A hot and windy Harrie Denning Centre played host to this season’s FSC All Stars match against Sutherland Shire Football Association. This match was the fourth year for our female All Stars and helped celebrate the start of Female Football Week.

The game started with both teams taking time to work themselves into the contest. The conditions and the length of the grass on the pitch impacted on the quick passing game plan that the All Stars wanted to execute. It didn’t take too long for the first chance of the game with an early corner for the FSC All Stars finding the head of midfielder Rylee McGartland who rose high, but could not direct the ball on target. Not long after the corner came an early headache for coach Macca Davis with defender Jordan Van de Voorde being forced from the field with a groin injury.

Sutherland then began to get a foothold in the game with some good passing through the middle saw a shot from outside the box turned past the post by All Stars goalkeeper Megan Blanch. The ensuing corner was easily cleared by the defence and the danger was averted.

The even half then saw Michelle Foscarini start to control the play from the midfield and her switch of play across the box was cut back by Veronica Calderon to the run of McGartland, whose shot was well saved by Sutherland’s goalkeeper. The All Stars now started to gain the upper hand with sustained pressure on the Sutherland defence. Another perfectly executed through ball by Calderon saw Emi Skopal’s shot blocked out for a corner. Foscarini put another quality ball into the box with Kelsey Clements soaring to meet the ball, only to see her header go just over the bar.

As the half drew to a close, the All Stars backline had to stay alert as Sutherland were dangerous on the counter, creating a few more half chances that were snuffed out by Tenaya Davis and Brooke Perkiss. The entertaining half ended with no goals with the All Stars having the better of the opportunities.

The half time talk from Davis encouraged a lift in communication, hunger for the ball and to value possession. This didn’t take long to sink in as three minutes into the second half, increased pressure from Skopal saw the ball won back, laid off to Brittany Ring who round the keeper and placed the ball into the net. All Stars 1, Sutherland 0. Not long after the re-start, a clearance from Perkiss saw Ring through on goals again, this time the Sutherland keeper made another great save, keeping her team in the game.

Sutherland made a few changes and these seemed to spark a revival as some sustained possession began to stretch the All Stars defence. Sutherland managed a quick breakaway with a great recovery run from Claire Duffy holding their striker up and ensuring another attack came to nought. Sutherland’s best chance in the game came just two minutes later with a thumping shot from outside the box just missing the post.

This seemed to spur the All Stars back into action with a close offside call denying Zoe Grew a one on one opportunity and Ring just beaten to the ball by Sutherland’s best player in their goalkeeper. With time running out and players tiring, Sutherland continued to push for an equaliser and the game became end to end. A quick counter from FSC saw a great through ball again from the dominant Foscarini with Skopal’s pocket being picked just as she steadied for the shot. The All Stars had the last few opportunities with great far post runs from Kristina Glisic and Jenna Rose going unrewarded as the crosses were just cut out by a scrambling Sutherland defence.

With the full time whistle came the first ever win for the FSC All Stars team.

Photos Credit: Regina Moran