Mermaids claim landmark victory in pre-season carnival
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What a win!: The Mermaids had a star turn at the Football Margaret River pre-season carnival, claiming victory for the first time in 24 years of competition. Photo courtesy Strive South West
With perfect timing leading up to International Women’s Day, Football Margaret River’s Women’s team the Mermaids became the winners’ of their own tournament for the very first time in the pre-season carnival’s 24 year history.
The Mermaids were without question the outstanding team of the tournament, finishing as pre-season champions after winning all but one of their games during competition.
This was truly the icing on the cake for the club’s pre-season carnival on the same weekend the men’s team finished runners up.
The Mermaids took no time at all hitting form in 2018 by winning their first outing against Peel United in the kickoff game, emerging victorious after a hard fought contest 1-0.
Less than two hours later they were defeated by visiting South Perth United 2-1 in another tight and physical contest.
The Margaret River girls had to front up two hours after this to face Western Spirit and accounted for another Perth team with a slightly more comfortable 2-0 result.
The Mermaids were playing a convincing brand of hard running, hard tackling soccer.
Day two saw the Mermaids despatch Sorrento 3-0.
After defeating Margaret River on day one, South Perth were shaping up as potential Carnival winners.
The tournament’s semi final saw the two sides meet again in a hard, competitive encounter, ending with the Mermaids victorious 2-0.
This result saw the Mermaids at the top of the table and through to the tournament final.
The Mermaids’ superior fitness, determination and skill allowed them to exploit the larger pitch of the number 2 ground in the final, and effectively ran the Bunbury Dynamos off their feet.
Not only did the Mermaids display greater desire than their opponents but they were more disciplined, playing to their structures which enabled their wide wingers to continue to provide dangerous balls into the opposition penalty box.
This resulted in a comfortable final scoreline of 3-1 against very well-credentialled opponents.
Some of the Mermaids’ play resulting in goals during the final was scintillating with the ball travelling from defence to attack in seconds without being touched by the opposition until they picked it up out of their net.
This was a result built on the foundation of a well-organised and tough defence, operating in tandem with an extremely hardworking midfield and forward line.
Not only did the Mermaids cement their position as one of the most talented teams in the South West, but they also provided some of the tournament’s most eye-catching individual performances.
In the context of their great team efforts the Mermaids’ central attacker Salla Salmi was awarded the Golden Boot as the tournament’s leading scorer, scoring at better than a goal per game.
The puzzle of how Mermaids’ sweeper and defensive organiser Kate Salvatore didn’t receive the Best Player Award for the tournament will remain one of life’s mysteries.
Both these players’ standards were inspirational to their team-mates, and there were many other contributors to the quality of the team’s performances.
The Mermaids Tournament squad consisted of: Jas McIntosh, Kate Salvatore, Fabienne Laneri, Alana Clark, Molly Quick, Liz Ostrick, Jordan Bernhardt, Mim Smith, Niamh Aitken-Lombardo, Salla Salmi, Tanah Howden-Woodlands, Ava Wilson, Charlie Ward, Maddy Geibel, Noemie Marrill and Serena Leotta.
Every one of these players had a great tournament. Throughout the weekend’s games this group displayed their greatest strength in each game.
The Mermaids play as a team for every minute of every outing. There are no super stars or prima donnas amongst them, and players run to support each other, providing options for attacking and defensive plays.
Whenever a mistake is made the players simply apply themselves to regaining possession or whatever else the team requires.
This is a team which not only has great skill and application but terrific team spirit amongst the players. Teamwork is their greatest strength and the hallmark of their game. This quality plus the fact that they never give up makes them extremely hard to beat.
This success at being the very first Football Margaret River ladies team to win the Club’s pre-season carnival was hard earned against some talented opposition.
It was a very popular and well deserved result and the team is to be congratulated for both the quality and spirit of their performances.
The Mermaids can be proud of themselves.
It should be remembered they remain wild creatures – they were last seen hysterically slapping their tails together and throwing fish up in the air for each other.
– Alex Smith
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Margaret River Mail
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