By Greg Danvers
National Media Manager
WOLLUMBIN High defeated Bellingen High in the Bill Turner Trophy, for Girls, in the National 15-years-and-under knock out competition played at the Wollumbin School Ground on Friday (27 July, 2018).
The 2-0 victory has booked Wollumbin an away trip for the National Quarter Finals against a Hunter Region team. Maitland Grossmann High, on Monday August 6, will play the winner of Lambton High v Hunter Sports to determine Wollumbin’s opponent.
The Stone siblings Charli and Summer provided the match winners for Wollumbin but their defenders can lay claim to a major portion of the glory. Bellingen have scored 10 goals and conceded just two until Friday in three matches.
“Today’s game was a hard game, their defence was so good we failed to convert,” said Bellingen’s coach Liz Hoy post match.
“We usually manage to score quite a few goals in a game so that really made the difference. Their goalkeeper (Ciarn Larrescy pictured below) in particular was outstanding.”
Charli Stone (pictured on the ball below), the younger and more diminutive sibling, opened Wollumbin’s account midway through the first half.
Charli played well above her weight and size, never giving up on the challenge.
Older sibling Summer (pictured below), a two-goal hero in Wollumbin’s Round of 32 win over Lismore’s Trinity College, applied the pressure on Bellingen’s goal as the second half’s intensity grew.
First a narrow angled shot from inside the 6yard box was saved by Bellingen’s ‘keeper Tallara Doye but with Bellingen chasing the match the defence was breached with five minutes to the final whistle.
Stone had made her way into penalty box and shot only for Doye to repel her effort on goal. A fumble by the keeper and an out stretched foot and the second and decisive goal was netted.
“Very proud of the girls, they played hard, they played fair and it is fantastic for a school like our with only 400 odd students to make it to the last eight in the Bill Turner Trophy,” said Wollumbin coach Sean Thompson after the win.
“We’ll train hard between now and the next game, regardless of who we play I know it’s going to be a tough game.”
The Junior High students, watching from the hill, rose to their feet – the applause and hoots almost deafening – for this was a defining moment for the school with just 476 students.
A trip to Coffs Harbour looms, an overnight stay – to avoid travel lag – may just be out reach, financially for some. The powers to be are embarking on ways to ensure this team of teenagers is given every possible chance to make the “Big Dance” in September.
The top four schools from the Bill Turner Cup’s 450 boys and the Trophy’s 400 schools, contest the National Finals Series at the Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility at Speers Point on September 4 and 5.
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