Women's DP2 - Saturday May 11, 2002
Vs Pine Rivers
Score: 0-0
This week we had a few players (Bronwyn, Shanina and Michelle) backing from up filling in for DP1 and the obligatory umpiring duties. Coupled with some players arriving late (slap on the wrist for them) and Kate unavailable, this forced a reshuffle of the intended starting line-up. This resulted in players fronting in non-favoured positions - as a result we used some 6 players in the 2 wing-half positions and just as many changes in the forwards during the course of the game. In the end this was partly to blame for a poorer showing. However the start of the match did not hint at this being the outcome, as Susie and Nadine showed great form on the left side in attack and we applied pressure on their defense. Forcing enough penalty corners to net a handful of goals, we squandered most of these chances, although some determined defense and great keeping kept us out also.
In the second half we did well to maintain possession at the start, and with Nadine and Jodie controlling the left side with many surging runs and maintaining possession, it appeared as if we would take the lead soon enough. Some good passing into the circle went unrewarded and a combination of stubborn Pine Rivers defense and our forward's hesitation in the circle often cost us ideal chances to shoot on goal. The fact that goalkeeper Bridgit was forced to make only one save the entire match is testament to our backs defending well again. A draw was in hindsight probably not overly surprising given that Pine Rivers had tallied 3 draws this year.
All in all, this match left me both bemused and frustrated. For the most part we did not play like the team that dominated Bulimba last week: if we had we would have won. Like Commercial, Pine Rivers had good defenders who often dispossessed players in one-on-one confrontations. I have no doubt that if we brought the passing attitude of last week's game against Pine Rivers we would have beaten these defenders by using the ball. I was disappointed as we too often turned over possession. Poor communication from the backs meant that centre half Danielle pushed wide left to assist and right half Kym moved infield to cover the gap. This left their left wing wide open. We need fullbacks to support each other for free hits when feasible and allow the centre half to find space to receive then distribute the ball. Also there is nothing wrong with a free fullback marking a forward to create more room for attack.
I think this match showed how much of an intregal part of our team Kate is at inside forward. In her absence we really seemed to struggle as our side was destabilised due to constantly changing. As inside forward is a position not many of our players are keen on, when we have those spots occupied by Kate and Katrina we are at our best. We should be scoring plenty of goals as we force so many corners. All said, a side who can draw a game when playing poorly is a good side. We did not allow them to come close to endangering our goal so that is very pleasing as they had some capable strikers. I expect more difficult battles with Pine Rivers in the future as both sides remain undefeated so far this season. We have a 12:30 game in the heat this weekend, so keeping possession will be vital for victory.
Lee Oliver
copyright 2002 Lee Oliver