Mid North Coast didn’t get the points, but they wouldn’t have lost any fans after going down 2-1 to Merewether in the Women’s Premier League on Sunday.
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The home side trailed 2-0 at the break after goals to United captain Lori Depczynski and Sarah Halvorsen, but managed to get one back through striker Bianca Mason.
It set up a grandstand finish and despite piling on the pressure in the final 10 minutes, Mid North Coast couldn’t find an equaliser.
Team manager Kathie Bestwick said Mason was the team’s leading scorer last year and was on track to repeat her performances this year.
“She takes her role seriously and it’s another confidence-booster for the girls in the midfield who know when they put a ball through to her she’ll make every effort to put it in the back of the net,” she said.
“Bianca has scored a goal in every game we’ve played so far this year.”
Bestwick said the new-look team continued to improve as the weeks went by.
“It’s a confidence-booster for them because they now know they can take it to the top teams,” she said.
“It’s a definite improvement on last year and it’s because of the hard work they’re putting in.”
Bestwick said the key to their consistent performances so far this season had been due to an improvement in their fitness.
“They were unlucky not to get an equaliser in the last five to 10 minutes and take something out of the game.”
Earlier in the day, the under 14’s registered a comprehensive 5-1 victory over Merewether.
Chelsea Hall opened the scoring with a long range shot on goal, expertly placing the ball in the top left hand corner early.
Mia Bales scored two goals and worked tirelessly, implementing her speed and reading the game wonderfully to capitalise on a great build up from the rest of her team.
In the second half Hall converted a penalty before Liberty Wares finished out the teams commanding win with a wonderful run on goal before she beat the ‘keeper.
Goals from Maddi Owen, Emma Shipperlee and two goals to Indi Simon saw Mid North Coast register a 4-0 win in the under 16 match.
The under-18s started with the bare 11 and had to put field player Melissa Martin in goals, but the team responded with a 2-1 win.
Abbi Watson gave the hosts a perfect start when she opened the scoring after two minutes.
As the game settled there were opportunities at both ends and Merewether were able to equalise in the 10th minute.
Abbi Watson then converted an opportunity at the 30 minute mark to take the home side into the lead.
The 2-1 half-time score remained that way until the final whistle.
