Div 2

Fair Dinkum: Let’s call it a draw (Bats 2-5 Putney)

This is the problem with a 6 team division – playing the same team three times makes it difficult not to repeat oneself in the match reports, especially when the games turn out quite similarly each time. Although each has been characterised by hard work and good skill from both sides, the determining factor in separating the teams has been luck, or lack of it.

A slow start saw us concede unluckily in the first few minutes, however we were back on level terms soon after when Erin played a through-ball for Alice to finish with ease. All square and we were ready to start from scratch again. Then followed two rather soft penalty decisions, and it was back to chasing the game.

The frustration was clear at half time as once again we were more than matching Putney, yet things were not going our way. In the second half we piled on the pressure but were foiled by a couple of offside decisions and some general gamesmanship. Nicky finished well from a corner to pull one back late on, but by that stage the opposition were 3 goals ahead.

In the spirit of all things Australian, I think it is only fair dinkum to call this game a draw (2 Bats goals versus 2 penalties, 2 own goals and 1 regular goal). In fact, that is being generous – technically the real score was 4-3 to the Bats (plus two assists from the ref for the penalties). J

I would like to state for the record that I will not be writing another match report about losing to Putney, so we’d better bloody win the next one.

Written by Jane

Div 4

Win secures us Minor Premiers (Bats 1 – 0 Sydney Uni Yellow)

Hoo Har Batties! Oh yeah baby. The Div 4 Bats did it! Minor Premiers 2010. Considering we were in Div 5 last year I consider that an awesome achievement.

Our final game of the rounds was a close game I will admit but with a little help from Amy and Nic from Div 8, we were fired up and ready to win. We had lots of room out on the wing and plenty of time on the ball to pass and control. Of course we didn’t do that because we always get so excited and/or nervous that we boot the ball away as quick as we can.

So Fi gave us a half time pep talk to cool it down and injured Bec asked us one question: ‘Do we want to Minor Premiers?’. Yes we did, we cried back and ran on with a renewed enthusiasm to play our game our way. Controlling the ball, passing 1,2′s and even 3′s, it was 10 minutes in when Alex slid in for the winning goal around the goalie and two other opponents.

High fives all round girls, I am totally proud to be a Div 4 Bat and know we can go one better with the Grand Final trophy ready for us!

Written by Suz

Div 2

Finals Fever!! (Bats 2-1 YMCA)

Young women there’s no need to feel down,

I said Jen Peden, pick yourself off the ground,

I said Div 2, let’s celebrate in Newtown,

There’s no need to be unhappy.

Do-dah-dee-dum-do

It’s fun to beat the Y-M-C-A

It’s fun to beat the Y-M-C-A…

‘If we win, we’re in’ was the battle cry from Dena before the game. Luckily for the team it was short and punchy so we managed to remember it – and get ourselves to the finals! Hoorah!

In a game of only one ‘real goal’ (apparently penalties do not count as proper goals to some – to be fair, both seemed to be quite dodgy calls from the ref, so maybe the game should’ve only been 1-0), we decided to keep things interesting by living on the edge a little. While we struggled to dominate in the first half, we reached the dugout at half time (yes, there is a dugout at ELS Hall Pitch 2 – get a game there if you can just so you can try it out) a goal to the good thanks to an assist from Fi and a flying finish from Alice.

Our defence had their work cut out for the whole 90 minutes with YMCA trying the through ball at every opportunity and looking to beat the offside trap. The second half saw two inch perfect sliding tackles from goalkeeper Cara to protect our fragile lead. At that stage the game was 2-1 following two quick penalties – one for each side. First off, Erin picked the ball up in midfield and drove forward taking a shot from the edge of the box which hit a YMCA defender. Handball was the call, although it was less clear than Harry Kewell’s. Up stepped Erin to make the keeper weep. Shortly afterwards, Jen was adjudged to have fouled a YMCAer, despite being the one who ended up with blood all over her. Go figure. YMCA answered our well-taken peno with one of their own and our advantage was back to one goal.

This game was essentially a knockout bout to see which of us would make the finals. In the end it wasn’t the YMCA song but the ‘If we win, we’re in’ catchphrase which helped pull us over the line. One last league game next Sunday, and then some finals to look forward to. Hoo haa Batties!

Written by Jane

Div 4

Strength versus speed (Bats 1 – 1 Thornleigh)

Div 4 wiped the floor with Thornleigh last time the two teams met, but the Bats were wise to take the Thorns seriously after checking their most recent results (including a 5-1 drubbing of Flying Bats arch nemesis, the Redbacks!).

Both teams started strong and the pace of the Thorns’ two strikers was a formidable task for the backs, but they were up for the challenge. Midway through the first half, the ref awarded a free to the Bats in Thorns territory. The Thorns held the line high but Fin’s perfectly weighted kick had Alicia, Dan and Alex all in the hunt for the ball (and way ahead of the Thorns defence). Alicia got to it first and, although it wasn’t pretty, it went over the keeper’s outstretched arms and into the top right-hand corner of the goal.

The Bats took it to the thorns and tried hard to score a second goal (it was at about 2-0 in the last game that Thornleigh’s young team gave up) but this was a new team that were gritty and determined to fight back. Div 4 went into the half-time break at 1-0 but it was still a hard-fought game out there.

Taking the second half kick-off, the two speedy strikers launched an all-out attack on the Bats defence, slicing through the whole team and taking a brilliant shot at goal. Player of the match, our goalie Holly, brilliantly knocked it away but couldn’t keep hold of it, allowing their player to dodge three Bats, get to the ball first, and slice it back into the goal for the equaliser. As disappointed as the bats were, they couldn’t help but be impressed – as articulated by Sally to their main striker.

The second half was to and fro as the teams battled and enjoyed periods of dominance, on which neither could capitalise (thanks in large part to some Schwarzer-esque keeping by Holly). It was the dying seconds of the match when a ball that bounced over Holly’s head, with their striker steaming towards it, was headed off it’s goal-bound path by Alicia. The header rebounded off the post, was kicked again by the Thorns’ striker, deflected again by Alicia, at which point Holly deftly dove to the ground and grabbed it. As she rose to kick the ball back in play the ref blew time. An incredible tense end to a fantastic and enjoyable match.

Written by Alicia

Div 10

Beaten but as always, unbowed (Bats 0 – Pennant Hills 2)

Playing the unbeaten, table-topping Pennant Hills would have daunted Div 10 three or four weeks ago but their confidence continues to build. Despite coming away without the points today they made Pennant Hills work hard for their win.

At half time it was nil-all and the Bats were looking good value for at least a point. They were finding space in midfield, there was good commitment being shown on the ball from the likes of Moggs and Adrienn and the resident speedster, Sarah, had managed a number of shots on the Pennant Hills goal.

The second half saw Pennant Hills come out a little harder and apparently a little wiser to the 5-person midfield favoured by the 10s. The gaps that appeared in the first half were closed down earlier and their passing and width was working the 10s hard as they tried to break down their attacks.

The opposition have conceded only three goals all season (one of which was scored by the Bats) and scored 46. Considering this, the girls did incredibly well to hold them out until late in the game whilst continuing to bother their defence. Even at two goals down, Div 10 did not admit defeat with Moggs using her head brilliantly in defence. One of the reasons, no doubt, she was chosen player of the match.

I have a feeling that single win will be added to before this season is done.

Written by George

Div 2

Keeping the dream alive (Bats 4-2 YMCA)

Div 2 answered the call of our coach yesterday with a gutsy defeat of finals rivals YMCA. Having lost to them in our previous meeting this season, revenge was sweet indeed.

In keeping with the 4th of July tradition, there were plenty of fireworks on the pitch as the game proved to be a tetchy affair from the outset. We launched straight into attack and were one goal up early on thanks to a through ball from Erin and a lightning quick run from Alice who coolly slotted the ball beyond the keeper. YMCA rallied and Cara made a superb stop to protect our advantage. Meanwhile, down the other end, Jane crossed for Nicky to head home and extend our advantage. Fi came on for her first appearance post-South Africa and thought she had scored within minutes only to see the goal disallowed for a foul during the build up play. She was not deterred, however, and not long after she swooped to make it 3-0. Had she remembered to bring along one of her vuvuzelas, the sideline celebrations would have been even more raucous. YMCA responded by running us ragged in our box and squeezing a shot in to make the half time score 3-1.

The second half continued in much the same vein, with our midfield dominating possession. Sam was a welcome return to the team after a number of weeks on the sidelines, and she seemed to enjoy her comeback game – winning numerous balls in the air. A couple of tough (but fair) tackles saw YMCA up the whinging ante, but it was great to come across a referee who wasn’t whistle-happy, and tried to let the game flow. Alice grabbed her second goal, heading in a lovely cross from Erin, before YMCA again broke away to pull another goal back. Apparently the goal celebration was something to behold…!! Still, the most important celebration came at the final whistle with a result that will hopefully cement our place in third spot – at least until next weekend.

Written by Jane