Seniors
United 4 d Millicent 0
UNITED was without some of its key players on Saturday, when it faced Millicent at Blue Lake Sports Park for Round 8 of the South East Women’s Football Association (SEWFA) season.
Captain Ella Firth and Jasmine White were in Renmark for the Statewide Super Women’s Country AFL Championships, while Emma Smith was also absent from the side, but both Anna and Lauren Smith were welcomed back.
Despite the missing players United was still able to claim a 4-nil win and remain in second on the premiership ladder.
To add to the celebrations, Eve Maywald played her 50th game for United.
In the absence of Firth, Simone Morony was captain for the day and led the side out.
Millicent won the toss and selected to play with the wind, but United scored in the first 30 seconds, with some good ball movement from the midfield which found Aimee Brooks, who took a touch and placed the ball in the top corner.
To its credit, Millicent players did not drop their heads and retaliated, but could not break down the United defence.
United then scored a good team goal, with the ball played out from defence, followed by some passes around Millicent players which resulted in a perfectly timed cross which found Hayley Edwards on the back post.
United created plenty more opportunities, but the Millicent goal was well defended by centre-back Kim Ferguson and the goal-keeper.
However, United’s third came from another good play down the field, which finished with a cross that saw Edwards with her second.
Going into the break, United had established a 3-nil lead.
Millicent made some changes in the second half which saw Letitia Izzo moved into the midfield.
That seemed to work to a point, as Millicent was able to play some balls over the top which saw United’s keeper Richelle Huntly forced to make some one-on-one saves.
From there United midfielders Simone Stina and Lauren Frost stepped up and took control of the game.
Brooks found the ball at her feet once again and made her own space taking on Millicent’s backline to slot her second goal and the last for the match.
Despite best efforts Millicent was unable to hit the scoreboard before the final whistle.
Portland 8 d Wanderers 0
ROUND 8 of the SEWFA competition saw Portland travel light to Blue Lake Sports Park to take on Wanderers in cold and windy conditions.
Portland started the match with just eight players, but was able to take control of the game early on, keeping possession and moving the ball well around limited space.
The numbers were evened out when Portland’s ninth player arrived, which only added to the side’s forward movement.
Wanderers was forced to play a defensive game with Leonie McCallum and Sarah Pilven working hard to support keeper Claire Johnson.
However, going into the break Portland had established a 3-nil lead, which it only extended by another five goals in the second term.
The next half started with Portland maintaining the momentum and Lisa Stockman controlled the midfield as she passed on to her forwards.
April Antony and Jess Sandow both ended up with three goals apiece and Lisa Stockman scored from near the halfway line, while Kaylee Whitfield rounded out the scorers to give Portland the much needed win.
Under 15
United 5 d Millicent 0
UNITED’S Under 15 side followed in the footsteps of its senior clubmates, when it claimed a 5-nil victory over Millicent in Round 8 of the SEWFA season.
With wintry conditions setting in, the match opened with United electing to face the wind in the first half.
Millicent kicked off and while the ball quickly found its way into United’s forward lines it was not enough to score, as Millicent broke away after a tussle in the goals between United captain Leah McDonnell and Millicent keeper Allie Canala.
However, United’s Angel Aguinaldo led a good defence and Millicent was also prevented from converting.
With United missing key players it was good to see the younger members hold their lines and contribute to the overall team play.
Millicent did well to cover the field despite also missing players.
The first goal of the game was scored by United’s Chelsea Frost and Millicent responded quickly to almost score a number of times, but each was saved by keeper Sienna Ashcroft.
Frost then scored again, bringing the score to 2-nil at the end of the first half.
The second half brought new energy from both teams and Ashcroft an early goal, while Frost scored her hat-trick early in the term.
Frost and McDonnell communicated well in the forward line and between them took multiple shots at goal, but only one was converted which gave Frost her fourth.
Midfielder Pip Crewe scored her first goal in Under 15’s and United’s fifth for the game, supported by Rubiee Barrett.
Mia Crewe played a steady game, offering stability to the right-wing position during the second half.
Some good play unfolded between both teams, with Aguinaldo and Amber Lindquist continuing to play a strong defence for United and Mia Crewe and Chloe Lindquist showed good ball skills and teamwork, but were unable to score.
Millicent made some late attempts at goal, but was unable to touch the scoreboard.
Results
Seniors: Portland 8 d Wanderers 0. Goals – Portland: Jess Sandow, April Antony 3, Kaylee Whitfield, Lisa Stockman.
Centrals 3 d Inter CFC 0 (forfeit).
United 4 d Millicent 0. Goals – United: Hayley Edwards, Aimee Brooks 2.
Apollo City – bye.
Under 15: Centrals 4 d Inter CFC 0. Goals – Centrals: Kiah Connolly 3, Kate Seaton.
United 5 d Millicent 0. Goals – United: Chelsea Frost 4, Pip Crewe.
Draw for Saturday, July 14: Apollo City v United (Blue Lake Sports Park); Portland v Centrals (Portland); Millicent v Wanderers (Millicent).
