Coastal Spirit FC
Christchurch, New Zealand

Wednesday report

Firstly, last night - Del, Gareth and Steve went to the leaders' dinner, leaving us to babysit. We asked the other parents of the boys to come over to check out the camp and help us. We did a quiz night for all the kids to keep them together. The kids protested but underneath it was a good night...we took control of one of the kids' water pistols to assist us!!

A sunny, cool morning turning into a warm afternoon today.

Mel back in captain seat, job sharing.

Sarah's turn in goal for all of both games today, both local Canberra teams.

1st game won 12:0 - goals to Mel 3, Teagan 3, Mollie, Ash, Hayley 2, Serena, Chloe J.

Second game against a 2nd div team 19:0 - goals to Teagan 5, Jemma 1, Hayley 4, Ash 3, Webby 2, Laura 2, Serena 1, and an own goal!

1st game Lily, Ash Isla & Teagan started on the bench. It took 30 minutes of bombardment to the keeper who played well, before we scored - half-time was 4:0. 5 minutes into the 2nd half, bench change Chloe x 2 off & Laura, then Ash Teagan, Isla on. It took another 20 minutes to start the goals rolling again. A penalty was awarded in front of the box so for fun the girls got goalie to goalie and Sarah had a go, but it was a bit big and went over the top of the net. Girls all working as a good team and enjoying the football.

2nd game report - The opposition were all good sports and the coach was yelling from the sideline, just grab a player and try to stick with them, the goalie was laughing she had so much work and the opposition's aim was to get the ball to the halfway line...and they rarely achieved it. Dell did lots of interchanging with the girls, giving everyone a rest and a run. The own goal was hilarious, just a scramble from many of the opposition.

We don't know the boys' score as they played at the same time but they are expecting a win and may be in the finals hunt also [7-1 win - ed]. We saw the Taiwanese team play today, it will be an even match - are fairly sure it will be us and them in the girls final.

All the kids have gone shopping now, they have been keen to spend their money! Then it is the disco tonight which they are eager to attend.

No problems with anything.

Roving reporters signing off

Tuesday report

Both teams had the movie night last night, so got to bed a bit late - but good to say the games didn't suffer: 1:0 win. Today's park was 3/4 hour from the camp and roadworks held the bus up. Against a Sydney team so a bit more competitive than the local team yesterday. Change of captain from Mel to Chloe J for today's game.

Jemma, Sam, Serena and Sarah started on the bench.

Teagan scored into the top corner of the net 10 minutes into the game. Hayley got a yellow card for an agressive tackle, we feel it was a bit of ref. adjustment as it was straight after an agressive Ashleigh tackle that took a Raven down with an immediate bruised leg that wasn't called as foul! Lily got a bit of work but ball mainly played in our half.

Half time the Ravens came out fired up and they tried to give as good as they got. Dell started to make some changes - 5 minutes into the 2nd half Ashleigh & Kathryn off, Serena & Sam on. 20 minutes into 2nd half Mel off Jemma on, 5 minutes to go - Ash back on, Mollie off, 3 minutes to go Isla off, Kathryn on. Sarah didn't play today's game.

Great intense game.

As for the roving reporters: been sightseeing and shopping, done just over 500km and had to fill up...petrol at $1.25 litre over here. Cold and showery weather, but the kids games have been dry times.

Boys won 4:2, another good battle and good game to watch.

Bye for now Denise/Karen

Monday report

Everyone had a great trip over, except for customs drenching most of the players boots! Denise & I set up our cabin as a boot drying room, cranked the heat pump up and put pegs on our noses to sleep. The drive to Canberra from Sydney was pretty much a straight road so no hitches and the accomodation is satisfactory for everyone, Adele is doing a great job with the girls, all are happy and she knows how to balance it by putting her foot down when necessary.

Opening ceremony looked really cool, so colourful, the banner is awesome, and hit the spot beautifully. Denise had knitted 16 black beanies for the girls and they also are being worn proudly, even Adele loves hers.

Both teams have one bus for transport so they are watching each other play, no problems it is easy to get around.

Boys won first game 4:1 then lost the second 4:1

The dozen adults of the boys team also came to watch the girls, as we did the boys and we have a good community feeling.

Girls carved up 10:0, goals to Chloe W, Chloe J (she tells us that boosts her bank account!), Laura, Ashleigh 2, Mel, Mollie 4! First half score 4:0, Dell had words to the team for playing as individuals and heaps of goals missed the box, but second half complete domination. Lily was goalie first half and touched the ball twice, Sarah took control of the goals 2nd half and only had to touch the ball once! The opposition played liked 'girls', just long kicks in their own direction when they got the chance but it always found one of our girls who played with their usual gutsy style. Good game to watch, the girls loved the experience.

We will try and report each day as long as we stay on the water or not the ..........

Signing off

Roving reporters for the Kanga Cup - Denise & Karen

CSFC 2 Auckland Magpies 1, Friday 03 July 2009, 7pm, Eric Adam Park

The Auckland Magpies toured New Zealand tour as their Australia tour had to be cancelled. The reason for this cancellation was that Magpies' coach Debbie Lamb (ex New Zealand player), is a very sick lady (lung cancer) and cannot travel outside of New Zealand.

Debbie travelled with the squad to Christchurch, and it was a great opportunity to not only see some great girl's football but also for local players to meet up with Deb again. Debbie Lamb (nee Debbie Kok/Pullen) first played for New Zealand in 1979 and continued to play at this level through the early 1980s and 90s (40 caps). She is a class striker and superb technician on the ball/natural leftie.

The Magpies are a mix of age grade United 1 Rep players and the Coastal side (the Kanga Cup squad) are a similar mix of age-grade Mainland/Federation players.

Chloe Jones provides the match report:

Christchurch turned on a typical winter night to welcome the Auckland Magpies. Although the wet weather earlier in the week meant that the ground conditions were wet and slippery, there was an enthusiastic, supportive crowd gathered ready to watch both teams battle it out.

At kick off, we were fired up and ready to put the Magpies in their place and put on a good show for the spectators. Right from the whistle we were straight on the attack with a ball through the middle to Ashleigh Ward resulting in a shot on goal and an attacking corner. This set the tone for the rest of the half with the Magpies being on the back foot and never threatening our goal, in fact Lily Alfield (keeper) never touched the ball in the first half. The girls really worked hard on playing our style of game which resulted in us keeping possession and controlling the game. After we dominated the first 15 minutes we were rewarded when a quick one-two was played, putting Ashleigh through behind their defence and a calm finish from her put us 1-0 up.

We continued to dominate the rest of the first half but weren't able to add to the earlier goal despite some good opportunities with the score remaining 1-0 at half time. We were all thoroughly enjoying the game and there were a lot of smiles on faces in the sheds at half time.

We came out after half time ready to finish off the game, the Magpies also came out pumped and fired up so we knew we were in for a big fight back from them. It was a much more even game after the break but after the first 15 minutes we came out on top with Laura Merrin putting the ball over their keeper and into the top right hand corner of the goal. We were now 2-0 up but they definitely weren't going down without a fight. Our team was put under a fair bit of pressure in defence. At that point we needed to get the ball back on the ground and calm the game down again. Some strong and determined tackles from Coastal's centre mids relieved a fair bit of pressure in the middle of the park.

The game got close towards the end and the Auckland girls really wanted to take something away from this game. They continued to fight hard with the Magpies stringing some good passes together to create an opportunity for their centre mid to get on the ball. As she ran through on goal, Sarah Terris (keeper) slipped and fell in the slippery goal mouth and with our defence beaten she chipped it over Sarah to make the final score 2-1.

It was a great game with both teams playing some great football and fighting for every ball. The first half was definitely our better half but overall it was a good performance and a good win for our girls over a previously unbeaten team. A special thanks to Debbie and the Auckland Magpies for coming down to Christchurch and making the game a great contest. We wish you all the best.

Our team will now focus on the upcoming Kanga Cup tournament in Australia which we are leaving for on Sunday.

The team: Lily Alfield, Tegan MacDonald, Chloe Jones, Samantha Williams, Isla Smith, Jemma Dockerty, Chloe Webster, Serena Patel, Ashleigh Ward, Laura Merrin, Mollie Cairns. Subs: Sarah Terris, Sorren Henderson, Christy Barker.