma Robinson converting another corner. Altona scored a late conciliation goal with a minute to go but the result was sealed and Footscray have taken the points.

Luke: “Very happy to see the girls turn around their performance from last week. The challenge will be to continue the form next week. Happy with our work rate off the ball and the support we gave the ball carrier which was the difference from last week. Our timing on the lead made the game so much easier and our attack on the ball was equal to the Greensborough game. Very proud of the way the girls bounced back from last week and a lot of first year state league one players have stood up over the whole season and now the challenge for these young players is to keep playing consistent hockey week in week out and not every other week. Our next game is against TEMs who always give us a run for our money and hopefully we can get the points to continue on a strong run until the end of the season”

Next game: v TEM 2pm Saturday 4 August at H-1

Pennant B (0) v Essendon (0)

We drew…AGAIN…grrr!!! We played really well everywhere on the field except when it came to creating pressure on goals. We dominated the game from start to finish, got a penalty stroke and sooooo many circle entries. The team were annoyed after the game as we needed to win in order to get a shot at the top 4. Aside from the obvious (i.e. goalscoring) we need to improve on our transferring of the ball through our midfield.

Next game: v Yarra Valley 12.30pm Saturday 4 August at Yarra Valley

Pennant C (3) def TEM (1)

Next game: v Melbourne Uni 3.30pm Saturday 4 August at Footscray

Pennant D (0) def by Mornington (7)

Next game: v Melbourne Uni 2pm Saturday 4 August at Footscray

Metro 2 South (0) def by Hawthorn (3)

After dominating three games in a row but coming out with draws, we really need 3 points, unfortunately though we went down 0-3 against Hawthorn on Sunday. We started on the back foot, conceding an early goal, but got back into the match slowly, and created a few scoring chances. Down at half time 0-1, we tried to be more assertive in the second half, but Hawthorn had fielded a very strong side and we could not match them. We played it right out though and the ladies never gave in, but we conceded some late goals as we tried to push forward looking for that elusive goal. The backline did an excellent job again, but we struggled converting up front as we have for most of the year. A week off coming up, enjoy the break.

Next game: v BYE

Metro 2 North (6) def Powerhouse/St Kilda (0)

Next game: v La Trobe Uni 2pm Saturday 4 August at La Trobe

Metro 3 North (3) def Werribee (0) Goals: K Murphy (2), M Gamble

Hard game in the Melbourne rain but the team managed a fantastic win. Krystal Murphy scored 2 amazing goals and Maddie Gamble scored 1. Creating a 3 – nil win. Well done all.

Next game: v RMIT 2pm Sunday 5 August at Footscray

Metro 3 South () v Mornington ()

Next game: v MCC 12.30pm Saturday 4 August at Footscray

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

M4NW lost this week to Melton 4-1.Footscray tried to get the ball down to the attacking end often, but it was not to be. Our goal was scored by Anna Thompson. The play tended to be end to end rather than the middle of the field. We were able to put together some passes on the forward line. All of the players again worked really hard during the game.

Next game: v Greensborough 3.30pm Saturday 4 August at Greensborough