Thursday, 26 May 2011
Games for 28th May
5 - 1 not a great result following the success from last week.
The boys were shooting accurately from distance which are hard to stop without a goal keeper.
Sophie scored the goal from a free kick following a hand ball in the goal area.
Perhaps the success of last week lead to over confidence in the first half, the 2nd was better with many opportunities to score and only 1 goal against. Emily had a great game, earning player of the day, with a strong performance from defense while also creating opportunities through the mid field, linking with Kate and Tara. Kate had a few strong shots, but just couldn't find the target.
11B 9.15 am Rangers vs Team Pheonix (Juventus (9th Girls)
5 - 0
The football gods were not with us this morning. While we had a few moments of team play and some reasonable positional play we were not in the same groove as last weekend at the Fencibles Tournament. Once again the boys were able to use their greater strength and shoot from distance and we just didn't get the chances to shoot.
Unfortunately they were just too good for us and we went down 0-5 by the final whistle. The second half was much better only the one goal against and we kept our positions much better. P{layer of the day for strong defence in the midfield to Emma.
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
Fensibles Tournament 22nd May - Team Pheonix
Team Pheonix
Sarah, Scarlett, Alisha, Sabine, McKenzie, Emma L, Rosa, Madison, Briar, Caitlin
Round 1: vs Drury United (2-0)
Our first game against Drury let us start to sort of the positions - a strategy for the day which was I think quite valuable. Our goal keepers for the first match Sarah and Alisha both kept clean sheets and went on to assist up front. A goal each for Sabine and Scarlett in each half let us take this first game of the day relatively easily. Learning areas for the game were to strengthen our thinking about the midfield with a need to focus more on our positions. We had a few occasions when were were still bunching. Good first up game (2-0 win) which gave us good confidence for the games ahead (bearing in mind that we were fortunate not to have our arch-nemesis Fencibles in our poll).
Round 2: vs FH Footy Chix (3-0)
After a short rest the girls then regrouped with Scarlett and McKenzie sharing the keeping duties. A goal in the first half to Sabine after much good passing and linkages between the girls. We were finally getting combinations together and finding space and passing in behind the defence! Great work a pleasure to watch. Second half then saw another two goals to Sarah and Caitlin. Caitlin's goal was nice to watch as the ball was chipped expertly over the goalie. Quite a resounding win over the Footy Chix from Forrest Hill - hadn't come across this team at any of our previous tournaments.
Round 3: vs Manurewa Falcons (2-0)
Manurewa Falcons were our third and final pool game and after a goalless first half two second-half goals gave the final 2-0 win. Goals to Alisha and Sabine, in another game of excellent positional play and teamwork.
Semi-final 2: Team Pheonix vs Fensibles (0-0, Pheonix win on penalties)
With the TKU Glory team coming first in their pool we were left to face off against Fencibles. As expected it was a tough game - nil-all after the 25 minutes of normal time, still that way after the golden goal extra time. There were several good opportunities, with one chance to seal it with excellent passing and teamwork, but the kick on goal went askew. So it was the nail-biting and heart palpitation generating penalty shoot-out. With Alisha in goal she kept out their first shot, and then Sabine didn't manage to get the ball through their keeper, Alisha saved again, Sarah couldn't get it in, Alisha saved again, then finally Scarlett scored. Alisha was then cleared of further duties as the rules indicated this was to be a golden goal shoot-out. After our great supporter team regained normal heart rhythms the girls were then faced with the grand final against .... TKU Glory!! Just as well Iain had arranged an away strip for the Glory team - just n case we were to meet in the final!
Final: Team Pheonix vs Team Glory (0-0, Pheonix win on penalties)
By this stage there were only a handful of games being played at Point England but by the end of the game we were indeed the last game on the field for the day.
The two TKU teams were extremely closely matched - attack and defence well matched, several rushes towards goal were kept out with good defence from Rachael, Emma and Lilli for Glory, and McKenzie, Emma for Phoenix. Again full time came and went, golden goal extra time came and went without result ..... down to shoot-out again ... still no result from the five shots from each side. By mutual agreement we shift the penalty spot 1m closer to the goal and then finally a blistering shot from Sarah into the bottom left hand corner, great shouts of joy but Alisha still had to keep out their last shot from Emily ... which she did!! After nearly 45 minutes of play the two teams were separated by only 1 goal.
Such a great day's play - between the two teams only one goal conceded - Phoenix scored 9 goals, none against.
Thanks to all the girls, their parents and our great coaching and /selection teams. It was great to see the camaraderie between the Phoenix and Glory girls and even towards other TKU girls teams as everyone cheered for each other. We appreciated the girls listening carefully to instructions at the beginning of each game (despite Wendy's voice challenge on the day).





Friday, 20 May 2011
Fensibles Tournament 22nd May - Team Glory
Great to be able to enjoy a winter sport in such fine conditions.
The much anticipated first all girls tournament of the year did not disappoint...
Team Glory
Gemma, Emily, Emma H, Sophie, Annika, Tara, Lili, Rachael, Neve
Round 1: vs Fensibles (0-0)
Fensibles proved, as expected to be a tough start to the tournament. Both teams failing to put points on the scoreboard. The large pitch and small goals set to challenge the girls for the remaining tournament.
Round 2: vs Waitakere Hawks (2-0)
Team Glory started well, with a solid defence, fast pace through the mid field and great attacking form. Super sub Emily came on part way through the first half and with almost the first touch of the game, lined up a strike from the left wing and found the top corner. Glory maintained the lead till the 2nd half when Gemma provided a similar strike from the right wing, beating the keeper to provide a comfortable 2-0 lead, maintained until the final whistle.
Round 3: vs Western Springs Go Girls (2-0)
With memories of Western Spring from last year we knew this would be a tough match, they looked strong and confident from the start, but Team Glory proved to fast and skillful for them. Team work, positional awareness and working the wings proved too much for the Go Girls.
Lili and Emma protected the goal throughout, while creating opportunities using their speed to open up the wings by-passing the midfield to keep pressure on their goal area. Annika and Sophie both found the net providing another 2-0 victory.
Team Glory secured top of the table position with 2 wins and a draw, while Fensibles finished 2nd managing 1 win and 2 draws.
Semi-final 1: Team Glory vs Forest Hill (1-0) Tiredness was beginning to set in, but Team Glory proved once again too much for the opposition. Again the defence was solid, with Lili, Emma, Emily and Neve preventing any shots at goal and creating a great platform to attack from. There were a number of opportunities throughout this game. Tired legs may have impacted accuracy, but Annika found the net for her 2nd of the day, which was enough to secure the win and a finals position.
Final: Team Pheonix vs Team Glory (0-0) Pheonix won on penalties
With the changes to the teams and introduction of new blood it has been difficult to access how evenly matched these two teams are. Results from the 8th grade games on Saturday have been mixed and hard to draw any conclusions.
This first match up of the year, in the final was a great climax to a fantastic day of football. It certainly did not disappoint. Everyone of the girls put all of their remaining energy into this close game, through the 2 halfs and extra time.
It was a shame to have to decide the game on penalties, but it could have continued well into the evening waiting for a golden goal.
I lost count of the number of penalty kicks taken, while the other teams waiting patiently for prize giving.
Sarah from Pheonix finally found the back of the net, from a well stuck and accurate shot to the corner, Glory could not match it and had to settle for 2nd place, while everyone probably believed first-equal would have been a better result.
One concellation for Team Glory was it was the only goal scored against them through 125 minutes of football played, thanks to their outstanding defensive efforts.
Thursday, 12 May 2011
Games for 21st May (postponed from 14th)
- Same time and place next week (21st May)
5 9.15 am Liverpool vs Team Pheonix (Inter Milan)
11C 9.15 am Crystal Palace vs Team Glory (Juventus)
Crystal Palace 0 - 8 Team Glory.
Team Glory had a strong performance with lots of goals which is great pre-tournament preparation. Kate got a hat trick in the first half with Gemma and Claudia getting one each. 2nd half goals came from Tara, Emily and Sophie.
Once again the defence created a solid foundation for attack, with great use of space on the wings.
The TEAM is really working well together allowing individuals to show off their skills..
Neve got Player of the Day for great commitment in the 2nd half chasing the ball and creating opportunities.
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
Games for 7th May 2011
Man United 1 - Team Glory 3
The tournament last week must have helped the team, the structure and passing was great. Some great clearances from defense, through midfield helped create lots of opportunities for goals. Sophie started the scoring with Annika and Claudia both coming in from the wings to add to the impressive score line. A solid midfield and flawless defense kept the boys away from the goal. Their one goal was from a corner kick finished with a great header.. always good to see at this level...
Player of the Day went to Sophie, for opening the scoring and holding her position well as striker being there when the ball came through from the wings and midfield.
Great to get Glory's first win in Platinum....
10c 9.15 am Team Pheonix (Juventus) vs Wigan
Team Pheonix 3 - Wigan 2
The weather had made the ground somewhat challenging especially in that far corner of Keith Hay Park. At 9.15am we were waiting around and thinking that the Wigan boys might have got scared off by playing the mighty Phoenix … but they were just late – presumably getting in a little last minute practise. It turned out that we could get a more even match (7 v 7) by lending them a couple of our players, so with the epitome of sportspersonship Caitlin and Alisha volunteered to help out. This could have been quite damaging for Team Phoenix because they were two of the better players for Wigan!!
As Iain reports for the Glory team, our recent tournament practise had geared us up well for better positional play and team structure. When the girls got passes strung together and crosses into the centre forward striker, we were “on fire”.
Our goals came from Lucy (well done for what I think is your first goal of the season), Sarah, and unfortunately for Wigan - an own goal. There was even a goal from Caitlin (for Wigan) which came from some good interchanges. Final score 3 – 2 (we might even take Caitlin’s goal in account and say Phoenix girls scored 4 goals during the match!)
Player of the Day for Lucy – good team contribution and for the goal (icing on the cake!)Sunday, 1 May 2011
Papakura Tournament report
Great first tournament for the season - even the rain stayed away although constantly threatened to dampen the occasion.
Team Pheonix: Scarlet, Alisha, Sabine, Madison, McKenzie, Sarah, Rosa, Lucy, Briar
0 - 0: vs Fensibles
0 - 4: vs Eastern Suburbs
1 -0 : vs Papakura Chelsea
0 -6 : Plate Semi-final vs Papakura Celtic
Team Glory: Tara, Kate, Gemma, Emily, Rachael, Lili, Emma, Neve, Georgia, Claudia
0 - 1: vs Papakura
2 - 1: vs Tornadoes (Gemma scored both goals)
0 - 0: vs Jaguas
0 - 1: Bowl Semi-final vs Western Springs Spitefire