Women’s DP2 – Saturday July 20, 2002
V Pine Rivers
Score: 1-0
With five players unavailable, and with Pine Rivers conceding only five goals and losing just once this season, this was going to be our greatest challenge to remaining undefeated. We had a scoreless draw against them last time we met, and on the same sub-standard field, it was apparent that the scoreline would be a low one again. The team that held possession would win the game, and we started well by dictating the pace of the game, earning free hits required to slow the play, and used short passes amongst the forwards that saw enterprising combinations established. Kym was controlling the game well in the middle of the park, and her many wide balls enabled us to spend most of the half comfortably nestled in their end of the field. We converted this advantage into penalty corners but had no luck with our chances. At the back Jodie, Bec and Bronwyn used the short passing option to good effect, and we had more success advancing through our insides (with Susie outstanding) instead of hitting straight to centre forward Tonya.
The second half was punctuated by crucial saves, near misses and dubious umpiring decisions. Goal scoring chances from field play were again limited for both sides, with once again our best chances coming from penalty corners. Our goalkeeper Bridgit pulled off a great save to deny their striker who had a clear path to shoot at goal. Soon after from a corner, Jess collected a rebound from the pads, and shot at goal. The ball deflected off an opposition stick, flew over the fullback (trying to stop the ball with her stick above her head) and goalkeeper and into the net. The umpire awarded a corner for dangerous play. From then on the game lifted in intensity, and with both sides evenly poised, it seemed one goal from either side would be enough for a victory. Soon after Pine Rivers were awarded a stroke when the ball hit Bronwyn’s foot in front of the net. But was Jodie behind Bronwyn and capable of saving the “definite goal?”
Regardless, Bridgit ably saved the weak flick and the atmosphere of the game remained electric. It was apparent Pine Rivers luck had dried up when Tonya was awarded a goal from a corner 10 minutes from time despite the shot being marginally high. We were bemused at the decision but they didn’t seem to protest. We had some late chances to wrap up the game, with further corners just missing, and Becca was ideally placed unmarked in front of goal but unable to capitalise. In all a great result and a deserved win against the odds. Nobody played poorly, the enthusiasm was great, and our fill in players (Bec, Cherie, Cassie, Brooke and Jess) were sensational and seamlessly blended into the fabric of the side. We need to play with similar intensity (and style of play) for the remainder of the season, even when we face lowly placed teams, which will be less than ideal warm-ups for the pressure of finals hockey.
Goal: Tonya Collins
Lee Oliver
copyright 2002 Lee Oliver