Despite only winning a point against Casey Comets on Saturday, National Training Centre assistant coach Anthony Frost was really pleased with how his side played, especially against a physical opponent.
The NTC led 2-1 on the hour after Emily Harbis’ speculative strike as well as Jess Pitts’ free kick cancelled out Laura Croft’s opener for Casey, and were particularly impressive in the second half before the last minute penalty.
Frost praised his young side, who really couldn’t do much more to win the game.
“The second half performance particularly was incredible,” Frost said.
“The combination play in our attacking half, the amount of chances we created, our fullbacks looking to push on and support our attack as well.
“It’s a sad end to the day but I think the girls can be really proud of their effort and the way they performed.”
One of his best performers on the day was Jaimee Williams, who was a rock at the back for the NTC girls and cleared away most of the danger Casey caused the development side’s back line.
Frost was sympathetic to his centre back, with whom he couldn’t fault for that one mistake.
“She certainly was [best on ground] and I just had a word with her there and she can’t be disappointed with the way she played,” he said.
“One small insignificant moment in the game that anyone in that position could’ve been in that scenario, but she had an amazing game. Just immense.”
Perhaps the most satisfying aspect to the match was how the team coped with Casey’s physicality, having already succumbed to similar opposition this season.
Frost was happy with how the team applied the instructions handed to them in how to avoid being sucked into a physical battle, learning valuable lessons for their own playing futures.
“The message at the start of the game was to get away from those battles and play the ball, move the ball quickly,” he said.
“The positioning of the girls and the passing particularly was really good today.
“That’s what they’re going to expect week in, week out from playing in this competition and playing against senior women, but at the end of the day that’s what they’re going to have to potentially play against, against difference international sides long term, so we want to prepare them to play against different teams.
“So I thought that they handled it really well and we hope that results can come and they get used to playing against more physical teams.”
Frost will also continue to be in charge while head coach Joe Montemurro is overseas to complete his Pro-Licence studies, and he credits the boss for ensuring a seamless transition while he is away.
“Well I hope I can do Joe justice but he’s left me with a good group of girls and any result is obviously due to Joe’s preparation and to the girls’ hard work and effort throughout the start of the year and training when I’ve taken over,” he said.
With a trip to Cairnlea on Sunday, Frost did find one weakness in the NTC’s performance that needs ironing out before that match.
“I think [the focus is] looking at putting away our chances,” Frost said.
“We’re creating, we’re playing out of the back really well, maintaining control, possession which has been fantastic but just capitalising on those chances. But apart from that just reinforcing much of the same.”