A fantastic Futsal zone day for the Northcross Girls took place on April 1st. We had three teams entered in the competition with a total of 26 female players. Our Year 7 team had the honour of starting the competition and Agnes got the first goal of the day. The Y7 girls played a total of 5 games during the day, winning three of them, and finishing a very creditable 5th place overall.
In the Y8 draw we had two teams entered. In pool play the NX B team had a win and two draws landing them 2nd in their pool. The team was displaying real guts and courage alongside some excellent resolve as they didn’t have a recognised goalkeeper for the day. The girls went through to the quarter finals and had a tough draw against a Pool winner. This didn’t phase them with Soph scoring the only goal in a solid 1-0 victory. The semi final loomed.
The Y8 A team had an exciting start to the day with a 10-0 win in one pool game and a last minute winner against MBIS that led to the girls topping the pool. The quarter finals pitted us against the other MBIS team. The girls really began to click in this game and played some really quick, incisive futsal that saw them victorious 4-1 and into the semi final.
The Y8 semi final saw both the NX teams face each other! In a real nail biter of a contest the A team took an early lead from a swift passing move- but were indebted to a good save from Emily to keep it at 1-0. With half the game gone Soph blasted a shot which hit the post, ricocheted off Emily’s back (as she dived) and into the goal. 1-1. The game continued at a blistering pace but no more goals were scored, largely, thanks to some great saves by Jolie (B team GK) and the game went to penalties. In the pressure of the penalties, Soph, once again showed her composure in front of goal and slotted the opening penalty to put B up 1-0. NX A also retained their cool- and dispatched both their penalties whilst Emily denied NX B’s other 2 penalty takers leading to the A team making the final and the B Team playing off for third.
The B girls took out the 3rd place playoff 2-0 thanks to goals from Aliyah and Soph – what a result – 3rd at North Harbour and only losing once all day to our A team!
In the final NX A had a close fought battle with Belmont. Some great play saw us have a good couple of chances but the final finish evaded us. At the other end, some solid defending and a strong save from Emily saw the game end 0-0 and head to penalties. Emily saved the first penalty from Belmont and gave us an advantage we didn’t give up with Zoe, Izzy and Imogen calmly sealing the teams victory by converting our three pens. So, NX A were crowned the North Harbour Champs! A great day for all the girls and NX!
Marc Rowlinson – Teacher in charge
