By Damien Walsh
Ashburton earned their sixth win of the season after a compelling six-nil victory over Altona City in Round 12 of the Women's Premier League at Ashburton Park on Sunday.
Coming off three losses in a row, Ashburton got off to a great start against Altona City, when in the fifth minute the ball was played long to the left corner flag for Chloe Orinocsky to chase. She gained control of the ball and played it back to Rachel Lamb, who crossed the ball into the box where Christina Leland brought it down on her chest and worked her way around the Altona defenders. Lamb got into a good shooting position and let fly with her shot, which sailed past Altona City’s keeper Emma Fonua and into the bottom corner.
After the goal both teams were unable to produce any good goal scoring opportunities with the majority of play taking place in the centre of the ground.
Ashburton’s Sarah Walsh began stamping her authority on the game, and in the 27th minute she played the ball down the right wing to Leland. Leland drilled in a low cross towards Ellvana Curo who tried to turn it in with the side of her foot but got too much on it and the ball went wide.
Ashburton received a corner three minutes later. Walsh whipped the ball in towards the six yard box where Curo met it with her head and the ball sailed into the back of the net.
Soon after, Ashburton received another corner, this time Walsh put the ball in a bit closer to the keeper and Fonua tried to push it over the bar but couldn’t get enough on it. The ball then bounced off an Altona defender and into the net, Ashburton were now three goals up and looked likely to score more.
The final chance before half time went to Ashburton in the 39th minute in the form of a free kick. Walsh was there to send the ball into the box yet again but this time no one could get anything on it and it went out for a goal kick.
The second half started much like the first, with Ashburton on the attack. Lamb laid the ball off to Leland just outside the box and she took a touch and shot. Fonua was able to parry the shot, but Leland was able to gain control of the ball again with her back to goal. She turned a defender and used her left foot to send the ball into the goal.
Lamb had a chance of her own to get on the score sheet in the 57th minute when she picked up the ball at the half way line. She used her pace to get past her opposition and shot from 25 yards out, however, her shot went over the bar.
Altona City had a fantastic opportunity in the 68th minute after a long throw was put into the box. The ball was headed back out and Amy Jackson came steaming in and hit it on the half volley, unluckily her shot just went wide.
Just like the first half, chances became few and far between. That was until the 89th minute when Ashburton got a corner. Stephanie Tanti crossed in the ball and Curo managed to get a touch on it and it went passed Fonua and into the goal for Curo’s second goal of the match.
A couple of minutes later Ashburton were on the counter attack again. This time Curo had control of the ball and she laid it off to Lamb who was steaming down the right wing. Lamb went one-on-one with the keeper, chipping Fonua and scoring Ashburton’s sixth goal of the match.
Despite Altona City’s gallant efforts all day, Ashburton was just too good on the day.
The win for Ashburton keeps them in touch with Sandringham who are only two points ahead on the WPL ladder.
Ashburton will travel to McEwen Reserve next week to take on the Bendigo Vipers, while Altona City head to Wembley Park to play Box Hill Inter.
Ashburton: Ingrid PHILIPPE (GK), Rosie BURETA, Linette LAVERDURE, Rachel LAMB, Sarah WALSH (Samantha NASHEED 79’), Ellvana CURO, Christine PFEIFFER, Christina LELAND, Chloe ORINOCSKY (Stephanie TARTI 67’), Gulcan KORA (Liesel WOODS 79’), Sarah LOVETT.
Unused Subs: Cindy DUSSOYE, Natasha NARDELLA.
Goals: Christina LELAND 6’, 51’, Ellvana CURO 29’, 89’, Rachel LAMB 90’, Own Goal 33’.
Altona City: Emma FONUA (GK), Natalie VUKOVIC, Marie AGIUS, Lauren HUMPHREYS, Sophia IOSIFIDIS, Kerri LITTLE, Aneta KOMIJAT, Christine FONUA (Yeliz LATIF 71’), Alexandra MILLER (Jessica RADIC 45’), Kathryn FLOROS, Amy JACKSON.
Unused Subs: Padiki DADE, Bianca RINALDI, Laura ATHANASIOU.
Last updated: Monday July 12, 2010 10:04AM
Back