Rewarding win to Waves

Phoebe Harrison and Ane Smith. 152955

SURFSIDE WAVES SOCCER CLUB
ROUND 3 Women’s Division 1
Drysdale 0 lost to Surfside 2
Waves got control of the game early on, playing great football rewarded in the 26th minute with a superb through ball from Cath Sattler to Alexis Pearson who finished with great composure. Waves were playing the ball out from the back, led initially by Emma Riley at sweeper, who played with confidence all game. Maddie Hill joined in and took the sweeper role with her usual calmness supported by a brilliant Neisha Pearson. Allana Gilbee started up front working hard, but was struggling with blisters and had to come off. Waves were light on for numbers, but Faye Kendall continues to impress in her first season and the midfield is beginning to gel with the strong Gina Murphy, the tireless Jordan Tabakovic and Sattler starting to link up. Waves sealed the game in the 75th minute with speedster Steffi Wallace latching on to another beautiful through ball from Sattler. Jas Pickett gave her usual solid performance and Madi Wilding was strong again with a couple of important saves and good distribution. Indiah Van Galen came on not fully fit, but played her role. Waves had several more chances during the game and never really looked troubled.
Surfside 0 lost to Deakin Ducks 5
The first home game under lights turned out to be a tough night at the office. Deakin fielded a very strong side that caused problems the whole game. Waves still continued to try to play football, from Madi Wilding in goal, kicking accurately to her outfield players, through the back line Maddie Hill strong as sweeper supported by Emma Riley, Jas Pickett reliable as ever, Kate Elstone on the left had a good game. In the first half Waves tended to drop back as the Deakin team pressed to try to limit the damage, with GIna Murphy, Cath Sattler and Jordan Tabakovic running hard in midfield and Indiah Van Galen and Lexi Pearson on the wings supporting the full backs. Faye Kendall started up front then moved on the the wing. Steffi Wallace joined the game on the wing again supporting the full backs and Neisha Pearson stepped into the defence and acquitted herself well. Allana Gilbee came on and played well initially as holding striker, then dropped into midfield to help out. The Waves held their shape much better in the second half even though the players were tiring. The team simply came up against a better side, but the players never dropped their heads.
Under 13 boys, Surfcoast 5 def Surfside 1
Surf Coast dominated the possession for much of the first half and made the most of their wind advantage, punching through mostly the middle of the defence to score. Surfside started enthusiastically but weren’t able to pass the ball off more quickly than the Surf Coast boys could chase them down. There was an improvement this week, with following the ball after kicking it, but the Waves boys may need to raise their awareness of each other – no need to crowd the ball but rather spread out and provide potential pass clearings. Waves were down 0-4 at half-time but with the wind at their backs in the second half, gained confidence and possession of the ball; most of the play was in their half and Xavier Ryan managed to get Surfside on the board.