By Netshakhuma Muleya
WELTON Group of Schools’ girls’ soccer team represented Beitbridge at a provincial friendly tournament hosted by Girls College in Bulawayo on September 19.
The tournament featured Welton, hosts Girls College from Bulawayo and Regina Mundi College from Gweru.
Welton opened their campaign against Girls College and suffered a 3-0 defeat.
The Beitbridge side started brightly, with a disciplined defence frustrating the hosts during the opening 10 minutes.
However, Girls College gradually increased the pressure and broke the deadlock late in the first half.
Athina Katisrakis (10), operating on the right wing, controlled a diagonal cross before producing a composed finish into the back of the net.
Girls College continued to press after the break and doubled their advantage in the 32nd minute.
A cross from the left wing found Renesmey Chanakira (15), who fired a well-taken shot past the Welton goalkeeper.
Welton were dealt another blow when goalkeeper Alicia Fortune was injured while attempting to make a save from a shot inside the 18-yard box.
As the game proceeded she got replaced by Alenatha Mbedzi, a substitute Goal keeper.
Mbedzi later conceded a third goal after Girls College striker Leyen Mukoki (6) won a one-on-one battle.
Welton head coach Calicious Ndou praised his players for their effort despite fielding a squad dominated by junior players against more experienced opposition.
“As a team, I acknowledge that we put up a good fight, regardless of the fact that our team was dominated by junior players while battling senior teams,” he said.
Girls College coach Harina Ngoni applauded her players for executing their game plan.
“I want to applaud the girls for a well-cemented game. They surely delivered the organised game plan,” he said.
He also praised Welton goalkeeper Fortune, suggesting that she could be effective as a right-back based on her performance against Regina Mundi.
In their second match, Welton suffered another 2-0 defeat against Regina Mundi College.
Regina Mundi took the lead in the eighth minute when Praise Daus (9) fired a shot from inside the 18-yard box after Welton’s defence struggled to clear the danger.
Ketlin Nyoni doubled the advantage in the 17th minute, with her effort taking a deflection off a Welton defender inside the box.
Although Welton finished the tournament without a win, the Beitbridge side gained valuable experience from competing against regional opposition, while demonstrating determination and teamwork throughout the two matches.