If ever there were a team who deserved or even simply wanted to win a game, just one game, more than anyone else, it would have to be the Canowindra Redbacks. Every week you have undoubtedly read (or else you have been seriously missing out on some quality writing) about the serious losses the ladies have endured. Despite these defeats their motivation and spirit has remained. Every Sunday morning I wake up (I really do need to stop telling you all about my sleeping habits!) and tell my sister ‘We’re going to win today’, to which she replies, ‘Yeah right!’, but still the inspiration and enthusiasm prevails.
To our credit we arrived at Canowindra’s sacred home ground, our ‘holy grail’ if you will, sporting almost our entire team. The smell of fresh paint wafted through the air with the assistance of the fresh winter breeze, all thanks to the dedicated grandfather Mr Berry. The lines had never been so straight, nor as easy to see. This was going to be a good game, you could just tell!
With virtually a whole team and straight, visible lines you could be mistaken for thinking things could not get any brighter. Until…from over the horizon a figure could be seen looming nearer and nearer with every step. Murmurs of ‘It couldn’t be…could it?’ were heard from the straining spectators on the sideline. The girls were stunned as our long lost coach Geordie, nursing broken bones, leisurely made his way to the field. He was quickly surrounded by the team who were desperate to know whether the rumours of him wrestling the Lock Ness Monster and meeting Shrek were held an truth. To our disappointment the rumours could be backed with no substantial evidence on Geordies behalf, and so with that the focus returned to soccer and the real and very imagined chance of victory.
So I’ve done it again, half an article and no real soccer news reported. I’ll get on with it shall I?
The wind picked up as the Redbacks made their way to the centre of the field. The Churches girls ran onto the ground confidently having beaten the Canowindra ladies 7-0 last time they met. Little did they know the Redbacks had grown into a much stronger outfit, sporting a team who had experience and more importantly self-belief.
The first half felt like uncharted waters for the Redbacks as they were actually playing soccer! The balls were passed along the ground, there was assurance and believe it or not there was talk, positive talk at that. As the game developed so did the Redbacks confidence. The passes were accurate and firm, the tackling was tough and committed and there were some real scoring opportunities made. Barry Burn could have been working out all year and still his legs could not distract the Redbacks, they were here to play soccer and that is exactly what they were doing! The sparse scoring opportunities the Redbacks had experienced in previous games were obvious after several attempts at goal were left unconverted. With half-time looming Caitlin Walker had one real chance to put the Redbacks in front. She kicked the ball, soaring it through the air, up, up and well up, only just missing the goal by a couple of…ten metres. Not to worry there would be many more chances like this if they kept playing the way they were.
The half-time break felt abnormal to the girls. Usually the Redbacks talked about ways of improving their game, but today they discussed ways of maintaining their dominance over the Churches girls. Perhaps the most uncanny realisation made by the Redbacks was that unlike every other game this season, they did not have to pretend the score was nil all, because …it actually was.
For a moment the second half felt like previous games with the balls being pounded uncontrollably from team to team like an ugly and oversized game of ping pong. But only for a moment, as the Redbacks were speedily guided back on task with the assistance of their loyal and boisterous supporters. The Redbacks could feel the crowd numbers growing as the rumble from the sideline became deafening. When the opportunity arose, the girls quickly made a glimpse towards the mass of sideline groupies, only to be shocked to find that the support crew had not grown at all. So where had all the noise come from? You only had to ask the hearing impaired male support to know that the encouraging bellows had come from the devoted and fanatical ‘Mum’s Group’ comprising of Cindy Walker, Maureen Lawrence, Joan Wilson, Merrilyn Scott and Vicky Bowman.
With the erratic yet compassionate noise clarified the Redbacks could get on with the game. The defence held strong with the skill of Robyn Scott and her unruly slide tackling ability, Jo Wilson and her solid kick, Kristy White’s speed and determination when tackling and the return of Amy Watson. Churches never looked like scoring as Amy Bowman, Erryn Traves and Jess Neals all showed their commitment in the mouth of the ferocious goal, with Erryn at one stage putting all she could into her kick, resulting in a dirty backside and a sore tailbone, I’ll let you fill in the rest. The ball continued to move sweetly through the field, with each playing taking responsibility of their role. Nicole Stevenson demonstrated a mature approach to the game, while Renae Lawrence, Tara Grant and Julia Carmen were fast and steady in the midfield. Belinda Burn and Bronwyn Lay ran up and down the sidelines assisting the ball to the front of the field, whilst the young Teiya Thornberry, fresh back from injury returned with a flurry of great moves. Kim Scott and Caitlin Walker worked together to get the ball into the back of the net time after time, the goal had to come!
The opportunities continued to arise and although the Redbacks were desperate to score a goal it unfortunately never came and to their credit neither did Churches, with a final score of nil all. Although the Redbacks were impressed with their efforts, finally putting their first genuine points on the competition scoreboard, it was obvious that they were disappointed that victory had not been claimed. It is hoped that this game represents a turning point in the Redbacks season, as they finally show that they are more than capable of matching it with the rest of the competitions teams.
Points were given out left, right and centre, demonstrating just how well the Redbacks played. Amy Watson received one point from the referee, he always did like a good fullback, Player’s Player was awarded to Caitlin Walker for her dedication to scoring a goal, moving the ball up the field numerous times. 2 points were awarded to Jo Wilson, with 1.5 points being awarded to Robyn and Kim Scott and 1 point going to Renae Lawrence. Our parents are not biased at all!
Once again we would like to thank all of our support crew and sponsors who make losing and now drawing games so much easier! We look forward to your attendance at next weekend’s match in Bathurst against Macquarie United at 3pm.
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