Image Courtesy: Vikki McGregor
Box Hill Inter continued on their winning ways with a 6-1 defeat of Altona City at Wembley Park on Friday evening. Altona City were in it early with a strong passing game, but once Box Hill Inter had their first goal on the board, from Louisa Bisby, there was no turning back.
Inter scored again in the 40th minute through Bisby, who brought her season tally up to seven goals. Altona City kept themselves in the match, with a clever goal from Alexandra Miller in the 62nd minute to bring the scores back to 2-1. However, Natalie Exon scored Box Hill's third in the 64th minute and they were looking like the stronger side.
Georgia Koutravelis scored the fourth for her side in the 70th minute, and Koutravelis was at it again in the 74th, chipping the ball to Exon who scored her second for the night. Deanna Niceski beat Emma Fonua in the 87th minute for the team's sixth goal to put the result well beyond doubt.
Box Hill Inter Coach Jeff Hawkins said that he was impressed with Altona City.
"Obviously the score blew out in the second half, but I was quite impressed with their midfield. Once the goals started flowing though it was downhill for them from there. They're one of the teams that play the game well.
"We spread the ball out well from the back, linked up well through the thirds and held a good shape. It would have been good to watch from the stands."
Altona City Coach Paul Kilpatrick said that his side was unfortunate to lose by five goals.
"For 62 minutes it was a very even game. It was the best football we've played. Unfortunately for us, they found their scoring boots. Jeff [Hawkins] made some subs that worked for him - we just don't have that depth.
"They really deserved the win and the three points. They scored some good goals."
Preston Lions and South Melbourne played on Saturday afternoon in a tight match which both sides desperately needed to win.
South Melbourne had many chances on goal in the first half, but just couldn't get it past Jamie Floros who pulled off some brilliant saves.
Laura Spiranovic had a good chance for South Melbourne early in the second half, which the Preston defenders kept out, and the rebound fell to Annabelle Gibney, who fired it at the goal, but Floros kept it out to keep the scores level at nil-all.
South Melbourne continued to fire in shots at Floros, but she was stopping everything, and with 15 minutes to go, it looked like Preston were holding out for the draw. But Melissa Rodriguez Lorenzo had other ideas and shot from outside the box, beating Sarah McKeon and got Preston's first goal and the win - their second for season 2010.
South Melbourne Assistant Coach Matthew Shaw said that the team was a bit off their game.
"We didn't do enough with the ball to threaten the scorers. We didn't quite have the touch or the finish to win. We weren't on our game with the same intensity - I'm not sure if we were rattled by Preston's effort, or whether we were relaxed because of our game against Heidelberg United. They deserved to win because of their effort and the great goal."
Preston Lions Coach Spiro Thalassinos said that the match was a lot better than he expected.
"For the first time this season the girls all played in sync. They got a good rev up during the week and before the match. They all understand what they need to do to get a win now. 95% of the things we set out to do we did."
The Vipers hosted Ashburton in Shepparton on Saturday afternoon and competed well with the fourth placed Ashburton.
Ashburton couldn't have asked for a better start, when Elly Curo scored the first goal in the opening minutes of the match from a very tight angle, hitting it high into the back of the net.
Ashburton scored one more goal for the half, through Sarah Walsh who scored from 30 yards out. Early in the second half, Sarah Lovett scored Ashburton's third goal, when her first shot was saved by Kristen O'Connor, but she got her own rebound and put it away.
The Vipers didn't give up, and in the second half were strong on the ball and had a few good chances on goal. Sarah Richardson fired off a shot into the side netting, and Natasha Nardella just managed to get a finger on a shot from Michelle Duffy which was deflected into the crossbar.
Catey Wiley-O'Brien scored for the Vipers when her shot snuck under the cross bar over the Nardella, who was impressive in her first match in goals for the senior Ashburton side and helped Ashburton to win, 3-1.
Ashburton Coach Chris Michail said that the performance was impressive.
"We couldn't have had a better start. We were playing well on a very small pitch and tried to play it around as much as possible. We probably had a few more chances than them. We can't ask for much more than getting the three points."
Vipers Coach Peter Richardson said his team played well enough to at least come away with one point.
"I was pleased that they scored via our lapses rather than them outplaying us. It was probably close enough to be a draw and the girls were reasonably upbeat. I'm delighted that nobody panics when we're a goal down - we don't revert to kicking long."
The final match of round 13 was between Casey Comets and Sandringham, and for the second time this season, there have been five goals scored in a WPL match at Comets Stadium.
The Comets welcomed back Deb Nichols for the match, and the side should have been fired up for a win, however it was Sandringham that were all over the Comets and scored their first goal three minutes in to the match through Alice Maxwell.
Thirty minutes went by without another goal, with some tight marking in the middle. The Comets had a few chances, but they were snubbed out by Peta Horman in goals. Sandringham scored their second goal in the 36th minute through an Emma Runnalls header, and Sandringham were very much on top of the Comets with a good lead.
In the second half, the Comets tried desperately to peg the margin back, but in the 68th minute, Steph Catley calmly flicked the ball into the net over Emma Bracken. Sienna Fogarty scored the next to give her team a commanding 4-0 lead, but Sandringham were keen to make it 5-0 and Runnalls scored the fifth in the final minutes of the match.
Casey Comets Coach Deb Nichols said it wasn't the best match to return for.
"I think I should have stayed away... In the first half we gave them two chances and they took both. We are not clinical enough and continue to miss opportunities to push for Finals by not taking our chances. We chased the game in the second half, but they killed it with a well taken strike in the 68th minute. To be honest it was a poor performance when we knew we had so much at stake. We're not taking anything away from Sandringham - they were hungrier and definitely sharper."
Sandringham Coach Shaun Parton said that the match was very good overall.
"Sunday was certainly a ‘Good Day at the Office’. Everyone within the team was very pleased with our performance. Very few visiting teams win at Casey, let alone so comprehensively. We created quite a few chances and were clinical in our finishing."
At the conclusion of round 13, Box Hill Inter are three points clear of Heidelberg United. Sandringham are only one point away from second position and will be trying their hardest for the double chance. Ashburton sit in fourth position and are now two games clear of Casey Comets. The Vipers currently sit in sixth position with three wins and three draws, and will have to be careful of South Melbourne who are only one point behind. Preston Lions are off the bottom of the ladder with their win over South Melbourne, and Altona City will be unhappy with conceding six goals as it has damaged their goal difference and places them in ninth position.
For full results please visit the Competitions section of the website.
Last updated: Monday July 19, 2010 3:15PM
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