Young Football Ferns begin Aussie tour with win

The Young Football Ferns made a winning start to their three-match Australia tour with a 2-0 win over the New South Wales Institute of Sport on Sunday night.

Evie Millynn. Photosport

July 12, 2010

AUCKLAND – The Young Football Ferns made a winning start to their three-match Australia tour with a 2-0 win over the New South Wales Institute of Sport on Sunday night.

Long range efforts from midfielders Evie Millynn and Rebecca Burrows within the first 15 minutes of the second the second half proved the difference for a New Zealand side using the tour to prepare for September’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago where they have been grouped with Venezuela, Japan and Spain.

In the 53rd minute, Olivia Chance won possession high in the New South Wales half, slipping a pass to Hannah Wong who teed up Millynn’s first time opener. Seven minutes later Rebecca Burrows was on the end of good work down New Zealand’s left hand flank, beating her marker before doubling gthe lead.

New Zealand coach Dave Edmondson was happy with the test provided on his side’s frst overseas match but aware the week was likely to get progressively harder as they face an institutes side on Wednesday with a greater balance of U-20 and senior players before finishing the trip against Sydney FC.

“It was a pretty good team performance all round,” Edmondson said.

“It was a big step up for us in terms of pace and physicality, and in the sort of pressure they applied all over the field. But we played very well and once we got the first goal I think we dominated.”

Edmondson singled out goalkeepers Chloe-May Geurts and Jess Reddaway for solid games in the half game each they played, while central defenders Tessa McPherson and Sivithia Boyce were also praised.

New Zealand U-17 2 (Evie Millynn 53, Rebecca Burrows 60) NSW Institute of Sport 0
Sydney

New Zealand: Chloe-May GEURTS (GK / Jessica REDDAWAY 46), Rachel HEAD, Tessa MCPHERSON, Sivitha BOYCE, Katie BOWEN (captain), Rebecca BURROWS, Kate LOYE, Evie MILLYNN, Olivia CHANCE (Ashleigh WARD 65), Hannah WONG, Holly PATTERSON.
Substitites not used: Kate CARLTON, Megan LEE, Hannah CARLSEN, Michelle WINDSOR, Grace PARKINSON.
Coach: Dave EDMONDSON

New Zealand U-17 Women Australian Tour Schedule
New Zealand U-17 v NSW Institute of Sport
Sydney
Tue 13 July

New Zealand U-17 v Sydney FC
Sydney
Thurs 15 July