Three weeks is a long time in football – just ask ACE Women’s coach Jamie Sanckson.
A heavy defeat at North Brisbane, who have yet to concede a goal, in their first Capital League 1 fixture dented the confidence of his squad.
But Jamie has been “really happy” with the response and ACE line-up tomorrow against local rivals Pine Hills at Wolter Park, 8.30pm, with both level on six points. Only goal difference separates ACE, in sixth, with Pine Hills who are third.
“We got a couple of key players back (after North Brisbane),” said Jamie, “and the girls worked hard in training on a new system that I feel suits our strengths better.
“The last two games (wins over Kangaroo Point 2-1 and North Star 5-0) have been so much better.
“I’ve always maintained how good our squad is, but ultimately it always boils down to who wants it most on the day – 90 per cent of the time the team that works hardest will take the points.
“We played some really good football on a tough pitch at North Star last week but I continued to push the girls to try and play.
“I know we have the quality and we’ve worked again in training this week on the style we are trying play.”
Pine Hills have beaten the bottom two, Ipswich Knights (6-0) and North Star (3-0), but lost their first match of the campaign 6-1 to Olympic, who are fifth, last weekend.
“Pine Hills will be a tough test,” says Jamie, “they also have some good players and they are trying to get back to where they used to be.
“It’ll be nice to be back at home and hopefully we can build on the last two weeks and play well. We’ve got everyone available except Morgan-Lee (injury) so going with a strong squad is always a huge boost.”
ACE Women Reserves, who won their first match of the campaign at North Star (3-2) last weekend, are in eighth place level on points with visitors Pine Hills Reserves who are seventh. This match starts 6.30pm, tomorrow, also at Wolter Park.
