MWFA

Manly Vale, according to Mosman women’s Premier League coach, Josh Ayscough, is one of the top sides in the league. Physical, attacking, direct, they have myriad methods to score and fit, aggressive midfield and defence.

But Ayscough still thinks Mosman will win this weekend’s MWFA match-of-the-round. Because, among other reasons, a desire for revenge.

“Manly Vale is one of the top sides in the league,” Ayscough said ahead of Sunday’s round 10 fixture at Allan Border Oval. “They are physical and very dangerous in wide areas either driving in at goal or crossing.

“I think we’ll win by winning the midfield battle. We didn’t have our combinations setup last time we played. But the girls have really clicked recently and are very capable having shots on goal.

“We’re expecting a very hard match and we’re hoping to get some revenge for the [2-0] round one loss.”
While Mosman welcomes back midfielders Phoebe Pincus and Lauren Stein, Ayscough admitted that Sarah Carr is a big out for his team. “She has been great in the midfield, very creative and helps us press in defence, we will miss her energy and flare.

“On the plus side Phoebe and Lauren are back and will bring a great work-rate to the team and quality of play to set up our forwards. They’ll really help us when it gets into those critical final stages.

“And our defenders have been training really well. It comes from being challenged by strikers growing in confidence. Centre-backs Clodagh Hill and Cait le Bas have been really strong in the training pitch,” Ayscough said.
After an ordinary start to the year Mosman appears to have hit their stride, winning their last three and sitting in fifth position – four points behind Manly Vale. Ayscough said his team has “training to be more in control whether that’s with the ball or without”.

“We want to organise quicker to give ourselves more options and hopefully create more opportunities. We’ve let ourselves down by not controlling the game or tempo. And if we can get over that hurdle I think we’re in for a good second half of the year,” Ayscough said.

In other games BTH Raiders take on Wakehurst, Seaforth host Brookvale and high-flying Manly Allambie do battle with Pittwater RSL at Millers Reserve. Beacon Hill shall enjoy the bye.

Mosman women’s Premier League coach Josh Ayscough has paid tribute to his team’s “enormous heart and determination” after their 3-0 win over Pittwater RSL at Melwood Oval on Sunday.

“Due to injuries, illness and players away we only had thirteen players available,” Ayscough said. “it meant that everyone in the squad played reserves and first grade. It was a huge effort.”

Mosman opened the scoring in the 39th minute after a mad scramble and several ricochets in the middle of the box Isobel Pritchard finally poked the ball home.

Arabella Baker grabbed Mosman’s 2nd in the 60th minute with a belter from the top of the 18-yard box. On her non-dominant left foot the ball shot straight into the top corner. Baker had a 2nd in the 82nd minute when she got in behind the defence and tucked the ball home under the keeper.

Ayscough said Baker was “everywhere up front”.

“She showed great composure in front of goal to score those two. We created a lot of good chances in the first half and were a little unlucky not to have scored more.

“We need to work on maintaining possession and practice more patience with the ball. There were times when we forced a pass or got caught on the ball which put us under unnecessary pressure. If we can instead switch the play or recycle the ball I think we can be more dominant over the 90 minutes,” Aysough said.

Ayscough said goal-keeper Claudia Vogel was outstanding.

“She was brave throughout coming out to strikers’ feet and made some crucial saves. She throughly deserved a clean sheet.

“And Melissa Melrose at right-back worked tirelessly throughout the game in attack and defence as well as really driving the team particularly as we tired,” Ayscough said.

Like Mosman, Pittwater RSL also had several players backing up.

“They are such a hard-working team and had a number of good chances throughout the game. They’ll definitely cause some upsets in the 2nd half of the season,” Ayscough said.

In the other game on Sunday Manly Allambie and Wakehurst contested a 0-0 draw at Millers Reserve.

Manly Allambie United is flying high at the top of the MWFA women’s Premier League ladder with six wins from 7 games and a goal difference to die for.

Kyle Cannon’s team have scored 29 goals and conceded just four, and is comfortably the testing material of the competition.
This week, however, something of a challenge: Wakehurst FC, who sit third on the ladder and have lost just one game all year – last weekend to Mosman.
Coach Cannon knows his team faces a serious threat at Millers Reserve on Sunday.
“It’s the first time we’ve played them this year so I don’t know a lot about them. I know they’ve got a new coach [Greg Chipman] and just going on results they seem to be gong quite well,” Cannon said.
While United appears to be cruising at the top of the ladder, it’s more like a duck doing all its work under water, according to Cannon.
“We’re working hard on the important things: effort areas, structure, team morale. We’re just working on getting things right. You don’t want to peak too early. Long way to go in the season,” Cannon said.
Asked to single out in-form players-to-watch, Cannon demurred – and then named one anyway.
“It’s really been a great team effort all year. We’ve been stressing the ‘team’ focus, that it’s about everyone working together for the good of the team.
“But Sana Cook has been a standout for us. She’s been a very important player for us linking in midfield,” Cannon said.
In the weekend’s other game Mosman hosts Pittwater RSL at Allan Border Oval while Brookvale has the bye. On Wednesday night Beacon Hill takes on BTH Raiders and Seaforth plays Manly Vale.

By Matt Cleary