SENIOR WOMEN

First Grade Women: Camden Tigers 1-2 South Coast Flame

Against our old GCL rivals, there was always going to be some heat in this match. The Flame girls were looking to get the three points after settling for a draw in the first fixture.

It was an even contest to start the game. It took nine minutes for the Flame to get on the scoreboard, with Rachelle Wang’s match winning mentality coming to life when a perfectly weighted ball by Alexis Malizis led to Wang and the charging goal keeper colliding in a 1v1. Wang got the better of her and slotted it past the Camden goalkeeper.

At the 15 minute mark, Emi Skopal was able to get a shot on target after combinations with with Malizis in the centre of midfield.

At the 23rd minute mark, the Flame executed a perfect counter press from a defensive corner. Skopal and Caley Tallon-Henniker exchanged a one-two combination to allow Tallon-Henniker to drive at the defensive line, leading to a a shot on target after cutting in onto her right foot.

Moments later, Jess Cruickshank rattled the woodwork again from the right hand side after a crafty touch beyond the defensive line.

A Flame high press from goal kick ended with Skopal barrelling over a midfielder in a tackle to set herself free to shoot on target.

The heat was being felt by Camden as the next phase of play led to another interception by Ebony Freeman, as she calmly passed it into Skopal who was able to execute her trademark spin turn to get a first time shot off by Malizis.

Cruickshank was busy again on the 36th minute mark with a 1v1 chance with the keeper, after a well weighted ball by Skopal broke the defensive line.

The second half started much like the first. Sariah Wilson was injected into the second half to create a bit more chaos for the Camden midfield.

Both teams exchanged possession over the next period with the Flame dominating the chances. It wasn’t until the 84th minute were Ruby Blanch was able to pick up the ball from Monique Koloski to beat two defenders and get Wilson and Wang free out wide. Wilson then skipped past her defender to fire a rocket, and the winner, past the Camden keeper from outside the box.

Against the run of play, Charlotte Palmisano made a match winning save to deny Camden a goal in the final minute of normal time.

Deep into injury time, Wilson was again active and was unlucky to have her perfectly hit cross consolidated into a goal by a forward running Koloski.

Player of the week: Rachelle Wang

Rachelle showed leadership and a match-winning mentality 

U/20: Camden Tigers 3-2 South Coast Flame

South Coast Flame travelled to Camden knowing that this game was a must-win game in order to stay in touch with the teams above them on the table.

Flame could not have hoped for a better start as Brooke Love unleashed from 25 metres out, beating the keeper and giving Flame the lead within the opening minute.

Flame continued with their strong start and were combining well through midfield and getting behind the Camden backline. The game then took a violent turn on 11 minutes as a physical altercation between a Flame player and Tigers player saw both receive red cards, sending each team down to 10 players.

As tensions rose, South Coast appeared to be the more composed and were rewarded for their continued pressure when Bethany Horton tapped in a goalmouth scramble to give Flame a 2-0 lead which they took into the half time break.

Unfortunately for the visiting side, a hint of deja vu crept in during the second half as they came out of the sheds slow, unorganised and at the mercy of a rampant home side who took control of the game. Camden capitalised on two Flame errors in the 53rd and 57th minute to level the scores before the Tigers super-sub gave them the lead with a wonderful effort from 20 yards out.

Camden controlled South Coast for the entire second half limiting Flame to no efforts on goal and rare entries into the Camden defensive half of the field. The 3-2 result sending the away side home with a lot to think about moving forward for the coming weeks of the season.

Player of the week: Ava Parry

Ava was instrumental in the first half as she held up play and brought her midfielders into the game. Her pressing was intense, disciplined and she looked to combine with her attacking partners before an unfortunate injury saw her leave the field prematurely in the second half.

YOUTH GIRLS

14 Girls: Camden Tigers 1-4 South Coast Flame

After the washout against UNSW in Round 16, the girls officially moved into the second half of their season against the Camden Tigers.

Windy conditions meant that both teams would be required to be a little more crafty in possession and keep the ball on the ground. This definitely worked in the Flames favour as they quickly took a strangehold of the contest and had the home side pinned in their own half.

It only took 11 minutes for the Flame to find their first goal through Caelin Rogers. A corner kick was repelled to the edge of the area, but only as far as Rogers who found the bottom right corner with a fantastic strike.

Rogers was not finished as four minutes later, a neat through pass again found the in-form attacker who scored her second of the contest to put the visitors two in front. The dominance continuted into the half and the Flame never looked in danger out of possession.

The second half brought more of the same for the Flame, this time with the wind at their backs, they came out ready to send a message of intent.

A deflected shot found the boot of Amalia Harb who obliged and smashed the ball into the top right corner to extend the lead to three just two minutes into the second half.

This was followed by a flurry of yellow corners and consistent attacking pressure. Credit must be given to Camden who despite the scoreline, were still looking to hit the Flame on the counter attack and in the 54th minute, the home crowd had something to cheer about as they scored what would eventually, just be a consolation goal.

Despite the minor blip, the Flame would soon hit the ascendancy again as Isabella Elsner danced her way into the opposition penalty area and slotted home to restore the three goal advantage.

The girls marked the start of the second round of games with one of their better performances of the season and their second win on the bounce. Well done Flame.

Player of the week: Caelin Rogers

Caelin has recently made large strides in her ability to time runs to break the opposition back line. Her pace and direct running style makes her a threat to any team in the competition. Her finishing in training and in games has also been of specific note. A terrific week for the forward who caused Camden problems all game long.

15 Girls: Camden Tigers 0-6 South Coast Flame

A cool morning at Ron Dine oval set the scene for our U/15’s most dominant win of the season.

Goals have been hard to come by for this side in the recent past, however this game may have been the turning point of their season.

A hat-trick to Ruby Milosevski, along with a first club goal for Ebony Winston were highlights of a dominant performance. A first goal of the year to Chloe Brown and a goal from U/14’s player Zali Oliver capped off the Flame’s biggest win of the year, at a time where things are beginning to become crucial.

16 Girls: Camden Tigers 2-2 South Coast Flame

These two sides have enjoyed some intriguing battles over the past three years, and this one was no different as the Flame travelled to Ron Dine Stadium.

The team’s tactical identities were clear from the off as Camden dropped into a deep block with two holding midfielders in front of the back line.

The Flame looked to affect the game with frequent switches of play. The Flame had the better of the early chances but couldn’t find a way to break the deadlock.

Against the run of play, Camden would find themselves a goal to the good as a corner eventually found the foot of their attacker who poked home.

The Flame were not shaken by this set back and continued to remain patient in possession. On the stroke of half time, the Flame were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area. Ella Churchill stepped up and floated a ball to the back post for Zali Wallace, who scored a towering header.

Upon reflection at half time, the girls were clear in the way they wanted to win the game and came out in the second half with intent.

It took only a few minutes for the visitors to turn the game around as Gemma Bishop beat a player on the edge of the area and firmly struck the inside of the side netting.

From this point it only ever looked like there would be one winner as the Flame continued to create chances.

Shockingly, Camden would somehow find themselves level as a miscommunication resulted in a Camden corner rolling directly into the goal.

This was all the encouragement that the home side needed who sat deep and defended for their lives to ensure that they would share the spoils.

Player of the week: Chelsea Newell

Chelsea has been challenged with a new role in recent weeks. She has begun playing as an inverted fullback and has thrived. She has been integral in the girls’ style of play. Her ability to receive on the half turn and play forward has been of specific note. This is a testament to her tactical versatility and she should be proud of her efforts.