A stacked New South Wales Institute of Sport team, boasting three senior Australian internationals and a host of U-20 players, came from behind to down New Zealand’s Young Ferns 2-1 at Valentine Park on 13 July, as the Kiwis continued their preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Finals in Trinidad & Tobago in September. Olivia Chance gave the Young Ferns a sixth minute lead, thrashing the ball home at the far post on receipt of a cross from Holly Patterson, whose enterprising right wing raid had encouraged Hannah Wong to make a decoy run to the near post run which deceived the defence. "We played well in the first half-hour", said coach Dave Edmondson. "We were composed, and were able to exploit the extra space - our experienced opponents didn’t play as high up the pitch as their younger counterparts two days ago. "They made up for that, though, with their range of passing and movement - we struggled to cope with their midfielders running off a strong central striker. And once they got on top, we lost our shape. "We scrapped, fought and battled hard, but NSWIS equalised in the 28th minute, and took the lead five minutes into the second half, while we were reorganising things after Kate Loye picked up a slight shoulder strain very early in the second half". All but one of the Young Ferns enjoyed game-time in this match, with Michelle Windsor certain to take the field at some stage of their final tour fixture, against reigning W-League champions Sydney FC from 9pm on Thursday, NZ time. Of those who did sport the silver fern on this occasion, Edmondson picked out four for special mention. "Tessa McPherson was fantastic, while we missed Kate Loye once she went off. Rachel Head impressed today, while Kate Carlton did really well when she came on - she wasn’t afraid to put the tackles in, and provided good distribution at a stage of the game when we needed it. "Playing against such an experienced side - and some fantastic players in the form of the trio of Matildas NSWIS fielded - was a big step up for the squad, and offered them a different learning experience which will stand us in good stead". Young Ferns:     Geurts (Reddaway, 46); Bowen, Boyce, McPherson, Head; Burrows (Carlsen, 47), Loye (Carlton, 47), Millynn (Ward, 77); Patterson, Wong (Parkinson, 60), Chance (Lee, 75)

Holly Patterson - killer cross Tessa McPherson - "fantastic" Rachel Head - "impressed"