Despite going down 2-0 to competition hotshots Wakehurst, Brookvale women’s Premier League coach Michael Cimino was bullish about the prospects of his relatively inexperienced side.
“We played a really good game,” Cimino said. “We kept the ball on the ground and controlled it pretty well. They’re a pretty good side, Wakehurst, and it was pretty even for the most part. They like to play the long ball, we like to play through the middle.”
Brookvale conceded the first goal from a corner and the second from a penalty with 10 minutes to go, which Cimino said “meant they couldn’t score past us in general play”.
“We had a brand new backline and four players under 18, three of whom were on the field the majority of the match. It was a tough battle against a very good side. Their defence was outstanding, their centre-back was brilliant, she stopped everything. We also missed a couple of chances, one into an open goal.”
Best for Brookvale were centre-midfielder Kristina Reisinger who “ran all day”, according to Cimino, and new sweeper and captain Michelle Sym.
“We have to work on gelling as a team. We have a young side and we did pretty well against a team that hasn’t lost all season. In a rebuilding year it was a pretty good result.”
In other games Manly Vale beat Pittwater RSL 4-1, Beacon Hill beat Mosman 2-1 and BTH Raiders had the bye.
By Matt Cleary
