NAMBUCCA Strikers hosted Boambee 1 in their final game of the regular North Coast Football women’s season at the weekend at Coronation Park.
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Having already sown up the league title, Boambee were going for a perfect season aiming for 16 wins from as many games.
Having only conceded four goals all season, Boambee were going to be a very tough opponent for the Strikers, who were looking to consolidate fourth spot on the ladder with a win.
A strong local crowd were on hand for the match and to lend support for the struggling female farmers as part of the Strikers’ tribute to women in football.
The team took the field through a guard of honour made up of junior Strikers.
Boambee asserted their authority early with an incisive move that resulted in the opening goal. Their quick movement and back-up play had the Strikers’ defensive line chasing shadows at times.
The second goal was all class, their midfielder found space 25 yards out from goal and curled a shot that was too hot to handle for Carly Smith in goals.
Despite working well together in midfield, Amie Goswell and Brea Welsh were being over-run by the classy and well-drilled Boambee outfit.
The Strikers did muster some promising attacking plays with Kyiesha Cohen playing one of her best games up front.
Her speed and ball skills creating headaches for a defence not used to such pressure.
Anna Champion was at her busy best, putting her body on the line in many bone-crunching challenges, often copping a face full of dust on the solid ground for her troubles.
Boambee took a 2-0 lead into the break. With the Strikers having put in one of their toughest shifts, the score line was a true reflection of their efforts.
Terri White came on for Cohen and showed determination and strength to put pressure on the Bombers, creating further chances for Champion and Co up front.
Despite troubling the defensive line more in the second half, their well-structured opponents proved too hard to break down and shots on goal were limited.
Smith was putting on a master class in goal and was admirably assisted by defenders Luwarna Cohen and Jess White.
Central defenders, Melissa Urquhart and Cheree Chapman, bore the brunt of the Bombers’ attacking raids led by their rampaging forward.
Two more goals came to end the contest, but the local girls fought to the death to mitigate the damage.
Then the hammer blow came from arguably the goal of the season as the Boambee striker drilled a vicious drive from 30 yards into the back of the net leaving Smith a mere spectator in goals.
So the 5-0 result saw Boambee complete their perfect season and gave the Strikers a solid hit out before their reserve grade finals series kicks off in two weeks.
