By JARROD POTTER
WHILE its first outing was a cold, rain-soaked and utterly one-sided affair, rest assured Lyndhurst Football Club is fired up about its inaugural Youth Girls season.
Taking the field for the first time in the South East Juniors Youth Girls competition, the Lightning had the toughest challenge also serving as its first match-up – facing two-time reigning premiers Beaconsfield.
As the rain and hail pelted Max Pawsey Reserve in Fountain Gate, the Lightning held fast and tried to stick with the back-to-back champions.
While the result wasn’t ideal, a 0.0 (0) to 25.12 (162) loss to the Eagles, the Lightning’s coach Matt Cohen remains upbeat about the season ahead.
“I think our work rate and our pressure were good, but we were beaten by a far more polished team,” Cohen said.
“I wasn’t disappointed with the game – they worked hard and had a crack in their first game out.
“It’s early days, but we’re pretty excited.”
Alyesha King, Biannaka Hazelden, Abbey McKill, Samara Hazelden, Nicola Weston and Jessica O’Connell were best on ground in the Lightning’s first clash and with 19 girls on the list and growing, Cohen encouraged any interested players to get involved with Youth Girls footy down at Lyndhurst.
“In all honesty whether it’s Fountain Gate, Hampton Park or wherever – would love to see the girls come down and have a go,” Cohen said.
“It’s a really nice competition – they play hard but after the game they’re all mates and every opposition they’re patting each other on the back.”
Vic Metro representatives Emily Browning and Logan O’Connell-Webb will return to the side this week and Cohen believes their input will give Lyndhurst another great boost ahead of its second round match.
“They’re very polished footballers and smart about what they do,” Cohen said. “We’ve got them back this weekend and it will make a big difference.”
Lyndhurst faces Officer Kangaroos on Sunday from 9am at Max Pawsey Reserve and if any local girls -aged 13-to-18 this year – are interested in playing for the side, contact the club via email – secretary@lfnc.com.au or the coach Matt CohenIn other South East Juniors news, the Little Demons Day is on this Sunday at Pakenham’s Toomuc Reserve with under-8, under-9 and under-10 boys – as well as the debuting under-12 Youth Girls competition – starting their seasons in the round-robin competition.
