Canary Girls send Kyneton Rangers on a long trip home!

The Women’s team were thrilled to have their first win of the season. The convincing 3-1 final score highlighted the quality of play the team is capable of, and has lifted the spirits of all players and coach.

After a demoralising defeat the week before, the team went out fighting, committed to ensure we’d take away the three points and get ourselves off the bottom of the ladder.

From kick-off the canaries dominated play, with a greater skill and fitness level than the Kyneton Rangers. The team played more offensively than in previous weeks, achieving more touches of the ball in the attacking third with our strikers getting the well needed support from the midfield.

After a few rushed early shots at goal missing the target, play settled down and our offense managed to set up some great attempts. About 30 minutes into the first half, a beautiful cross in from Erica Jenkins saw Line Smith run in from the back post to put the ball in the back of the net to give us the lead at 1-0. With a minute or so till half-time, a controversial free kick was awarded to Kyneton just outside the 12 yard box. Emma Wardrop managed to stifle their attack and clear the ball over the side line, however a distracted defence were not organised enough on the throw in and unfortunately an equaliser goal was snapped by Kyneton just before half-time.

The girls went into the rooms determined not to lose control of the game. At the break we discussed using the great skills of some of our more experienced players, particularly Line Smith who had been far out classing her opponent on the wing, and ensuring our defence was not getting stuck too deep.

The fighting spirit continued in the second half, with play predominantly in our attacking half. A great ball from Eloise Burford down the middle of the park allowed Erica Jenkins to show her finesse and score the much-needed goal and put us back in the lead. All canaries remained focused after this goal to ensure Kyneton didn’t get the chance to score another equaliser. A great passing game by the Canaries maintained our dominance on the pitch and after multiple attempts on goal, Emily Doyle managed to score the third goal, by intercepting Kyneton’s defence, giving us a buffer to secure our lead. The Canaries, kept control for the rest of the game and were elated when the final whistle blew and we had taken our first three points from the season.

Thanks to all the supporters who came down, particularly the Thirds who stayed around after their match to cheer us on.

All ladies will be training hard this week, in preparation for a big game next week against the Brunswick Zebras. The girls need a win next week to show the rest of the league we are a force to look out for and continue our climb back up the ladder.