|
 Lionesses
show heart in round seven of WPL
Sunday
04 May
2008
(Victor Sekulov) - The Preston
Lions Womens team showed incredible heart and passion in
their game against arch rival Sandringham on the weekend.
Preston had not won against Sandringham in over seven
games, losing 3-0 in this fixture last year and were keen
to turn the tide against their much fancied opponents.
A large crowd was there to see what ended up being a very
entertaining game, with end to end action and one that
Preston could have won if not for some crucial injuries to
players, which robbed them of the three points. The game
ending 1-0 win to Sandringham. FFV President Mr Tony
Dunkerley was in attendance and he commented on the great
contest played by both sides.
Sandringham raced out the stronger in the first ten
minutes of play and the ball was predominantly in the
Preston half. Despite Sandringham controlling the game
their only real chance of scoring came from a direct free
kick just outside the penalty area. The shot hit the
Preston wall and the rebound was hit sweetly at the
Preston goal, but Nabby Saliba collected it easily.
That let off was what Preston needed and with Captain
Diana Piculovski playing her heart out in the middle of
the park, Preston came back. Sarah Sumner was teasing the
Sandringham defence on the wing and a lovely move from
Diana to Sarah, passing onto Peta Lipec only for and her
shot to just miss the post. Diana was again in the thick
of the action and this time Sandringham resorted to bring
her down, resulting in a yellow card to her opponent.
Sandringham were being frustrated by Preston's quick moves
and only good defending kept Preston scoreless.
Then came the first of the Preston injuries with
midlfielder Ashleigh Kelly going down to an ankle injury.
Going off so early in the game forced Preston coach Andy
Fry to restructure the team prematurely. Despite the
injury Preston continued to press. Excellent play out of
defence by Kate Christoff sent Paula Massouh on her way
but the final touch eluded her. Sarah Lovett worked her
way through a packed Sandringham defence, coming in from
the blind side and shot just wide.
The first half ended with Preston confident and showing
the determination that had been their trademark.
The second half was only a few minutes old when Kate
Christoff was badly challenged. Preston had the free kick
but first they had to deal with Kate's injury. She was
taken off and went to hospital (a broken arm requiring
surgery). This second injury put extra pressure on the
Lionesses and with two key players out it was going to be
even more difficult against a very strong Sandringham
side.
Peta Lipec again worked her way around the defence but her
shot went over. Sandringham were now having difficulty
getting the ball out of their half and when they did could
only take half hearted shots, which went way off target.
But Preston also could not work their way through the
Sandringham defence. Attempts were charged down and
cleared to safety.
In the 71st minute Sandringham scored. The ball somehow
eluded the Preston defence and the well taken shot slipped
under the Preston goalkeeper. It was 0-1. Now Sandringham
had the upper hand and soon threatened again with first a
shot going just wide, and then later Nabby Saliba having
to race well off her line to clear the danger.
But the Preston girls were still showing their fight with
Paula Massouh working her way through the midfield, riding
challenges but eventually being stopped by a number of
Sandringham defenders. Peta Lipec played an excellent
cross after beating her marker but it was charged down.
Minutes later Peta repeated it. This time the ball flashed
across the Sandringham goal and three Preston players all
missed getting a touch to the ball. Another chance came to
Preston and the Sandringham goalkeeper did well to punch
it clear.
The game ended soon after and both sides walked off,
exhausted after participating in a very entertaining and
keenly contested match.
In the earlier Reserves game Preston took a 2-0 lead
within 20 minutes of the game after some well taken goals
from Nikki Garner but could not manage to keep that lead
against a very strong Sandringham side, eventually losing
2-3.
Photo by
Pece
Siljanovski
Seniors:
Sandringham 1 –
Preston Lions WFC 0
Reserves: Sandringham 3 – Preston Lions WFC
2
Kingston Heath Soccer Complex
|
