APC PREMIER GIRLS FOOTBALL FINAL 2011

APC PREMIER GIRLS FOOTBALL FINAL 2011

On what turned out to be beautiful evening, Auckland Girls' Grammar Schools 1st XI Football Team made their way to Cox Bay Reserve for the last match of their season. The team painted their faces, warmed up laughing and smiling and exchanged jokes with the arriving opposition however as the whistle blew at kick off the AGGS girls had one focus: "We are not leaving here in second place again."

Last years team list and season record was almost identical to this years. Undefeated in all but one game – the Final of the APC last year where the change in venue on the day of the event threw the team into disarray and with no supporters to lift the squad deflated. This year however the determination was spearheaded by Yr 13 Captain and Sports Prefect Lily-Rose Dyer and experienced player and Sports Prefect Lillian Hanly. Both girls have 5 years playing with the Premier Team and for both this was going to be their last game of football representing AGGS. Was it finally their time?

The first fifteen minutes of the match sent the supporters into a frenzy. There were constant changes of possession, fast break attacks, overhead lobs from both sides followed by striking shots. The first goal was scored by Western Springs while AGGS were still settling into the match. Very quickly however one of the youngest players in the side Sophia Dyer equalised with an effortless volley past the keeper into the back left hand side of the net. The game continued with the same intensity and pace as Western Springs found a gap in the defence and equalised just before half time.

AGGS being 2-1 down coming out of the second half was all the ammunition the girls needed to find their focus as they began to settle down controlling the game from the first kick of the second half. With Talei Kidd finally receiving more accurate passes she gave the crowd what they were hoping for – effortless dodges past the Western Springs defenders using slick changes in direction. Kidd whittled two goals in succession past the keeper to the delight of the crowd as AGGS started to realise that the end was near and the title was almost theirs. Western Springs however continued to put pressure on the experienced AGGS defence with AGGS Keeper Sai Vatanitawake's saving a cross from outside the box on her face. When needed Lily-Rose Dyer opened the game out using wingers Lani Skeen and Sophia Dyer crossing from left to right helping create the space the team needed allowing Shontel Stevens to power in the last goal of the match leaving AGGS delirious with a 4 – 2 victory.

Worthy of mention:

Sweeper/central defender Emma Pickles who without doubt ran the length of the park fully supported by fellow team mate Miranda Bucknell-Whalley multiple times over. Pickles showed huge determination as she chased down every attempt from Western Springs strikers to get past the strong defence.

Notably and encouragingly we had two sets of sisters who featured in every game of the season – Sophia and Lily-Rose Dyer and Chanel and Shontel Stevens.

Unfortunately two of our starting line up were unable to play in the final due to injury – Claudia Jones and Sophia Lawler.

Coach – Matthew Reid

Manager – Jessica Lammas

Previous Manager of 5 years – Natasha Hayes

Team List for whole Season: