Balclutha Association Football Club

Last home games for season this weekend , Leishman Funeral Services Women vs Varsity 3rds Kicking off at 12:30

BAFC Leishman Funeral Services Women vs Green Island 💙⚽️

What a hard-fought game from the girls today!

We started the match with the luxury of one sub 🙌 and the girls battled hard right from the first whistle. We went into halftime 0–0, after a really strong first half.

Unfortunately, we lost Ella King after she suffered a nasty calf injury and had to make her way off the field. Huge credit to Ella for her commitment and effort right until the end — wishing you a speedy recovery! 💙

A massive thank you again to the girls who filled in for us. We really appreciate you jumping in and giving it everything alongside the team.

Green Island eventually broke the deadlock in the last few minutes of the game from the penalty spot, with Trin just missing the save, leaving the final score 1–0 to Green Island.

Despite the result, the girls played their hearts out in the rain and should be incredibly proud of the fight they showed for the full game. 🌧️⚽️

🏅 Player of the Day: Aida
Congratulations Aida — very well deserved!

Well done to every single person who pulled on the shirt today. 💙

Shovellers Win Final… Game of the Season

The Andrew Haulage Balclutha Shovellers travelled to Invercargill and beat Waihopai 3-1 on Saturday.

They were treated to a day of four seasons with sun, wind, hail and rain at different times throughout the match. The pitch was bumpy but relatively dry given the weather conditions leading up to the match.

Both teams struggled with touches at time due to bobbles in the pitch, but still managed some nice football and it was the Shovellers who were the more inspired to start with, scoring two in the first half, a classic header for Gordon Edwards off a precise Cory Budge corner, and a lovely curling left foot shot into the top corner from Blake Mosley.

Waihopai didn’t give up and stormed back into the game with a goal after a defensive lapse. Not to be deterred, Clutha battled on against a determined Waihopai and the Shovellers came up with the goods, Mosley finishing a penalty after a hand-ball in the box. Play of the day went to Cory Budge who subbed off just in time for a hail shower, then came back on once it was all over.

As always the showboating strikers got all the glory while the defenders did all the hard work. Mosley was awarded player of the day for his goals as well as covering many miles in making runs and creating chances. Dory of the Day went to the other striker Matt Simmonds who got caught up in the goal net before the game and was floundering around on the ground.

Prizegiving will be on Friday 11 September at the Balclutha Town and Country Club. Media and fans welcome – please contact the Club for bookings.

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Nice bit of silverware that!

Shovellers Retain Edinburgh Trophy

The Andrew Haulage Senior Men beat Southend United 2-1 in the final of the Edinburgh Trophy on Saturday.

In a repeat of the 2025 final, the two teams faced off for another tough battle on the turf at Turnbull-Thomson Park in Invercargill. The Edinburgh Trophy is a knock-out cup contested throughout the season by the teams in Division One of Southland Football. Despite a wish for at least one game during the season, this was both teams’ first game on the newly-laid surface at Turnbull-Thomson and they took some time getting used to the surface.

The Clutha Shovellers started the way they wanted to play, with flowing, passing football with only the occasional bit of shovelling the ball along the backline. This style was always going to create chances and they went into the halftime break with a healthy 2-0 lead.

The second half was more even, with Southend getting back into the game and putting pressure on Clutha, who started to pump the ball long, losing possession and having to defend more. Chances were missed by both teams but Southend hit the onion bag with about ten minutes to go. It was a nervy finish but the Shovellers dug deep and held on for the win.

The team was well-supported by a vocal group of loyal supporters and there was a nice trophy presentation from Southland Football after the game. Medals have been promised in the mail.

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⚽️❤️ BAFC Leishman Funeral Services WOMEN — MATCH REPORT ❤️⚽️

What a game!

The 3–0 scoreline definitely doesn't tell the full story of yesterday.

After another week of struggling for numbers, we started with just 10 players. Then Aida’s mum stepped up, put the strip on and joined us up front for the whole game — what an absolute legend! 👏❤️

The girls played their hearts out.

It was an intense first half, with everyone working hard up and down the field, backing each other and putting their bodies on the line. We had some great hits, some solid headers and even a couple of balls to the face that were taken like champs! 😂

We went into halftime 2–0 down, but nobody gave up.

Trinny started in goal and managed around a dozen saves, while the girls worked incredibly hard in front of her.

Then in the second half our 11th player arrived, and with some tired legs out there, Trinny was let out of the goal and sent up front alongside Aida’s mum. Karen our other reliable keeper took over. Fantastic to have two incredibly talented keepers.

Safe to say, there was still plenty of adrenaline left in the goalkeeper! 😂⚽️

There was a bit of bouncing around, the occasional gymnastics move and plenty of determination to get to that ball — providing a little entertainment along the way. 😂

Unfortunately, a couple of injuries meant we eventually found ourselves back down to 10 players.

But strangely enough, that second half felt like one of our strongest.

We only conceded one goal in the second half, but more importantly, there were moments where everything just seemed to click.

We backed each other, covered each other and played some genuinely good football together.

And to every girl who was on that field yesterday — I'd absolutely love to see you all back. ❤️

That group had something.

We had regular players, fill-ins and even people with very little football experience, but somehow we came together and looked like a team.

There were laughs, frustration, adrenaline and plenty of emotion — but there was also connection.

That's what I want our team to be about.

Football is part of it, but so is meeting people, supporting each other, having a laugh and finding a group you feel comfortable being part of.

It's about finding your people. ❤️

So if there are any women out there who have thought about getting back into sport — come give football a go!

You don't have to be an amazing player. Whether you played years ago, haven't kicked a ball since school or have never really played before, we'd love to see you.

We've still got another 4 games, and we'd love some more women to come join us.

And as for Player of the Match this week?

I honestly couldn't choose one.

The whole team deserves it. 🏆❤️

Every player and every fill-in who showed up and gave it everything — thank you.

Yesterday gave us a little glimpse of what this team can be, and I walked off that field incredibly proud of my girls.

The scoreboard says 3–0, but there was a lot more to celebrate than the score.

Well done, girls. We've got this. ❤️💙⚽️
Trinity

Game at Bayfield Park 2. The girls will have a hard day at the office.

Grand Final of the Edinburgh Cup

Southend United vs Andrew Haulage Balclutha 12:45 Saturday 8/8/2026 Turnbull Thomson Park, Invercargill

Supporters bus meet at Balclutha AFC Clubrooms 12 Glasgow Street 10:45