Coming off a spirited draw the previous week, the Barossa United Under 15s headed to Ellis Park in downtown Adelaide, for their clash with Adelaide Comets. The pitch was a sward of perfect kikuyu, the sun was beaming and there was hardly a breath of breeze.
It was jumpers-off and gardening hats for the Barossa spectators on the city side, while on the far side, team manager Catherine was in a bright green polo shirt. She could’ve been managing the Irish team.
The sunshine was having an impact with our back four looking a little sleepy and rather static. But Isla Barlow was very much alive in the mid-field and, supported by Bridget Lindner and Amilie Amos, slotted into her role as distributor. Up forward, Faith Lambert was full of beans and it was clear she was going to trouble their defenders.
The Comets better players were in attack. They broke our line numerous times but their shots went wide, the ball often running down the hill behind the goal, under the fence and into the car park. It became obvious that Catherine’s main role was to retrieve them, and her vigorous sprinting down the sideline did not escape the eye of those lounging on picnic blankets in soporific torpor.
“There she goes again,” chuckled the 40-something mother of two from Krondorf. All that was missing was the Benny Hill music.
Emily Keil was creative on the right and also hit some beaut strikes. Tayla Bullock was advantaged by Sia’s bouncing clearances. Jemima Farley broke away a couple of times.
Eventually, Faith calmly beat the keeper for Barossa to lead 1-0.
Piper Nacey’s energetic hassling was holding up their powerful forwards as our defenders got going. Then, after a panicky scramble, we somehow conceded a goal to make it 1-1 at half-time.
Coach Rikki Lambert called for composure.
The reinforcements arrived when Daisy Barlow and Ari Edwards turned up after their Under 13 match. Having had just one sub for the first half, they were needed and both played important roles.
It was anyone’s game. Anna Harms chased hard and cleared well and Savannah Bullock’s game-sense meant she was always there to mop up. When we were awarded a free kick just outside the box, Emily’s powerful hit was too strong for their keeper. We led 2-1.
The Comets fought on and in the final minutes it was only desperate team defence in the box which held them out. Emily capped off an excellent game with an important clearance and Anna got her boot to the ball just as the ref was blowing the final whistle.
It was an impressive win.
But the day was also Catherine’s who, grease on her shirt, dust in her hair, was last seen derriere-up under a silver Pajero.
Adelaide Comets 1 Barossa United 2
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About John Harms
JTH is a writer, publisher, speaker, historian. He is founder and contributing editor of The Footy Almanac and footyalmanac.com.au. He has written columns and features for numerous publications. His books include Confessions of a Thirteenth Man, Memoirs of a Mug Punter, Loose Men Everywhere, Play On, The Pearl: Steve Renouf's Story and Life As I Know It (with Michelle Payne). He can be contacted [email protected] He is married to Susan. They have three school-age kids - Theo, Anna, Evie. He might not be the worst putter in the world but he's in the worst four. His ambition was to lunch for Australia but it clashed with his other ambition - to shoot his age.
impressive win, impressive report. great work, Barossa United ladies!
Wonderful. Has soccer got under your skin at last, John? Congratulations to the brilliant keeper and driver of the team. Matildas here we come.
Our granddaughter is the driving force of a team on the Gold Coast. She is capable and when available plays in the firsts, but prefers turning out with her mates in a level down. Grandson ‘plays’ with an all abilities team. Stands in goals with his legs apart to make it easier for the opposition to kick it between them, he says, so hasn’t quite got it yet.