Eastern Suburbs 31st May

Eastern Suburbs AFC G12/1T White

vs

Three Kings Utd G12/1T Falconer

11:00 AM / Sat 31 May

Point England 11 Jnr (Map)

We went into this last game of the grading round sitting well mid table feeling quietly confident against Eastern Suburbs who had only managed 1 win during the grading games. However, clearly Eastern Suburbs turned up wanting to reverse their fortunes so far, perhaps home advantage helped, along with the a smaller pitch than we were used to, but whatever the excuse, it was not going to be an easy win.

Easter Suburbs got took the lead in the first half, and although the Falcons played well, it lacked a bit of intensity and there weren't enough chances on goal.. which was a worry.

A quick chat at half time about chasing the ball, keeping pressure on the attack and taking our chances with quicker shots on goal. 

2nd half was better, and there were some good chances... then finally, Sarah who had played a strong game in mid field, took a shot at goal from distance, top corner, no chance the keeper was going to get that one.

Despite a good team effort the score remained 1-1 till the dying seconds of full time and beyond. The referee was apparently waiting for play to stop before blowing the whistle (a common problem in this rugby nation - confusion over the rules)... unfortunately for us the play stopped with them scoring a goal... final score 1-2 loss.

Sarah was awarded player of the day for good mid field work as well as a great goal.

Goal Tally:
Sophie	5
Lucy	2
Molly	2
Anna	1
Sarah	1

Pukekohe 17th May

Three Kings Utd G12/1T Falconer

vs

Pukekohe G12/1T Girls All Stars

11:00 AM / Sat 17 May

Pollard Park 1

That game is what is after referred to as a coach killer. I was quietly confident of a strong performance against the bottom of the table team, who were yet to win a game, and who would blame me....

We started strong (as usual) and spent the first 10 minutes in their half, but still struggling to score a goal. Then suddenly a break away run and a goal... to them.... closely followed by another.... 15 minutes in we were 2-0 down, despite spending most of the time in their half.

Was getting worried, it was going to be a bit of a mission to come back and win... then just before half time, Lucy found some pace and shot with her left foot... and scored! Yeah there might be some hope yet.

Half time team talk was all positive and girls were obviously keen to go out there in the 2nd half and turn the game around.. spreading the defense and passing into space were key messages, which they clearly took on board.

We were 2 players down, so I know it would need a huge effort from the girls to play at full pace all the way to the end, and they surely did. What a great 2nd half. 2 excellent team effort goals, with the balls passed through the midfield and beyond the defense creating clear striking opportunities for both Sophie and Anna... kept them goalless in the 2nd half to win a tough but well deserved 3-2 victory. Great TEAM effort.

Player of the day went to Clara, who had a strong game on the wing, moving into space for passes and helping her team mates by finding good positions for passes.

Goal Tally:
Sophie	5
Lucy	2
Molly	2
Anna	1

Fencibles United 10th May

Fencibles Utd G12/1T

vs

Three kings G1 falconer

11:00 AM / Sat 10 May

Greenmount Reserve 

Strong start from the Falcons but an early goal against the run of play put Fensibles Into the lead.. the ball found the next again with a deflection from a corner.

It was a steady down hill slope from there with fensibles finding the net a total of 6 times through strong attacking play.

We did play well and were competative throughout but continue to struggle with accurate shots at goal.

Sophie did manage one goal.

final score 1 - 7

Molly was a popular choice for player of the day.

Goal Tally:
Sophie	3
Molly	1
Lucy	1

Papatoetoe United 3rd May

Three Kings Utd G12/1T Falconer

vs

Papatoetoe United FC G12/2 Sapphires

11:00 AM / Sat 3 May

Keith Hay Park 12 (Map)

What a beautiful morning for football, blues skies and not a breath of wind.

The girls arrived for warm up and were keen to get going and they did, straight into action with some excellent passing, slinky skills and attaching play. 

In some cases there were some significant size differences, most notably Anna against the Papatoetoe defenders, but that didn't stop Anna, who challenged hard for the ball at every opportunity. 

We made good use of the wings, running the lines keeping the ball in their half through great ball control and passing, creating a number of chances around the goal area.

Unfortunately, from a corner Papatoetoe placed a well struck ball into the goal area, it bounced about a bit, then somehow sneaked past Ellie for a goal.

That didn't seem to affect the general play, with the Falcons continuing to attach and apply pressure to their solid defense.. which unfortunately continues to hold.

Again, against the run of play, 2 break away runs and solid strikes found the net, leaving us a bit shocked by 3-0 behind at half time.

The 2nd half was no different, the Falcons continued to play well as a team, passing the ball and controlling the game, spending most of the half attacking Papatoetoes' goal area. Despite almost everyone in the team having a shots at goal, they were either just off target or saved/deflected.

The Papatoetoe defense proved just too tight. Final result 3-0 loss. :(

Great game though, and great team work.

Lucy was presented player of the day for great skills on the ball, control and passing on the wing.

A great effort, regardless of the score..