STFA women play out thrilling start to midweek soccer competition

Played between two composite teams made up of women from the Stags Highlands players, ex-Stags players, ex-Wollondilly Soldiers players, and some who were completely new to the game, the scoreline by the end was 4-3.

But the winners left their run to victory very late, after trailing 3-0 by half time at Carr Confoy.

"It was pretty exciting, and it was played in really good spirits," competition administrator Jason Broadbent said.

"We had a mixture of girls turn up, some who hadn't played before and those who had but didn't have the time on a Saturday.

"They struggled to get a few shots off in the first half, and in the second they got a few off and caught up."

The STFA has decided on a free-flowing format for the competition, with teams to be decided on the night based on who turns up.

This, Broadbent said, will hopefully encourage greater turnout as they hope to cultivate a low-pressure and fun atmosphere.

"Stacey [Yeadon] has done a great job of rallying the girls and getting them excited," he said.

"A lot of the girls that I know personally who have played the last few years have said how much they enjoyed it, because obviously time gets away from them on a Saturday with their kids playing.

"The girls who haven't played before enjoyed the opportunity to get out there and learn the game in a stress-free environment."

This goal was ticked off last Thursday night, which featured plenty of sideline support for both teams and saw all players cheering goals, regardless of who scored.

Though it is still early days for the competition, Broadbent said the STFA is determined to keep it going in order to continue developing the women's game in Goulburn.

"It's important for us to keep the girls playing rather than calling it off because there's only two teams interested," he said.

"If there's the same 30 girls showing up each week and we have to swap the teams around, that's what we'll do.

"We've been approved to stay on Carr Confoy until the end of October, so we'll keep that going for any women interested in giving it a go. Obviously the interest is there, so we'll keep playing and come back next year bigger and better."

The STFA's midweek women's competition will be played on Thursday nights at Carr Confoy from 6.15pm for the next eight weeks. Fees are yet to be confirmed, and anybody interested in playing is advised to contact the STFA.

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