The Bellingen High School girls 15 years and under football team progressed to the quarter-finals of the Bill Turner Trophy competition after beating Trinity College in a close match 2-1.
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This is the furthest any football team from Bellingen High has gone in either the Bill Turner Trophy or Bill Turner Cup (for boys). To be in the top eight schools out of over 400 public and private schools is an amazing feat, and shows just how talented these girls are.
The girls started the game slowly with a few nerves needing settling. Trinity College was first to score after a mix-up in defence in the 12th minute saw the keeper, Gita Pastro, given no chance. The score 1-0. This was just the medicine needed, as from this point on, the girls took control. Within one minute, Sam Barker equalised after a great pass from Stella Robinson following tremendous lead-up work between Sam and Jess Marks in the midfield. The half time score remained at 1-1 but the Bellingen girls were controlling most of the play.
During the second half the battle continued, however, with superior ball control and passing it seemed only a matter of time and the Bellingen girls would score. Despite many good lead up plays, the girls repeatedly failed to get shots off when the opportunities arose. A very close call by Jess saw her put the ball just wide of the goal, however, she made up for the miss some minutes later making no mistake with a great ball from Amelia Brewin. The score 2-1. From this position the girls kept control of the ball so the final score did not change.
This puts the girls into a David vs Golliath situation having to take on Hunter Sports High School, a selective sports high school and the 2011 champions in their next game. The Bellingen girls are very talented and are really starting to work together as a team. This game will be hard and the girls will have to give 100% as they are capable of doing this, and, as we all know David did beat Golliath! The game will be played next Thursday the 16th August at 11.30am at Port Macquarie.
In the meantime check out the Bill Turner website at www.billturnersoccer.com.au and follow the progression of the Bellingen High girls including all results, press releases and some game footage from prime TV. The level these girls have reached is tremendous and the whole community should be so proud of them.
