U13 Girls v Drouin:
Round 3 of the Gippsland Soccer League saw the Leongatha Knights Football Club debut their newest team, the Under 13 Girls and is there a more fitting week to do so than Females in Football week?
New coaches Lisse Bath and Ana Heneghan had been working hard with the girls the last few weeks to prepare them for their debut. Playing bright and early, the girls arrived excited to have their first run together. Their opponents Drouin kindly shared a player as the Knights were one player short.
The game started with a lot of excitement as players nervously sought to clear the ball from their respective ends. Within a few minutes it was one of Leongatha’s attackers, Nevaeh Blackwell who scored the first goal of the game and the first goal ever for Leongatha Knights FC’s U13 Girls.
Drouin were quick to respond but a goal from striker Hannah saw the Knights lead at half time. Daisy Hockett, Caitlyn Jacobs and Jess Pedlow were instrumental in controlling the Knights defence and Jess Collins did a wonderful job as goalkeeper. Jasvin Dhillon and Nevaeh Blackwell, supported by Liberty Murdoch paced up and down the midfield pressuring their Drouin opponents.
Though the Knights put in a strong showing, Drouin’s passing play got the better of them in the second half and the game ended 2-5 Drouin’s way. Leongatha Knights FC would like to congratulate their Under 13 Girls on a wonderful first game.
Senior Women v Drouin:
In their second game for this year’s GSL season, the Leongatha Lady Knights welcomed their Korumburra Cup Grand Final opponents Drouin Dragons to Mary MacKillop.
With Drouin developing a strong attacking side, the Knights were challenged early by some magnificent killer balls that split their backline and allowed the Drouin striker a straight run on goals. Two magnificent clearances off the goal line by Valentine Langlet kept Leongatha in the clear. Once the ball was cleared from defence Leongatha did what they do best, attacking off a counter sending super-fast striker Lisse Bath in to finish one of her several goals that match.
Another beautiful goal was finished by new recruit, Molly Gurnett who sent the ball in after receiving a lovely cross from dominant midfielder Naomi Eaton.
Jasmine Garry, who recently celebrated 50 games for the Leongatha Knights, was a consistently strong force in central midfield. To combat Drouin’s strong attacking plays, the Knights altered their defensive formation in the second half to great effect with Lauren Cain and Leanda Michael putting in excellent games.
A big congratulations to Maddi Hollier, Fiona Christenson, Hannah Ventri and Lauren Cain on their first games for the club. Leongatha took home the win 5-1 in an excellent game for Females in Football week with brilliant play from both teams.
U17s v Drouin: 6-0 loss.
12A v Drouin: 6-3 loss
U14s v Drouin: 6-2 win.
U12B v Drouin: 4-3 loss.
Reserves Men v Drouin: 8-1 loss
Senior Men v Drouin: 2-1 loss