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Queens Park vs Coggee Clams, 8/7/12

It was with a team of 9 that the Porkies attempted to defeat the Cranky Clams at our home pitch of Queens Park 28 at (yup you guessed it) 3pm on Sunday. The ever-talented Lyndsay started on goal until, thankfully we were joined by Ellen and Jen fresh from their own game! Unfortunately Coggee nabbed a quick goal off of a deadly corner kick making the score 0-1. An unlucky penalty in the box gifted Coogee with a second, and the Porkies pushed into panic mode!! Soon after we received a penalty in the box and Lyndsay sunk the shot!

Half-time... eek! Dougal and the Porkies knew we weren't having our best game, but came out swinging in the second half.

Again, Coggee got a free kick outside of our box and got the direct shot into the back of the net. Soon after Emma G (I think??) planted a great shot from outside the box to tie the score! The final twenty minutes of the game was frantic, with Porky shots raining down on the Coggee keeper but the ball just wasn't bouncing our way. Sonja had a great shot that bounced off the post, Emma G and Emma C both had attacks in the box that bounced just shy of the corner post.

At full-time the score stood at 2-3, to the Coogee Clams. Not a happy bunch of Porkies! That's okay, we still have one more shot at showing them good soccer next week!

Queens Park vs Dunbar Rovers 15/7/12

We happily had a full team, and even a few subs (thank you to Leah from the over 35s who had a cracking game!) for this final in-season match against our nemesis, the Dunbar Rovers, played on the beautiful grounds at NCIE. This game was innnntense! The first ten minutes seemed to take the Porky Players by surprise, with the ball bouncing around and not making it to red trotters, but soon we settled down and played great soccer! Dunbar proceeded with their normal game, attacking with long serves and physical play. Not outdone at all, QP was the first to score... (was is Emma G??) and we tasted sweet sweet victory as Dunbar learned what is was like to be down a point for the first time this season on their home turf!!! All too soon Dunbar came back to even the score and at half time Dougal had lots of positive things to say. Everyone had their heads in the game and we trotted back on to finish with a positive result.

The last half was very tense, with a few hard hits and heavy injuries. The Porkies had the run of the play but Dunbar had a few very scary attacks as well. Toward the second part of the half an attack started from the mid field (was is Sonja or Chloe?) who got the ball to (I think Emma G?), who took the ball into the right corner and pass back to Lyndsay, who faked a few defenders out and shot...and scored! We had a big team hug and ran back to half feild to finish the game.

And so Dunbar has finally been defeated by the Mighty Might Queens Park, 2-1! Everyone had a great game and we had supporters Vicki and Nicola (Hoppy) as well as their little porklets!

Stay tuned for next week (I promise I will write one on time!) when Queens Park plays Coggee to even the score!

Waverley Old Boys 1 (0) v (2) 2 Queens Park Lions [ 2012 Jul 1]

Yesterday the Porkies earned a fantastic result in our third round against the Waverley Oldies, with the help of Ellen and Jen from the QP2s, BIG thank you to both.

With a gaggle of girls away from Sydney and/or injured we had a squad of 9 to start the game, so with the addition of Ellen and Jen we had a full squad, only just. Jen saved the day for us by playing goalkeeper and our back line consisted of Ellen, Alana, Caz, and Sonja. In the midfield was Aly, Chloe, Lyndsay, Emma C, and up top Emma G and Alex. Gentle Gill came to support, and subsequently play after half-time, where she rocked the midfield!

The girls made a big statement when, ten minutes after kick-off, Emma G received the ball at the top of the box to fake out the left defender and sink the ball into the lower left corner. Boom.

The gals continued to show Waverley a strong and united front, sending several well-formed attacks at Waverley Defense and earning a fair few corners and shots on goal. Emma G's hard work paid off yet again when she scored a second goal midway through the first half, placing QP at a tenuous lead over the Oldies on their home-turf at Moore Park.

In the second half Waverley came out swinging (almost literally) and gave our squad a run for our money! Unfortunately they were able to land one in our net from a near-unstoppable shot from the penalty spot. At one point Waverley received about 20 minutes straight of free kicks on our side of the field - it seemed as if someone slipped the ref a 20 before the game! Despite this, the score remained 2-1 and Jen had some A-mazing saves, in particular a 1v1 against a Waverley forward who shot low to the right. Jen saved the shot with a quick lunge and stop with her left foot and quick catch of the rebound. The crowd (Dougal) went wild! Ellen sacrificed her body for the team and was a solid defender, clearing the ball to our forwards to run on to. Everyone had a truly fantastic game and all seemed to be going well until, on one play Emma G was taken out on a late hit and the offending player received a yellow. Thankfully, Gill, despite being sick, subbed in and we finished the game battling with Waverley until the final whistle!

In the end, the Porky Victory Song resounded across the plains of Moore Park, 2-1 to the Porkies!

Stay tuned for next week when the ladies play Coogee United at (surprise) Queens Park 28 at (surprise again) 3pm.

Maroubra United 2 (1) v (3) 6 Queens Park Lions [ 2012 Jun 24]

Yesterday Queens Pork played the Bra girls down at Coral Sea and welcomed back our lovely Lyndsay and said farewell (for a while) to rambunctious Ronnie.

The sun was shining as Dougal ran us through a warm-up and small-sided game to get ready for the match. Poor Sonja came to support but was unable to play due to a severe chest infection L After a pump-up speech from Captain of the match Ronnie the gals trotted out for kick off.

Whistle! Maroubra passes the ball to the left, quick cross to a forward who then scores 5 seconds in. Ruh Roh!

Kick-off round two, the ladies in red drop the ball, pass left and Maroubra clears the ball out. Quick throw in to Emma G who then passes a beeeeautiful diagonal to Tess who is running in to the top box, 1v1 to keeper, and an easy pass into the corner. Goal to tie the match!!!

At 5 minutes in it was shaping up to be a very exciting game. The play was very bouncy at first, with big clears and out-of-control kicks zooming over the field. Terrific Tess has to come off due to a nagging hip flexor injury and glorious Gill subs in to right mid-field, meaning we have only 11 for the following 80 minutes!

After a rocky start the girls take control of the game and start advancing with well-formed attacks and passes to feet.

On one such attack, Chloe received a cleared ball off of a corner, crosses to Emma C who is at the 6-yard mark, who then volleys it in for an easy-as-pie 2nd goal! Soon after, QP has a series of corner kicks and dominates in the box. Aly and Emma C lurk menacingly near the goal and after a deadly corner from Lyndsay, the ball sails over the keeper to bounce around the face of the goal, Emma C has a shot that rebounds of the defense and Aly finishes it off for goal number 3!

The game continues on Maroubra’s side, with QP playing truly beautiful soccer. Honorable mention to Maroubra’s keeper who makes some fantastic saves – but we got one more before the second half when Lyndsay got a rebound at the top of the box and pings it into the goal for a comfortable 4-1 score at the end of the first half!

Half-time – Dougal is a happy camper! We are playing with composure and intensity! Our loyal men-folk supporters are joined by Lady V and Sophia, and past-porky Karla and company!

The second half started similarly to the first – five minutes in Maroubra gets the ball in the box scores. Oops…

Maroubra definitely comes back with a fighting spirit and though QP has the run of the game the next 20 minutes is scoreless. The back line keeps the ball on the opposition’s side with valiant and consistent defense from Caz, Peta, Alana, and Gill/Ronnie. Caz and Gill get into the attack, making runs up the line and adding to the offensive plays. Finally, Emma G gets well-earned possession of the ball on the base-line on the right, and sends a cross to Emma C who heads the ball into the bottom right corner for a million dollar finish. Goal 5!

The play continues on the Maroubra side and after a series of attacks Lyndsay receives another rebound at the top of the box, sending an epic Lyndsay-special into the back of the net, to make the final score of 6-2. Kachow!

The grounds of Coral Sea resounded with the Mighty Might Queens Park victory song!

Stay tuned for our next game against the Old Boys of Waverley on Heffron!

Queens Park Lions 4 (3) v (1) 1 Sydney Uni [ 2012 Jun 16]

Finally, after several rainy weeks and a stormy Saturday, we were graced with a sunny Sunday for the start of Round 3 against Sydney Uni.

With Chloe and Alex racing to get to the game after a trip up the coast, and Lindsay and Jen away from Sydney, the squad started out at 11 players - most of whom hadn't played in over two weeks due to the rainy weather!! Starting in goal was Dirty Deans; Gill, Alana, Peta, and Caz in the back; Tess, Ronnie, Emma G, and Aly at mid; and Sonja (fighting a cold!) and Emma C up top in offense.

The start of the game was definitely.... rusty, but the gals got it together after Tess, in a burst of energy, intercepted a weak goal kick, surged past the defense, and planted a goal on the bottom right corner. GOooaalalall!

Sydney Uni wasn't giving up, and gave our defenders a definite run for their money. Deans came through with a fantastic save when the opposition had a breakaway at the top of the box. Deans dove at the SU players' feet and stopped the attack in it's tracks.

Before the end of the second half we pinged in two more goals - Emma G and Emma C both with well-placed shots from inside the box!

At half-time we welcomed Chloe and Alex and Dougal have us a bit of a pep talk and so with renewed energy and a squad of 13 we trotted on the the field to finish the game.

SU game back with intensity and gave QP very little time on the ball. The game was even, with the play lingering uncomfortabley on the QP side, however SU was unable to make any threatening shots.

A counter attack resulted in a great cross to the centre that filtered out to Emma G who was positioned at the top of the box and pinged in a deadly shot that ricocetted off of a defender, over the keepers' hands, and into the goal! 4-0.

The game continued evenly until the last five minutes when unfortunately an SU midfielder was able to make a killer of a shot from almost half field that sailed over Deans and into the back of the net. Oh no!

At the end of the game the Porkies trotted off the field with a 4-1 win, and we are happy to back in action after such a long break! Next week we welcome Lyndsay back but say a farewell to Ronnie for a while after a third round against Maroubra United!

Queens Park Lions v Dunbar Rovers (Abandoned) [ 2012 Jun 9]

Queens Park Lions v Coogee United (Rained out) [ 2012 Jun 2]

Long time no speak fellow Porkies, Porky lovers, and Porklets.

You may have noticed a lack of wrap for the last two weeks, and that's because we have had very soggy weather here in Sydney.

2 June 2012- QP vs Coogee
Rained out!

9 June 2012 - QP vs Dunbar
With only 8 ladies available, and only about 5 feeling 100%, Dougal asked a few of the lower division ladies to join and we very happily welcomed 5 of them who volunteerd, making our squad 13 strong. Huge thanks to the five QP3s who joined, despite having just played a game against each other directly before our game in the pouring rain!!!

At kick off it was evident that Dunbar wasn't going to be able to take advantage of our depleted team, as we had the run of the game and even came within a few inches of scoring!! Playing in several puddles of water on the very cold, rainy afternoon, we worked the ball around the opposition, forming several great attacks.

At 20 min in, the referee blew the whistle and asked both coaches to join him at the centre circle, where he declared the fields unsafe for play and called the game. Dunbar threw a fit and the Porkies trotted off to the pub!

ALSO, special announcement! We have lost yet another Porky. Lady V has been messing around with the coach again and as a result we are all very excited to welcome another Guppy into the world for next season!!!!!

See you all next week when we play Sydney Uni for round three. Everyone pray for sunny weather and healthy Porkies!

Queens Park Lions 1 (1) v (1) 2 Waverley Old Boys [ 2012 May 27]

The ladies played Waverley Old Boys for the second time this Sunday and though the sun was shining and the skies were blue, we didn’t quite have the result we were hoping for….

3pm – Kick-off with only 11 players in attendance. Yikes! We started with Dirty Deans in goal, Alana, Caz, Peta, and Ronnie in defense. Tess and Sonja were in da middle with Emma C and Aly at left and right mid. Up top sat Jen and new Porky Jill! Wheew.

The gals utilized our good foot skills and avoided gusty winds by working the ball up the field with shorter passes and firing several initial shots on goal. One lucky foul in front of the box gave Sonja a free kick which she pinged to the top post and straight into the back of the net. Yipeeee!

Unfortunately Waverley equalized before the end of the half with an organized attack up the centre, and a shot on Deans from close range. Doh, 1-1 now.

Alana comes off with a painful quad strain and we are down to three in the back! Waverley utilizes the free man in the second half with a cross from our back line to an awaiting forward, who then places it in the left corner. Noooooo 1-2 to the Oldies!

Soon after QP launches a series of attacks on the Old Boys and we came sooo close a few times, but no luck. Jen unfortunately gets taken out at the ankle and comes off, leaving 9 Porkies to battle for another goal, but to no avail.

It was a great game played by all and we had several fantastic attempts on Waverley’s goal but it just wasn’t a Porky day.

Not to worry, we are lulling the other teams into a false sense of security. So sneaky.

Stay tuned for next week when we battle Coogee and their unruly fans at last year’s stomping ground Heffron at 1pm.

Queens Park Lions 3 (0) v (0) 0 Maroubra [ 2012 May 20]

This weekend was freezing (relatively) and drizzly in Sydney as the ladies trotted out to our home field, QP28 to play the Bra Girls for the second time this season.

We were missing our lady leprechauns, Emma C, Lyndsay, and Emma G, but were happy to welcome returned Porky Alana, as well as new Porky Jen for her second game! So it was with a very lean squad of 12 that we lined up to conquer the gals in green and yellow.

The first half was a little touch and go, with the new and old players learning to work together in the cold rain. Maroubra came out with intensity, getting to the 50/50 balls first and firing a few scary shots on dirty Deans!

QP quickly turned it around and we began to connect passes and play beeaauuutiful soccer! Dougal moved Sonja from defense to up front along with Alex and Jen, and Chloe and Tess rocked our socks in centre. With Ronnie and Aly at wing and helping to transition the ball forward, and the forwards/centres making some awesome short passes, it wasn't long till Ronnie took and ferocious shot on goal that ricochetted off of Maroubra keeper, right into Sonja who made a cool pass into the corner. Goal 1!!!!!!

The Bra girls weren't giving up yet, they continued to fire through balls and fast attacks at dependable defenders Caz, Lady V, Peta, and Alana, who blocked every attempt and even started some deadly attacks from the back. Maroubra was still able to get a few corners on us which were pretty scary - thankfully Deans was on point with some powerful punches to the high balls!

One attack from the back went up to Sonja (who was now playing in the middle) who faked out the mid-fielders and made a cheeky pass to the corner for Aly to run on to, shoot to the back corner... hit off of a defenders foot... and into the goal. Goal 2!

Maroubra was really suffering now, and Queens Park had really found our mojo. We moved the ball up in attack after attack, finding feet and utilising all areas of the field. On a quick transition Chloe recieved the ball from the centre and dribbled into the right corner, where she crossed to Jen who was running in and shot... another deflection off of Maroubra D into the GOAL!

And so we grab another win, at 3-0 to Maroubra!

See you next week when we welcome the Irish ladies back and play Waverley Old Boys, again at home :)

Queens Park Lions 6 (3) v (0) 0 Sydney Uni [ 2012 May 13]

Yesteday was a chilly but sunny day at Queens Park 28 when the ladies in red rocked up to play Sydney Uni for the second time.

It was a fantastic turn-out, with new Porky Jen making her debut and several past-Porkies, injured Porkies, Porky Partners, and Porklet offspring there for support!

The game started of with a bang, QP immediately putting the pressure on SU and continually working the ball up the field. Our hard work pays off when superstar Lyndsay sinks the ball, cool as a cucumber into the opposition's net.

A mere 15 minutes later a cross from the right (Tess or Jen?) saw a scuffle in the box, a quick clear intercepted by Emma G who knocks the ball from the top of the box, through the fray and into the bottom left corner.

Late in the half Emma G gets a nasty studs-up tackle from an SU defender and Aly takes the direct free kick. A simple chip into the wind and the ball soooars into the goal making the score 3-0!

Half-time! Dougal says lets use the width of the field better and attack from the back! The mighty Deans has a nagging injury and the collective makes the decision to rest Deans so that our favorite keeper comes back strong for next week.

Starting line-up in second half sees Amazing Alex volunteer for keeper, Vicky, Peta, Sonja, and Ronnie in the back, Tess on the right mid, Aly on the left mid, Emma G and Lyndsay in the middle, and Emma C and Jen up top.

Early in the first half Lyndsay gets the ball on a tiny clear from SU's keeper and settles, shoots over the keeper who has come out too far and it sinks into the net. Cheeky goal for Lyndsay!

Alex and Aly switch places and thank goodness the Porkies have total control over the game so the ball only makes it into Aly's hands twice. On one such occasion Aly lines up to do a FANTASTIC VOLLEY out to half field and.... kicks the ground and drops the ball and freaks out but quickly gains composure to kick the ball into mid-field. Oops, sorry guys!

Sydney Uni has turned up the pressure but it's just not enough, and for the most part we play on the opposition's side of the field. The back line does a great job of turning SU attacks in QP counter attacks but QP just can't find the net! Finally, the ball pops into the box, bounces around, and a Porky follows it in for goal # 5... big apologies as I was in goals and couldn't tell who it was... Emma C maybe??? Another, final goal sails into the net just 5 minutes before the final whistle, and I also couldn't tell who scored that one. I will update later!

So, a fantastic result to start of the second wave of games, with a 6-0 win over Sydney Uni. Go the porkies!

Stay tuned for next week when QP comes against Maroubra United, without any Irish representation as Emma G, Emma C, and Lyndsay are away!

Queens Park Lions 1 (1) v (1) 3 Dunbar Rovers [ 2012 May 6]

Queens Park Lions 2 (1) v (0) 0 Coogee United [ 2012 Apr 29]

Queens Park Lions 1 (0) v (1) 1 Waverley Old Boys [ 2012 Apr 22]

Massive apologies for the lack of wraps! Promise to keep you updated more regularly for the rest of the season. Here in Sydney, the Porkies have gone through 'round 1' of the season, having played the 5 other teams in Division 1. In the first wrap we learned that the ladies took two early wins against Sydney Uni and Maroubra, yaaay! Since then Sydney has gotten colder but the competition is heating up!

Round 3 Game 3 saw the ladies in red at home field Queens Park 28 where we drew against one of last-years biggest foes, Waverley Old Boys. We were excited to welcome new Porkie Ronnie to our team, another UK superstar! With Dougal stepping in for a late ref at the start of the game, the ladies lost an early goal when a sneaky forward got behind the defence and made a quick run and shot on Dirty Deans. We kept our heads up and got even when Lyndsay got the ball up top scoooooored! Deans blocked several crucial sitters and we managed to hold on to the draw until the final whistle blew!

Round 4 Again at our tiny yet beloved home field, QP met Coogee United, a team that has returned to the East after many years of competing in the Western Suburbs comp. It was a very rough game and we lost centre Chloe to an ankle sprain! The Porkies delivered to Coogee two welcome home goals and gave them none back, grabbing our third win of the season. Snaps to goal scorers Emma G for an epic long shot and Emma C for her signature $30,000 goal off of a corner!

Round 5 This past Sunday the QP ladies met at Dunbar's new home field in Redfern, the fantastic and very professional NCIE grounds. We played with only a squad of 11 due to losing our darlings Caroline and Emelie, Chloe still out with an ankile injury, Caz off wining medals at regatta, and Tess flexing her Academic muscles at an overseas conference. Dunbar started the game with a bang with an early goal, which was soon returned by a spectacular juggle, turn, and pass into the goal by Alex! The rest of the game was a battle, with both sides putting on the pressure but Dunbar edged us out with a cross and shot early in the second half. Emma C, Lindsay, Emma G, Alex, Ronnie, and Aly worked well up front to put pressure on Dunbars defence, but just couldn't finish! Sonja, Peta, Lady V, Amy, and Deans worked their bums off in defence and put their bodies on the line to deflect Dunbar attacks. In the end Dunbar got another run past the defence due to a faulty pass from midfield and landed a third goal. The Porkies kept their heads up and battled till then end, but unfortunately received our first loss at 1-3 to Dunbar. Next week the QP Lions will come up against Sydney Uni for the second time, this time on our home field, so get ready for another exciting result! Also special welcome to new Porkie Jen, an exciting new addition to the line up starting Sunday!

Queens Park Lions 2 (1) v (0) 1 Maroubra United [ 2012 Apr 15]

Queens Park Lions 2 (2) v (0) 0 Sydney Uni [ 2012 Apr 1]

This year the AAW1 Porkies are back in action against a new line-up of teams including Sydney University and the ex-premier Coogee Clams, and excluding recently folded teams Glebe, Pagewood, and UNSW. This means the competition will be even tougher and the games even more action-packed!

On Sunday, April Fools 2012, the Queens Park veterans and new members trotted on to Wentworth Park to play on the bumpiest field in the universe. We were sad to hear that new player Emily won’t be staying in Sydney but wish all the best for her – once a porky always a porky!

FIRST HALF:

The ladies started out with a bang when, ten minutes into the second half Aly crossed the ball from the right corner to forward Lindsay, who knocked it in to the net. Gooooal one for the season!

Sydney Uni didn’t take that sitting down, and attacked the ladies in red with very skillful plays and great fitness. Fortunately, we had fantastic support in the middle from Tess and Chloe, Aly and Alex on the outside.

A series of slotted balls toward Dirty Deans were expertly circumvented by our speedy back line, this year manned by Amy, Vicky, Caz, Peta, Sonia, Caroline, and all-rounder Emma G who also rocked it in forward.

About 25 minutes in, an attack through the centre sent a ball ricocheting at the top of the opposition’s box, and Emma C, cool as a cucumber, beats the defense and places the ball in the lower right corner just under the keeper’s grasp. Goooal two!!

SECOND HALF:

After a positive, then negative, then positive pump-up speech from Dougal and Sophia we rambled onto the pitted field. Dougal followed as he had to ref the second half due to a no-show lineup of referees!

Once again the intensity was up as the Porkies launched a series of attacks at the opposition and they responded in turn. The field was dusty and bumpy, the players were hot and tired, but we help them off until the final whistle, and a 2-0 result for Queens Park!

It was a great start to a promising season, with the team playing as a united front and earning a positive result.

Enjoy the Easter holiday and stay tuned for the next game, April 15, when the ladies play Maroubra United at Coral Sea!