7th August 2005 - ANU Arrows (0) v Weston (4)

We started with a full team with Kat and Al passing their respective fitness tests earlier in the week and declared fit to play. This meant that we had 3 pairs of fresh legs on the bench and there were no excuses for not putting in everything during the game, especially as winning could put us in finals contention! We started off very well; 10 seconds in and we had already set ourselves up for a goal by sending a corner into the box. Unlucky not to convert, the team held strong for the majority of the first half and was unlucky to be down 1-0 at half time. (Just as an aside: the first half was highly eventful in terms of medical mishaps with Ann suffering a posterior dislocation of the glenohumeral joint after a nasty fall from an equally nasty tackle while Danny had a few minor myocardial infarctions on the sideline when Karen decided to take on the two Woden attackers in the box). When we returned to the field after half time, the wind had picked up, as had the luck of the Woden team when the ball dribbled unconvincingly over the goal line on more than one occasion. Still, our arrow spirit could not be beaten and we kept up the attack, demanding everything from their keeper who had to put her body on the line to protect the goal. Unfortunately it just wasn’t our day, and were down 4-0 when the full time whistle blew.

Lisa Ho

24th July 2005 - ANU Arrows (3) v Belwest (0)

The re-scheduled match with Belwest on Thursday night was probably the Arrows’ best to date. The AIS pitch was flat and fast, which helped us play the quick passing game we’ve been developing at training.

Indeed, it was probably the predictability of the AIS pitch which threw off Belwest’s keeper as she snatched at Danny’s uncharacteristically loopy shot in the first couple of minutes of the game. We were stunned, but we weren’t giving it back.

It wouldn’t be unfair to describe our play from there as cocky. The backline were smirking as they repeatedly strung six or seven passes together before delivering the right ball to the midfield. In attack, we refused to let their defence take any time on the, denying the team the short passing game they have relied on in previous match-ups. Nicky let fly with an unequivocating shot on goal late in the half, pounding the top left corner from a tight angle on the right.

2-0 at half-time and the break provided an opportunity to thaw out frozen bits, clear some digestive gases (you know who you are) and congratulate ourselves on our too-bloody-goodness.

Belwest came out angry and flailing about, and some of our smaller players got a mashing. Come to think of it – so did the bigger ones. Arrows kept up the pressure nonetheless, and capitalised on Belwest’s frustration in the backline, pinching ball after ball on the end of even the most speculative passes (..sorry guys). This highly tactical approach paid off with another goal falling out of a goal-box scramble. While the build up was far from pretty, as usual Danny made it look gorgeous, dropping the ball with her chest for a left-foot volley. 3-0.

Her work done here, Danny subbed off to allow Eddie to test her ankle injury. We all had our collective heart in our mouth as Eddie took her first few knocks, Belwest apparently taking the approach that its easiest to pick on the new kid.

While there was some great soccer all round, special snaps to CeCe and the backline for holding us all together. Thanks also to Danny, Glen and Sandy for braving the cold and doing their best impression of a crowd, in the face of some hearty opposition from the West Belconnen Parents and Citizens Association

Sarah Lonsdale

17th July 2005 - ANU Arrows (1) v Academy (1)

The game:

After a late start to the game due to change of field, ANU and Academy ran onto the field with purpose: Academy enthused by their recent play in the Nationals, ANU ready to show that age really is no substitute for pure talent. The game that ensued was 90 mins of gut-wrenching, hard-fought, end-to-end soccer.

ANU was composed on the ball from the outset. The one touch passing and ball movement was excellent under pressure. We played strong team defence and were extremely efficient with our chances. From Cece with her awesome aerial abilities in keeping out shots, to the defenders Kath, Suzie and Karen who performed powerfully as a unit, to the centre midfielders Danni and Sarah making play after play, to the outside mid Jen tracking back in defence and intercepting passes to the forwards, to the strikers Kat and Nicky making strong runs and pressuring their goalie with ample shots: all over the field - all game long – it was a great team effort.

Special mention:

A special mention to Libby and Jasmine from 1sts: Libby played the full 90 minutes as attacking-mid (‘link’) backing up after a game for 1sts. Jasmine subbed on for Suzie late in the 2nd half on the wing. Both played extremely well, thanks a lot guys!

The goals:

The backline of Kath, Karen and Suzie, strong and unified in defence as always, soaked up all pressure until late in the second half when a lucky Academy striker managed to get a shot off from outside the box. Retaliation, in the form of a dynamic and swift attacking burst filled with style and verve from the back-line through the mids to the strikers resulted in an awesome score-equalising goal by Nicky.

The result:

ANU 1 – 1 Academy

All in all, a good game girls, where age defied youth (well, almost!).

Alison Rose

26th June 2005 - ANU Arrows (1) v Canberra City (4)

It was another beautiful winter’s day in Canberra where the mighty ANU Arrows were building on their grace and skills to take on Belwest. Ok then, well it wasn’t exactly a beautiful day. There was a little bit of rain and maybe a few clouds and ok a couple of muddy patches. But our grace and skill were definitely there. ANU had much of the possession throughout the game holding Belwest to nil all at half time. The girls’ games came off the field pumped and on a high from their efforts, committed to returning after half time with as much fight and determination as they had left the field.

Alas, our illustrious striker, Nicky Allen, had to be substituted due to a niggling ankle injury. Oh, what were we to do with out her famous corners and powerful finishing prowess! But no fear, there was super-sub Suzie (we’ll leave out the Smackey at this stage) ready and raring to go on the bench, eager to score her first goal in 10 (ok, 20) years. Unfortunately, Belwest scored their first fluky goal not long into the second half. I can’t say that it was really deserved, as it was a lucky shot, kicked from just past half way that lobbed into the top corner of the net. I’m sure there was a wind assist in there.

Not long after, ANU had an opportunity to equalise when Suzie followed in on a ball dropped by the keeper, eager to live out her dream of scoring a goal, but alas the shot went wide and it was then that Suzie accepted that she would always be a defender and the dream would always be a dream.

Belwest scored their second goal with yet another flukey shot, which was totally covered by our bold and talented keeper, CC, when they slotted the ball into the goal at rather a tight angle that even Beckem couldn’t do. Talk about luck! Never the less, the mighty ANU would never give up. With Ann defying Belwest’s keeper with her pace and brilliance, ANU soon scored their first goal. A couple of near misses, didn’t put us off our game though, it made us more determined. Sarah coming close with one of her famous headers from a floating cross across goals. But, eventually it was Alison who had all the glory when she slotted in a goal after a fumble from the Belwest keeper to even up the score. We tried hard to get ahead. The defence of Karen, Kath and Lisa doing a brilliant job and CC covering the goals like a master. Kath even resulting to doing the splits and cramping up to give us oldies a bit of time to get our breath back.

All in all it was a great effort to come back from being 2-0 down. Well done, girls!

Final Result 2-2.

Suzie Mackey

19th June 2005 - ANU Arrows () v ()

Despite it being the coldest Sunday in Canberra this season, the ANU Arrows were hot for action. Although Weston Creek were expecting a walk in the park, the Arrows managed to shock them with their brilliant play and dazzling good looks. A determined ANU team played out a strong first half, managing to keep Weston, currently sitting on the top of the table, scoreless. Unfortunately, even though Danny remembered to take notes and gave a subsequently inspiring halftime chat, and despite the fact that, according to Ann, he is a ‘nice guy’, nothing could take the bite out of the freezing wind whipping across the Calwell fields. This saw ANU get off to a slow start in the second half, giving Weston the opportunity to slot two cheap and nasty ones past the ever inspirational CC and her team of hardy defenders, Kath and Lisa. Nicky ‘the field was shit’ Allen, and Karen ‘I would have scored if you’d kicked it to my feet’ Avis put together some explosive attacks in the second half, after the midfield (Sarah, Kat and Vicky) managed to dominate both the ball and the player (special mention to Vicky…). Jenn and Alison gave red carpet appearances as “The two wing-backs”, bolstering the defence and injecting speed and style into the attack.

In summary:

1. It was freezing.
2. The field was shit.
3. The linesman had no idea.
4. Lisa has nice hair.
5. We lost 2-0.

Danielle Noble

5th June 2005 - ANU Arrows (1) v Canberra City (4)

At the start of the second round the arrows had already grown into a stronger team. City thought they would be able to walk over us and got a real surprise. So much so that the City girls put on a fine display of sportsmanship towards each other. Tuesday dinners are clearly cementing the team and we are starting to show real potential as competition in the league. It was a physical game as always however Vicky and Kat kept the City girls in check, literally. All in all everyone played well. Thanks to Sally for stepping up. Fresh legs towards the end there resulted in a goal. Next time we meet city it will be an interesting match!

Kath

29th May 2005 - ANU Arrows (3) v Woden Valley (1)

With 2 players interstate, a late field change, and losing the toss, it didn’t look like the soccer Gods were on our side. Luckily we weren’t superstitious, and settled into the game nicely with our headbands on. The back line stood solid all game, with Karen, the rock, taunting Woden’s poor strikers with her fancy footwork. Suzie and Ang managed to win the ball every challenge and kept the pesky Woden attack at bay. Meanwhile, on the right-hand side of the field, Lisa didn’t have all that much work to do until the 2nd half when she made a few mad dashes down the wing; all well executed and easily handled I might add. In the midfield, shots were flying from all angles, alas; Kat, Dan and Sarah were unlucky not to convert. Alison rose to the occasion (no pun intended) and scrambled back to defend just as quickly as she rushed up the wing to attack, it was beautiful work. Meanwhile the “link” (Ann) scored the 2nd goal of the match, receiving a yellow card for her efforts after she whipped out the turquoise nike sports bra. But I’m getting ahead of myself, Eddy scored the first goal in spectacular fashion, charging at a beautiful cross by Nicky with her thigh and slotting in the back of the net. Eddy too, decided to give us a glimpse of her underwear, when she was dacked by a Woden player… charming. Nicky sent some beautiful corners into the square and had several near misses at goal, all frustratingly close. The half-time speech from Danny and Kath was encouraging and inspirational, even though Woden managed to get one in and taint Cece’s perfect record for the game just after the break. Speaking of Cece, she kept like star, although she was rather cheeky when she smashed a goal kick into back of an unsuspecting Woden attacker in the first half… Anyway, we were back on top of things after a minor lapse in concentration early in the second half, with Eddy racing into the sunset to put another beauty over the fingertips of the keeper. Late in the match drama unfolded when Ang was on the receiving end of another “nudge” from a Woden player deep in defensive territory costing the fiery Woden girl her second yellow card for the match! Then, just as we were about to score 10 more goals, the full time whistle went… Hurrah, we win 3-1! Congratulations to the team for a superb game and Danny for his coaching genius.

Lisa Ho

22nd May 2005 - ANU Arrows (1) v Under 16s Academy (1)

The Arrows have finally reached their potential. Although we didn’t win the game, even though we deserved to, we dominated the entire time and taught those young’uns that experience rules over age anytime. The game was poetry in motion and the communication could be heard 2 fields away. The Academy squad got desperate and started fouling and soon tempers ran high. We held our heads, with a minor shove, and showed true class throughout the match. Sarah Lonsdale scored another brilliant goal, Kat Taylor played the match of her life on the right wing and Dani Noble took one in the face ever so gracefully. All in all I can say the season starts now and there is no turning back from here. Those team bonding nights have really worked well girls!!

Vicki Maughan

15th May 2005 - ANU Arrows (2) v Belwest (6)

Score: not important
Team Spirit Levels: rallyed to an impressive season high that could only continue to improve via team gatherings that involve food and alcohol
Injuries: only pride

The game started with the ANU team caught unawares with several quick goals by the opposition. It was a game for flukely long shots, lobs that stayed in the air forever only to pop into the top of the goals, quick breaks while the other team was attacking. Unfortunetly for the good guys (ANU), all this occured for the other team. Obviously several members of ANU had walked under ladders and had black cats cross their path during the week.

Despite such events the new look backline of karen, lisa and our overseas purchase jen performed well, and looked to have the upper hand as the match wore on. Sarah, as always, was the leader in midfield heading everything that crossed her path. Vicki, Suzie, and Kat worked up a sweat in midfield, driven on by scary, incomprehensible screaming from Kath on the sideline. Nic and Allison roamed up front looking for any opportunity and making good work of what they could find. After a drink, talk and stretch the second half saw several replacements made to freshen up weary troops. Sally backing up from firsts resembled a madwoman as she scrambled, tackled, passed, ran and ran in midfield. Dan made a cameo appearence in the forwards overjoyed at being able to push towards goals and toyed with the Belwest defence.

Danny in a fit of coaching genius bought in a new ploy of three forwards in an attempt to gain some confidence and respect for ANU. It worked as the play between Ann and Eddie confounded Belwest and spurred on ANU to play with style, poise to put ball to feet and then ball to player. Soon all were involved passing, running, working as a team. Such a pretty sight only ended with the full time whistle but despite recording a loss, it was not in vain with the promise of much more to come in the future.

Edwina Knight

8th May 2005 - ANU Arrows (0) v Weston (8)

After a disappointing score line 2 weeks ago the arrows went all out to kill the black enemy (in fair play of course!). While we didn’t pull off the game plan, the team did put in a good effort. We had a couple of strong chances in the first half where we were unlucky not to finish. Our defence got a good work out including the Gumby the goalkeeper, who could be multicoloured today after not rubbing in all her sunscreen. It was of course another hot afternoon. Highlights were Kat Taylor taking a massive ball in the gut and not going down, what a hero, and Sally stepping into goals after Gumby injured her shoulder, great job Sal the team loves you for it!

Big thanks to those who stepped up to play in the absence of those who were out, injured or still just needing beauty treatment.

Final score…well let’s just say it was a bad day at the office!

Kathrin Kulhanek

1st May 2005 - Canberra City (5) v ANU Arrows (2)

The Arrows (what an interesting name I hear none of you say) suffered a setback as they lost to the shoe sale girls from Canberra City. I would really like to give them a lesson in how one should behave on the field of play. Anyone would have thought we were playing for sheep stations.

The Arrows grabbed the first goal in spectacular fashion, with the mid-field sending a long ball over the top of most City defenders except one very uncoordinated and poorly groomed City defender who whacked the ball indiscriminately into the air, over the head of the rather voluptuous Goalie and into the net. The ANU supporters, all five of them went wild, shirts were removed by both manager and coach, to the absolute shock of our more senior supporters.

Canberra City after this rather embarrassing error attacked the Arrows in what one can only liken to as a pack of girls at a shoe sale, destroying everything in their path to get 50% off a pair of Manolo Blahnik’s. Their first goal was nothing short of absolute arse, our bionic and well attired goalie (nice top Cassie, a far better colour for you then the grey one we have in the kit) threw herself valiantly at the City girls, but to no avail there were too many of the little buggers.

Sarah “nothing is too hard for my head” Lonsdale as she is affectionally referred to in the showers, showed us that she is not only superb with her head when she slotted through a beautiful volley from an early in-swinging corner. The crowd again went wild, Coach and Manager had to be restrained, I hope the cuff and baton marks have faded boys.

Canberra City dominated for long spells of the first half but failed to create many clear-cut chances and as a result the teams went in at half time at 3-2 to City. Credit has to be given of course to our sexy left wing Suzie, “goodness I look great with the fag hanging out of my mouth” Mackey, to little Lisa “Like a Tiger” Ho, who is sporting a rather attractive nose imperfection as a result of a earlier “incident”, to our controller of all defensive play, our rock, Danz “I can’t believe these are King Gee shorts” Noble and to last but definitely not least to our bionic belle, Cassie “Gee the ground isn’t as soft as I thought” Penfold.

Injury hit the Arrows hard towards the end of the first half with our goalie having to head off the see a doctor about her head, her hand, her ribs, well basically about a lot. The evergreen and multifaceted Nicki “I have a cool Ute” Allen. Nicki, was replaced on the field by Linda “I think my body wants me to stop running” Ulman

The second half saw pretty much of the same shoe sale mania from the Canberra City girls, but with some fight back from Alison “Our own desperate house-wife” Rose and Kat “I hardly touched her” Taylor.

There were patches of good play from the Arrows, with at the heart of their forward momentum Edwina “My shorts are not trousers” Knight who must have found some sort of lest call it energy pill in the half time break who came out a more determined and dangerous forward in the second half. Her sudden impact on the game would be short live, with the Canberra City shoe sale girls cutting down her already short legs with every step she took.

One amazing and spectacular play which we can’t fail to mention and which the regular supporters have become accustomed to seeing along with her sexiness, was the great goal saving play from the nippy little forward (what the heck am I doing on the goal line) Ann “Oh my goodness I am having a great hair day” Borg-Barthet, who managed to clear a ball off the goal line, or from behind the goal line.

Unfortunately despite what I can only describe as a patchy yet promising performance by the Arrows, Canberra City ran away with a 5-2, but really who’s counting.

Thanks to our coach Danny “this is a piss-poor turn out” Agnello and Phil “Just F*%^ing hit them back” Ujdur.

Ann Borg-Barthet

Team