Strathalbyn Under 17 Girls

The first game of the season for Strathalbyn Strikers U17 Girls finally arrived on Saturday.The girls games this year are all being played at the one venue each week. This week we were at the still new Summit Sport & Recreation Park in Mount Barker, playing against Woodside. The Strikers team all played in the U14 Girls competition last year, so the step up to U17 Girls  was always going to challenge the young squad, but the girls are up to the task. Some new players into the squad included Vivienne Zufferey, Rylee Hanley, and the returning Matilda Mundy.

The game started with Mundy in goals, Ilsa Holliday at left back, Charlotte Reid and Aimee Slade in the middle of defence, with Caitlin Clothier on the left.  They were immediately put under pressure by Woodside’s strikers, but were able to hold firm. Strath’s midfielders of Evie Brook, Estelle Dybala and Leah Davis were getting more of the ball and pushing the ball forward to Savannah Dennison, Tiana Storey-Possingham and Grace Thorpe, who all showed great pace. This pace was starting to cause headaches for Woodside’s defence with Dennison and Storey-Possingham both having shots on goal, ably stopped by the Woodside goalkeeper.  Thorpe also got into the action with a shot going wide.

The first half ebbed and flowed with both Woodside and Strath having periods where they controlled the game, but neither team could find the back of the net. Halftime remained at 0-0. Coach Aaron Groffen’s comments to the girls at halftime was to keep passing to each other and don’t be afraid to shoot.

The second half started with Zufferey making some great runs from left midfield, providing great opportunities for Dennison and Thorpe going forward before an unfortunate incident with Dennison forced her out of the game. Mundy entered the pitch as a field player, with Holliday having reverted to goalkeeper for the second half.  All of a sudden a through ball from Dybala to Possingham-Storey, saw Possingham-Storey with a one-on-one with the goal keeper, making no mistake to take the score to 1-0.  This refocused the Woodside girls who came at ‘Strath’ with wave after wave of attacking moves, all ably cut out by Slade, Reid, Hanley and Clothier. Another attacking move saw Mundy run onto goal and slot the ball into the bottom corner to make it 2-0. 

With the girls physically tiring, it was important to defend the lead now, and only one sub left made for some headaches for Groffen, who to rest and how long for! Finally the referee called time and a great start for the Strikers girls. The final scores were Strathalbyn Strikers 2 defeating Woodside Rams 0. 

Strathalbyn Under 13 Mixed

Strathalbyn Under 13’s played against Murray Bridge Gold in the first round of the AHJFA league on Saturday. It was the first time a number of the players had played on the full sized pitch with unmodified rules, but the ‘Strath’ team didn’t show any trepidation, working together well to score two goals in the opening 10 minutes. The Murray Bridge side, with their physical presence and pace, fought back putting pressure on the defensive line of Alex Thrope, Braden Gane, Tavish Halliday and Pete Hissey. Goalkeeper Coby Sharrock stood tall in goals making a number of very good saves and demonstrating excellent potential for the season to come. The Strathalbyn team went into the half time break with the lead. 

The midfield work of Jules Williamson, Dallas Miles and Olly Barker created chances up front as well as supporting the defence by pushing back. Alec Zuffery played well when put out of his comfort zone by playing on the right wing while Jake Mikhail showed composure out wide controlling the ball well. Raymond Rigney demonstrated his versatility by playing in a number of different positions and the team welcomed Etienne Stark to the club who played very well in his first game in Red and White. As the game progressed the speed and experience of the Murray Bridge team caught up and passed the Strathalbyn team with the final score being Murray Bridge 8 defeating Strathalbyn 5.