Sunday saw the club facing the strong Western Panthers at Bathurst. A daunting task in any ones language With a majority of our club deciding to make a weekend of it, there were many recognizable faces in Bathurst town on Saturday night. Let’s hope the good people of Bathurst recover in time for our next foray up there! The 12’s opened the proceedings with a gutsy effort only to see the Panthers run out 1-0 winners. This is a team that is fighting well above it’s own weight division but give their all every week. Their courage is inspirational. The 14’s were unlucky to come away empty handed. After taking an early lead, a few perplexing refereeing decision saw the Panthers take a 2-1 half time lead. The 14’s coach was seen scratching his head (as were many at the ground) as to what the ref deemed to be a back pass! The girls threw everything at the Panthers and were the better team in the second half but could not find the equalizer. The girls now sit in 7th place on the ladder. However, if they can win their game in hand they will rocket into equal 4th, a position I believe they should be in. This is a good football team and I believe they will feature in the post season games! The 16’s coach is still absent completing a higher coaching licence, so the ever reliable Russell Baker (of the 14’s) stepped into the breach with manager Sue ably assisting. A glance at the competition table pre game was not a comforting sight. The Panthers were undefeated in all 6 games, and had scored a whopping 26 goals. Our regular keeper was out injured and the omens did not look good. However our girls had not read the script and took it to the Panthers from the kick off. In an absorbing contest, our defence was tested time and time again but held firm. We created some good scoring opportunities and matched the Panthers across the park. The girls walked from the field with heads held high and so they should!!! A 0-0 draw was a great result against opposition of this quality. The girls have now shown that they can match it with anyone and their table position of ninth will soon be a faded memory. Girls, you did yourselves and the club proud on Sunday. The reserve grade then took to the pitch. On paper, a win here looked very unlikely. With a horror run of injuries meaning we had only 18 players available for both first and reserve grade we again asked our 16’s for assistance and they once again responded. Or should I say they responded magnificently. Paloma, Prue and Jess took on the Panthers like there was no tomorrow! Both Jess and Prue were injured early in the game but, knowing our siuation, refused to come off and played through the pain barrier. A very gutsy performance ladies and we thank you for your efforts once again. Our defence was magnificent. Nat G led by example and Siobhan tackled everything that moved (even if she was a bit bleary eyed!). Amanda (Chile) was chasing down attackers everywhere. Amber was clearing the line and Samira was carving them up. Lina was taking control of the midfield and when Amanda (Big Willy) put the ball into the back of the net, the roar let out by those on the sideline was deafening. We started to tire in the second half but refused to take a backward step. The full time result St George 1, Panthers 0. A win that had more to do with heart and pride than anything else. First grade then went to centre stage. Another game that, on paper, looked to be a difficult task. Panthers sitting second from top and St George sitting equal bottom. Another game where the script was thrown out the window. The attack was breathtaking. Nat D and Rebecca up front were playing with enomorous passion. Evelina, Alisha, Nyrie and Kirra in midfield were tormenting their more fancied opponents and the defence of Gigi, Sylvia, Brooke and Roberta gave away nothing. We went to the break 0-0, but the scent of an upset was in the air. A corner on 50 minutes saw Kirra send in a beautifully weighted kick and Alisha pounced to give us a 1-0 lead! 20 minutes later, Evelina repeated the Kirra delivery with a free kick and, once again, Alisha was on hand to bury the ball into the net. To say the St George crowd erupted would be an understatement. The rendition of “When the Saints go Marching in” at full time was fantastic, and to see all players join in was great. A 2-0 victory that was full deserved. Coach Craig was asked for a comment after the game but could not stop smiling long enough to answer! Keen readers would notice that I have only named 10 players in each game. That is because one player stood head and shoulders above the rest and deserves her own paragraph. Goal Keeper Rani Hayman, take a bow! Rani was peppered by shots in the reserve grade and kept the Panthers scoreless. Our first grade keeper Kerrie Antoniou was forced to withdraw just before kick off and Rani found herself playing her second game of the day. And she rose to the occasion. No matter what the Panthers threw at her, she absorbed it and threw it straight back in their faces. There was one save that will long live in my memory when she threw herself to one side and deflected the ball with her fingertips just wide of the posts. She was quick off her line and her courage was stuff upon which legends are made. 180 minutes of football (at Bathurst!) and a double clean sheet! At one stage the St George supporters even started a “Rani, Rani” chant. To go to Bathurst and come home with wins in First and Reserve grades is a very rare feat. Congratulations to all the girls. You deserved the wins. A special mention here for Dee, Shen and Fagan who, although unable to play because of injury, came on the trip and cheered their lungs out for their teammates. A message to Lauren G, get well soon, we missed ya!! The team also says thanks to Nat D (captain courageous) for organizing the trip and a BIG thanks to Graeme Browning for his efforts in picking up and returning the bus and for driving us around. Graeme , has the headache gone yet?