Karl Lindner posted on July 30, 2007 22:10
A tense sideline, referee back to full glory, and girls with fire in thier bellys met Western Springs White when they arrived at Pukekohe High school on Saturday.
Both teams have played twice in the grading round with Pukekohe being convincing winners on both occasions scoring a total of 15 goals and conceding none, however grading means nothing now as the Championship is on the line and only a big win would help to secure a title for Pukekohe.
Pukekohe attacked from the start with wave after wave of attack making the Springs goalbox look like Baghdad mid airstrike.
A galant keeper and woodwork denied on so many occasions early, until Natalie's shot was pushed by the keeper into the waiting path of Sherrie who showed why she has become such an asset for us and the senior woman. (On a personal level at this point Sherrie was just two goals behind Lucy on the top goal scorers sheet)
Two minutes later and the Springs defense gave into relentless attacks when Kate's shot hit a defender who then decided that the safest place for the ball was in the back of her own net rather than at the feet of a powerful oncoming Kate.
Hard work on the halfway line by Renelle, Rachel, Haley, Hanna, Alix and Shione stopped all balls getting to a very bored Amelia in goal.
A goal kick barely getting out of the box saw Lucy run on and in one massive strike almost tore a hole in both the keepers hand and the back of the net. This was enough to keep Lucy at the top of the goal scorers list for the season.
Our 4th came from an awesome cross by the hardworking Lucy on the right wing seeing Kate pick up her second with pure class.
The energiser bunny Natalie scored our 5th right on half time leaving 50 plus spectators and players alike in complete awe.
As the half time whistle blew a sigh of relief was heard by the entire Springs team and coach.
What ever was said by Troy at half time was acknowledge when after just 1.24 minutes Sherrie picked up her second from the whites kick off.
A change early saw Rachel and Shione rewarded with forwards roles while Kristy dropped back to defense.
The plan worked when Rachel who went close on three occasions in less than 3 minutes sucked in two defenders and passed to an open Sherrie to score her hat trick leaving her just one goal behind Lucy in the top goal scorers chase.
A fustrated, emotional Rachel went so agonisingly close that I had my whistle to my mouth at least 5 times ready to blow for goal including splitting defenders outside the box and getting one on one with the keeper with just the pressure of a speeding defender distracting her effort.
An awe inspired player who is so often the very back bone to this team and to whom we owe so much was Renelle, Her tireless efforts in defense, superb passing skills, and speed on and of the ball saw her rewarded with the last goal of the game as she showed her pure class, power and skill to get through 4 Springs players making room and time smashing a long range shot past two defenders who had to duck for cover and a goal keeper who could do nothing but collect the ball (still hot from the shot) from the back of the net.
Final score 8-0.
Merit : Hanna C
Player of the day: Rachel
A draw will be enough to win the title however you can bet on fireworks as we play luckless Papakura at Pukekohe High School at 11am. Make sure you are there to witness history in the making as this team becomes the first 15th Grade girls team Champions from Pukekohe.
With Sherrie and Lucy vying for the title of Top Goal scorer expect goals aplenty as Pukekohe WILL become undefeated CHAMPIONS.