Date Sunday 29th May 2016
Teams Castlemaine Goldfields FC vs Maribyrnong Greens SC
Location Chewton

Half time score 0 – 0
Full time score 0 – 0

League position 3rd

Report Trudy Wood

Castlemaine Goldfields Women’s match was a torrid, tense 90 minute ordeal for both players and spectators. After initial nervousness at being the replacement goalkeeper, Lyn West turned in a sterling performance displaying a cool, calm head when the ball was laid back to her from her own defenders and when she was asked to meet a Maribyrnong Green’s forward at the top of the box. She was supported by Kate Forrest who ran down opponents frequently and distributed the ball accurately to her wings. Rachel West tackled brilliantly all match, virtually stealing the ball from forwards and turning defence into aggressive attack.

Edwina Reid frequently threaded the ball out of the middle and gave the running Bridget Woods a number of shots at goal and crosses to Hetty Moysey and Haneko Mueller, none of which found their way into the net.

The second half saw Michelle Duffy working hard all over the pitch dispossessing opponents, having several shots on goal and taking the corner kicks. When Ruby Huzzey was tripped just outside the penalty area the consequential free gave Castlemaine another opportunity. Sarah McCoombe and Audrey Butt Merton combined well to keep the ball in Castlemaine’s half and force several more corners. Lyn made a timely sliding save and also deflected a threatening shot, which she was then able to catch right on the post, to deny Maribyrnong a  goal. There were several heavy clashes and heated exchanges which referee Eli Flavell kept a lid on. Julie Rudner was unlucky not to get a touch into goal when she ran down the Greens keeper who was slow to respond to a ball that rebounded over everyone’s head from Eve Merton. Rachel West also collided heavily with the keeper in the last minutes, in a desperate attempt to score. Injury time was taken by the keeper making the half seem incredibly long and the nil all result was final.

A great team performance against class opposition.

Next Game The Women have a BYE this weekend and will be back in action for Round 09 away to Melton Phoenix FC Sunday 12th June 3pm – Melton

Date Sunday 22nd May 2016
Teams Sunbury United Junior SC vs Castlemaine Goldfields FC
Location Sunbury

Half time score 1 – 3
Full time score 1 – 5

League position 3rd

Report Trudy Wood

The Goldfields Women’s team travelled to Sunbury to be met by a howling crosswind that blew for the entire match. When the lowly ranked Sunbury girls used the conditions to their advantage and scored after only 5 minutes of scrappy play, Castlemaine were left bewildered. However going a goal behind galvanised The Maine into action with Michelle Duffy and Sarah McCoombe both having several shots in the play that followed. Edwina Reid was beginning to control the midfield directing balls out to the wings, with a determined Rachel West finally out-manoeuvring a pack of Sunbury defenders, to slam the ball into the net for a well deserved equaliser.

The Maine continued to build pressure with Ruby Huzzey and Audrey Butt Merton working well carrying the ball down the right wing forcing a number of corners. With each corner Lyn West sent over curving crosses that used the wind effectively and by half time Castlemaine had benefitted from two own goals, that had ricocheted off defenders legs from Lyn’s kicks – going in 3 goals to 1.

After half time, Castlemaine adjusted much better to the swirling wind and with Eve Merton threading the ball down the left wing, Michelle Duffy trapped a great pass and finished off by slotting the ball low past the Sunbury keeper. With a 3 goal buffer, Coach Ray West made some changes and Kate Forrest had a run up forward and was rewarded with a goal she thumped in from outside the box.

Cat Gaggin was called on to make several saves at the top of the penalty area, but Sunbury never really penetrated their attacking half. Hanneko Mueller worked tirelessly on the right, taking several heavy knocks and was unlucky not to create several goals of her own. Sidney Showell backed her up reliably. Castlemaine were unable to score again but were happy with a 5-1 victory and to eventually get out of the wind.

The win takes the women to 4 wins from 5 and third in the ladder with a game in hand on leaders Springs Hills.

Next Game Home to Maribyrnong Greens SC Sunday 29th 11am – Chewton

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Scorers Rachel West 1
Kate Forrest 1
Michelle Duffy 1
Own Goals 2

Assists
Lyn West 2