Despite a strong early defensive performance the shorthanded Avengers WFC were first overwhelmed and then steam rollered by the marauding Wolues WFC, falling to a 10-2 defeat in Saturday’s BVI Football Association Women’s Futsal League encounter at Cedar School to a team that are quickly becoming irresistible to watch and seemingly impossible to beat.
The Avengers’ strategy – having traveled with a bare minimum of five players – of defending en mass and looking to hit the Wolues on the break, saw them keep their opponents frustrated for the first 17 minutes, but then, as the Wolues began to move the ball around the pitch, stretching the tiring Avengers, Darci Reich glided past a defender or two and fired home the opener.
“The Wolues’ women showed off their patience and ball mastery during that first spell,” noted Nick Mesum. “By stretching the pitch you could see the Avengers’ women begin to tire and it was only going to be a matter time.”
The goal seemed to deflate the Avengers and it was followed up with two additional strikes by Reich who would complete her second hat trick of the season before half time, whilst Brittany Peters fired in a long range corker to give the Avengers a glimmer of hope.
However, after ringing the changes coach Peter Van Zoost was rewarded by seeing his team score a decisive fourth as Tinia Van Zoost – switching her goalkeeper gloves for a pair of striker’s boots – made no mistake from a corner. Ariel Mohammed made it 5-1 a minute later, Zolita Bamford made it 7-1 with a quick fire brace and Tola Broderick added two more in the 43rd and 47th minutes before Reich returned to the fray and turned provider for Edith Ferrer who made it double digits in the 49th.
Peters netted a late consolation from the penalty spot, but the day and the points truly belonged to the girls in sky blue
“The hunger shown by the girls was great to see,” commented coach Walter Reich who added that a few of the girls would have loved to have seen more minutes in the game but also highlighted his “unsung” players as well as giving accolade to the contributions if both Ariel Mohamed at the holding midfield position and Tinia Van Zoost as goalkeeper/sweeper during the first half.
“There are players on every great team who may not get the accolades that goal scorers get but their roles in these extremely critical positions are key to the team’s success,” said coach Reich. “their composure and ability to distribute the ball stretches the opponents and is so important to creating the space necessary for the wingers and striker to do their thing. Teams that win generally have players who are willing to work in the engine room and sometimes out of the limelight.” he concluded.
The Panthers WFC will play VG United at Cedar School with a 4.30pm kick off on Saturday, December 5.
