13 July 2009

This weekend we hosted Avon. A team we lost to after penaty shootouts in the Swans Cup recently. So a bit of pay back was due. After our recent performance against Western, the main thing to concentrate on was PRIDE. This game was a opportunity to get back the pride, and i'm pleased to say we took it.

 

Like Avon we had a orchestra of coughing from many players but carried on. At first we were tentative but as the game developed so did we.  This game was not for the football but a chance for the girls to get back into a rythem. The first 20 mins was a little scprapy until we straighten out attack with Clare benefitting. Stef Upton produced another strong game and assited in the second, a ogie. 2 - 0. Again a lack of concentration allowed Avon back into the game 2 -1. This was the straw that broke the camel's back and we woke up. Plus I think the girls were sick of hearing my voice and all stepped up.

 

Half time came and it was 3-1, a second goal to Clare.

 

The message was clear at halftime, we were guilty of trying to overplay the football where directness was required. Paige and Ruth took care of this. A strong performance by Stef Upton paid off with a super goal into the top corner. 4-1. However Avon aren't the team to just roll over and die (great attitude) and did apply constant pressure and were dangerous on the counterattack, and were unlucky not to get more on the score sheet. In saying this, once we got everything in rythem we pushed forward well and created a number of chances.

 

With 18 mins left I decided to let Olivia Coy loose up front. Note that Olivia has been out with a hamstring tear, so limited time (but time) was critical. Olivia did all a coach can ask of a sub which is IMPACT.This she did, with 2 superb goals.

 

Overall a great result in comparsion to last week, a bonus that I had to say less,(Everyone benifits from this) although I did lower my standard to responsd to one of Avon's supporters , and I apologise fot that.

 

Player of the day went to a surprise package today, Margo Brown, her first start this year and was excellent today. Stef Upton was unlucky also not to get it, with a excellent performance put in.

 

Overall a massive improvement from our last game, The girls have the ability but sometimes not the application, and as coach I have to put my hand up for this, but note it is a 2 way door. You only get out what you put in!!!!!!!!!!.

 

We have a by this weekend which suits us considering the amount of crook chooks we have, with the next game being crucial  Coastal.

 

I thank all you were supporting us this weekend and every weekend, and a special thanks to Lauren who hobbled down on crutches to watch the game. May she return soon!. Also many thanks to Ali Grant for helping out with the training this week.

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Match Report  - Played 23 May 2009    

Bays 4 v Avon 0

On Saturday we played Avon out at Avonhead Park, and it was bloody cold. This was never going to be an easy game after coming off 2 bad losses recently. The wind was howling right down the pitch which made it hard to play with. We had the wind behind us in the first half but did not adjust to the conditions well and only led by 1 goal at halftime from a strike by Sarah Van Turnhout. Our control in the midfield for the first half was below the normal standard of the girls playing there today, so I made 3 changes to the midfield at halftime.

This did change the control of the game more in our favour with Clare slotting 2 goals (one from the penalty spot) and a third goal from Stef Upton who for the first time moved into the right half position. We set up a attacking lineup right from the go, this did allow us to create more scoring opportunities, but it also allowed Avon several chances to get something from the game. However Lucy Chan (GK) who is going from strength to strength was successful in keeping a clean sheet. 

Other mentions should be Lucy Goodwin who started and finished in midfield along with Olivia Coy and Kaitland Doch and Amelia Camp who all work tirelessly for the team. 

It would be fair to say a couple of players had off days, it happens, but what was great to see that when opportunities came for the subs they are taking them with both hands/feet.

Overall a 4-0 result was pleasing but more concentration and application is needed to make us competitive.

Next week we play Coastal at Barnett Park and they will be looking to overturn the previous result against us, 4-3. This should again be a good test for the girls and we all look forward to it.

See ya soon

Jason McDowall

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Match Report - 25 April 2009

Bays 4 - Coastal Spirit 3

On Saturday we went into the game against Coastal as the underdogs. A title we had to accept considering our previous game against them 7 - 3 down in pre season, and our poor previous results leading upto this game. However results can be deceiving, as we have created opportunities to win the games but simply, just didn't.
 
The message on Saturday was simple, apply what we practice and results will come. And that's exactly what we did! I won't say it was the perfect game, no coach will, but it is another step up from previous games.
 
I think I was one of the few people who did expect to win, and only after 10 minutes of play, the girls realised the same. It was great to see the confidence, belief and trust in each other start to come thru. Something I believe we didn't have early in the season, but again is growing. The girls have set a minimum benchmark standard now and I can only expect them to not only keep this up but improve. If they play as they did on Saturday they will win more than they lose, but is it enough to win the league? Only a fool would say yes. So further improvement is critical. A point the girls will get drummed into them.
 
Lets not take away the result of the day, a 4 - 3 win over last year league winners. A true "TEAM" effort by all. Our movement off the ball and on the ball is improving, combined with some excellent finishes, most notably Olivia Coy's goal, which started from a simple pass from midfield to involved 4 other players with Olivia slotting a cracker goal. Remember individuals can win some games for you but can also lose games. Today Bays played as a team and were the better team on the day. The win was justified, not only by the score but in our ability to work as a team.
 
Going into this game we new Coastal had a new young keeper so the message was to apply as much pressure as possible, shots, etc. After some back and forth play our first real opportunity came with some quick passes between Clare and Sarah (strikers) leaving Sarah one on one with Maia. A very clever turn left the goal beckoning, and for Sarah to hit and score. Not her best connection but a goals a goal. 1 - 0. Late in the half we had another corner, instructions were simple, put the ball at the keeper, we did and we scored thanks to Lauren slotting it in. 2 - 0. Only a few minutes to go till half time and defensively we had been strong,but one small error and Coastal were in 2 -1 at half time.
 
So begins the second half and I have to say Coastal had several quick chances to draw the game, but the luck, for the sake of another word was on our side, and just to rub salt into their onslaught we scored first. Again from a corner floated in at the goalkeeper, everybody missed it only for the ball to bounce up at the far post for Ruth to nod the ball in. Some controversy though as Amelia got a touch on the ball and tried to claim it. 3 -1. Then came the goal every coach loves to see, a great passing move which saw the ball fed into the strikers to again pass the ball to each other with Clare setting up Olivia to hit the ball into the top right corner. Young goalkeeper or not I don't think many would of stop it. 4 - 1.
 
As per the past the girls do like to make the game interesting and must of been suffering a bit of shock to be 4 -1 up, so with about 13 minutes left and 4 -1 up, Coastal began to pour more numbers forward resulting in 2 goals. 4 - 3 and 5 minutes left, I have to say the girls were determined not to throw this away and really fought hard to beat back a revived Coastal team. Just for the sake of the faint hearted, please don't do that again! Finally it was over, I didn't know if I was more relieved or proud to start with. In the end Proud!
 
A great game to watch. I would also like to thank Coastal for a great game, played I thought, in great spirit and for their hospitality after the game. And thanks to all our supporters.
 
Regards Jason McDowall
 
GO THE BAYS

 

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Match Report - Saturday 18 April 2009 Barnett Park

 

Bays 2 v Avon 1

On Saturday we welcomed Avon United. Always a difficult team to play as they get numbers behind the ball quickly and make it difficult to score. No change to their style this year. Had a change of formation this game, to try and get more numbers forward into the box. It would be fair to say we achieved this but our lack of goal finishing let us down consistently. Something to work on. Our control, movement and build-up in the first half was excellent, it's just the final touch required. Defensively we are improving, with Avon only having one real chance in the first half to our umpteen shots. Finally Clare Warner broke the deadlock with 15 minutes left of the first half. Credit does have to go to the Avon goalkeeper who had a very good game, made easier by our girls hitting shots directly at her.

So at halftime I made a couple of changes and formation change to score more goals. We started the second half strong but struggle with the formation which in turn gave Avon more room to attack us from wider on the park. Lesson learnt!. Again it took us a long time to score, but finally Sarah Van Turnhout calmly put the ball away for a well constructed goal. Avon seemed to then pick up a gear and we dropped one, and they got a well taken goal from the wide left. Final score 2-1 Ferrymead. Good to finally get points on the table, but had we had a shooting boots on the game would have been over by halftime.

Notable performances were Amelia Camp (Player of the Day) along with Stef Upton who distribution was excellent, as well Georgia McKeeking who is getting better each game. Both strikers had good games but let themselves down on the finishing front. The backline also had strong games, led well by Paige Price.

We now look forward to Coastal this week, with a win putting us right back into contention.

 

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Match Report - Saturday 4 April Barnett Park

 

Bays 0 v Halswell 2
The first game of the Matsons Women Premier season got underway at Barnett Park this Saturday. It was a gutsy performance from both teams. Bays squandered many chances on goal. The first half was very even. But a Bays mistake was very costly as Halswell scored from a penalty 10 minutes from half time. The second half was a continuation of enthusiam. But a Bays error on defence allowed Halswell to score the final blow. Bays had a lot of shots on goal but could not score. Bays outstanding player of the day was Paige Price. Over all it was a good performance from the girls considering it was our first game of the season.

 

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