We got sun with 18 degree heat when we travelled to Seddon park today to play Western Springs Mint Chicks.
Three championship points should have been ours comfortably.
For the first time this year we struggled to have a full squad with just 12 players making the trip up.
Playing with one sub is something new to this team and fitness was going to be measured by the end of the game.
The game went end to end for the first ten minutes till a lovely shot from the edge of the box saw Kendra score our first.
The next session of play saw Renelle, Kendra, Kate, Lucy and Kristie stretching the defence on both sides with the hand of the keeper and some poor finishing seeing nothing go in.
It was against the run of play when from outside the box a shot went under Renelle's boot and straight through Amelia's hands to go just over the line to leave Pukekohe reeling and Western Springs running to congratulate the scorer.
10 more minutes went by and in the 37th minute a set move from Kendra drawing out the far post defender left Natalie open from a corner to score.
Half time 2-1 to us.
Coach Troy informed the girls they were there play so now was time to step up and play like you want it.
Well it was obvious to me they were there to play as wave after wave of attack went agonisingly close, a beautiful strike from Natalie in the 7 th minute just outside the box saw the ball smash into the back of the oppositions top right corner soon changed the look of the game.
In the 10th minute on the right wing smashed the ball past the keeper showing everyone that these girls were here to play.
Effortless work by Kate, Renelle, Kendra, Haley, Hanna and Amelia who was given a run second half saw the ball only get into our half 4 or 5 times and even then it was easily dealt with by Lieselle in goal, who showed when she opens her hands she is a brilliant keeper.
Another long period of play where the ball would get to our backs on half way saw Hannah, Alix, Rachel, and Haley cleaning up 90% of the ball comfortably.
24 minutes into the second half and finally the dominance was clear when Natalie got her hat trick after more great work from Amelia and Renelle.
Thier kick off was won by Renelle who passed to Natalie who ran straight through the middle and scored her fourth of the game just .45 seconds later.
Some awesome defence by Rachel saw her rewarded with left half/outside left strikers role which was almost rewarded (twice).
The ever willing and always hard working Kristie scored her first when Lucy sent the ball along the ground past the defence to be rewarded with watching her team mate score.
Final score 7 - 1. with merit being well awarded to Kate for her relentless tenacity through the middle and up and down the left hand side in both defence and attack.
PLAYER OF THE DAY went to Kristie for playing a great game. Well done.
I for one was impressed with the way the girls stepped up in the second half and just like the All Blacks in South Africa we showed that you will have to play 80 minutes to beat us as we get better as the game goes on.
THANKS ALSO GOES TO : Tony and Wal for thier work on the lines and to all you parents and family that attend. It is very appreciated.
Motto...We are not a team of stars, we are a star team.
Still top of the table.
Next game is at Pukekohe High School fields at 12pm Saturday the 14th of July against unbeaten Eastern Suburbs. Be there to watch the future of Franklin's womans teams.