U14 Girls | South East Phoenix 7 South Coast Flame 5

Ison Park played host to an enthralling South derby between the South East Phoenix and the South Coast Flame.

The Phoenix got off to a flyer, racing to a 3-0 advantage.

The Flame, however, did not lose their composure and slowly began to build their way back into the game.

They pulled one back through Zali Oliver and quickly added a second through Shaelyn Petkovski.

The Flame were growing in confidence but South East struck just before the half to take a 4-2 lead into the break.

Some tactical adjustments were made in the second half and this lead to some immediate success for the South Coast as Petkovski would find her second of the game.

The girls continued to mount the pressure on the home side and were rewarded as Petkovski completed her hattrick despite only being on the field for 20 minutes.

Astonishingly, just two minutes later, Isabella Elsner scored a phenominal goal from 25 yards out that nestled into the top right corner to put the Flame 5-4 ahead and seemingly in control of the contest.

South East refused to lay down and hit back to level the scores at 5-5.

The Flame were determined not to settle with a point and began flooding numbers forward in an attempt to snatch the victory but this would eventually be their downfall as 2 quick counter attacks ensured the Flame would leave empty handed.

The resilience and persistence that was displayed by our U14 girls side was outstanding.

Despite the defeat, there are clear signs of a team that is growing and willing to leave it all on the pitch even with many players missing due to injuries and illness.

Well done girls.

Player of the Week: Billie Elliot

Billie took a lot of responsibility in her role as captain this week.

She constantly lead through example and executed her defensive instructions with great proficiency.

Her ‘game awareness’ is ever improving and was instrumental in organising her teammates in tough moments of the game.

Well done Billie!

U15 Girls | South East Phoenix 1 South Coast Flame 0

No match report was made available.

U16 Girls | South East Phoenix 2 South Coast Flame 2

The injury struck South Coast Flame took the journey to Ison Park on a warm, humid morning in Nowra.

The game started in bizarre fashion as the Phoenix played long from the kick off which resulted in a press while the Flame were facing their own goal.

The Phoneix forward pinched the ball from the Flame back line and was brought down inside the penalty area.

The referee pointed to the spot and the girls from the South Coast found themselves 1-0 down inside 60 seconds.

This would not be an indication of how the match were to play out as The Flame dominated the ball and began searching for ways to break down the South East’s defensive block.

Their efforts were rewarded as they found the equaliser 10 minutes before the interval with Maddison Day scoring her second goal in as many weeks.

The second half was more of the same as the Flame controlled the lion share of possession.

Much like in the earlier two games, the Phoenix were resolute in defence and looked to strike on the counter.

This was again, effective and they managed to take the lead, 2-1 largely against the run of play.

Resilience and persistence was again the word of the day as despite having 9 fit players, the Flame dug deep and a lion-hearted run from Leila Maddox down the right-hand side of the field resulted in the wingback going all the way and hammering a shot into the top right corner even with the angle against her.

The South Coast girls continued to push for the win but the final whistle beat them to the punch and the game finished 2-2.

As mentioned, with only 9 fit players a big thank you is owed to Indi Garvan, Matilda Armitt, Chloe Brown and Kaitlyn Elsner who all played a big part in the match after a very competitive game in the U15s.

It was a tough weekend in rough conditions so the girls should be pleased with the mentality displayed.

Player of the Week: Leila Maddox

Leila’s physical capacities were on full display across the 80 minutes.

She has gone from strength to strength in the last few weeks and has been a very important part of the Flames attack from the wingback role.

She was ever present on the right-hand side on the field and the Phoenix couldn’t live with her combination play and killer passes.

Knowing the effort that Leila puts in, it was very pleasing to see her progression culminate in an individual goal during a moment in which her team needed her.

U20 Girls | South East Phoenix 1 South Coast Flame 2

South Coast Flame travelled south to face South East Phoenix in their first derby of the campaign.

Flame started the stronger and began to dominate possession from the outset, finding joy through the middle of the park with Mia Riza and Emily Kostovski giving the Phoenix defence headaches.

Out of possession, Flame were determined and disciplined, resulting in us winning possession high up the field. Mia Riza went close with a 1v1, before Hazel Atkins saw her shot smothered by the goalkeeper.

However, on 12 minutes, a textbook through-ball by Lili Rosandic found Monique Koloski one-on-one with the Phoenix goalkeeper.

Koloski showing her composure in going around the goalkeeper and finishing into an open net to give South Coast a well-deserved lead.

Flame pushed for a second goal and 8 minutes later they had their chance from the penalty spot when Hazel Atkins was brought down in the area.

Brooke Love stepping up and placing it in the right corner past the outstretched gloves of the Phoenix keeper.

Entering the second half with a two goal buffer, South Coast looked to soak up the pressure from their opponents early in the half.

Some excellent defending from Bethany Horton and Libby Loveday made sure Flame kept their two goal lead.

Phoenix were beginning to gain momentum as South Coast tired legs began to show and they were rewarded with a goal on 73 minutes.

A long ball into the box wasn’t dealt with by the South Coast backline and the Phoenix striker slotted home from 6 yards.

With player numbers dwindling, the U16 girls were called upon to step in for the remaining 15 minutes and help get the girls over the line.

Maddison Day stepping up for her senior team debut was dangerous on the counter attack and Alivia Beath had the chance to seal the win, but her shot was pushed away by the diving Phoenix goalkeeper.

In the end, South Coast doing enough and coming away with a hard-earned 3 points and back-to-back wins on the road.

Player of the Week: Libby Loveday

Libby was composure personified against South East Phoenix, making the game look easy. She rarely needed to get into a sprint as her positioning was outstanding, and her ability to play the right pass at the right time broke down the Phoenix press again and again.

First Grade | South East Phoenix 5 South Coast Flame 2

The Flame travelled South to Nowra for the first of many local derby fixtures against the South East Phoenix.

What was always going to be a competitive fixture, the girls were coming off the back of a good win against Nepean and looking to carry forward the momentum into the game.

The game started off quickly and was looking to be a game of two very different styles of football.

The Flame looked to play through the lines and combinations through the park against the phoenix who looked to play long on the counter attack.

Phoenix had the first chance of the game, quickly followed by the captain Emi shooting from short range.

Both opportunities sprayed wide.

At 31 minutes the Phoenix capitalised on a set piece to head home the first goal of the match.

The Flame could not find their Rythm and the Phoenix capitalised on two more lapses in concentration to take it into the break at 3-0.

The second half started and it wasn’t long until the Flame girls found some rhythm and started to dominate possession.

Against the run of play Phoenix won a penalty and made it 4-0.

Quick combination through midfield released our wingbacks out wide to get in behind the Phoenix defence.

Kelly McIntyre is a Flame junior from under 10’s in her debut collected the ball at half way and ran the length of the field to score in the top right corner with a fabulous strike.

The fight back was on.

On another Counter attacked Alexis Malizis was fouled outside the phoenix 18-yard box.

The referee called play on and Jessica Cruickshank picked up the ball on the right-hand side of the 18-yard box and fired home a class strike in the top left corner.

4-2. Super Sub Monique Koloski came on in the second half and made an immediate impact.

She linked up well with Rachelle to create multiple clear-cut chances for Jessica, herself and Caley.

Kelly’s shift into midfield made an immediate impact with her making some strong intimidation challenges and gave the Flame more momentum.

With the Flame chasing the game the Phoenix were able to score one more against the run of play.

Emi Skopal was everywhere and the captain was making a statement for her team leading from the front she was able to create multiple chances that unfortunately not capitalised on. Caitlin Russel’s switch of play found Caley 1v1 with their fullback.

She was able to get a ball into Monique who wasn’t able to capitalise on a free shot in the box. 5-2 finish.

The second half was dominated by the Flame but it was too little too late.

We go into the week preparing for Hills away.

Player of the Week: Emi Skopal

Leadership, bravery and intensity.

A true match-winner and an inspiring performance on the weekend.