SENIOR WOMEN

First Grade: South Coast Flame 2-3 Gladesville Ravens

With continued improvement each week, the Flame girls were looking for a much needed win this week. Gladesville sitting 2nd in the league, with only eight goals conceded from 12 games, were always going to be a tough challenge.

The game started with the Flame girls dominating for the first 30 minutes. Ruby Blanch, Alexis Malizis and Ebony Freeman all executing the game plan to nullify the Raven’s key players. This allowed for Rachelle Wang, Emi Skopal and Caley Tallon-Henniker to get free in wide areas and creating goal scoring chances.

Against the run of play, a perfectly weighted ball was played in between the Flame defence line and a charging Charlotte Palmisano came out of her goal to make a crucial challenge just outside the box. She clipped the Gladesville forwards foot leading to a foul. The Gladesville forward stepped up and drove a free kick into the top right corner, with Palmisano getting a hand to it – but it wasn’t enough.

The Flame lit up again and continued to fight. As the half time whistle was about to blow, a lapse in concentration in the team led to another Gladesville goal.

The second half started much like the first. Monique Koloski and Sariah Wilson were injected to make an impact and it wasn’t long until Wilson played a curling ball down the left hand side for a Skopal run. Skopal was able to cut it back with perfect weight for Malizis who guided the ball into the top left corner.

Moments later, Tallon-Henniker was able to glide past two defenders from the left to get a shot off, which fell short of the right hand post.

Gladesville were not backing down and an 18-yard-box scramble led to the score blowing out to 3-1.

This didnt stop the Flame girls. A tactical switch of Tallon-Henniker to the right led to some combination play with Koloski to get her free in behind. She drove the ball low and hard into the left hand corner to make it 3-2.

With the game shifting into the Flame’s favour, a last moment perfect cross from Caitlin Russel over the top of the keeper could not be reached by a run by Koloski who was only a couple of feet away from equalising at the final whistle.

Player of the week: Ruby Blanch

Ruby showed an exceptional attitude and performances in the 20s and women’s first grade during the week

U/20: South Coast Flame 1-2 Gladesville Ravens

South Coast Flame were back at The Furnace after their mid-week win away at Mount Druitt to face a high-flying Gladesville Ravens side fresh off a 9-0 win against the same side.

Flame started well and appeared to be matching Gladesville for quality as both sides saw chances go wide in the opening five minutes. The game was turned on it’s head when Flame were awarded a penalty on 20 minutes and another Ravens player was given a red card for swearing at the official.

Isabella Coppola stepped up to the penalty and placed it nicely in the top left corner to give the home side the lead.

With the extra player, South Coast were switching the ball from side-to-side and using the wide channels to stretch the opposition. Chances fell to Bethany Neilson and Bethany Horton but neither could direct their shot on target.

With the half drawing to a close, a lapse in concentration at the back gifted the Ravens captain a 1v1 opportunity with the Flame shot stopper. The Gladesville captain showed composure and placed the ball into the bottom corner with ease to level the scores at half time.

From the start of the second half, there was only one team that was going to win the contest and unfortunately it was not the home side. Gladesville came out organised, determined and willing to do what it takes to get the win. Ravens dominated the half and with eight minutes remaining in the contest got their winner through yet another Flame defensive error.

A frustrating second half performance from South Coast Flame who need to pick themselves up quickly to face a strong SD Raiders outfit away from home next weekend.

Player of the week: Lili Rosandic 

Lili Rosandic stepped up from the U16 squad and was very solid in midfield. She was able to display her vision and passing quality in the first half creating a number of chances. I would debate that at the moment there is not a better set piece taker in the league than Lili Rosandic.

YOUTH GIRLS

14 Girls: South Coast Flame 0-4 Gladesville Ravens

High flying Gladesville made the trip down to Ian Mclennan Park on a warm Saturday morning.

Gladesville got off to a flying start with their first goal coming in the 4th minute. This message of intent started a barrage of early pressure from the visitors and the misery would be compiled when Flaem captain, Billie Elliot had to be withdrawn for a suspected fractured wrist.

This pressure eventually took its toll as the Sydney-based side scored their second of the game in the 23rd minute. The home side regained their composure and saw out the rest of the half to enter the break 2-0 down.

The second half saw a much improved performance from the Flame as they had multiple spells of sustained possession but the Gladesville firepower was too much as they scored a quickfire double in the 40th and 50th minute. The girls fought to the end but were powerless to stop the onslought, as they succumbed to the visitors 4-0.

Player of the week: Amalia Harb

Amalia has shown big improvements in her defensive actions in recent weeks. This was exemplified in her performance against Gladesville and she spared the Flames blushes on multiple occasions, clearing balls off the line and making crucial tackles. Her ability to recognise moments to rotate and cover was also pleasing to see.

15 Girls: South Coast Flame 0-1 Gladesville Ravens

It was a warm Saturday morning as the South Coast Flame welcomed the Gladesville Ravens, who were knocking on the door of a top-five spot on the ladder.

The Flame were off to a slow start, with Gladesville threatening the Flame goal on several occasions.

With the Flame having several players under injury clouds going in to this contest, it was going to be a tough ask to keep Gladesville out.

Gladesville opened the scoring in the 20th minute after the Flame cheaply gave the ball away in their half, and allowed the Gladesville attacker to have a free run with the ball inside the box – who made no mistake in burying the ball in to the net.

The Flame continued to turn the ball over to the Ravens, meaning an already injury-depleted side had to defend for more than they would have liked.

Several injury-forced substitutions had to be made throughout the game, however the Flame began to threaten a bit more in the second half – particularly in the last 10 minutes of the contest.

Flame’s biggest chance of the game came just four minutes from full time, when some nice link-up play down the right side found Ruby Milosevski, who narrowly missed the goal and hit the side netting.

Flame had one last push, sending defenders forward, however were not able to find the goal.

We will look to regroup at training this week, assess how the squad will look injury-wise and prepare well for a big weekend ahead – with an aim of collecting maximum points.

Player of the week: Matilda Armitt

After managing a quad injury for the past few weeks, Matilda came out and played a full 70 minutes and put in a gutsy performance considering the circumstances. She made several lung-busting runs down the right-hand flank and put the opposition defence under pressure on several occasions. 

16 Girls: South Coast Flame 0-1 Gladesville Ravens

As we begin to approach the midway point int he season, 3rd placed Gladesville travelled to Ian Mclennan Park to take on an injury depleted South Coast Flame.

The Flame were on top from the off and very nearly found themselves with their noses in front when Maddison Day came close just 90 seconds into the game. The early pressure was mounting but against the run of play, a poor touch in our defensive third led to Gladesville hitting the front. This was very much an outlying moment in a half that the Flame had the better of the play.

The second half saw similar themes emerge with the Flame maintaining possession and Gladesville looking to spring sharp counter attacks. As the half progressed it was clear that Gladesville began to sink deeper and deeper into their territory.

Some neat combinations between Gemma Bishop and Lili Rosandic threatened to pick the lock but the Flame struggled to find the cutting edge in the final third.

Caution was thrown to the wind as the home side began to push players forward in hope of finding an equaliser, but despite the dominant display, the Gladesville back line did just about enough to keep the clean sheet and ensure the 3 points for the visitors.

Player of the week: Gemma Bishop

Gemma’s understanding of her positional role is increasing every week. She was extremely sharp in possession and covered significant ground when out of possession. She is beginning to become an integral part of the teams playing style. Well done Gemma!