May 19th - BNU at Wakefield

4-0 (4-0); Bialy, Eder, Morrissey, Hosie

A bit damp, but the lights are on & we have the chance for Janae & Taryn to have a taste of D1 football - Maddy too. BNU have familiar faces, a group of ladies from their PL team of last winter who always gave us a cracking match.

First foray forward and Jaimee is played into space to shoot from 25 out - wicked deflection off a derriere, keeper no chance - we'll take that, 1-0. Richie Benaud would've struggled all night with commentary, our goal coming in minute number 2, goal number 2 coming in minute number 22, and 2 more would follow in quick succession - at the double you might say?

The opening quarter of the game is cracking contest, both teams knocking the ball around but for the girls in our yellow it's great to see all of them up for a game - competing for everything - man, this team has come a looooong way in just a few weeks.

Anyways, after a few too hot to handle corners Sonia gets herself on the scoresheet - from a seemingly impossible angle 20 yards out she zips the ball into the back of the net before anybody including their keeper could even flinch. Within another 4 four minutes Jade has danced through to cooly finish with her left  - and Christine shoots well from 15 out to leave the keeper no chance, 4-0 and we're not yet gone half an hour.

Well obviously there's no more goals to report - but certainly the football at times was sublime, boy if we had a turf at Hutt Park we'd be unstoppable. At the back our stand in keepers, Georgia & Danielle, are rarely tested - but are very tidy in all they do. Soph' and Janae continue their fine work of the week before - and we even trial 3 at the back in the second half which the girls sort with aplomb.

The middle and the forward line is where we dominated our "mature" opponents; Maddy, Jaimee, Sian, Christine are a pleasure to watch play when in this mood and once she got over her nerves Taryn is in the thick of the action as we'd expected - supplying some cracking ball forward in the second half. Up front, Jade and Sonia are too hot to handle - and play the game at a pace that had BNU scrambling at times while young Georgia I was across both wings in search of work, some deft turns and link work as her game grows week by week.

This week, usual bleat about 3-2-1 being a tough call - but 3pts to Maddy, shouldered a lot of work and despite a diet of just two manderins was full of energy & vision. 2pts to Jade - revelled in the surface and the open spaces, dragged the BNU fullbacks back and forth across the pitch chasing her shadow, they looked like they'd run a marathon in the Arizona Desert by the end. 1pt to Sonia, a cracking goal and so much endeavour all night - thank goodness she was rostered off for the evening! Top drawer effort ladies right across the team.

May 12th - Petone at Memorial

4-3 (2-1); Morrissey 3, Hosie

We have the late kick off this week & meet at Memorial Park to take on an experienced Petone Pure outfit on another glorious afternoon. As we warm up we recognize more than a few faces from previous battles & not for the first time this season comment on the size difference between our youthful charges & the opposition. Pre match the talk is a reminder to stick to our passing game, youthful fitness will tell as the game goes on.

We're off to a blistering start, Jade outstrips the Petone defense with her pace fed first by Christine & then by Courtnee - we're two goals to the good with just eight minutes on the clock. The talk on the touchline is about calculators & Brendan who? (Abacus in your day Russ - Ed).

But this Petone side is built of stern stuff and they put pressure on our defense & pull a goal back with twenty minutes gone. The rest of the half is a good contest, our girls don't shirk anything in the physical battle giving as good as they get with crunching tackles all over the pitch. Jaimee is tireless in midfield, with Courtnee, Georgia I and Liv chasing & closing down their blue shirted opponents (Shakespeare got nothing on you Russ - or is that Mills & Boon).

The defence is coping well, Janae enjoying the greater intensity of D1, Georgia M and Dani' T working hard on the flanks & Soph, despite illness, does her job snuffing out any Petone raids that sneak through. Sian has a stint & puts in an all action performance in the centre. Laura has a run, she hassles and harries the Petone back line. It stays 2-1 until we hear the half time whistle, a welcome break from the heat, plenty of water & talk from the coaches of sticking to the passing game.

5 minutes into the second half and we get a third, Jaimee knocks a long free kick behind their defence & Christine wins the race to place the ball past the advancing keeper to register her first goal in senior football. Petone keep pushing forward with their combative midfield & Samara produces a wonderful diving save to keep the lead at two. Dani' succumbs to cramp & before we can reshuffle Petone attack and pull one back, 3-2. Almost immediately we are on the attack, Sian slots a lovely ball through the heart of the defence for Jade to burst onto for her hat trick, putting us ahead 4-2.

Petone respond well, rolling their sleeves up & put us under pressure & get another from a break down the left, 4-3. We're rolling the subs, Dani' back into it for Janae who can take a well earned rest - didn't look out of place at all at the higher level. The game is open, & if we thought Petone would run out of puff - we were wrong. Laura fizzes a shot wide, Courtnee & Jaimee test the keeper & Samara has to be sharp to come off her line a couple of times to preserve our lead with good clearances. The clock ticks by - slowly - & we're all pleased to hear the final whistle when it comes & compliment the gutsy performance of the whole team in coming out on top and locking away another 3 points.

Petone are hospitable hosts, back in their clubrooms for lashings of food & we're able to relax and text Brendan in Oz to confirm the 4-3 win. Very difficult again to select 3-2-1, but there's a point for Samara; another assured performance & one great save that stood out, 2 points to Sophie; sterling effort once again at the back despite being crook, 3 points to Jaimee; a real all-action captain's performance in the engine room with great energy. 

May 5th - Seatoun at Hutt Park

2-1 (2-0); A Marsh, A Havler

Glorious day on #1 and we make a bright start to the game, but not surprisingly find Seatoun a well organised team with some talent in their midst. For a time Seatoun do all but score - Samara sharp when needed as the sea of blue washes around our penalty box. Injuries & strains see us reshuffle, an unlucky day out for the well performed Amelia & Liv. A few players play some musical chairs around positions on the field - it must have worked as from a well placed corner from Sonia it's Alana with a header that their defence can't keep out, 1-0. Not long after the tic-tac football of the young ones sees April through on the keeper - blistering drive with the top end of her boot for 2-0 at the break. We'll take that - thought we'd used our get out of jail free card last week!

Seatoun are even better in the second half - but at times they must have wished they'd packed their shooting boots, they get one, the bar denies them a second and Samara dives well on a couple of occasions. To be fair the "team ethos" we saw last week is back in spades this week, captain Danielle on one flank, Georgia M on the other - both work themselves to exhaustion in the heat while Sophie is most excellent in her covering role. In the middle the girls battle well against good opposition - and as is their nature attack with verve through Georgia I on the right, Courtnee & Sian linking well but we too squander chances to extend our lead. Liv returns to the action in a midfield role in which she looks at home, supporting the aggression of Christine & Sonia. The clock winds down - a few (more) hairs turn grey but just like last week the team gets the job done. 3 points and a big step towards our goal for mid season. Seatoun have been good opposition & on another day they could've put a few away - but top marks to the team for a sterling effort, & a smile for all on the side line.

Points are again hard to single out - but we'll tip our hat to an astute performance at the back from Sophie, 2 points to Samara - dominating the area, a vocal performance and a couple of top draw saves to boot, 1 point for her most confident display yet, getting in behind the Seatoun defense repeatedly - Georgia Izzett.

April 28th - Wgtn Utd at Wakefield

1-0 (0-0); J Bialy

A windswept Wakefield with the temperature dropping - but right from the word go our girls are playing with anticipation, verve and looking to their short passing game to break down their opponents. Over the course of the first half we create a good handful of chances, we have Jess float over some teasing corners but have nothing to show for our toil on the scoreboard. At the back 'Tash is very assured - ruling the penalty area, making a couple of tidy saves when Wgtn threaten. In front of her Sophie marshals the defence well - and thanks to the gusty breeze our play is generally down the right flank where Dani' T gets busy in support of our attacking play. Christine continues to be a handful for opposition defenses, while the two Georgia's take turns getting behind the Wgtn defenders on the flanks.

Second half and the team talk has been about finishing the job - how our passing game can win the day. Jaimee gets our noses in front with a strong goal from distance - we think we deserve the lead and Jaimee certainly is rewarded for a typically tireless effort. Adele in partnership with Jess & Courtnee own the middle of the park - and just for a time it looks like we might run away with the game. However, the Wgtn team hit the last quarter of the match with gusto - desperate for an equaliser but the strength of Cathy repels them on our left, Olivia reads play well and snuffs out play on our right. There's a nervous last few minutes defending corners but when the final whistle goes we've taken our first 3 pointer of the new season.

A true team performance - points hard to pick, all deserving but this week let's highlight; 

3 points for an excellent defensive performance by Amelia S, tenacious in her work - 2 points for Sian who used all her skill to tee up the players around her & provide a target for our attacking efforts - 1 point for Cathy who was both determined & smart in her play.

April 14th - Nth Wgtn at Te Whaea

1-4 (1-1); J Fussell

A tough assignment - the experience & guile of the ladies from NW, we might be younger and fitter but as we've seen before they seem to know all the shortcuts across the pitch. We have the tail wind but it's NW who open the scoring at a corner we don't clear - we eventually settle and match our opponents, & grab an equaliser from Jess who chips everyone from half way. Into the break even but we know our game has to improve.

The second half sees NW use the conditions and their physicality to good advantage, like ourselves a well struck shot from distance - another from route one, wind assisted play - and the last from a penalty. We can have few complaints though some of our passing play in the last 20 minutes is a joy to watch. No reward on the scoreboard though - and lessons to be taken on board. A bright debut for Olivia, 90 minutes of toil from Amalia but this week it's 3 pts for Jess & her never say die attitude. There's 2pts for Christine who continues to embrace the senior game with gusto and 1 point for Olivia making a good fist of her role at left back on debut.

April 7th - KCU at Hutt Park

1-1 (0-0); C Cropp 

Winter rolls in - a slice of Antartica in the air and some rain as we get started. We have the zephyr behind us & the contest is fairly even for most of the half, neither team really getting to grips with the firm surface & the wind. The defence is well sorted, Samara tidies up anything that sneaks through. Late in the half we fashion several breaks through the KCU back four - but our shots are well saved by their keeper, 0-0 at the break.

Into the second half - our football is better, it's on the deck and players are settling into the match....when their #3 threatens to spoil the party with a cracking run & goal. To our credit there's no panic - width in our patient build up & not long after it's Courtnee on the end of a dangerous cross & we have an equaliser. The game is played in a healthy, competitive spirit and both teams have their moments but 1-1 it is when the final whistle goes.

On the day - a very good debut for Christine, tireless toil (3 points) while the midfield of Dani' T and Georgia M is encouraging to watch, so 2 and 1 point respectively. 

2012 Reports

August 5th
North Wgtn 6 Stop Out 0

Danielle T 3pts, Mel O 2 and Emily 1

July 29th

Stop Out 4 Seatoun 0
Charlotte 2, Nicola & Danielle T

Jess 3pts, Samara 2 and Danielle T 1pt

July 22nd
Wainuiomata 2 Stop Out 2
Mel O & Brianna

The match report for this drawn game is ............ with the publishers.

Though on good authority I heard Mel got 3pts, Gemma 2pts and Danielle T 1pt.

July 15th
Stop Out versus Wellington United - match abandoned

Another great Hutt Park day - rain, wind & cold.

After a late exit from the changing room we did start on time - but after 5 minutes it looked more like synchronised swimming with a spot of mud wrestling. About 10 mins gone when the ref tells everyone the game is abandoned, a decision that given the state of pitches that were played on the authorities will be pleased with (or could have called 5 hours earlier). Players and supporters are grateful - and so we'll await a rematch.

Player of the day - 6pts, Stuart Mills  - best call by a ref all winter!


July 8th
Petone 3 Stop Out 0

Cup Match; Upper Hutt 1 Stop Out 8 (Nicola 4, Amalia, Letesha, Jenny & Courtnee)

Cup match; Petone 0 Stop Out 5 (Alysa, Katreena, Nicola 2, Amalia)

Cup match; Stop Out 5 Stokes Valley 0 : (Brianna 2, Letesha, Nicola & Katreena)

What a difference a spell of fine weather can make to a surface - Hutt Park was almost back to its best, the goal area was solid & cnditions albeit gusty, ideal for football. We opted again for 4-3-3 formation, with Nicola playing the CF role - and today chalking up her 50th goal of the season! - a huge achievement at any level.

SV again proved no push over in the first 45 minutes - tenacious on defence & threatening up front for the openin 20 minutes & except for tight defence by Jess, Danielle, Georgia & Amelia should have scored. Our outside backs went on the offensive & through good buildup from the deep had the midfield probing. SO had chances right in front of goal & failed to capitalise and the way SV counter punched we were concerned about conceding a goal against the run of play. Late in the first half our superior speed & fitness started to show & with some relief Nicola knocked in #50 to put is 1-0 up.

The half time talk was interesting - the girls noting the oppositon were tiring & it was hardly surprising they spent much of the half kicking the ball away as far as possible to give themselves a breather. Courtnee, Alysa & Brooke were all over the SV midfield. Turing around SO must have sensed a "kill" & after soaking up a fiey 10 minutes where they at least got the ball thrugh to Hannah the momentum shifted back to the girls in black. Our girls were quite ruthless, very pleasing from the coaches viewpoint to see this side of the team. Alysa & Rachel ran rings around a tired SV defence - and Brianna scored a well deserved goal - and backed it up with a great effort 10 minutes later. Letesha was next on the scoresheet with a well taken shot after much har work - late in the second spell Katreena volleyed a screamer, a justifiable reward after coming close a couple of times. 5-0 final score.

Often commented from parents - we kill teams in the second half due to speed & fitness. We played to our stfrengths & once again got a result - the attitude will be tested nex week against a Petone team peaking at the business end of the season.

Brianna - 3pts, best performance this season, Jess - 2pts, Miss Consistent & a great captain's knock, Rachel 1 pt for yet another understated 100% effort.

Stop Out 9 Upper Hutt 2 : (Nicola 6, Katreena 2 Amalia L 1)

What a great day to play football, sun out, little wind, perfect!

This was the game that defined our season, we had finished 3rd at the end of the first round on goal difference & missed promotion. But in this second round we had already secured promotion to Div 1 & this game was to remain unbeaten & for pride. We again had a slow start but by now the coach is used to i and lets the girls settle. 5 minutes in Alana takes a knock to the ankle, looking around I realised we have no reserves & had told the girls they could only come off with 2 broken legs - no problem for Alana she got up and limped back to position - only 85 to go!

The girls settled in and played some great inter passing with 1 & 2 touch football, the through balls for the forwards seemed endless whether coming from defence or midfield - I blinked and the score was 5-1 to us & so quickly it was halftime.

To be honest the halftime talk was just continue the same & the second half was a continuation of the first - our skill, speed and class too much for UH, in fact the performance of all 11 players was outstanding - it was a pleasure to watch & I am not going to mention individuals as everyone contributed equally to the end result. It was a team effort from keeper to forwards.

We went through the second round unbeaten, winningthe Division and promotion to Div 1 for 2012 - can't ask for more! Based on the result & the performance of all 11 players all share in the Player of the Day! 2pts each to Hannah, Sasha, Dan' D, Amelia, Rachel, Alysa, Alana, Jess, Amalia, Nicola and Katreena

Stop Out 3 Kapiti Coast Utd 2 : (Nicola 3)

Big game for the team - a win and we are through to Div 1 for 2012!

Coaches think it is best to treat this as just another game given KCU, in our opinion, are the toughest team left in our pool. They welcome back Cathy F, much missed team member & a great leader on the park who's experience will shine out in the last 10 minutes.

The weekly slow start continues and within 15 minutes we are a goal down. Our attacking formation is exploited by KCU & a well executed goal takes the girls in blue one goal up - though Katreena is making huge inroads down the left flank, meeting a resolute KCU defence that is not afraid to give away corners. Stop Out finally settle and pour on the pressure with Emma gaining most yardage, & for the second game in a row taking a mortgage on the right flank. The back four - Jess, Cathy, Amelia & Rachel, make good ue of the wind & put the front three in position - however chances are blown and it's not until the 30 minute mark that Nicola sets off on a 40m solo run to score, 1-1.

Hannah cleans up every ball that gets through & with Amelia on their last attacker, is hardly tested & what ball she gets is quickly sent downtown over halfway, clever use of the wind & a sensible option. The Stop Out girls sense KCU are on the back foor and Bri, Katreena and Amalia cause havoc in the midfield. Georgia has read the script & torments the KCU defence with well lofted balls into the attack zones. A cracking shot from Bri' is fortuitously deflected by Nicola and we have a 2-1 advantage. Letesha gets onto the park & immediately makes an impact - but we sense this is a slim lead turning into the wind for the next 45 minutes.

Despite the wind we play our best football. Courtnee relishes the midfield & Alysa is outstanding at right back - Jess leading by example goes straight on attack & for 25 minutes it is all Stop out - however, a lack of communication is punishing us at crucial times. All the hard work from Cathy, Alysa & Courtnee to put Kat' and Rachel into space falls over at the last hurdle due to the silence up front. As to be expected from a team of KCU's calibre they storm back thru the centre - and with the score now tied at 2-2 & the wind at their backs they have regained the momentum. They put our back four under enormous pressure, growing in confidence - and their equaliser comes with just 10 left on the clock.

This is a stressful period for the coaches, & a sense of deja vu from our earlier encounter. KCU elated with their equaliser fancy their chances & up the pace of attack - however, the Stop Out girls have been in this situation several times before - and where lesser teams fade the girls in Red (Black this week) fight back. A good ball sets Nicola on a run, pushed wide by the defence the angle is narrowed, but a cracking shot into the net gives us the lead with just 7 minutes to play. There's no let up in the intensity - up another notch when Hannah pulls off a brillant save to keep us ahead & with 5 to play a sick Cathy is back on the field as we close out the game with a 5-3-2 formation. The final whistle is music to our ears - and although the coaches have aged visibly the girls are celebrating.....tough win.

Player of the Day, Emma (1) - just gets better every game, Nicola (2) a hatrick and delivered when it was really needed, Alysa (3) - real class at the back.

Round 4 : Stokes Valley 2 Stop Out 4 (Amalia 2, Nicola & Katreena)

The Div 2 girls hit the road to Stokevegas for a must win match to keep in front on the points table. The sun was shining but the field was muddy & the wind was blowing a gale down the pitch. We played into the wind in the first half & started with no reserves (luckily Nicola arrived back from holiday 10 minutes in). We started slow agin and conceded a quick goal - but then we built our momentum based around speed of play and skill. These young girls really can put on a show when things come together - I just love watching it. Our defence soaked up the pressure - Dan', Rachel, Jess & Amelia - & last minute 'keeper Georgia worked really hard & with the help of a gutsy midfield kept SV at bay.

0-1 down we started to attack, our midfield or Courtnee, Amalia, Emma & Bri' flicked the switch on and supported Alysa & Katreena up front as we dominated play scoring 3 goals. 2 powerfully struck shots from Amalia & a great goal from Kat' - half time score 3-2.

The second half we switched into 4-3-3 with Nicola, Alysa & Kat' up front peppering their goal all half - & we were unlucky not to score another 3 or 4. But miday throuh the half Nic' scored to secure the game - a great second half by all the players who actually did what the coach asked. Well done girls - 3 points clear at the top of the table!

Player of the Day, Emma (3) - worked hard all game, 2pts each for Kat' & Amalia, 1pt each for Rachel & Georgia - with a special mention to Georgia who stepped into keeper at the last minute and did a superb job.

Round 3 : Wainui 4 Stop Out 4 (Nicola 2, Katreena & Jess)

A thriller of a game in atrocious conditions at Richard Prouse Park, the lead changed 3 times & as predicted by coaches could turn into a lottery.

Stop Out playing into driving rain got off to a typically slow start and Wainui had all the play for 20 minutes. Simple football with numbers up the middle and Stop Out slow to adapt. To our credit Alana in goal wasn't tested but Gig & Courtnee had a torrid time of it - just doing enough to slow the advance for Danielle & Amelia to clean out the ball. Jess and Georgia opened the game up down the flanks with Jess in particular playing superb football - putting Nicola and Katreena away several times. Finally we started to create opportunities but could not find the net.

We brought on Bri' and Amalia into the midfield and this changed the shape of the game altogether. The last 25 minutes belonged to Stop Out, Nicola stole one from a Wainui defender, turned her and belted one in from outside the box, 1-0. The pitch was showing signs of waterlogging as the rain continued to fall, this made the bounce and flight very unpredictable - and a Wainui through ball way over kicked died in a puddle, SO defenders over ran it and Wainui hit the equaliser. The half time talk was about using the wind & long ball - the conditions not conducive to our trade mark short passing game.

The rain stopped & Jess scored off a cracking corner that a defender defected into their own net, 2-1. The no fuss approach was paying dividends with Rachel and Katreena chasing down long ball and crossing into the mid. Brianna & Amalia were dominating the midfield and dictating play. Wainui stacked their defence & our next goal came from some individual brillance from Kat' - who lobbed a perfectly weighted shot over the keepers head from 25m, 3-1 and the team were feeling mightyl pleased.....but....other teams would've wilted but Wainui lifted a gear.

To their credit they stormed back and dominated the next 20 minutes - their plan was simple, pile numbers up the middle and eventually a cracking shot from 30m skidded thru, 3-2. Wainui grew in confidence and their intensity was overwhelming, a poor clearance gifted them their third and it was game on, 3-3.

Jess and Danielle kept SO on the front foot, making good yardage before setting up our attack, who unfortunately could not convert when really needed. Wainui and their vocal supporters were throwing everything into scoring and eventually got in behind the outside defence and skidded a shot through to go 4-3 up. SO heads were starting to drop but with 10 minutes to go Jess showed her leadership skills in rousing the girls for a fight to the end - Bri's solid performance in the middle put Nicola on a run and she scored a screamer to put us back level, 4-4. That's the way the game ended, a fair result and we'd love to next time tackle them on a dry track.

Player of the Day ; Jess 3pts - top class effort with the ball & leadership, Bri' 2pts and Kat' 1pt.

Round 2 : Stop Out 5 Lower Hutt 3 (Nicola 4, Brianna)

It was another great day at Hutt Park, apart from some northerly gusts & a couple of inches of water on parts of the ground. No problem to the Div 2 team who were up against Lower Hutt - who had just dropped down from Div 1 - it shaped to be our first real test of the second half of the season. Our captain Rachel got us the wind to play into & the young team was up for the challenge with a dominant display of skilful passing & positional play. We were soon up by 3 - with 1 goal to Brianna and 2 to Nicola. Lower Hutt came back into the match - with a concerted effort and it was only thanks to another Nicola goal that we got to halftime ahead 4-3 (great game for the spectators - Ed).

The second half scoreline was not reflective of our total control, great passing work involving Katreena, Alysa, Phoebe and Brianna - with brilliant support from Brooke in her 50th game. On the other side of the park Danielle, Letesha, Georgia, Amelia, Rachel & Courtnee to the fore - with Hannah solid in goal. Nicola added another - but we probably should've scored a few more. The whole team stepped up in the second half - managing well as they covered for injuries to Phoebe & Brianna - an awesome effort. Player of the Day a tough call but,

Player of the Day; Katreena (3pts) - great work on the right side, Letesha (2), hard work in competing for the ball and Nicola (1pt) for yet another 4 goal haul.

Round 1: Petone 0 Stop Out 6 (Nicola 4, Brianna, Amalia)

We welcome young guns Katreena & Brainna to the line up, we're at Naenae Park to start the second half of the winter.

Last weeks disappointment was shortlived & the girls got down to business playing some sublime football in the first 45 minutes. Petone were strong through the middle of the park & threatened at times, however, Danielle and Amelia were too quick. Good ball was distributed to Rachel & Jess who repeatedly let the outside midfield of Letesha and Alysa loose to launch most of our raids on the Petone goal. Amalia and Laura were first to swoop on any ball knocked out of the Petone defence & with great vision split the defenders with through balls that Nicola pounced upon - netting two identical goals inside the first 20 minutes.

Amalia on receiving a poor Petone clearance belted a screamer into the net - her trademark strike! Katreena and Brianna were finding their feet & continued to harrass the Petone defenders, Kat' keeping their keeper honest with some good shots - while Bri' chimed in with a very slick left foot drive to register her first goal at Div 2 level. Petone reverted to rope, large aerial slogs into the middle & the few that got through were well saved by Hannah. We then had the loooooooongest half time break we can remember.

We turned around in the second half, uphill on a heavy track & Petone got their second wind - however, the ball played on the deck was our best weapon and Nicola benefitted from two gems, especially Alysa' weighted pass - a move the pair are well known for. Concentration lapses let Petone back into the game - & they gained some ascendancy around the park - but NOT on the scoreboard. Rachel in the unfamiliar role of right back was having her best game of the winter - Hannah in goal was resolute and earnt her clean sheet - while Laura's experience on the ball & meausred play was great to watch. We should perhaps have capitalised on some of this but had to settle for the 6 goals. Petone played their (only) trump card - physical superiority - and Amalia copped a nasty one at the end but generally Stop Out stayed out of it & wisely played to our strengths of superior speed, skill and guile. Not quite a 90 minute performance but a good indication of how far this team has progressed this winter as Petone had been our opening day opponents who we battled to subdue 2-0 on that occassion.

Player of the Day: Rachel (3pts) for staunch defense & setting up attacks, Nicola (2) finished just half her chances but still good enough to bag 4 goals & Bri' (1) a deserved goal & a very mature display in central midfield. 

Round 7: Marist Novas 4 Stop Out 0

Another stunning day in the Capital - and the importance of today is not lost on the team, their preparation is excellent. We are kitted and warming up 25 minutes out from kick off. The Coach is confident given the Novas recent form and the determination shown on our players faces - "Bring it on!"

Right from the go though it's Marist who are bristling - making the use of regrades (no complaints) they have us under the pump in the early stages. Jess, with sore muscles, Hannah, Georgia, Danielle & Amelia manage to hold them out. Support from Gig and Amalia for the defensive effort helps fortify the defence.

20 minutes in we have settled, Danielle shifts to a holding role and Jess with pace goes wide  on the right and unleashes Rachel. Rachel thrives on the service and we now have the ball going across the Marist goal box on occasion - at the back Georgia is rock steady and plays some lofted balls over the Marist defence, however their sweeper and centre back (two best players) snuff these out. Laura is busy with some good runs, but is thwarted by a very experienced 'keeper who repeatedly is well placed to cancel out our opportunities. Alysa is working hard to generate space out wide on the left - but the Marist defence are sharp in their work shutting down her room. Janae joins in to rest a battered Jess - immediately repaying the coaches faith with a goal stopping effort. Marist are forced to a long ball approach - down the middle it flies and causes us problems - their physicality and their subs fresh legs are starting to hurt us.Their opener comes from a high ball lottery we don't deal with.

Half time & the girls are confident of turning the score around, we're downhill with sun & wind on our backs. We offer to referee the second half - their's seemed tied to the centre circle - but they politely refuse Mr Stewart's kind offer. Ah well... In past games the opposition have wilted by now - but Marist make clever use of their bench and with fresh legs momentum swings their way. Injury and fatigue see us shuffling our line up - Jess in the middle of the park with Gig & they're a good pair together. However, Marist double their lead - and would've scored more bar a peppered but resilient Hannah in goal. Amelia & Janae toiling hard - while Miss Reliable, Letesha, backs herself & cuts up some space - and wins the ball with her "dark side" showing through in aggressive play. Danielle  - grows an extra leg in these battles and Jess listens and starts playing the ball for Laura & Alysa to run onto. Just when we think a gap will open and a bounce go our way - Marist snafu a third against the play.

0-3, 15 to go - well we've got to push forward - but we can't score & are quickly toast with another Marist break and goal. We've battled hard for 90 minutes but found Marist too big, too strong and too good on the day.

Player of the Day; Danielle (3 outstanding points) Amelia 2pts at her very best) Jess (1pt for decisive play). 

Round 6: Stop Out 8 Porirua 0 (Alysa 4, Nicola 2, Emma & Natasha)

Another wind affected game - the girls in red smarting from last weeks loss were in no mood to have the opposition dictate play this week. Porirua started with good intent but momentum soon swung our way - at the back Jess, Amelia, Danielle & Georgia are totally dominant. Gig and Letesha had Porirua in disarray switching play at will between Rachel and Brooke (nice smile) out wide. Their defence held out for about 10 minutes before Nicola slipped a ball through to Alysa, & with a clinical finish we are up by one. The favour was returned not long after, Alysa setting Nicola up - and their combination saw Alysa complete her hatrick with Nicola bagging a brace for a 5-0 lead. Late in the half Emma joins play  - and scored a most memorable goal, running straight up the middle at full pace and driving the ball home from 20 yards (yards 'cos we're old fellas!)

Turning into the wind did not greatly assist Porirua, they were physically spent from their exertions into the wind - though they did have the usual couple of youngsters toiling & keeping us honest. The team in Red were ruthless in the midfield - Amelia the standout, Jess and Danielle carving up huge territory - though up front we couldn't quite finish despite the endeavours of Letesha and Rachel against a 9 woman defence. A handball in the box, and Alysa grabs the ball and dispatches it into the net - twice actually - both top efforts though only the second one counts  - the young gun has 4. There's a reshuffle as Jess and Georgia share the goal keeping duties (thanks girls) - and there's reward for 'Tash who scores her first goal for the club with a stunner of a 25 metre freekick. Final score 8 and importantly a clean sheet too the icing on a top effort frm the girls.

Player of the Day; Alysa (3), growing in confidence every game, Amelia (2), wonderful to see her back to her pre-injury best with Natasha collecting (1) - all class both in and out of goal.

Round 5: North Wellington 2 Stop Out 0

TeWhaea on a very warm still day - perfect conditions - though there's a few moans about it being too hot. NW are just below us on the table - and delivered as we expected a real game of football - the first team in a few weeks to string together more than 4 passes.

We settled quickly into the game, though the match was even with quality football from both sides. The endeavour of our girls is keen, Kathryn is directing play from the back. Danielle and Jess on the flanks create space  - to set wings, Rachel & Letesha on their way. NW prove though there's no substitute for experience - and refuse to fold and panic at the back, their central defence giving us no change. We really didn't fire a shot in anger. Alana and Amalia moved to midfield and injected some pace, but the NW defensive line was unfazed and saw us off. Amelia and Kathryn anchored our defence and distributed the ball well to set us forward repeatedly, but there's some signs now of frustration in our play - wasted balls and poor passes result in some rapid turnovers of possession. At the half it's 0-0 and there's a few ominous signs that worry the coach.

NW's experience continues to show, their shape is better and they are competing for every ball - we can't quite match their intensity and the pressure from the old heads. In red though Sonia's first appearance of the season is a highlight, she's urgent & aggressive in all she does - but around her NW make the running - Kathryn and Amelia having to work hard. NW take the lead - despite a first class effort from Natasha to block the initial shot - and NW are ecstatic about taking the goal. An equaliser was still on for the team in red - we pushed players forward - but another well taken shot from NW doubles their advantage & the game is sealed. Lessons to learn - maintain shape and be first to the ball.

Player of the Day; Kathryn (3pts) - with another huge game from Danielle (2pts) and Sonia (1pt) - what an attitude and welcome to the 2011 season !!

Round 4: Stop Out 7 (Nicola 6, Alysa) Island Bay 1

A game of two halves - at Wakefield. A good warm up courtesy of Craig had the girls firing at the kick off - with the wind behind us as well. Gig wins the toss and we set out to pile on as many as we could in the conditions. We settled quickly and with the team playing to its strengths had wave after wave of attack on the IBU defence.

A switch to a 4-3-3 formation (Alysa getting forward) brought results - as did Jess and Danielle coming forward on the flanks from deep. Good possession football and some slick passing has Nicola with a hatrick within 25 minutes - Alysa swooped to drill home our fourth, low and hard into the corner of the goal. Cathy and Amelia kept playing the ball out from the back - with Danielle adding width and making the most of play going 70% of the time down her flank. With Gig, Brooke and Rachel supporting play and passing well (Brooke the smiling assassin!) - Emma with her speed in support at times was excellent, as was Letesha playing with purposeful aggression. The middle of the park dominated by Gig, Amelia & Cathy. Natasha well off her line at times - just to get a touch of the ball. Louise joined the attack - holding the ball up well - and along with Alysa - played her part in helping Nicola add two more by the half, 6-0.

At first the turn into the wind didn't slow our momentum, Nicola getting her 6th and our 7th. The game was effectively over as a contest and the wind now dictated play, IBU using the looooooong ball to their advantage to enjoy some possession and play on attack. Their reward was one goal - and as promised we switched Natasha out for a run, Emma reluctantly putting on the keepers blue shirt and gloves. Natasha with speed and strength took the game back to IBU - but the goals had dried up & the game became red shirted players knocking it around and when in possession yellow shirts hoofing it and chasing it upfield. To their credit IBU never gave up - but anything thrown at us was dealt with by Amelia, Cathy and Jess.

Player of the Day - for ruthless play in front of goal, Nicola. Danielle 2pts for her massive work rate and being our playmaker of the day - and Emma 1 point for putting the "E" in team, a typical honest effort, selfless in her play and again for taking up the blue shirt to be keeper.

Round 3: Stop Out 8 (Letesha 3, Rachel 2, Nicola 1, Brooke 1, Amalia 1 ) Wellington United 0

A Home game for Div 2 girls but transfered to Wainui Richard Prouse My old Football club .

A very warm, sunny day greeted us on a dry but heavily grassed pitch. Conditions were good with a slow travelling ball that suited our style better than the kick and chase football we had come up against previous weeks.

The game preparation run by Chris was just the tonic to get this team focussed on the football and within minutes of kickoff Letesha drilled a killer pass across the box from Nicola. 1 nil ...............The build up to that goal was exquisit ,  6 players involved.

Georgia calm as a cucumber  gathered up every stray ball and within seconds had us back on attack. Alysa also ice cool on defence caused the WGTN angst with passes to attackers served on a plate. Third week in a row the young gun has that ball on a string uncanny accuracy. 

Amalia was next to benefit , just reward for a typically busy effort all day. 2 nil and another clinical buildup.

The Game started to lose shape after this,  WGTN persisted with Long ball through the middle onto 2 of their fastest players however The genuine pace failed to ruffle Cathy and Jess , Natasha looked all Class in Goal and WGTN only shot into the net was ruled offside. Sensing a shift in momentum Gig started to snap at the girls and restore some semblance of control and largely through her efforts kept pressure for the remaining half squarely on the WGTN defence . Once order was restored our passing game kept us with a lion share of possession and position.

Turning around in the second half the team under Gig and Cathy guidance put a ruthless display together. Natasha was tested a few times but far too good for the WGTN strikers, The WGTN keeper came right off her line to block a shot and Brooke from well outside the box smashed a magnificent goal over keepers head.

3 nil The floodgates started to open and goals started to come thick and fast, Nicola with a scorching run through the middle from the centre circle too good for the keeper 4 nil

Rachel having terrorised a tireing defence is rewarded with a beauty, 5 nil. Letesha with a scramble in the box 6 nil and by this stage the defence and midfield are in total dissaray. At this point our subs Louise, Sarah and Jenny get another run and pick up right where Cathy, Gig and Alysa left off.

Our Midfield and defence show no mercy they press home the attack and Rachel again hits it high from 25m out and drops it under the bar 7 nil , the keeper had no chance . 

Still the girls in Red wont let up  and after good buildup  from Louise at the back , several players press home the advantage and  Letesha gets her hattrick, 8 nil.

Player of the day with a totally dominant and controlled performance...... Captain Gig 3 points.

So many players to pick for 2 and 1 point,  but Rachel Knight 2 and Brooke Mildenhall 1 for the best 45 mins from both this season so far.  

10 April, Round Two Stop Out 3 ( Nicola 1, Courtnee 2) Kapiti Coast United 2

Snatching Victory from the Jaws of defeat………….. KCU beat the Div 2 team last year 1 nil in atrocious conditions. They had a reputation that warranted respect and while the coach knew it the girls were slow to get it.

KCU were fast, fit and confident pounding the Stop Out girls for the opening 25 minutes. We had more possession but no passion. Our fullbacks Amelia, Danielle, Courtney and Jess couldn’t subdue them although credit to Hannah (our Player of the Day) for cleaning up dangerous ball and clearing off the deck huge hits up field. Should have been 3 nil down by this stage Hannah ………….take a bow!

Gig and Cathy our midfielders were holding ball up nicely but the big blue wall at the back shut strikers and wingers completely off. Time for a reshuffle with Cathy back in defence, Amalia to left mid and Georgia into right back. It did the trick, finally a spark, we woke up and went on attack - Amalia crashing a screamer to the left side goal only to be incredulously saved one handed by KCU keeper.

5 mins remaining of the first half and KCU got their reward with a beautiful left drive over Hannah’s head into the net, 0-1. Half time break and a bit of soul searching on, "where’s your head at?" and "how bad do you want this win?" A far better attitude in start of the second spell was cruelly tested with an early goal to KCU from a narrow angle…, 0-2, but despite this, the game didn’t feel like it was getting away from us.

The Stop Out girls never got their heads down and Cathy kept urging them on, with a great spell of captaincy. Courtnee back on in midfield with Danielle and suddenly we were prospering, Nicola benefited from a well weighted pass - clean stepped the Goalie with nothing but an open goal mouth shapes to shoot and splat, cynically pulled down by the keeper. This galvanised our large group of supporters - (thanks parents best turnout I can remember) - as much as the team and there were some ugly scenes………not even a yellow card for the keeper? The intense atmosphere got to the young striker and her penalty was dragged wide.

This was a turning point however, Brooke in front held the ball up, causing enough trouble to force gaps in the KCU defence. Nicola latched onto another sweet one and in a replay of the previous beat defender, & goalie and hit the net this time, 1-2. Stopout were now getting momentum and they lifted the intensity another notch, nothing better as a coach to see a team fight like this from behind. They now played their best football, Rachel burning them off down the line - opening more gaps, & Nicola was fed a great ball and seeing Courtnee looming inside crossed on the deck for Courtnee to slam home from 25m, 2-2.

KCU fought back but lacked the composure of Stop Out - we could now sniff an upset here. Once again Cathy and Amelia cut them down, Hannah snuffed them out and Georgia and Jess got us going forward again. Amalia harried them; Alysa time after time sets up great ball for attackers and discovers hanging on to the last defender nullifies any re building from the KCU central back. Courtnee is relishing midfield and next it's the turn of Rachel who bangs one agonisingly close with a left foot and 5 mins later pops one agonisingly over the bar. 10mins to go and again Courtnee knows just where to be at the right time reading play brilliantly and just like the first Nicola puts ball at her feet for Courtnee to smack home the winner.

And the crowd go wild.

3-2 Stopout.

That result showed courage, determination and????.... Something else I can't remember although I do remember after the third goal very calmly shaking Dean Mildenhall's and Craig Darby’s hands - I was very cool about it. Good one Girls………….. And big thanks to KCU, they invited us back and put an awesome spread on for the girls - - very sporting indeed.

Courtnee 3 points, Hannah 2 points Jess 1 point.

3 April, Round 1: Stop Out 2 (Nicola 2) Petone 0.

Having faced Petone at tournament we figured this was going to be a tough battle and the unexpected appearance of the Lower Hutt twin dynamos reinforced that considerably. The pitch was dry, it was warm and a stiff breeze was going to be a factor.

Gig stepped up as a late replacement to Captain the team and that gave us confidence. A familiar face and voice for the girls ,Gig gave 100% and typically put in a front foot effort and has the war wounds to prove it. We played into the wind and braced for the onslaught. After a nervous start the girls settled into the short passing game but pressure from Petone saw ball turned over. Brooke took stock of what was happening applied the same pressure and repeatedly stole ball. She sent Nicola on several bursts down the right hand side to fire off some impressive long range rockets. Rachel ran through the Petone defence at will which drew plenty of attention and created acres of space for our attackers. Importantly it drew the Petone Keeper way too deep off her line which would cost Petone later. With the wind at their backs Petone put many a long range ball into our defence who read the play like Pros - our defenders were faster than the Petone attackers. Cathy leading the back 4 with Amelia in support was outstanding. Time after time Cathy and Amelia cut the play down and any ball that sneaked through was blocked or intercepted by Hannah in goal as she picked the perfect time to come forward when necessary. Courtnee and Jess (another young gun), snuffed out any moves down the flanks and repeatedly beat the first player and had the presence of mind to distribute great ball to the midfield. Jess crashed into a tackle and copped a nasty one on the ankle. Emma joined the back 4 in an unfamiliar role and with typical can do attitude. Letesha carried the ball past defenders on several occasions and was mobbed by up to 3 defenders to kill the cross.

The Young Guns in Alysa and Amalia really started to make use of the ball and their fresh legs and fitness started to show. Amalia was a terrier and showed the big girls no fear and Alysa slipped a perfectly weighted ball through for Nicola to step the Keeper and slot the first goal, 1 - 0. To be a goal up and turning around with the breeze was a good feeling especially with 4 exhausted defenders.

Petone were now defending with gusto and we couldn't penetrate. A couple of brilliant corners from Amalia couldn't be converted. The Petone mid field were their strength and just inside the last 20 mins they looked like turning the tide. They wisely used their subs and fresh legs started to raid up the left - this was typical Petone, they don’t get flustered easily. But still our defence was up to the task and with the midfield made sure the game was played out back down the Petone end.

A "tired" clearance inside the last 10 was pounced on by Nicola who spotted the keeper well off her line and calmly chipped over her head to send us 2 nil up. A very hard earned win, the Petone coach and I both agreed - an even battle except on the score card where it counts.