Women’s DP1 – Saturday April 12, 2003
Vs South Brisbane Eagles
Score: 1-0
The team training session this week was very poor, but it didn’t reflect the way we started this game. From the early stages we had good field position and forced early penalty corners. However we didn’t fully come to terms with the slow playing surface, not chasing down long hits and moving to the ball to receive passes. We too often relied upon them making errors rather than holding possession and passing amongst ourselves. With the day a muggy one, we started to tire at the end of the half, and didn’t support each other in numbers. Defensive errors presented Tonya with chances but she couldn’t capitalise. Our fullbacks Kayley and Bronwyn were great, goalkeeper Bridgit made telling saves and Katrina stopped one of their best scoring chances.
Making more frequent interchanges in the second half, our ball possession improved and passes were more selective. The side looked to use wide balls more often, with the likes of Becca and Shanina receiving good passes. After a disappointing first half, Nadine steadied the left side in the second. The umpire didn’t apply the advantage rule well, so good scoring chances in the circle were nullified in favour of awarding corners. During the game we had so many corners you probably couldn’t count them on your fingers and toes, and we finally scored from one with two minutes left. An initial shot was rebounded from their keeper high into the path of Tonya, who deflected the ball away for Danielle to knock it in.
A tough, grinding and physical victory against feisty opposition, we showed good determination to slug it out until the end. If not for the efforts of their fullback and goalkeeper, we could have won the game by quite a margin. Danielle was tenacious in defense at inner and advanced attacks well while on the wing, while Michelle was strong in the midfield. Jodie showed fighting determination throughout, while Bec and Kym were solid. Remember we can’t receive the ball when we stand behind their defense, we need our shots to be on target, and shorter passes would be more effective. But overall, the commitment can’t be questioned. The second match of the double header will be even harder, facing the experienced Commodores, last year’s runner up.
Goal:
Danielle Lee
Other results:
Bulimba 3 v Commodores 2
St. Andrews 4 v QUT 0
Ascot 2 v Commercial 0
Kedron-Wavell 1 v South-West United 0
Points:
Ascot 4, St. Andrews 4, NORTHS 4, Bulimba 4, Kedron-Wavell 2, QUT 2, South Brisbane Eagles 0, Commercial 0, Commodores 0, South-West United 0.
Lee Oliver
© 2003 Lee Oliver