The night series competition has allowed our NPL Coach, Conrad McKelvie, to have a look at some of the very talented young players we have at the club, and during the course of the group matches he has given Redback debuts to a number of these.
The girls have risen to the challenge and have really stepped up, growing in confidence as the group matches have been played.
Our first match was one in which we dominated but couldn't finish the numerous chances created and we went down 2-0 to MUM FC.
Ex NTC players Emma McMurdo and Jayna Riley made their debuts in that game, along with ex Queens Park and Perth Glory goalkeeper Maya Diedriechsen and Janelle St Pierre. Janelle had previously played at senior level for Beckenham Angels.
In game two, we came up against Perth SC and ran out 4-1 winners, with ex Stirling Panther Sophie Podmore and Andreia Texiera making their debuts. For Andrea, this was her first-ever taste of senior level football.
The final group game against Subiaco saw Kaitlyn Bellanca and Lauren Continibali making their debut for us in an emphatic 9-0 win. Kaitlyn is a product of our youth system, whilst Lauren previously played for Stirling Panthers.
The team on the day comprised mainly of players under the age of 21. Club captain and ex Perth Glory player Shawn Billam, ex Glory player Bronwyn Studman, ex Kiwi International Renee Leota (sponsored by Leisure Sports), current Glory train-on squad member Larry Walsh and Maya Diedriechsen being the exceptions to this.
The club is proud of our long history of producing talented players and the signs are looking good that we will continue to do so with this new and exciting crop of venomous youngsters!