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 WPL:
Preston Travel to Bendigo
Sunday
22 June
2008
(Victor Sekulov) - The Preston Lions
Womens team travelled to Bendigo for their premier league
clash hoping to secure the win and the three points to
strengthen their position in the top five. Brimming with
confidence the Lionesses were ready for the challenge of
travelling the long distance to Bendigo and trying to beat
a team that historically was always quite difficult to
beat at home.
The game was played on a flat but hard ground that made
the ball bounce quite high and both teams struggled at
times to control the ball. Nevertheless it was Bendigo
that took control of the game from the outset and within
the first five minutes completely dominated possession and
their city opponents. Bendigo's dominance resulted in two
excellent goal scoring opportunities but poor finishing
robbed them of taking a two goal lead within the first ten
minutes of the game.
With that let off the Lionesses began to get back into the
game. Within minutes of the second miss the game turned
around and now it was Preston that completely dominated
possession. Paula Massouh was strong in the central
midfield role and her passing to the ever dynamic Sarah
Sumner was causing Bendigo problems. When Bendigo would
commit to shutting down Paula or Sarah then Amanda Klane
would run free on the right and play passes to the Preston
forwards.
One such move almost put Preston in the lead. Once again
Paula Massouh worked her way through the middle of the
park and played a through ball to Ruadh Houston. Ruadh, in
turn, played the ball through to Sarah Lovett but the
Bendigo defence frantically cleared the danger. Moments
later Amanda Klane beat two defenders and sent Ruadh
Houston through. Her shot was well saved by the Bendigo
keeper.
Now Preston were in complete control and passing the ball
very effectively, making space and moving away from their
markers. Despite their dominance the Lionesses could not
capitalise on their advantage. Bendigo on the other hand
chased frantically and defended in numbers. The Preston
keeper did not see much of the ball during this passage of
play as any Bendigo attack was easily dealt with by
Veronique Guilbert.
Sarah Sumner was giving the Bendigo defence a headache as
she tormented them with her dazzling runs. Amanda Klane,
too, was making it difficult for Bendigo to contain her
and had to resort to numbers to curtail her threat. As the
game went on there was no score and the Lionesses were
starting to show some frustration in their game as they
were unable to break down the Bendigo defence. Ruadh
Houston cracked an excellent shot, when she finally broke
away from her markers. It beat the goalkeeper but cannoned
off the post and back into play. A minute later Sarah
Lovett was through but the Bendigo keeper and defender
jointly foiled her attempt at goal.
The half ended with Bendigo relieved and Preston
frustrated.
Preston started off the second half where they left off.
Casey Naumovski played a through ball from defence to
Sarah Lovett but the chance went begging. Amanda Klane was
moved into the middle of the park in a bid to break
through the Bendigo defence but they held firm.
The first real threat in the second half came actually
from Bendigo as they lauched a rare attack into the
Preston penalty area. The Preston keeper punched the ball
clear and Preston were back on the attack. Ruadh Houston
played a quick pass to Amanda Klane. Her quick turn left
her Bendigo defender napping but her shot was well saved
by the keeper for a corner. The resulting corner came to
naught for the Lionesses.
And then the complexity of the game changed. Needlessly
giving away a free kick outside the penalty area Preston
were to pay dearly. The resulting free kick was hit into
the crowded penalty area and Preston's keeper Nabby Saliba
rose and punched it clear. It went straight to an unmarked
Bendigo player who half heartedly lobbed the ball back
towards goal. It bounced its way into an unguarded goal.
Bendigo were 1-0 up, against the run of play.
The goal gave Bendigo the impetus to go forward now and
Preston lost their composure. Passes were not going to
players as they so effectively were before the goal. A
comical error between goalkeeper and players almost
resulted in Bendigo being gifted a second. The only real
chance towards the end of the game was left to Ashleigh
Kelly, but her cross went just over the bar.
Preston gifted the three points and it makes their
position in the final five that bit more precarious.
In the earlier game the Preston Reserves played a solid
game and had a number of good chances to take the game.
Sheree Harris brought a magnificnet save off the Bendigo
keeper which brought applause from both sets of
supporters. Unfortunately a very poor defensive mistake
gifted Bendigo with the easiest of chances and they
scored, giving the Cubs a 0-1 loss.
Photos by
Brett Robson Photography
Seniors:
Bendigo Vipers
1 –
Preston Lions WFC 0
Reserves: Bendigo Vipers
1 –
Preston Lions WFC 0
Beischer Oval (Strathdale)
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