FOOTBALL
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THE Highlands FC (HFC) under-12s hosted Woonona on Saturday in another top-of-the-table clash.
The Highlands team knew this was going to be a tough game as Woonona hadn't lost in the league this year.
The previous encounter between the two sides resulted in a 1-1 draw.
It was a bitterly cold and windy morning which should have been to the Highlands advantage.
However it was Woonona that came out stronger in the first half and controlled the game in midfield.
This has been a pattern to HFC's season with the under-12s playing better football in the second half.
Highlands FC didn't play its best, was scrappy at times and couldn't capitalise on a couple of chances.
The under-12s have had a big season with the Branch Championship and Country Cup, and are capable on their day of beating Woonona, but it didn't happen on Saturday.
The final was score 2-0 which left the Highlands under-12s sitting in third place in division one.
Highlands under-14s played Albion Park at home on Saturday.
The game was finely balanced with both teams attacking strongly.
Highlands took a 1-0 lead heading into the break.
In the second half the Highlands had the wind which made it difficult for Albion Park to play out of its own half.
Sustained pressure forced Albion Park to foul a Highlands player just outside the 18 yard box.
Highlands converted to make the lead 2-0.
Also on Saturday, the under-15s travelled to Shellharbour after a three week break.
The team was undefeated for the year, but the wheels on the bus hit one almighty speed hump and everything fell apart.
Right from the kick off the boys were a little behind the eight ball with some sick passengers, a few niggling injuries and only one fresh sub.
Credit went to Shellharbour who played the perfect game and did everything right to convincingly win 4-0.
The under-16s went down to competition leaders Thirroul on Saturday in a turnaround from their last meeting.
Both teams were pretty even, with HFC having the majority of the attack in the first half.
The Highlands defence worked well at shutting down the opposition attacks until a loose ball cannoned onto a defender's hand in the box and Thirroul made no mistake with the penalty.
HFC was down 1-0 at half time.
With about 10 minutes to go, a Thirroul midfielder was given a little too much space and launched a 25 metre downwind shot which managed to elude the desperately diving Highlands goalkeeper and find the back of the net.
The score remained 2-0 until the final whistle.