Saturday 21 July Hobart College
Notes by Paul Tabart
Leaving home in the morning fog and mist, thoughts turned to whether or not we would be able to see the other side of the field. However, at Hobart College it turned out that we were playing above the clouds bathed in sunshine and warmth (at least compared to what it was like in the valley below!)
The game started with the coach reclining after a recent knee operation and only 11 players to take the field. It was decided that the teams would play 10 a side, leaving one for substituting. Maybe we only had 9 and a half with Charlotte’s injured foot slowing her down considerably.
The girls started well with our defenders running hard to make interceptions and pass the ball to the running mid-fielders. Holly and Audrey were very solid and Kira was tireless in running back to help and dribble the ball forward to our waiting forwards.
A number of forward thrusts were stopped by some excellent Fahan goal keeping but it wasn’t long before Charlotte found herself in space and was able to post the first goal on the board for us. She was ably assisted up forward by Tessa who seemed to have the ball on a string and would not let any Fahan defender take it off her.The second half started with more attacks on the Fahan goal. A number of superb crossing shots went completely through all the Fahan defenders and across the goal mouth. Unfortunately none of our attackers was able to connect. Opportunities to Megan, Jessica, Susannah and Phoebe all missed or ricocheted off defenders.
Persistence paid off however with Susanna collecting a pass at the top of the penalty box and slotting through a wonderful goal. The ball sailed through at head height and the goalie was unable to get anywhere near it, just showing how important a strong kick is when shooting for goal.
It was now Fahan’s turn to attack and their best player was able to make a number of driving runs into our back line. Good saves by Tessa, and covering defence by Holly and Audrey and Phoebe in particular, ensured that we stayed on top. However, Fahan was able to swoop on a goal kick that was directed across goal late in the game, then dribble forward and kick one past Tessa. The score was now 2 -1.With only about 2 minutes to play, Kira passed the ball forward to Susanna who then directed a fantastic pass to Charlotte who had hobbled forward to be just outside the box. After stepping around one defender, Charlotte wound up and kicked a perfect goal from long range. The final score was 3 -1, a testament to the running and passing game that West Hobart is perfecting. Well done to all the girls who had to run and run and run all day.
Scorers: Charlotte 2 Susannah 1
