Season finale for Belles

The final game of the season with the Belles needing a win to finish a very respectable 4th place. The Belles were without the injured Evie and Lols, with Caitlin and Ava S also being away. However we still had a squad of 16 players, as vice captain Monica took the armband in Caitlin's absence.

The Belles started on the front foot which saw them take an early lead. The pacey Oliwia drove out wide with the ball and sent a cross into Elcie, who stroked the ball into the corner.

The early goal saw the opposition push forward for an equaliser as they saw a header hit the cross bar. The Belles defence was standing firm as Lola C, out-muscled the winger and on the opposite side Zoe made a crucial tackle.

The Belles started to push forward again as Monica and Oliwia linked up to create an opportunity for Elcie, who prodded the ball home for her second of the game.

The pace of the game continued to impress with the Belles getting a third. The creative Oliwia played a sublime through ball to Eliza who ran through to score.

Some of the Belles play was excellent and a fourth goal followed. Iris made a forward run to meet the ball, she sent a perfect cross for Eliza to finish. A really well worked team goal as the Belles went from one end to the other in 4 passes.

The opposition continued to be a threat, but the exceptional Darcy was a commanding presence in defence. As the first half was drawing to a close, the opposition managed to get a goal back.

The message at halftime was simple, there were more goals in it with the Belles being asked to produce the same intensity from the first half.

A ball on the left by Lois saw Amie go past the defender but her shot whistled just wide. An opposition corner saw Esme claw the ball away but the rebound was bundled home. Despite this the Belles remained calm and continued to create chances. Oliwia saw a long range shot saved then Starlah cut inside and fired a shot wide.

The Belles got another goal and it was in spectacular fashion. Scarlet skipped past a tackle and thundered a long range shot into the top corner!

The Belles defence was still tenacious, Ava L blocked a tackle then made a crucial interception. Darcy gathered the ball and drove nearly the full length of the pitch to win a corner.

Ava H had a shot saved by the goalkeeper and Lola C nearly nodded a corner in. The game was opening up with both teams throwing players forward to attack. Sydney took the ball on the right and played a cross into Eliza, who got to the ball first and scored. A brilliant hat trick for Eliza who has been in phenomenal form since returning from injury.

Elcie nearly completed her hat trick but the goalkeeper saved, then at the other end a speculative effort from distance saw Esme palm the ball wide. The game was coming to an end as the opposition grabbed a consolation. The full time whistle went and it was a brilliant end to the season for the Belles!

We broke the 100 goals scored mark, with 101 scored. We finished runners up in the county cup and despite a difficult couple of months before Christmas, a 4th place finish is a brilliant achievement. Since our county cup final the response of the players have been magnificent. We have played 7, won 6 and drawn 1, with a strong finish to the season.

When we reflect on the season it's been another success and the girls have been amazing to be around yet again!

Players of the Match - Oliwia & Darcy

Players of the match went to Oliwia and Darcy. Oliwia was such a creative spark but also unbelievably strong on the ball as the opposition struggled to handle her. In defence Darcy has been such a key figure and oozes class throughout. She was excellent yet again in this game.

Well done Belles this season and we are already looking forward to the new season!