PICTURE: Mikayla Haupt
Mikayla Haupt
There is no shortage of football being played around the region this weekend with Round 9 of the Football Queensland Wide Bay women’s premier league and Round 5 of the Kappa Women’s Super Cup taking place in Bundaberg.
In the premier league competition, both UPE and Across the Waves are looking to continue their winning streaks from last week and Bingera will be out to get another win under their belt.
Last week UPE won 1-0 against Doon Villa and the Waves turned the tide on KSS Jets winning 3-1.
For UPE captain Emily Ryan, the match against Doon Villa was their third away game this season and was “by far the best we’ve played in a while”.
While missing a few of their regular FQPL players, Ryan said those who came up to play fit right in and gave it their all.
“Doon Villa were quite strong and had come from having a few wins so they were definitely in it to win,” she said.
“But I think both teams have grown stronger since we last versed each other so we knew it was always going to be a harder game.”
A highlight for Ryan, like their previous game, was that it was a fun game to play with every player bringing plenty of energy.
“Our midfield was super strong and we worked really well together especially with transitioning from defensive to attack and vice versa – we also made some great plays with our wingers and strikers,” she said.
“We had a lot of shots on goal that unfortunately just didn’t make it, but the set up for those shots came from some really great teamwork…
“Our keeper Sharon made some amazing saves and really put her body on the line as well.”
On Saturday, they will take on Tinana at Martens Oval at 3pm and Ryan said the focus would be to take control of the game and keep their momentum going from the previous games.
“Our last game against Tinana was the worst we’ve played this season because we just didn’t have that hunger to win,” she said.
“That game was a big learning curve for us and we will be wanting to redeem ourselves with this next game.”
The last time the Waves took on KSS Jets they went down 8-2, but with an understanding of how they play the locals were able to turn that result around in Round 8.
Coach Renee Bock said they were better prepared this time around with a counterplan in place.
She said they got them on the back foot and had three players finding the back of the net.
With several players back for the KSS Jets game making a difference on the park, she said their goal keeper Stella Kleidon had a great game.
Bock said they spent time preparing for the game, knowing their opponents liked to take a long ball, and the only shot they got past her was from a free kick.
With the work they’ve put in at training starting to show on the field, Bock said if they continued to play their strengths they would hopefully come up with more goal scoring opportunities.
On Friday, 19 May Waves take on Bingera at the Waves Sports Complex at 8.30pm.
KSS Jets have a bye this weekend while the Fraser Flames and Doon Villa match is scheduled for Tuesday 23 May, as the Flames are competing in the Kappa Cup on Saturday.
Kicking off at 5pm at Martens Oval, the Kappa Cup will see Flames take on Mackay Lions.
This competition provides Queensland clubs, from community level to National Premier Leagues sides, with the opportunity to compete.
The Flames beat Clinton FC 10-1 and Mackay Lions FC defeated Dolphins FC 7-0 in Round 4 to progress to this weekend’s match.