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 WPL:
Hail, Thunder and Box Hill fail to Stop Preston
Sunday 10 August
2008
(Victor Sekulov) -
League
leaders and four time champions Box Hill came to BT Conner
reserve to face Preston, in what most pundits would have
called an easy three points. However it was not to be as
the Lionesses put a determined display of 'heart' football
and grabbed all three points, edging Preston closer to
finals football.
The game kicked off in surprising sunlight, after all the
rain that had fallen during the day and it was Box Hill
who fired the first shot at goal, going well wide of the
target. Preston came out determined and were not in awe of
their higher ranked opponents. Sarah Sumner was the first
Preston player to create a headache for the Box Hill
midfield with her clever and determined play. She set up
Sarah Lovett who beat her opponent and crossed it in, but
too far. Nevertheless Nikki Garner, playing her first game
for the seniors, put pressure on the Box Hill defence and
they could only scramble it away to Ashleigh Kelly. Her
shot was deflected for a corner. It came to nothing as Box
Hill easily dealt with the threat.
Though Preston were applying the early pressure Box Hill
were playing clever football and got themselves into good
positions. However any real threat was picked up by the
Preston defence and failing them Nabby Saliba was ever
alert in the Preston goal.
In fact it was Nabby's excellent save which kept the
scores at nil all after Box Hill beat the Preston defence.
Nabby's crucial last minute save robbed the unmarked Box
Hill player from a certain goal. But Box Hill were now in
the accendency and playing the ball all around the park,
trying to find a weakness in the Preston defence. It was
keepings off as Box Hill held the ball and Preston players
chased them around the park. But for all of their
possession Box Hill could not make it count on the
scoreboard. Paula Massouh was strong in defence and
supporting the midfielders with her timely tackles and
passing. Veronique Guilbert was also strong in the defence
and Box Hill were trying to avoid the area she covered.
 Sarah
Sumner grabbed the ball in the midfield and ran upfield,
passing it to Sarah Lovett, who in turn played it back to
Sumner. Sarah touched it on for Nikki Garner and her well
taken shot was deflected for a corner. The cross was
cleared only for it to fall to Paula Massouh, who hit it
back towards goal. Nikki Garner got an opportune touch and
the ball bounced on the wrong side of the post. Box Hill
took the ball out of defence and were threatening in
numbers but Veronique Guilbert raced back to take
possession and launch another Preston attack.
Minutes later the Lionesses were 1-0 up. Once again Sarah
Sumner worked her way through the midlle of the park and
her nicely weighted pass through the Box Hill defence
caught them napping. Sarah Lovett ran through and shrugged
off her marker to beat the goalkeeper. Preston had taken
the lead. It was Preston's first goal against Box Hill in
three seasons!
It was almost 2-0 as Paula Massouh weaved her way and
played Nikki Garner, who turned brilliantly and crossed it
to the onrushing Sarah Lovett. Lovett couldn't get her
head to it and Box Hill cleared the ball. Then Box Hill
attacked the Preston goal. Kate Christoff cleared the ball
but managed to only play it straight to a Box Hill player.
Her second attempt cleared the danger and Preston counter
attacked but Box Hill stopped it and relaunched their own.
One serious threat by Box Hill was stopped by a
combination of Paula Massouh, Veronique Guilbert and a
muddy patch of ground as Box Hill tried to find their way
through the resilient Preston defence. Casey Naumovski
made an excellent tackle to clear the ball away when Box
Hill looked like they would be clear on goal. Another
chance fell to Box Hill but the player's touch sent the
ball over the bar. The players went in at half time
holding onto their precious lead.
The second half started with Box Hill obviously chasing
the deficit. And it was in the second half that once again
Nabby Saliba showed to one and all her world class quality
as she continued to thwart the Box Hill forwards in a
variety of ways. Box Hill managed to split the Preston
defewnce and raced through. Nabby Saliba ran out and
smothered the ball, allowing Preston to clear the danger.
Minutes later Box Hill broke through again and Nabby was
equal to the challenge.
Preston had their chances too. Once again the
Sumner/Lovett partnership brought dividends but the keeper
saved well. Though Box Hill were applying all the pressure
Preston were a strong threat and another attack forced the
Box Hill keeper to make a save, pushing the ball for a
corner. But the real threats were coming from Box Hill.
Clever play enabled Box Hill to split the Preston defence
and the player had only Nabby Saliba to beat. Once again
Nabby won that contest. The game was being played with
increasing frenzy and excitement and the crowd was joining
in, shouting encouragement to their sides.
Then the clouds burst and a huge hailstorm rained down.
The Referee stopped play and the field was emptied as
players and officials made haste to shelter. Play was
stopped for some time as the hail came down. The Preston
coaching staff were concerned this break in play would
affect their players concentration.
With the restart it was clear Nabby Saliba had kept her
concentration as she was forced to make another crucial
save. Yet minutes later Box Hill scored the equaliser. Box
Hill made their way easily through the Preston defence and
the shot at goal was saved yet again by Nabby.
Unfortunately the ball went out to an unmarked Box Hill
player who hit it back into the goal. Amazingly Nabby
managed to even get a hand to it but it cannoned off the
crossbar and into the goal. It was 1 -1.
With the kick off Preston attacked and Sarah Lovett was in
the thick of the action. Her efforts were accompanied by a
loud clap of thunder that made a few spectators jump. But
it was her shot which was partially saved by the keeper
that allowed Nikki Garner to run onto it and score. It was
2-1 to Preston!
Now both sides fought out a momentous game of tackling and
counterattacking. Nabby Saliba made yet another incredible
save to keep Preston in the lead. But to their credit Box
Hill were not giving up and the quality team were playing
well but despite their efforts it was the Lionesses
reputation of 'heart football' that kept them at bay.
Preston players were chasing their opponents all across
the park, the sense of a historical victory driving them
on.
The game was drawing to a close when Nabby Saliba made yet
another important save. The game ended and Preston had
secured a historical win.
Next week Preston is away against Casey Comets.
Photos by
Brett Robson Photography
Seniors:
Preston Lions WFC 2 –
Box Hill Inter
1
Reserves: Macth Postponed
BT Connor Reserve
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