Devils win final match of season 3-1

Take a bow Devils for your good performances throughout the season. This week you beat a much-improved Rosetta team to cap off a winning year. One shot hit the post, Millie took another tumble amid the goals, Nadia buzzed like a wasp, Rhianna ran and ran and ran (like AJ), Bijou watched from the sidelines - the juggernaut rolls on...

And were the parents excited? Definitely! There was more shouting than usual from the sidelines this week ("...Kick a goal Anna") - check out the parents in the photo below. Special thanks to coach Graham for his help this year plus the nicely-chosen end of season lollies.

1-nil win overTaroona White

The one and only Millie scores the Devil's one and only goal - straight through a goal square packed with Taroona players. Well done everyone - more photos to come. See you at next week's game against Rosetta at Cadbury's. (PS: Click on the pictures for a bigger version)

Nil-all draw but oh so close...

Nadia's kick in the first two minutes was whisker-close to the goal in this week's clash with Princes Street but alas, victory eluded us. The Devils maintained pressure throughout the game but couldn't score. Millie was one of those who took a tumble or two but no harm was done. All up, it was a great game and an honourable draw.

Meanwhile, for something funny, have a look at this Japanese Binocular Soccer match from YouTube...

Devils overpower Albuera Street, 4-nil

What a fine match to watch on a sunny winter's day. The team played really well against a good team, most of whom seemed taller than the Devils. Millie scored three goals and Bella one. You can see Millie kicking one of them in the photo below.

Millie and the forwards got strong support from a tenacious AJ and further back, mid-fielders Rosie and Alice.

Alice Cox kept pushing us into attack with strong kicks and those l-o-o-ong throw-ins of hers. Mae helped out with useful defensive clearing shots. Our goalkeepers this week were Bijou and Nadia, both of whom did a good job. Bijou was kept particularly busy in the first half. We were sorry to hear about Lillie's broken wrist - hope it gets better soon.

Slide show with 13 extra pictures

Cracking game at Lenah Valley (4-nil)

The frost was still on the ground when play began against Lenah Valley Primary but what a great game. Millie scored two goals plus one each from Bella and AJ. Millie's goals got a couple of honks from her fans still in the car, up on the bank. Alice's mum Sally handled the coaching today, helped by AJ's mum Julie while Graham's away in Sydney. Paul - that's Nadia's dad - did a fine job refereeing the second half; it was a good clean game, no cards yellow or red.

Bella - boot - ball

Nadia corners tightly on the frost

Devils beat Calvin 2-0

The girls had a fine win today with Mae and AJ kicking one goal each. Lovely play, strong defence and good attack. We welcomed Nadia to the team this week and hope she enjoys playing with us.

Margate beat Devils, 1-0

A nifty goal in the first minute was too hard to beat so Margate won today's game on their sloping southern ground. Well done to them and well done to the Devils who tried hard throughout the game. Tessa and Lillie shared custody of the goals and didn't miss any chances though one of Margate's kicks hit the crossbar. Millie made a welcome return. There'll be a full game report shortly.

Devils versus Angels - so guess who won?

Well naturally the Devils did! Final score was 1-0 in a torrid match with plenty of spills and jostling. AJ kicked the solitary goal early on while Rhianna in particular, with support from Tessa, kept the pressure on St Aloysius after halftime. Eva proved reliable in goal but had reason to be grateful to Alice Cox for booting away a dangerous shot near the post. One of the St Aloysius players (seen below with Bella) pushed and shoved rather unnecessarily, tripping up Alice at one point.

Due to an epidemic of forgetfulness, neither soccer balls nor goalie's top arrived in time for this week's match. In fact, the game got underway with AJ's own (slightly soft) ball. Next, Julie (AJ's mum) had to make an emergency dash to the shop for oranges. Parents on the sidelines marvelled at the ever-improving player skills such as feinting and ball-handling. The kicking's already good so the Devils will be fabulous once they perfect running and passing. Go Devils!

New feature! Jeremy's photo slideshow

Devils vs Rosetta: 4 nil to Devils

The Devils met and conquered a Rosetta team that was better and more determined than last time we played them.

Our forwards, Millie, Rhianna, Bella (wearing AJ’s mum’s socks) and Bijou (in the second half), dominated play, passing well to each other. This great teamwork produced many shots on goal and only the strong goalkeeping by Rosetta prevented the final score being higher.

Millie pushed consistently through the mid-field, showing excellent control of the ball and was rewarded by 3 goals. The other goal was scored by AJ.

Rosie was hard working in midfield as always, repeatedly repelling Rosetta’s determined attacks. Alice-Mary and Mae were reliable in defence, keeping to their positions well and talking to each other. As goalie in the first half Alice C saved a certain goal, with her strong kickouts putting the team back into attack. Lillie continued this good work as goalie in the second half, strongly guarding between two very wide goal posts.

This week’s practising of throw-ins at training had direct benefits with Millie, Bella, Anna S-M and AJ all seen doing long, high and well placed throw-ins.

Thanks to Stephen for stepping in as Devils coach while Graham (and Eva) were away this week, and thanks also to Alice's big sister Susie for taking these photos.

Nil-all draw beside the seaside

Zero goals at full-time but still an interesting game against Taroona White. The Devils had the best of the play (and scoring chances) but just couldn't boot any goals! Most of the credit for this should go to Taroona's busy goalkeeper, however their team made it hard to score by swarming around the goals - you can count Taroona's entire team (9 players) in the bottom photo!

Our forwards - Bella, AJ and Millie - kept persistent pressure on Taroona, assisted by mid-fielders Mae, Rosie and Tessa who kept feeding the ball forward. Alice Cox had a couple of scoring chances and looked good, as did Millie. Although there wasn't much work for our backs, Bijou defended well against the few that got through. Lillie looked after goal in the first half with Eva in place after the orange break. And Tessa - get some height into those throw-ins and you'll see how useful they can be for attack!

First game back after holidays

Welcome back - I hope everyone's fit and ready for Saturday's game against Taroona White, kicking off 10:00am at the Taroona High ground. Download Term 2's roster via the link and do the same with the new Orange Roster - the first name on the list is Bijou!

Week 7: Devils beat Princes Street 2-1

It took a goal each from Alice Cox and Anna Jamison to win this week's match against Princes Street Galaxy. Nice work, girls, and a good effort again from everyone else. Bella made a surprise appearance as goalkeeper in the second half, a change from her usual role in attack. Poor Anna Schurink-Muller had a tough game - the ball hit her nose in the first half, then she was kicked in the ankle during the second half. This hurt so much that Graham had to carry her off...

Week 6: Devils squeak home against Taroona, 1-0

And what a tight game it was this week, the second one against a Taroona side in the last three weeks. Bella kicked the solitary goal of the match in the first half. It ricocheted off their goalkeeper through the posts. The ground, on the banks of the river, has the best views in Hobart though finding the carpark can be confusing.