WA Over 35's - 2011 Match Reports

WA vs NSW - Friday, September 30, 2011

WA 35s got off to a great start for the tournament with a 4-1 win over NSW on Friday. 
They came out hard to set a cracking pace and shared the ball around with some fantastic short, sharp passing. 
After scoring in the first ten minutes with a short corner goal from striker Sinead French-Bluhm, a fast deflection by Donna Treloar, assisted by Katie Vipond and a scrambler that was eventually batted in by Stacey ‘sparkles’ Denning, WA led 3-0 at half time. 

New South came out more determined in term two and got one of their own back – but WA were steadfast, holding their structure and composure til the end, sealing the win with one more touch in to the back of the net by Treloar. 
An exciting game to start the campaign for the home team. 

Result: WA 4 - NSW 1 

WA vs SA - Saturday, October 1, 2011

With a hot 28 degrees at 1.15pm, both teams battled not only each other but the heat on turf two today. 
A slightly slower start from WA but another early short corner goal from French-Bluhm got things rolling. 
Unlike NSW, SA managed to keep up with the West Aussies, who were not nearly as dynamic as the day before. 
The interchange bench was running hot for both sides given the conditions. 
French-Bluhm put another goal in, from the field this time, before the welcome break. 

In the second half SA dribbled one over the line to make the WASI girls nervous and buckle down. 
WA missed a few more attempts, but eventually secured the result with a final goal from midfielder Tina Parker, to take a 3-1 win.  

Result: WA 3 - SA 1 

WA vs QLD - Sunday, October 2, 2011

A 2-2 Draw against QLD was a pleasing result for the WA 35s on Sunday, after coach Tony Miller put some tactical responsive play into place. 
Tagging the strongest players worked well for the team who lead 2-1 at half time. 
QLD goals came from some loose marking in defence, and not their usual flashy style goal scoring - a skill we can work on next time we meet - hopefully in the final. 

Goooooo WA. 

Result: WA 2 - QLD 2

WA vs VIC - Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Going into the finals undefeated tomorrow, the WA Over 35s have been working hard and holding it together for the final round robin matches, now going into the finals undefeated and sitting in second spot. 

Yesterday, on Kick a Vic day the girls started a little over eager and found the Victorians strong in defence and deceptively fast and skillful up forward. 
Playing their usual long, strong hitting game, the Vics hit their targets and forced the West to channel and play the ball out wide. 
The result ended in a 2-1 win after great efforts from Stacey Denning and Nyree Brown, who secured the win with a stroke against the supreme keeping skills of Aussie goalie Sally Evans. 

Result: WA 2 - VIC 1 

WA vs ACT - Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Today's game at 8.15am proved to be a little too early for the team who started off very sleepily and were a goal down after the first 10 minutes against ACT. 
Evening up the score before half time with a beautiful short corner direct hit from star striker Sinead French-Bluhm, the girls were rattled and deliberately changed the pace of the second half. 
Slowing things down and practising patient hockey was the key to the eventual 5-1 win. 
Goals came from working the ball around and some great overlapping from the midfielder/halfbacks. 
WA expects the meet ACT again tomorrow in the Semi Final. 

Result: WA 5 - ACT 1

Semi-Final WA vs ACT - Thursday, October 6, 2011

The WA Over 35s have made it to the Grand Final, gold medal match on Saturday with a 3-0 win over ACT. 

The girls were focused on playing a patient game of hockey with the firm belief that there was no mad rush to get the goals into the back of the net. 
Having beaten the ACT the day before, the girls knew that this time it would need to be a different game. Nothing fast and flashy was required, instead a controlled, consistent, confident overall performance, ensured the win. 

In an unexpected turn of events the team now faces NSW in the Final on Saturday at 3.15pm. 
NSW beat QLD 1-0 to get themselves from fourth position to the show down with WA. 
This is the first time any WA O35s team has made the grand final playoff. 

Result: WA 3 - ACT 0 

Grand Final WA vs NSW - Saturday, October 8, 2011

The Gold Medal was not to be – WA Over 35s lost their showdown with NSW on Saturday in the last match of the 2011 Perth Masters Championships. 

With a tough game that was played mostly in the middle 50 yards of the pitch with few opportunities at either end, it was tight and came to nil all at half and full time. 

In the first 5 mins of the 7 and a half minutes of golden goal, a single lapse in concentration from the WA girls deep in the corner pocket resulted in a desperate goal to NSW and the win. 

All credit should be given to NSW who worked their way into the final from 4th position to take Gold. They knew what a GF final loss felt like after losing to QLD last year in Canberra and their motivation was clear. 

The WA girls are still holding their heads high, as the undefeated team of the round robin and the first WA 35s to make it to the final for some years. Great tournament overall girls and let’s get ‘em in Melbourne. 

Result: WA 0 - NSW 1