Savoy defence leading from the front

SITTING on top of the Albury Wodonga Football Association (AWFA) division two ladder at the halfway point of the season, Myrtleford Savoy women are enjoying the view. Sitting two points clear of rivals Wodonga Heart and boasting a goal difference of 30 after 12 games, coach Gabrielle Paglia said her troops were keen to consolidate their strong start to the season on Sunday, as they welcome sixth–placed Albury City to Savoy Park. "It's been really good so far to be able to keep this top spot – obviously it's the first time in a while for any of the teams I've played within," Paglia said. "The team's just doing so well, they all work together really well and communicate together – they just gelled together and we all understand each other." Having dropped down from AWFA's division one competition this season, Savoy have stamped their authority on the league so far this year, conceding only five goals while scoring a league–high 35 goals, which has seen them only drop points in three games. With the bulk of the side still under 18, Paglia said her side's defensive solidity had been particularly impressive so far this year, but noted Albury City were one of only a handful of sides to register a goal when the two drew 1–1 in the reverse fixture less than a month ago. "That experience last year in seniors has definitely helped the team, especially in our defensive half, and has helped build confidence so I think that's all it is really – building that confidence and taking each game as it is," she said. "I think it definitely shows that we've kept the same backline as last year – we all know how each other move and when we're going left and when we're going right, so it's definitely handy – it's all about having that experience as a team. "It all comes from our middle half and our attackers – it comes through them before it gets to us, so I definitely have all my faith in them as well as our goalkeepers Jess (Stringer) and Annie (Iaria), they're just game after game showing their worth. "I think we went in with our heads held a little bit too high potentially (in the reverse fixture) – coming into this next game we now know how they're going to play. "Definitely the fact that it's in front of our home crowd, we're definitely excited." Having trialed a 4–1–3–2 formation previously against Albury City, Paglia said she anticipated a return her squad would revert to its traditional 4–2–3–1 to ensure more midfield solidity, in an effort to release forwards Sienna Alam (15 goals) and Amber Howell into dangerous areas. With only four points separating first and fifth, she said it was important to continue the winning culture which had developed within the team. "We're obviously looking at trying to get as big of a gap between first and second as possible – we're really looking at those games where second and third are playing each other and hoping they can make more of a difference and create that gap," Paglia said. "You've got Heart who've beaten Albury United (fifth) twice now, so we're really looking at Heart as a big contender now – especially seeing as the first time we played them we lots to them 1–nil, which was our only loss. "So we're just comparing and seeing where we have to attack from there." Action commences at Savoy Park from 9.50am.

Savoy defence leading from the front

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