Match report

Match report

Good conditions ushered in the new season with Stirling Districts and Strathalbyn facing off for game one bragging rights. Both sides seemed to be clearing cobwebs with a slow start but Stirling, running with a reasonable breeze, had the better of it.  Stirling threatened Strathalbyn’s goal area many times but never seemed to penetrate beyond the 18-yard box as Strath’s typically resolute defence and numbers behind the ball blocked both players and shots. In midfield Hannah Noonan did a power of work to control possession and keep Stirling in attack.  In reply Strathalbyn made a number of forays into Stirling’s half but were unable to apply any real pressure on Stirling’s goal. Then, in one of the increasingly frequent entries into Strath’s penalty area, Stirling were able to pass across the face of goal atop of the 6-yard box to Jess Verryt who, with one touch, netted the ball. The game continued in a similar fashion with Stirling threatening and Strathalbyn defending resolutely until Zora Huang weaved her way to clear air and Stirling’s second goal only minutes before half time.

With the cobwebs gone the second half was a much more robust contest, and with the wind advantage Strathalbyn were quickly into attack. The Stirling defence were proving up to the challenge. In goals Izzy Bailes made some great saves under pressure while Stirling’s back four of Nora Bijlsma, Ev Wilson, Ruby Tully and Aubrey Adams defused most attacks and then distributed back into the Stirling midfield. In possession Stirling mounted multiple attacks through both wings and the centre corridor but again Strathalbyn’s defence was proving stubborn and where good shots were taken Strath’s goalkeeper made some great saves. Persistence paid off when Rosalie Taylor, in yet another high pace entry from the left wing, edged past the defence and netted Stirling’s third. Multiple attacks featuring Jasmijn Weits, Polly Harrison, Feiya Huang and En Ueda were all blunted by Strathalbyn, but it was Zora Huang who again found a way and with less than ten minutes remaining slotted her second and Stirling’s fourth to put the game beyond doubt.