IT’S all about pride at Orange Hockey Centre on Saturday.
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Kinross-CYMS takes on Orange Ex-Services with both sides playing for little more than pride.
Ninth placed Kinross-CYMS’ finals hopes were dashed several weeks ago with Ex-Services, 10 points adrift of the top five in seventh, all but ruled out of contention after suffering a 2-nil loss to Parkes United last weekend.
Kinross-CYMS lost 3-2 to Bathurst St Pat’s last weekend in an improved performance, and injured skipper Madie Smith said her side was looking for a similar showing on Saturday.
“We’ve just fallen short in a lot of games recently but the girls are fired up and won’t want to do that in a derby,” she said.
“They were gutted after last week’s loss, but now it’s about finishing the season on a high.”
Smith said her side’s focus for the remainder of the season, with one eye on 2015, is the development of combinations.
“We’ve got a good core group of girls here,” he said
“Players like Ellen Van Hoek, Chloe Barrett and Emily Piper should be around next season. Hopefully we can keep the rest of our group together as well.
“These next few weeks are a good chance to come together as a group, and keep developing.”
Ex-Services coach Mitch Kennewell said the onus was on his players to determine how their season finishes.
“It’s up to the girls really now,” he said.
“If they want to show up with the right attitude and grab a few wins towards the end of the year, I’m sure we will. We can’t be thinking that all is lost.
“We have plenty we can still work on and improve on, especially looking towards next season, and a win here would be great, there’s no doubt about that.
“But we’re under no illusions, Kinross-CYMS can knock us off. They’re a good side, and they’re in the same position as us in terms of just playing for pride.”
The game starts at 1.10pm.
matt.findlay@fairfaxmedia.com.au