08/03/09. EKO WHITECAPS 3 - LTD JAGUARS 3

EKO WHITECAPS 3 - LTD JAGUARS 3. 08/03/09 - Terrible weather, brilliant performance!

The 1st half started off with the Jaguars kicking against a strong 'gale-force' wind which proved to be the Whitecaps 'extra' player. Despite dominating the 1st half the Jagaurs found themselves 3 goals down by half time, with a clutch of fluke' goals sailing over the defence's heads carried on the fierce gusts. One Whitecaps 'shot' carried so far, that even the seagulls had to duck!

Even so the spirit and determination never wavered from the Jagaurs, and they kept forcing the majority of the play into the opponents half with stinging runs from Danielle, Paige, Kerry and Jade. Near misses kept the supporters jumping up and down (and thankfully warm).

In the second half the wind decided to drop to a small breeze, so the advantage the Whitcaps had in the 1st half was lost to the Jags. But they didn't let that effect the way they approached the rest of the game.

Brilliant defence play from Sarah, Lauren B, Channan and Alli kept the opponents frustrated in the rare occasions when they threatened. Coupled with Adi's penetrating goal kicks, the midfield dominated the opposition, great holding play and pin-point passing from Courtney, Ellis and Lauren A constantly opened up a new Jaguars attack, eventually resulting in Danielle thumping an unstoppable shot into the back of the net. 3-1.

Then the heavens open-up. Rain and hail stones forced the supporters to huddle up in the dodgy, leaky dug-out, but the Jaguars kept ploughing on with gritty determination.

Kerry then took a free-kick just outside the Whitecaps penalty area. Thwack! 3-2! (I've just heard, David Beckham has asked for video copies so he can study how it was done!).

The pressure from the Jagaurs was relentless. Kelly stormed down the wings causing no end of problems, Kerry was running like a terrier and Jaz kept popping up in the box keeping the defence sweating - Jaz was eventually rewarded with a clinical, well taken goal. 3-3.

Poor Adi spent long periods of the match freezing through lack of action in the Jaguars goalmouth, yet still manged to keep her concentration when needed - someone bring her a hot-water bottle next game.

The game ended with the Jagaurs keeping up the pressure and looking like the 4th goal was never going to be far away.

Despite the initial 3 goal deficeit the Jaguars never gave up. The team spirit and determination was clearly evident during the whole game, and some great looking and entertaining football was dished out for the supporters to keep them warm through the 90 minutes. Skill levels and confidence is coming on leaps and bounds. If not for the weather, this was going to be another Jagaurs win. Well done girls, tremendous football coupled with a gutsy attitude. Not one weak performance throughout the whole squad.