It’s Monday and there is an air of optimism spreading through the bus en route to Bendigo for the Senior Girls and Boys Regional Soccer Finals. Could the girls go ‘back to back?
Unfortunately the boys, whilst opening up with a confident line-up, were beaten 3 – 0 by favourites Bendigo Senior in the first match. HOWEVER that was the only match in which our boys were outclassed The lads enjoyed a win, a draw and an unlucky loss for the rest of their campaign with Assistant Coach Mitch helping to orchestrate some superb match-winning moves in the final game against Mildura. The boys were especially well served by Shannon Daldy at the back, JT in defence and midfield whilst there were valued contributions from Luke, Sam, Alex, Jayden and Charles whose run down the left and winning goal in the last game was terrific! Many contributions came from all over the park, a genuine team effort. Even Rhys’s ‘ownie’ was a highlight, at least he was on the scoresheet!?
It was, however, the Senior Girls who again ‘stole the limelight’. They were a team ‘on a mission’, a mission to beat Bendigo Senior for the second time in two years and qualify for the State Finals again in September! After monstering Kyneton 5 – 0 and in so doing ensuring a more than healthy percentage, the girls fronted up to Bendigo needing a win to secure passage through to Darebin and the Finals. And what a win it was, coming from a goal down to win 2 – 1. The pitch was abuzz with team efforts, from goalie Kylie and ‘newbies’ Bethany and Sarah at the back, through Captain Kayla, Briony and Siobhan also in defence, tireless running and critical tackling from Jess’ on the right of mid, silky skills and combination play from Tegan, Rowie and Jess’ Pitts in the middle, right up to Jade down the left wing, Andrine and Drew striking, we clearly outclassed Bendigo, who mistakenly thought they sniffed a win.
Thrilled by the performances of all players on the day, a tired but satisfied bunch of sportsmen and women and their coaches headed back to Echuca – a job very well done!
MVP Boys – Jayden Thompson MVP Girls – Jess’ Pitts
