Intermediate Girls State Finalists
The Year 9 &10 girls arrived at the bus loop by 8.15 (most did). After a late start they made it to the Latrobe City Soccer grounds in Morwell by 10.20 in time for a 10.40 start.
The first game was against the South Gippsland representatives Korumburra after Traralgon pulled out of the tournament. The girls began slowly against a Korumburra side with a solid defence. The Bairnsdale defence of Leah Morgan, Kerry Fox, Mal Gray and Peg Sanders were safe and solid making sure the game was being played in the Korumburra half of the ground.
Some good ball movement by mid fielders Emily Donovan, Carrie Jones, Joyce Webb and Jess Storer saw Carrie make a blistering run and an excellent cross. A desperate attempt by Jamiee Solly to score saw her ‘Head butt’ the goal post. Soon after Carrie put one past the keeper to score 1-0 at half time.
The second half started with English Sophie Ingram and Austrian Sophie Lenz up front. A good ball by Angela Janson put Austrian Sophie in the clear and she went close to scoring. The match was again being played mainly in the Bairnsdale attacking half with keeper Haylie Peacock needing only to make one save.
Carrie made space on the left before crossing to the middle and scoring her second for the match, the game ending with a 2-0 score line. The girls now had a long break while Korumburra played West Gippsland team Trafalgar, in what looked like a surprising result. Korumburra defeated Trafalgar 4-2, this meant that Bairnsdale needed at least a draw to win the tournament.
The girls came out ready to play and Jess was able to score after a good pass early in the first half 1-0. The Trafalgar team lifted and became very physical to try and make amends. The Bairnsdale girls were being pushed off the ball and finding it difficult to cope with physicality. Emily had to come off which left a gap in defence and the team started to lose shape.
Peg, Leah and Angela were getting to contests and making the Trafalgar girls work hard 1-0 at half time.
The second half began the same way with English Sophie providing a spark up forward with her enthusiastic play. While Jess had gone to help out in defence, Kerry snuck forward and created an opportunity to score. The game was getting tense. A misplaced throw in by Carrie saw the Trafalgar girls break into open space, edge past Kerry and put one past Haylie who moved a little late, conceding her first goal in four matches.
The game was now really tense as a loss would put them out on goal aggregate. The contest became more willing and the challenges more physical. The Trafalgar girls were giving away free kicks while the Bairnsdale girls were beginning to tire. The Trafalgar girls were controlling play but their shots went wide. Mal cheered. A corner saw the Bairnsdale girls scramble the ball out for a second corner, this time Haylie collected the ball and delivered up field. Mal cheered and screamed. Joyce passed to Carrie who made a strong run towards the box only to be brought down from behind. Free Kick. Mal cheered, screamed and cheered. Who to take it? Jess had taken one earlier this time Carrie stepped up and with a clinical strike the ball found the ideal spot in the top right hand corner. 2-1 the girls were Gippsland Champions and State Finalists. Mal cheered, screamed, cheered and went crazy.
What an out standing effort given that the team was without German exchange student Jule Holland and Clarice Egan who were unavailable on the day.
Congratulation Girls
Emily Donovan, Kerry Fox, Mal Gray, Sophie Ingram, Angela Janson, Carrie Jones, Sophie Lenz, Leah Morgan, Haylie Peacock, Peg Sanders, Jaimee Solly, Jessica Storer, Joyce Webb.