Auckland's “A Team” gave the New Zealand Under-20 women's squad a lesson in experience and mental toughness on North Harbour Stadium's outer oval on February 24, downing the youngsters 2-1 as the Under-20's preparations for the Oceania U-20 Women's World Cup qualifiers continued. Despite it being the first hit-out for the year for the bulk of their compliment, the “A Team” wasted little time in resuming from where they left off in 2005, and created a number of opportunities in the first half which exposed some defensive frailties in the Under-20s ranks. Terry McCahill was twice afforded unchallenged heading opportunities from corners, with Auckland's captain going desperately close on each occasion. So, too, did Anna Barlow, who saw Emma Kete clear her shot off the line following another Auckland set-piece with which their younger opponents struggled to come to terms. Maia Jackman and Melanie Gooch teamed up on another occasion, with the latter's cross arcing across the bows of the incoming Marlies Oostdam, as the “A Team” dominated first half proceedings. The Under-20s engineered a few openings of their own, but all too often the delivery of the final pass was found wanting. An early Helen Collins target flashed past Stephanie Puckrin's post, while the goalkeeper, who was guilty of handling the ball outside the penalty area on one occasion, gratefully grabbed from the resulting Kete free-kick. Auckland's goal, in the 37th minute, was just reward for that dominance, but arose from a defensive error. The soundly performed Hannah Rishworth had stormed forward to lead an Under-20s raid, but some composed defensive play from the covering figure of Jackman left her opponent with a massive recovery run to make, from inside Auckland's penalty area to the edge of her own. As Rishworth hastily retreated, the “A Team” clinically struck, Puckrin launching the ball downfield on receipt of Jackman's pass. Fatally, the Under-20s allowed the sphere to bounce, and Gooch didn't need a second invitation. She hared clear on the left and rounded advancing goalkeeper Bianca Mori before unleashing a fine drive into the far corner of the net from an increasingly oblique angle to give Auckland a deserved lead. The Under-20s engineered a few more openings in the second spell, with Annalie Longo and Kete both going close with shots on the turn following moves which

featured quality crosses from half-time substitute Caitlin Campbell. Back came Auckland, with possession hard-won by Grace Vincent and Sam Selwyn. The “A Team”'s midfield pairing have their sights set on being in the squad for Samoa, and duly impressed throughout. Jackman took full advantage of the opportunity their efforts provided on the hour, powering past two players before whipping in a cross for Gooch. Fortunately for the Under-20s, Abby Erceg was back to clear off the striker's toes. After Kete had been thwarted by the fast-retreating figure of Kristy Hill when the young striker was through on goal with just Puckrin to beat, the Under-20s levelled the scores on the hour with a fine strike, both in its construction and execution. Emma Harrison sent Sarah Gregorius racing down the right with a delightfully weighted pass, and the young Wellingtonian instantly laid the ball inside for Kete. The striker's one-touch pass presented the lurking figure of Longo with the chance to pull the trigger from twenty-five yards, and the back-pedalling figure of Puckrin couldn't prevent the looping effort from arcing into the top far corner of the net. While the Under-20s were still mentally celebrating, the “A Team” hit back in stunning fashion. Within ninety seconds of being pegged back, they were in front once more, thanks to a thirty-five yard screamer from Sandee Hui which soared over the head of the out-of-position Ashleigh Cox and duly found the target it never looked like missing from the moment the ball left the fullback's boot. Stunned, the younger team looked to strike back once more against opponents who were understandably beginning to tire, given they largely hadn't kicked a ball in anger since winning the 2005 Lion Foundation National Women's League Grand Final, and the cluster of silverware which accompanied that success. But the greater experience of the “A Team” saw them largely hold firm, save for a couple of occasions when stumbles by Hill on a treacherous patch of pitch opened the door. On the first occasion, Rishworth released Kete with a measured pass, only for Puckrin to turn the striker's effort to safety. Then, late in the match, Collins took full advantage of the defender's misfortune to sprint clear. The reigning Northern Premier Women's League Top Goalscorer fired her shot beyond the advancing Puckrin, but the ball curled narrowly past the post.

It would have been the equaliser, but in all honesty, Auckland should have wrapped up proceedings moments beforehand, when Mori gifted a glorious opportunity to Rebecca Tegg on the edge of the penalty area. If you'd put your house on the National Women's League Golden Boot winner slamming the ball into an empty net to clinch victory, you'd be homeless tonight, because much to the disbelief of all present, most of all Tegg herself, the striker's errant effort ended up nearer the corner flag than the gaping goal! It was a startling miss by her standards! Fortunately for the “A Team“, it didn't cost them the victory their efforts deserved, their greater willingness to battle for the win seeing them home against the Under-20s, whose coach, John Herdman, wasn't too impressed by certain aspects of his young charges' play. “While it was an excellent run-out for the girls, they struggled tonight, and didn't battle enough. We need to learn to compete more. When we play, we can really play, as was seen with the excellent build-up play and outstanding finish for our goal. “But well done to Grace Vincent and Sam Selwyn, who, with strong performances in Auckland's midfield, both took well their opportunity to stake their claims for a place in the squad for Samoa”. They weren't the only ones to shine in blue-and-white, with Dana Humby, Oostdam, Jackman, Sarah Gibbs and “A Team” debutant Barlow joining youngsters Vincent, Selwyn, Hui and Rebecca Brown in producing eye-catching first-up performances for 2006. The Under-20s preparations continue throughout March with a series of still-to-be-confirmed training matches. Two fixtures which have been finalised are internationals against the Tonga Under-20 squad, which take place at North Harbour Stadium on March 15 and 22. “A Team”:     Puckrin; Hui, Humby, McCahill, Gibbs; Jackman, Selwyn, Vincent, Oostdam; Parkinson, Tegg Subs:     Gooch for Parkinson; Brown for Tegg; Barlow for Vincent; Hill for McCahill; Parkinson for Brown; Vincent for Gooch; Tegg for Selwyn; Binning for Jackman; Brown for Parkinson Under-20s:     Cox; Percival, Erceg, Rishworth, Rennie; Gregorius, Lankshear, Longo, Hoyle, Kete; Gregorius, Collins, Kete Subs:     Mori for Cox; Harrison for Percival; Campbell for Gregorius; Cox for Mori; Gregorius for Collins, Mori for Cox, Collins for Kete