AFTER washouts last week the senior Milton Panthers relished the chance to get back on the paddock on Saturday, especially as this week was a battle between first and second in both senior grades.
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Second grade began the day three points clear of Basin, but at Basin’s bumpy home ground good quality football made way for hard grinding play, and it was a tough encounter from start to finish.
No score at half time gave us some hope for a better second half, but a lapse in concentration left two Basin players free inside the box and Basin scored the only goal of the game.
Milton had plenty of good performers, but not quite the finishing required to get a positive result this time.
When all our players return in the coming weeks we will challenge again.
The first grade side began well and several opportunities came our way but hesitation in front of goal often proved our undoing.
Special mention must be made of Tyge this week, who consistently worried the Basin central defence with his strength on the ball and movement to set up opportunities.
But alas no goals were forthcoming and a final 0-0 scoreline disappointed us but at least keeps us one point ahead in first place.
If we can just get our passing to be a bit quicker and more precise we will get back to our best.
A double header next weekend will test everyone’s fitness, but every game is important now so we will be giving it our best shot.
Under 14 Girls
The girls played Shoalhaven Heads Maroon at the Heads ground on Saturday July 11, it was the last week of the school holidays and we were down on numbers again.
We started like a house on fire but were slightly out of position when Heads made a counter attack and they slotted the ball away against the run of play.
With sustained pressure we got back into it and equalised with what was Darcy’s first goal, great effort Darcy.
Heads managed another goal against the run of play so we were down 2-1 at the break.
The second half saw the team starting to tire, we managed to get another equaliser and a draw would probably have been a good result, but late in the game the Heads striker received the ball in what looked to be an off side position which the linesman failed to see giving Heads the winning goal.
We played above ourselves once again and for most of the game we were the better team, but lack of numbers makes it very hard to win games.
Then on Saturday July 25 we faced Huskisson White on a damp and slippery Huskisson field.
The girls were in slow motion mode for the start of the game and were lucky that the opposition were in the same mood.
That being said after about five minutes the coach started to relax a bit, feeling confident the girls only need to score early to get the game rolling.
The first goal came from Thalia, although not a convincing shot it still went in.
We had a couple of runaways each time the opposition got there when an earlier shot would have scored a goal.
Danielle was the next to score with a great goal, and then Annabelle scored her first goal for the team, congratulations Annabelle.
The second half was much of the same with us dominating but missing the goals a few times or their goalkeeper making some fine saves.
We have been looking for a keeper or two to share the duties, and the way Grace handled the second half was most inspiring.
We added two more goals, one to Isabelle and one to Eliza to make the final score 5-0.
We will have to lift our intensity for the harder teams if we want to make a run into the finals but well done team.
Primary Girls
A collection of 20 enthusiastic Primary Girls played their first game of the three week round robin last Saturday at Lighthouse Oval.
After a two week break, all were keen to get back into their soccer and especially play in the one position for the whole game.
Over the next two weeks, the girls will experience two different positions.
In Saturday's game, those who had turns as goal-keepers showed much improvement and made great saves.
Well done to Jessie, Sienna, Pia, Danyah, Rosary and Kelsey.
They were brave in defence and their goal kicks were sent long and high, well clear of the nets.
When not in goals and playing in the back line, all were assertive defenders.
Also playing as a defender was Beth whose tireless work was amazing, even resulting in a full field run and a strong shot into the back of the net!
Thanks to Maisie who took the right back position for her team, and who constantly fought off attacking runs by the opposition.
Midfielders for the game were Harmony, Olivia, Alira, Summer, Phoebe and Ebony.
Improved positions and more confidence in moving to the ball helped the girls support their forwards with strong passes toward their goals.
Those who played forwards saw plenty of action.
Brie and Tameka, as wingers, worked well with Isabel in the centre and were responsible for successful attacks for the Blues, with Brie setting up a fantastic goal!
The Reds had non-stop fearless tackling by forwards Ella and Anabelle and with Olivia moving up front, they made many runs at the goal.
The many spectators, especially visitors from Parkes and Canberra, were treated to an entertaining game, a win for the Blues.
Many thanks to Rick for refereeing and encouraging the girls.
Mrs J is looking forward to next week's game, when hopefully our other girls will be back on the field. Training is on tomorrow afternoon at 4.10.
Saying for the week: Life is like a game of soccer - you need goals! Having a goal is everything!
Under 12 White
Saturday 25th turned out to be a beautiful day with another resounding win for our boys, 3-1 over Husky Green.
The first goal was scored by Gus, who played like a weapon all game.
The second goal was by Taj who showed superb ball control, and the third was scored by Thom from a huge kick from behind.
All goals were well deserved.
Welcome back Josh T who had a great game, continuously attacking the Husky defence with his speed & determination.
The team were heard calling encouragement to each other, which was inspiring.
Great stealing from Aiden, Thom, Remy, Darcy & Rory.
Jack & Elijah have improved immensely, moving the ball constantly & running fast.
Josh.S & Will were always working hard on the field, badgering the opposition.
Overall a great game boys, keep it up.
Thanks to Mark (LB) & Kat as linesman, Mat as official, & Paul as referee. Thanks to our sponsors The Ex Servos Club, IGA, & Bendigo Bank.
Under 12 Girls
On July 25 the Milton Ulladulla Under 12 Girls team played Shoalhaven Heads.
It was a great game with the Panthers winning 4-0.
There were some great goals scored - one from Lara, Maddy, Olivia and an amazing goal from our defender Lily from near the halfway mark.
One of the highlights of the match was when Olivia performed a spectacular handstand throw in.
It was a fun game with both sides showing excellent skills.
Thank you to our coach, sponsors and well done to all the girls.
Under 12 Blacks
With two players down and no subs Milton Black braced themselves for a gruelling match against the successful Illaroo team and its many Shoalhaven representative players.
It was a stressful start to the game with Illaroo scoring within the first few minutes.
However, Brodie in goals stood up to the challenge and thwarted Illaroo’s next few attempts at scoring.
Brodie’s successes fuelled the team’s optimism and with the combined actions of Scott in back and Ethan in centre back the Milton Blacks were able to steal the ball from Illaroo, pushing it into the control of our forwards who held the play in preparation for AJ’s forceful attempt at a goal. However, Illaroo’s goal defence proved impenetrable.
Illaroo showed us all their best manoeuvres, however, to their surprise our Milton Blacks played strong and focused preventing Illaroo from scoring any further goals in the first half.
Jackson took control in the right back forcing his opponent to falter.
Baz was unrelenting in his left wing sprints.
Flynn read the game plan well positioning himself to take the ball to the goals and when Illaroo blocked his attempts Archie and Lochi in mid positions were there to take over.
In the second half Brodie, again brave in goals, was pressured but did not fail to defend three direct goal attempts by Illaroo.
Milton Blacks defence saw many other goal attempts by Illaroo hit the side of the nets, much to our relief.
Dal stepped up his back defence consistently in the second half, showing Illaroo there was no way through.
Bailey threw everything thing in exhibiting a strong mid defence and all this hard work resulted in Lochi powering through with Milton’s first goal.
Milton was firing and from here on never gave up, even when Illaroo pushed through with their second and third goals resulting in a 3:1 final score.
It was remarkable how well the Milton Blacks played as a team, not once did their determination weaken nor their support for each other slacken.
They trusted Adam’s instructions and initiated what needed to be done. Each player followed through to the best of their ability.
All parents agreed with Adam when he called to the team “this is the best game I've seen you play, Milton!”
Thank you to every team member for showing us what you've got today. This was meant to be the toughest game, but you proved to be strong contenders.
Our player of the match was Lochi not only because he scored the goal, but for following through the game plan of his team members.
Thank you to our sponsors Ex Servos and Bendigo Bank and to our focussed coach Adam for supporting the team.
Under 7s Team 3
Wow! We have made it to mid season.
Today Seth, Jett and Oliver sent the ball flying into the goal in a display of speed, accuracy and determination.
Chloe was on hand to set up passes and worked as a team player.
Marcus worked the mid field and Saxon joined Team 3 as we had two players away.
Team 3 is continuing its journey of learning about passing, control and positional play but ball “swarm” dominated this game, which did not allow for as much free runs and clearance that Team 3 are becoming used to.
It was a great all round effort from our Team 3 players, well done!