As the wind picked up and rain came in patches, the football action continued to heat up at the Home of the Matildas for day three of the Emerging Matildas Championships.
Northern NSW Football took the field four times today, recording two wins and two draws to close out the group stage.
Under-16s
The under-16s kicked off the day with a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Football NSW Regional.
Both sides understood how important a win to start the day was, and this was evident as they went head-to-head, with neither able to break through in the first half.
But NNSWF continued to push to break the deadlock and the moment came when Mackenzie Preston-Poole found the back of the net to take the lead.
NNSWF worked continuously to double their lead, but FNSW Regional were able to equalise, and the two sides walked away sharing the spoils.
The under-16s took to the field for the second time on Sunday afternoon where they secured a 2-1 win over Football Victoria White.
A win was vital for the side to secure a spot in the quarter-finals and the job was made harder after Football Victoria White opened the scoring.
But NNSWF were determined to find the equaliser and did so when Lily Reay netted her first goal of the tournament.
The two sides went into half-time locked up 1-1, but the under-16s were not ready to back down.
As they battled to take the lead, it appeared the sides would walk away sharing the points but a late goal from Ruby Murray saw NNSWF secure an important 2-1 victory.
The under-16s will now face Football Victoria Blue at 12.20pm tomorrow in the quarter-final.
Under-15s
The under-15s secured a motivated 4-1 win over Football Victoria White to kick off their third game of the tournament.
The side looked to build on their win from yesterday and did so early on when Airlie Lowe opened the scoring for the day.
Sunny Alston doubled the lead off a corner before Football Victoria White clawed one back before half-time.
NNSWF did not slow down, and Isabella Langridge took the lead out to 3-1 before Rose Harvey put the game to bed.
The under-15s returned to the field in the afternoon where they locked in a 1-1 draw with Football Queensland White.
Both sides took the field full of hunger for a win and Football QLD White broke through first when they secured a 1-0 lead to take into half-time.
But NNSWF were up to the task and continued to fight for an equaliser. Matilda Fleming was up to the task and drew the under-15s level in the second half.
NNSWF pushed hard to take the lead, but the score remained 1-1 when the final whistle blew.
The under-15s will now face Football Victoria Blue in the quarter-final at 12.20pm tomorrow.
NNSWF Technical Director Ryan Doidge was thrilled with how the sides had progressed through the group stage and is looking forward to tomorrow.
“It was big day at the Home of the Matildas as both squads played two games. But overall, we’re in a really good and strong position,” Doidge said.
“The feeling within the squads is excellent right now and we go into the quarter-finals in both age groups excited about what’s to come.
“For me personally, it was great to see under a little bit of pressure our teams were able to still live by what we want to see.
“They were creating lots of scoring chances, being brave in possession, breaking lines and trying to play through teams while still being concentrated in defence.
“They showed great levels of determination and enthusiasm not to concede goals and ultimately that’s what going to get them to the next stage.
“I’m really looking forward to the quarter-finals.”
More on the Emerging Matildas Championships
CLICK HERE to view the Official Emerging Matildas Championships digital program with fixtures.
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CLICK HERE to view the live tables and results.