PINK LADIES: The Orange Ex-Services All Age Women's side has already started a strong season. Pictured are (back left) Bec Davis, Alex Quick, Somma Allcorn, Elise Garlick, (front) Ellie Humphrys, Claire Scott, Kristina Toender and Paige Tonkin. Photo: MICHELLE COOK 0313mcexladies
THE Bathurst District Women’s All Age football competition might be a month away but an Orange team is already in top form.
The Orange Ex-Services All Age Women contested the Mitchell Cup in Bathurst on March 9 and 10, where they finished third.
Coach Richard Gathercole is pleased with the start, despite the regular season not kicking off until the second weekend in April.
The Ex-Services girls won three of their four pool matches before losing the semi-final to eventual winners, Yoogali Soccer Club.
Molong’s Somma Allcorn dominated the competition for Ex-Services, being named player of the tournament and leading goal-scorer, with eight goals from five games.
Fill-in goalkeeper Ashlee Moore had a great weekend for the Orange side and is now likely to get a few games with the girls during the regular season.
“After last weekend I’m quite pleased with the team I’ve got because I believe it’s stronger than last year,” Gathercole said.
“We’ve had a few new players come on board this year. We have a very well balanced side. We have players who can slot into a few positions, which is handy.”
The team’s pre-season commitments haven’t finished yet.
On April 6 and 7 the Ex-Services side will compete in the Challenge Cup in Mudgee.
The Challenge Cup brings together all last season’s grand final teams from the Western area to play off for the title.
Ex-Services were runners-up in the Bathurst District competition in 2012 and qualify to compete in this year’s Challenge Cup.
The Bathurst District season will start the weekend after the Challenge Cup.
The Orange girls will be easy to spot this season after they traded in their old black and white striped shirts for bright pink ones.