Match Report

Match Report - Round 2 - Division 2 Women - Italo Stars vs Byron Bay

Fellow McMillan Cup grand finalists Byron Bay FC showed up to Barrow Lane on Friday night to give us a taste of what to expect on April 24 at Oakes Oval. The game opened at pace and we knew very early on that Stars defence would have their work cut out for them, with Byron fielding several fast and competent forwards. Some early shots on goal from Byron allowed keeper Kelsey Mcsweeny to settle in, and Centre Back Riley McIntyre to demonstrate why she would be one of the Stars players of the match.

It would be striker Cara Brice however, who set the pace of the game, putting the keeper on notice with a powerful strike over the cross bar minutes into the game. Moments later a strong offensive triangle with Olivia Collins and Rachael Guest, successfully broke down Byron's defence when a finishing run from Brice beat the last two defenders, putting the ball beyond the keepers reach just five minutes into the game.

Left back and all around quality defender Holly Doyle swept in to cancel out an almost certain goal minutes later, and only the pace of Riley McIntyre would be sufficient to shut down Byron's fast forwards.

Throughout the night the strong attacking combination of Collins and Brice would provide many excellent opportunities in front of the posts, but the Byron team to their credit had an excellent defence and a centre midfielder overseeing counter attacks on any loose balls.

A second goal by Cara Brice at twenty minutes capitalised on a beautifully placed ball from Olivia Collins and beat three defenders to put Stars two nil up.

Byron, not to be outdone, would score twice in the dying minutes of the first half to set the stage for a thrilling second half, with the second goal coming off a corner with just 15 seconds left.

The second half of the game set a fast and sometime frenetic pace as Byron repeatedly attempted to breach Stars defence, only to be denied time and again, with new girls Megan McGuiness and Cassie Wilcox showing their potential. Chloe Graham of the 4th division team also provided much needed assistance to keep the pressure up.

With just twelve minutes to go and with quality midfielders Amete Baume and Lily Evans gaining control over the midfield it would be Evans who scored the final goal in a solo effort to rush the keeper, control the ball, and finally play a fast ground ball that would be unsuccessfully intercepted by two Byron defenders, to seal the game at 3-2. A late attempt by Byron almost resulted in a draw but the quick thinking of Kelsey McSweeny in goals, and Holly Doyle would clear the last hope of scoring for the Byron women.

Byron Bay proved an exceptional team, and we can be sure that all future confrontations will be just as challenging.

Players of the match: Riley McIntyre, Cara Brice

Goals: 5' Cara Brice, 20' Cara Brice, 78' Lily Evans

Gallery