The Palerang United women had a massive week of football with a midweek game for both Div 3 and Div 4 on Wednesday and Thursday nights and then the second home game for the season on Sunday.
Div 4 took on Queanbeyan City under lights in Nicholls on Wednesday in an entertaining derby. Queanbeyan knocked the ball around well but Emily Malone was determined to keep a clean sheet in goals for Palerang united. Niki Sharp and Neridah McMinn were strong in midfield and Tamika Murphy and Jaye Coble were excellent in defence all game. Lucy McKeown and Callie Bolitho were energetic in midfield and Hayley Quill managed to score for Palerang United just before halftime to give Palerang United the lead into the break. Queanbeyan City hit back hard in the second half with relentless attack but Emily Malone was outstanding in goals for Palerang united and thwarted every attacking raid. A thoroughly deserved and hard fought win 1-0 to our Palerang ladies.
Thursday Night saw Div 3 take on Belnorth at Nicholls and Palerang United raced out to a comfortable lead when Tamika Murphy slotted the ball into the back of the net from an uncleared corner kick. Palerang United controlled possession well and just before halftime Emily Malone scored to extend their lead. Belnorth regrouped well and were more competitive in the second half and about 25 minutes in managed to score to keep the game interesting. The final 15 minutes was intense with both teams playing some excellent attacking football but with no luck mainly due to the goal keeping from both keepers. The final score was a 2-1 win for Palerang United.
Palerang United headed home for the second time this season to take on Gungahlin on Sunday and a fast paced game was played out with a big crowd watching on. Palerang United defended well in the first 20 minutes and laid the platform for some excellent football. Emily Malone opened the scoring and within 2 minutes had doubled the lead with another goal but Gungahlin hit back and scored from a corner kick to come back into the game. Just before halftime Matilda Corby put another delectable pass through the Gungahlin defence and Emily Malone race on to the ball to score a first half Hat-trick. Halftime came and went with Palerang United feeling confident to finish the game off and an arm wrestle ensued. Gungahlin united were keen to get back into the game and put some pressure on the Palerang united goal but Georgia Garcia and Jaye Coble were solid in the backline with Lauren Turner and Laura King frustrating the Gungahlin attack. The game ended 3-1 to Palerang United and puts the ladies in a great position on the ladder in the top four and with only 2 rounds to go this team is looking at finals football! Next week Palerang United take on Belsouth at Dickson. Good luck ladies!
Div 4 took on Gungahlin United as well and an entertaining game was played out with some heavy clashes and a couple of blood bins. Gungahlin managed to score first from a defensive error and held the lead for the majority of the first half. Kaylah Jullienne managed to level the scores late in the first half with some excellent communication and passing from the Palerang United midfield. Half time saw the Palerang United team feeling confident that they could get ahead of their opponents but Gungahlin managed to hit the lead after the break with another goal. Palerang United ramped up the pace of the game in the final 15 minutes and soon levelled the scores with Callie Bolitho poking in a cross from Jaye Coble to score her first ever goal. Palerang United were relentless in attack and in the final minute of the game a beautiful ball played from Matilda Corby to Emily Malone saw Palerang United score the winning goal. Final score 3-2 and the Palerang United ladies were extremely proud of their efforts to come back twice and then steal the victory at the death. Next week the ladies take on UC Pumas at Dickson. Good luck Ladies!
Palerang United Men brave in defeat
Palerang United men travelled to ANU to take on ANU Orange and as the season winds down the men’s team has been depleted with illness and injury. Only 9 fit players were available to play and they gave an excellent account of themselves. ANU Orange played a good passing game and for the majority of the game Palerang United stuck to the game plan of hold their ground and positions to frustrate ANU and to get them shooting from distance. Unfortunately, they scored two cracking goals in the first 30 minutes and were awarded a soft penalty to give them a 3-0 lead at half time. Palerang United never gave up but the extra numbers on the field created the required space to score another 2 early goals in the second half. Palerang United then had a dominate 10 minutes midway through the second half and Karuna Bajracharya and Mitch Roberts both got good shots on goal to buoy their team’s spirits temporarily but ANU managed to score another goal to extend their lead. Palerang United were awarded a penalty and Andrew Crisp came up to take it and slammed the ball into the back of the net however the referee mad Andrew take it again due to Ricky McCurley having a foot inside the goalbox when the kick had been taken. So Andrew lined up the shot again but this time the shot hit the ANU keeper’s legs and skyed over the crossbar and the chance of a goal was lost. ANU managed to score once more before the game finished but everyone from the Palerang United team can hold their heads high with Troy Clark Keith Acheson Ian Raynor Leith Crawley playing well in defence and Mitch Roberts Ricky McCurley Karuna Bajracharya and Thomas Roberts running themselves to a standstill in midfield and Andrew Crisp strong in goals. Final Score was 7-0 but a great effort from the lads. Final round of football this coming Saturday in Braidwood against Monaro Panthers so fingers crossed we get a few healthy players back to finish the season with a win. Good luck fellas!
