WITH a squad depleted by injuries, the Nambucca Strikers women showed great determination but ultimately fell short, losing 3-2 to third-placed Woolgoolga last Saturday.

There was a glimmer of hope for coach Rhys Jones as talisman goalkeeper Rhiannon Cooke Jones made her return to the team after six weeks injured on the sidelines.

Coach Jones provided some insights into the first half of the match, emphasising the challenge of facing a well-drilled and fast-paced Woolgoolga team, which had previously defeated the Strikers in round four.

“The home team are a well-drilled, fast-paced team that moves the ball around and with a round 4 win against the strikers, the team from Nambucca were under no illusion of what was required.

“Electing to go with a fairly strong wind in the first half, the visitors quickly learned that the day’s task was difficult.

Swift ball movement and a dominating midfield soon found Nambucca on the back foot with Woolgoolga opening the scoring from a corner that Nambucca failed to clear.

“The second goal soon followed, swift ball movement from Woopi found a player running into space who from 20 metres hit what seemed to be a certain goal in the top left-hand corner, when goalkeeper Cooke Jones miraculously somehow pushed the ball onto the crossbar only to see the ball fall into the path of a Woopi forward to slot home 2-0,” Jones said.

Coach Jones’ observations were put into action at the halftime team talk.

“Lack of running, moving into space and communication were the Striker’s halftime concerns,” he said.

“The team needed to be positive on the ball and drive forward.

“Straight from the kick-off, free-running fullback Virginia Arkell found space and drove hard for the penalty area, with the Woopi defence in two minds the galloping full-back found Wulaaren Walker in space who slotted the ball home, 2-1.

“This goal seemed to lift the strikers who started to cause problems in the midfield, together with some critical saves from Cooke Jones the team were slowly getting on top.

“A quick switch of play from the goalkeeper found right back Taylor Whalley free in space with a sweeping ball found striker Jayde Melville who turned and found Lily Woodward free just outside the box,” he said.

“Turning quickly she laid a perfect 30-metre pass into the path of Strikers forward Walker who, after beating her marker got to the byline to cross to Jayde Melville who continued her run to head home a beautiful second goal, 2-2 game on.

“Woopi pushed harder and with 10 minutes left after a series of corners, Woopi got their winner with a shot through a crowded penalty area and won the match 3-2,” Jones said.

After 11 rounds leading Women’s Division Two, the Strikers relinquished their top spot on the ladder to the Orara Valley Dingoes, who defeated Coffs Coast Tigers 6-0.

Coach Jones praised Nambucca’s resilience, considering they have not fielded a full-strength squad since round two because of injuries.

“It’s a credit to this team that they stayed on top for so long, we have not fielded a full-strength team since round two, our injuries have, and are, hurting us.

“However, we fight on and get results against teams that really should put us to the sword, they continually fight above their weight.

“I am happy that at last we have our keeper back whose quality again showed today, no keeper up here comes close to her,” said Jones.

“We will regroup and fight another day.

“A great group of girls, the club and the valley should be proud of them,” Jones said.

Looking ahead, on Saturday 29 July, the Strikers will travel north to face the Coffs United Lionesses at McLean Street, with a 1pm kick-off.

By David WIGLEY