Australia's U-20 women's squad, the Young Matildas, prevented their New Zealand U-17 counterparts from completing a clean sweep of their three-match series against Australian age-group teams this week by downing the Young Ferns 4-2 in Canberra on April 20. The visitors got off to a flying start when Sarah McLaughlin thumped home the opening goal after just 65 seconds. Caitlin Campbell's corner was cleared to Anna Fullerton, who picked out McLaughlin with a peach of a cross. The striker couldn't miss. “We started very brightly”, reflects coach, Paul Temple. “We were the better team early on, but didn't kick on and let them back into it. We stood off them, and allowed the Young Matildas to play - they're very good. That said, three of their goals were down to our mistakes”. And these were punished mercilessly. Kyah Simon, who hopes to be making her Matildas debut against the USA this time next week, was particularly ruthless, netting twice in ninety seconds half-way through the first half. On the stroke of half-time, a long-range rocket from Teresa Polias made it 3-1 to the Young Matildas at the Australian Institute of Sport, while substitute Nicola Bolger made it 4-1 nineteen minutes from time. “We put on a strong display in the second half”, say Temple. “I was pretty happy with that. We put them under more pressure, and had them on the ropes in the last fifteen minutes”. During which the Young Ferns gained due reward, eight minutes from time. Campbell and Hannah Wall worked a short corner which saw the twice-capped Football Fern whip in a cross. Leah Gallie was lurking near the far post - 4-2. And so nearly 4-3, as Casey Dumont made a “world class” save to deny Wall five minutes from time. “Had that gone in, things would have been quite interesting”, says Temple, who admits to being a bit disappointed that the Young Ferns didn't get more from this match, despite taking on a group of older players. “There are plenty of positives to take from the series as a whole”, enthuses the coach. “Scoring ten goals in three games against Australian opposition for starters,

Anna Fullerton - peach of a cross Leah Gallie - scored a late goal Briony Fisher - captain led by example

and a variety of goals at that - we're not one-dimensional in the goalscoring department. “Plus we scored twice against a higher-aged team, and held them in the second half today. And we won two games, of course. As well, we were tested in matches against good teams, and we're a lot more organised and harder to break down as a result”. The series has beneficial for a number of individuals as well. “It gave us the opportunity to have a look at a lot of players who haven't enjoyed much game-time”, says Temple, “and they've really taken on board what we've been trying to do. “Yumi Nguyen, for instance, had two games at centre back, and has made some improvements, as has Caitlin Campbell, in her new fullback role. And Katie Bowen has done really well for a fourteen-year-old, starting against the U-20s. She's got good maturity, and hasn't looked out of place. “Nadia Pearl, Hannah Wall and the captain, Briony Fisher, were consistently good throughout the week. Hannah, in particular, offered us lots of energy. She looked dangerous going forward, and looked good up front in the series overall”. Preparations remain on course for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Finals, which New Zealand will be hosting from October 28 this year. “The girls are confident after this series”, says Temple, “and will carry that into our next internationals, which have yet to be confirmed”. Young Ferns:     Charlotte Wood; Caitlin Campbell, Briony Fisher, Yumi Nguyen, Anna Fullerton (Megan Shea, 25); Katie Bowen (McLaughlin, 70), Leah Gallie (Jodi Curtis, 82), Nadia Pearl, Claudia Crasborn (Emily Cooper, 70); Sarah McLaughlin (Lauren Murray, 55), Hannah Wall Unused substitutes:     Victoria Esson, Kate Loye, Elise Mamanu-Gray Young Matildas:     Casey Dumont; Teresa Polias, Jessica Seaman, Emily Van Egmond, Elise Kellond-Knight, Monnique Kofoed, Kyah Simon, Ella Mastrantonio, Ruth Blackburn, Tameka Butt, Samantha Spackman Subs:     Karina Roweth, Nicola Bolger, Bronwyn Studman, Danielle Calautti, Vedrana Popovic, Jenna Kingsley