SEWFA results‏

Wild weather made for difficult playing conditions last Saturday at Blue Lake Sports Park, when the South East Women’s Football Association played its preliminary finals.

Palace 4 d Villa 0
Palace has certainly picked the right time of the season to find good form in front of goal. With the older girls in the team showing the benefits of spending time with the seniors, it was a controlled game played in driving rain from start to finish. Villa’s goal keeper Samantha Freeman played an exceptional game thwarting Palace forwards until late in the first half when the ball was neatly chipped over her as she attempted a smother. Again it was the lack of players on the park which made the difference as the spirited Villa fought against the Palace attack. Palace continued its intensity as the game wore on, with Lily Griffin tackling hard and distributing well. Palace was able to get on the board a further three times in the second half ensuring a grand final showing for the first time.
Goal scorers: Palace – S McCarthy 2, I Pratt 2

Palace 2 d Wanderers 0
A close contest was predicted for this match and that is exactly the way it was played out. Both defensive lines worked well with each sweeper showing maturity beyond their years at reading the game and confidently winning the ball. The deadlock was finally broken when a well struck corner kick for Palace deflected in off a Wanderers’ defender. Wanderers were keen to even the scoreline in the second half with Paris Ackland winning the ball in a defensive midfield role and passing effective balls along the wing for attackers. However a sustained attack proved fruitless with Palace’s Donna Pratt tenacious in defence putting a stop to effective shots on goal. Palace sealed the match with a goal of its own when a break on the left resulted in a well struck shot, which the keeper did well to deflect. However, the ball landed at the feet of a second striker who neatly slotted the ball home. Wanderers worked hard to regain some ground but let themselves down in front of goal. A jubilant Palace was relieved at the final whistle to claim a spot in the final for the 4th year running.
Goal scorers: Palace – S Stuck, OG

There was no stopping the Junior Development Squad in its last regulation run of the season despite the heavy going in mud and rain. Excellent play ensued with the girls showing off their developing skills, including headers and long throw ins. As their confidence on the ball improves, naturally so do match play skills with all girls having the ability to shoot from range with some power.

Blue Lake Sports Park this week will see the Grand Finals played in both grades plus two exhibition matches. The Under 14’s match of Wanderers v Palace kicks off at 12 noon. Whilst Wanderers have the wood on Palace this season so far, it will have its work cut out to break down the strong defence. At 1.15pm the Junior Development Squad will play a young Portland side in a half pitch match, with this being the first time in front of a big crowd for most girls. Following this short match, an under 14 exhibition match will be played at 2pm with Portland against a combined SEWFA team. Portland juniors have been training hard this year and are hoping to join the SEWFA league next year.

The final match of the season sees City take on Palace in the senior grand final. City has been the stand out side this season, showing improved discipline and game play and for the first time in several seasons, Palace will enter the match as underdogs. However, when these two meet, anything can happen. One thing is assured though – a great day’s entertainment, with no entry fees and seating provided by the Mount Gambier City Council. The South East Women’s Football Association invites everyone with an interest in the game to come along and enjoy the afternoon in a family friendly atmosphere.



Results from the South East Womens Football Association (SEWFA) preliminary finals played today at Blue Lake Sports Park

Juniors:

Palace 4 (S. McCarthy 2, I. Pratt 2) defeated Villa 0

Seniors:

Palace 2 (S. Stuckey, own goal) defeated Wanderers 0