THE NAMBUCCA Strikers travelled to wet and windy Woolgoolga at the weekend in round three of the North Coast Football Women’s Division.
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Despite a positive performance, the Strikers were coming off a disappointing 7-1 loss to last year’s Premier League champions, Boambee, the previous week.
On Saturday and due to a forfeit in the later match, Strikers’ opponents Woolgoolga 2, could afford to field a fresh and full side. Much to the contrary, the Strikers were somewhat depleted, missing some key defenders and their play-making captain, Amie Goswell.
Woolgoolga were switched on right from the kick off, nearly waltzing through unopposed for an early shot on goal. The Strikers retaliated with a cut and thrust of their own, however an early penalty to the hosts opened the scoring.
Nambucca bounced back after a swift counter-attack, led by Zara Pastega and Sam Walsh. Their wide link up play resulted in a quality through ball to striker Anna Champion, whose dogged determination saw her level the scores.
Parity was short lived as another infringement gifted Woolgoolga a chance, albeit from distance. The free kick was too hot to handle for keeper Carly Smith, as it looped in just under the cross bar.
An early injury to defender, Brea Welsh, compounded the Strikers’ woes and the backline was forced into a reshuffle. A couple more goals for the locals gave Nambucca some work to do and at the break the hosts were in control at 4-1.
With limited substitutes and with Woolgoolga’s pace up front causing havoc for the Strikers’ defence, the game began to slip away from the visitors. An early goal after the break put an end to the match as a contest and two more throughout the half completed a bleak day for the Strikers and a consecutive 7-1 loss the result.
Despite being at the wrong end of a demolition, the Strikers girls played hard for the full 90 minutes. Simone Jordan, Jessica White and Cheree Chapman ran themselves to the ground, while 17-year-old Charlotte Williams put in a stellar performance.
Next up is the bye, which will provide some much needed rest time for the girls following a hectic first three rounds, where they have played ‘Premier League’ opposition.
