Match Report

The pristine and beautiful APFI ground was the location for our catchup game with Goonellabah Hornets women last night. Right from the outset the girls team talk and movement looked incredibly strong against the Hornets. The girls clean passing and movement off the ball opened holes all over the Gbah defence.  

Rewards soon followed with scoring opened only 90 seconds into the game after a beautiful team buildup led to Olivia Collins passing to Cara who chipped the ball neatly over the keeper from just inside the 18 yard box. Rachael guest was able to provide quality crosses into the box all night from both left and right wing positions as the teams most experienced player in that position. Another series of one touch passes in the 11th minute saw Olivia Collins again setup a great finish for Cara on a nicely angled finish that caught the Hornet GK out of position.

In the second half a Carli Lloyd level PK by Kendelle O'Reilly - after a foul on Cara -  gave Stars the goal they would need for a well deserved win, with the Hornets GK never even getting closed to the bullet. The tenacious and sometimes impolite Hornets were a worthy opponent and only the solid defence of our back line (most especially Riley McIntyre's high speed shutdowns of breakaway Hornets) and star quality keeper Kelsey McSweeney making seven impressive saves carried the game. 

Holly Doyle playing in midfield would cause consistent problems for the Hornets in the first half before a focus on defence later in the game saw her shift back to her familiar LB position. And both Olivia Collins and Olivia Riley displayed a strong grasp of their difficult positions in AM and DM. New team members Megan McGuiness, Ruby Gould-Whaley and Cassie Wilcox also demonstrated big improvements in their game play, and were put to the test with only one substitute available for the evening. Megan's corner kicks were particularly impressive, as was the tenacity and spirit of Cassie in holding off some higher age and weight division women intent on steam rolling into our box. 

At one point Hornets management seemed confused about what constituted a foul, but luckily there was a referee on hand to clarify. Despite some light-hearted sledging (let's just say it was light) Erin Blaylock would prove an invaluable defensive asset against Goonellabah's consistently strong wing attacks in the second half, and was my Player of the Match, for both playing at 100 percent and coping with nonsense. 

Gbah managed a quality goal of their own in the 23rd minute and a PK goal after a handball in the box later in the game, but they were to remain frustrated and consistently denied all night long as they strived for the equaliser. 

The APFI field was a delight to play on, although a small swamp was discovered nearby when Stars coach retrieved a stray ball. 

Goals: Cara Brice 1', Cara Brice 11', Kendelle O'Reilly 65' 

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