Barossa United Under 13 Girls v Modbury Sep 11 2022

Sharni Undo, Ajay Taylor. Coach Mark Nacey, Miranda Joseph, Piper Nacey, Jemima Farley, Coach Toby Barlow, Amelie Amos, Isla Barlow, Tayla Bullock, Bridget Lindner, Anna Harms, Elena Wood, Lucy Amos, Ari Edwards, Daisy Barlow, Manager Catherine Nacey.
The mighty Barossa Under 13s trudged up the Modbury mountain and, at the top of their climb, found the most beautiful soccer ground north of Gepps Cross: Modbury’s expansive synthetic grass pitch. Their entourage was enormous, including an official photographer ready to capture the denouement of a wonderful season.
Modbury Jets are a top-two and we knew we’d be in for a tough game. Although known throughout the competition as the team that put the entertainment back into the nil-all draw, we knew we’d have to be at our best to get our 0-0 tally to five.
Coach Toby Barlow stacked the mid-field and had Tayla Bullock playing one-out up front and we gave her some good early opportunities. Ari Edwards pushed forward too and got a shot away only to be denied. Isla Barlow was getting plenty of the ball in the true centre-half position. Ajay also got clear (throughout the whole game) and Miranda Joseph played with her customary effervescence.
The back three – Elena Wood, Piper Nacey and Anna Harms – came under a lot of pressure from a side of mobile, strong girls who could break away. Bridget Lindner made a brilliant save with her legs when all seemed lost. Amelie Amos and Sharni Undo also helped in the last line of defence. But eventually the Jets scored a couple.
We had some more chances with Tayla’s pace a factor. Jemima Farley also got broke free a few times. Then, Isla got a powerful throw into space for Tayla to run on to, and she beat the keeper with one of her best shots of the season. 2-1.
At half-time Coach Toby implored the girls to believe they could win. He binned the defensive strategy, re-arranging the magnets on the white board with one thing in mind: attack. Lucy Amos became an option up forward working with Sharni up that left side. Isla’s free kick was saved by their keeper and Miranda also got into scoring positions but her teammates just couldn’t get the crosses to her. Daisy Barlow, who took the gloves after half time, was brave making a couple of gutsy saves.
After a bit of argy-bargy, Bridget Lindner copped a whack from her opponent and the ref brought out the yellow card which got a few OOOOOHs from the Punch-and-Judy crowd.
We stayed strong. However, the Jets showed what they could do when a lofted cross was volleyed powerfully into the back of the net.
We’ll come back next year, ready to do that.
We’ll all remember this 2022 season; a season of endeavour and improvement, of teamwork and friendship; and of sheer good will.
Final Score: Modbury Jets 5, Barossa United 1.

Concentration and determination from Ajay Taylor.

Daisy Barlow is first to the ball.

About John Harms
JTH is a writer, publisher, speaker, historian. He is publisher 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 appears (appeared?) on ABCTV's Offsiders. He can be contacted [email protected] He is married to The Handicapper and has 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.

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