South Coast Flame hosted Camden Tigers at Ian McLennan Park on Sunday in the Girls Conference League. It was a great start to the 2021 campaign with three wins from three for the girls. 

U14 Girls | South Coast Flame 3 Camden Tigers 1 

Flame started their season with a convincing performance against a tough Camden Tigers outfit. Flame were comfortable in possession, finding passing combinations in attacking areas but struggled to find the finish the build-up play deserved. 

A goal-mouth scramble turned into a goal for the Flame as Ruby Milosevski poked home from close range. South Coast went into half time 1-0 up and full of confidence. 

The second half started much like the first, Flame controlling the ball and creating chances. After a good driving run for 13GSAP player Bella Elsner, the ball fell to Madeline Steel who made no mistake, lobbing the goalkeeper and giving Flame a 2-0 lead. 

Minutes later, Steel would turn provider as she beat her defender on the by-line before cutting it back for Ruby Milosevski to get her second goal of the match and a 3-0 lead for South Coast. 

A minor defensive mishap led to a late consolation goal for Camden. Flame running out 3-1 winners

Player of the Week: Cate Giason 

Cate showed her composure in possession and great positioning when defending in one-on-one situations. 

She did not put a foot wrong all game and played with a big smile on her face. 

Well done Cate!

U15 Girls | South Coast Flame 3 Camden Tigers 1

The Flame girls came out with a message of intent within five minutes of kickoff, as Alivia Beath coolly finished one-on-one with the goalkeeper after a well-weighted pass from Sam Shallcross. 

South Coast were very dominant in the first half, controlling most of the play. The dominance resulted in Shallcross being brought down in front of goal and a penalty was awarded. However, the side failed to take advantage with the spot-kick being missed. 

The side went into the break with a 1-0 lead. 

Camden came out of the blocks firing in the second half and played at a frenetic pace. 

Their high pressing and direct football shook the girls from the South Coast and a defensive error lead to a Camden equaliser. 

Following the goal, the Flame picked themselves back up and defended resolutely and found themselves back in the ascendancy, again controlling more of the ball. 

The pressure told as the Tigers defences were breached as Shallcross found herself in space on the edge of the penalty area and fired into the top right corner to restore the girls’ lead.

South Coast Flame then finished with a flourish as a well-worked move resulted in Alyssa Nicovska taking on her player before firing a shot that struck the inside of the post and fell kindly for Beath to score her second of the game.

It was a strong first outing for the girls who will no doubt learn from this and continue to improve.

Player of the Week: Layla Pierags

Layla can take pride in how she displayed her ability to follow instructions and lead through her actions and words. She was omnipresent on the field and kept the team ticking right from the first kick to the last. Her work rate and positive reinforcement of her teammates inspired the squad and showed how important her presence was. Well done Layla.

U17 Girls | South Coast Flame 3 Camden Tigers 2

South Coast welcomed Camden Tigers to Ian McLennan Park for the first round of the 2021 season. Both teams had strong pre-seasons and it was set to be a high-intensity clash. 

Camden started the stronger and were finding holes in the Flame backline, however, Isabella Coppolla and Kate Gorham were shutting down any loose balls. 

A lapse in concentration for the Flame saw a Tigers player free in the box from a corner who smashed it home from six yards. 

This kicked South Coast into gear as they started to control more possession and move the ball quicker. 

A well-timed through ball found Lauren Brooks in space who finished past the oncoming keeper to level the score. 

Minutes later, one of the best passages of play of the game, as South Coast showed their ‘tiki taka’ football in the penalty area, Lauren Brooks setting up Piper Cowen for a tap in. Flame 2-1. Camden came out the second half the better of the two teams and made their dominance count scoring a cheeky back-heel goal to level scores again. 

The game was in the balance for the remainder of the game with both teams having good chances stopped by last-ditch defending. 

That’s until Lauren Brooks picked up the ball on halfway, rounded her defender and slotted calmly past the goalkeeper to give Flame a 3-2 lead and ultimately the 3 points. 

A fantastic game that showed character and resilience when times were tough.

Player of the Week: Lauren Brooks

Lauren showed that she is in for another great season with two goals towards her golden boot against Camden Tigers. Her intensity both on and off the ball is frightening and her growing partnership with Piper Cowen will have defences trembling this season.