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 WPL:
Preston wins place in finals after victory over Comets
Sunday 17
August
2008
(Victor Sekulov) - The Preston Lions
Womens team won a place in the Premier League finals with
a thoroughly entertaining and nail biting victory over
Casey Comets at Cranbourne.
Once again the Lionesses chalked up a first in what has
been an extraordinary season. It was the first time that
Preston had beaten the Comets at their home ground and
follows on from last week's first ever victory over Minor
Premiers Box Hill.
The game started with both sides testing each other and
most of the play confined to the middle of the park.
Preston were playing frantic football rather than a
composed one and passes were going astray, whereas Casey
were making their passes count but losing out in the final
third as the Lioness defence held firm. Kate Christoff was
cleverly moving the ball out of defence and turning the
Casey attack into a Preston counter attack. Despite this
both sides were not really making any headway.
Then the game picked up a tempo with Paula Massouh
connecting well with Peta Lipec, back after suspension.
Peta played a nice pass into the middle where Sarah Sumner
battled through and passed to Sarah Lovett. Lovett beat
her marker and but for the brave smothering save by the
keeper would have been through on goal. The first chance
of the game was cleared for a corner. Sarah Sumner took it
but Preston could not capitalise on it and Casey were away
only for the Preston defence to win it back. Again Peta
Lipec challenged and again Preston had a corner and again
could not capitalise on a well taken kick.
Casey were composed and playing the better passing game.
Moving the ball cleverly out of defence the ball was
played on the right. A clever turn by the Casey player
beat her marker and she crossed the ball. The flight
deceived Nabby Saliba in goal and it sailed over her and
into the net. Casey Comets were 1-0 up!
Preston had a chance to equalise when Ashleigh Kelly
touched on a pass and Peta Lipec took a half hearted shot
which went for another corner to Preston. Sarah Sumner was
getting a lot of practice taking corners. Minutes later
Paula Massouh won a free and put the ball into the Casey
half. Ashleigh Kelly tapped it for Sarah Sumner, whose
shot was blocked. The ball came to Peta Lipec and her shot
was deflected for another corner. Preston were applying
the pressure now as they sought the equaliser.
 From
the resulting corner Casey won possession, quickly raced
out of defence and a quick pass resulted in a Casey player
receiving the ball unmarked in front of goal. Her shot
went fortunately well over. It was a warning to Preston. A
warning they did not heed.
From the goal kick Diana Piculovski controlled the ball
well and sent Lovett through but her shot from a very
acute angle hit the side netting. Despite that chance it
was the Comets who were in control of the game and soon
they were 2-0 up. A free kick was played in to the Preston
penalty area and a free header gave Nabby Saliba no
chance. Preston were second to the ball and now were 0-2
down. It looked as if finals football was going to slip
through their fingers.
But Paula Massouh was working hard in midfield and again
she linked up with Peta Lipec. A one -two pass and Peta
won a corner for Preston. Once again it was Sarah Sumner
who took it. Unlucky for her the ball bounced on top of
the crossbar and went out. But she was getting closer!
Casey were now on the back foot as Preston put pressure on
their defence as they sought a come back. Kate Christoff
blocked one Casey attack and gave it to Paula, She in turn
sent Peta Lipec on her way. The ball fell to Sarah Sumner
in the penalty box and she cleverly turned her opponent
but was brought down. Cries for a penalty were unheeded by
the referee. The ball was only cleared to the middle of
the park and once again Preston were on the attack. Yet
another corner to Preston. It went over to the far post
and cleared only as far as Veronique Guilbert, whose first
time shot narrowly missed the post. Preston were now well
in control.
Minutes later both Peta Lipec and Sarah Lovett were
putting pressure on the Comet defence and when it was
cleared Paula Massouh played it back to Peta Lipec. Peta
managed to win amazingly yet another corner for Preston.
Sarah Sumner duly took it...and scored! Her cross fell
into the goal after taking a wicked twist that beat the
Comet goalkeeper. It was 1-2 and Preston were in the
ascendancy. It was Sarah Sumner's first goal of the season
and the goal celebration was appropriate. Assistant coach
Victor Sekulov was asked by the linesman to get back
behind the line! The first half ended shortly after.
The second half was similar to the first as both sides
played a careful game, trying not to give anything away.
Two successive offside calls on the Preston forwards was
an indication of the Lionesses determination in seeking an
equaliser. Nikki Garner was brought in to add firepower up
front and it almost brought immediate dividends. A nice
pass from Garner to Lipec and her shot hit the side
netting. Soon after Peta Lipec returned the favour and
Nikki Garner managed a well taken shot at goal, bringing
out a brilliant save from the Casey goalkeeper. The corner
came to nothing as Casey defended it well.
But the let off gave Casey a chance to compose themselves
and they slowly came back into the game. Veronique
Guilbert had to race back and diffuse one Casey threat
while Kate Christoff was solid in defence. However a lapse
of concentration by the Preston backline allowed a Casey
forward to run through unchallenged. Fortunately her shot
was straight at Nabby Saliba and the danger was diffused.
Preston also had a chance as Lovett played it to Garner
and she in turn passed it to Sarah Sumner. Her shot went
high. It was all Preston now and soon Preston made their
dominance count. Ashleigh Kelly sent Nikki Garner through
and she made a delicate pass to Sarah Lovett, who
dutifully slammed the ball past the Casey keeper. It was 2
-2. The famous 'heart football' that the Lionesses are
renouned for had drawn them level.
Casey tried to come back into the game and a rare break
was well covered by Casey Naumovski as she dealt with the
threat. Ashleigh Kelly again sent Sarah Lovett through and
with only the keeper to beat smashed it well over. It was
a letoff for Casey, but only delaying the inevitable.
Sarah Lovett was brought down minutes later and Preston
had a free kick outside the penalty box. Sarah Sumner
collected the ball and positioned herself to take it.
Victor Sekulov had told her at half time where he would be
standing when she scored her second goal. Sumner hit the
ball perfectly round the wall and past the diving
goalkeeper. It was now 3-2 to Preston. A wonderfully taken
freekick. She found where Victor was standing!!
Casey were flustered and Preston again attacked. Lovett
tried to work her way through the packed penalty area and
the ball hit a Casey defender's hand. Despite the numerous
appeals fro a penalty the Referee waived the Preston
players away. Casey had only a few minutes to equalise and
they applied pressure on the Preston midfield and defence.
It was now all Casey and Preston resorted to clearing the
ball away. Casey tried to turn the Preston defenders and a
opportunistic shot saw the ball roll wide of the post. The
home crowd was now urging Casey on and Preston were on the
backfoot. However they were resolute in their defence and
finally when the Referee blew his whistle the Lionesses
had secured a historic 3-2 victory.
It was the first time in the club's history that Preston
had won a place in the finals of the WPL.
In the earlier Reserves game the Cubs pulled off a similar
remarkable result. Fielding only ten players the Cubs were
always going to find it difficult against Casey, who used
their numerical advantage successfully. Despite going a
goal down the Cubs managed to pull a goal back only to
again fall behind. At the break it was 1-2 but in the
second half Preston came out and equalised. Unfortunately
for the Cubs they could not go on and win the game as
their disadvantage in numbers began to take its toll.
Despite the tired legs the girls earned a highly credible
draw.
The last regular round of the season is at home on Sunday
as Preston entertain Eltham North. Kick off is at 1.00 and
3.00 pm at B.T Conner Reserve.
Photos by
Pece Siljanovski
Seniors:
Casey Comets 2 –
Preston Lions WFC 3
Reserves:
Casey Comets 2 –
Preston Lions WFC 2
Comets
Stadium
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