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 Preston
Lions Womens FC remain undefeated after round five in WPL
Sunday 20
April
2008
The Preston Lions Women's FC remains undefeated after five
rounds and equal top after a hard fought 2-1 victory
against Gippsland on Saturday. The Lionessess came out and
played some excellent football and showed that they were
out for a win early on in the game.
Before Gippsland could settle preston had some very good
chances to score with Peta Lipec causing a lot of trouble
down the right. Preston almost scored in the first few
minutes but the Gippsland defence managed to scramble the
ball away. Sarah Lovett was brought down after some clever
play and from the resulting free kick by Peta Lipec, Paula
Massouh rose well but headed just wide.
Preston dominated with Ashleigh Kelly and Lipec both
hitting shots over the bar and the team was playing a
clever passing game, while Gippsland were playing catch up
football and being turned inside out. Despite that Preston
could not find the back of the net. Nice passing from
Captain Diana Piculovski put Peta Lipec through but the
opposition goalkeeper came out and smothered her shot.
Peta was in the thick of the action again but was
surrounded by the Gippsland defence.
The goal eventually came. In the 28th minute a well taken
corner fell to Petra Van Egmond and she placed a shot in
to the goal. Preston were 1-0 up. Incredibly Petra is the
third Van Egmond to represent Preston with both her father
and brother playing for the Preston Lions years ago! The
goal was a nice way to welcome her into the team.
While Preston had completely dominated proceedings up to
the goal they relaxed and let Gippsland back into the
game. The match seesawed in the middle of the park and
Nabby Saliba made two important saves, while at the other
end Paula Massouh had a shot cleared for a corner.
With Preston clearly slowing down and second to the ball,
Gippsland took this opportunity to score. It was 1-1.
The second half started like the first with Preston in
full control. Sarah Sumner came on at half time and she
ran rings around the Gippsland defence. Her pass to Paula
Massouh sent her on her way and Paula hit a shot that
dropped in near the far post. It was 2-1 to Preston.
The Lionesses
were much stronger and continued to harass their
opponents. A shot from Peta Lipec hit the side netting,
Ashleigh Kelly hit one just over, Diana Piculovki worked
her way through the middle of the park but shot wide. The
Gippsland goalkeeper was the busier of the two, making
save after save.
Sarah Lovett did score but was in an offside position,
whilst Paula Massouh had a number of shots saved. It was
now all Preston and apart from a couple of scares the ball
was mostly in the Gippsland half. Casey Naumovski was
stopping any Gippsland attack from the right and sending
the ball forward to pressure the Gippsland defence.
A free kick taken by Sarah Sumner bounced on the crossbar
and went out. It was that type of game. The last 15
minutes was played all in the Gippsland half but Preston
could not score the third goal.
In the end the 2-1 result gave Preston the three points
and gets them ready for the great rival match against last
years Champions Heidelberg. The game will be on Saturday
26th April at Olympic Village. This surely will be a great
game and one not to be missed.
In the earlier Reserves match Preston drew 1-1 after
falling behind to an early goal. It was an exciting match
but again one that Preston could have won if it could have
converted its many chances.
Next match
Preston Lions Womens FC meet Heidelberg United in round
six
of the WPL on Saturday 26th April 2008 at 11.00am for
reserves and 1.00pm for seniors at Olympic Village.
Photo's by
Pece
Siljanovski
Seniors:
Preston Lions WFC 2 – Gippsland Soccer League 1
Reserves: Preston Lions WFC 1 – Gippsland Soccer
League 1
BT Connor Reserve
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