By Kristian Silva
First half goals from Aleksandra Sinclair and Deanna Niceski delivered Box Hill Inter a comfortable 0-2 win against Sandringham at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex on Monday night.
The result keeps Box Hill at the top of the Women’s Premier League table for another week, and is vitally important for their minor premiership aspirations, considering second-placed Heidelberg United has an extra game in hand.
Despite the loss, Sandringham looks set to comfortably finish in the top four, but will be concerned about a potential injury to their leading goal-scorer, Emma Runnalls.
Playing in their white away strip, Box Hill set the tone for the match with a goal in the fifth minute. A well-placed shot from Aleksandra Sinclair ended up in the back of the net after some nice build-up play from the visitors.
With Box Hill creating all the play in the opening stages, it looked like they would add a second after 20 minutes when the dangerous Louisa Bisby turned two Sandringham defenders and shot from 10 yards. However, Sandringham keeper Peta Horman was well positioned, and dived low to make a textbook save.
Sinclair would have had a second if not for another wonderful save by Horman, who tipped the Box Hill attacker’s close-range shot onto the crossbar.
Sandringham created their first genuine chance on the half hour mark when Christie Parton delivered a superb cross from the left wing. Unfortunately, Emma Runnalls misjudged the flight of the ball terribly and it bounced harmlessly off the back of her head.
Box Hill extended the lead eight minutes later, when Natalie Exon’s through ball put Deanna Niceski through on goal, and the right-winger’s shot had just enough power on it to trickle over the goal line after clipping Horman on the way through.
Players like Runnalls and Stephanie Catley generally have what it takes to beat opposition defences, but the experienced trio of Marlies Oostdam, Krystal McCluskey and Yvette Muscat were dominant at the back for Box Hill, thwarting Sandringham’s attacks on a number of occasions.
Exon had a chance to put the game beyond doubt after 65 minutes, but couldn’t quite get a toe on McCluskey’s deep cross from the right.
The visitors began to control the game, and with Runnalls now completely out of energy, Sandringham lacked the aggression and creative spark when going forward as Box Hill’s defenders continuously outnumbered Catley.
Melissa Barbieri was having a very comfortable night in goals and wasn’t tested, although Christie Parton did come close with her shot from distance was just off target.
With the game all but over, Sandringham’s evening went from bad to worse when Runnalls went down after what appeared to be a minor collision with a Box Hill player.
The game was stopped for several minutes while she was taken from the field on a stretcher and she did not return.
Box Hill held on for a comfortable win, and with a bye next week, they will be feeling confident when they take on Preston Lions at Wembley Park on August 6.
Sandringham have another challenging game ahead, coming up against Ashburton Women’s Soccer Club at Ashburton Park on Sunday.
Sandringham: Peta HORMAN (Gk), Christie PARTON, Rachel PEZZANO, Michelle PARTON, Paige DODDS (Hannah WHITTAKER 60’), Emma RUNNALLS (Emily HEIJDEN 90’), Hannah STUART, Sienna FOGARTY, Sian ROGERS, Alice MAXWELL, Stephanie CATLEY.
Unused subs: Lucy KAPUSTA, Jill BEWSEY.
Yellow cards: Nil.
Box Hill Inter: Melissa BARBIERI (Gk), Deanna NICESKI (Jessica TAY 82’), Tal KARP, Georgia KOUTROUVELIS, Louisa BISBY, Aimee BENTON (Chiara ROMANO 60’), Aleksandra SINCLAIR (Belinda PACELLA 66’), Natalie EXON (Ebru EFE 77’), Yvette MUSCAT (Georgia OUDEMAN 85’), Marlies OOSTDAM, Krystal McCLUSKEY.
Goals: SINCLAIR (5’), NICESKI (38’).
Yellow cards: nil.
Last updated: Tuesday July 27, 2010 1:26PM
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