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 WPL:
Preston progress to Semi Final
Sunday
31 August
2008
(Victor Sekulov) -
The Preston
Lionesses experienced their historically first ever finals
football game, meeting their arch nemesis Ashburton at
Darebin.
It was only a few weeks ago that Ashburton inflicted a
convincing 4-1 defeat of Preston at the same ground during
the regular season. In fact Preston had never beaten
Ashburton, so today's clash had an interesting atmosphere
to it. Would Ashburton, who finished 2nd in the regular
season romp past Preston as most expected, or would
Preston show the character and determination that
propelled them to 3rd place get them over the line?
The game was played in difficult and very windy conditions
that made it hard for both sets of players to control the
ball and play attractive football. Early nerves were
obvious with both sets of players losing control of the
ball, either playing it straight to their opponents or
skewing their passes and clearances wide. Slowly it was
Ashburton who began to dominate possession and a good
passage of play by Ashburton saw them control the game.
Preston were having difficulties clearing the ball out of
their defensive half with Kate Christoff and Casey
Naumovski playing key roles in clearing the danger. There
were some rare moves forward and most were orchestrated by
Amanda Klane and Peta Lipec on the right but resulted in
little.
Ashburton tested the Preston defence with a clear run
through the middle but Nabby Saliba came out to easily
collect the ball. As is the norm, Preston eventually got
into the game and it was Ashleigh Kelly, cheekily going
past her markers, who was causing concern for Ashburton.
Similarly Peta Lipec, when linking with Paula Massouh and
Amanda Klane, was threatening Ashburton but all efforts
were way off target. Playing finals football in difficult
conditions was affecting Preston’s play.
Ashburton were almost gifted a goal when a lack of
communication between the Preston keeper and Ashleigh
Kelly almost resulted in an own goal, but Ashleigh managed
to clear the ball away. Ashburton were becoming frustrated
as they tried to make their way through a resilient
Preston defence, switching play from one side of the
ground to the other trying to find a way through, but
Preston held firm.
Having the advantage of a strong wind Preston’s attacks
were more threatening and both Amanda Klane and Diana
Piculovski had shots at goal, but missed the mark. Paula
Massouh was commanding in the centre of the park and per
passes were sending Preston forward. Sarah Lovett sneaked
in the near post in one attempt but she was marked tightly
as the Ashburton defence followed her closely, and her
endeavours came to naught. Despite the strong wind the
Ashburton defenders held back the Preston attack. Half
time came and it was a stalemate, though Preston would
have been the happier of the two teams as they walked off.
The second half started with Ashburton having the strong
wind on the backs and very determined to take advantage of
it; something that Preston did not manage to do. Nabby
Saliba had to make a save on the near post early on and it
set the trend for the next fifteen minutes as Ashburton
applied the pressure. Veronique Guilbert was having
difficulty dealing with the windy conditions in defence
and Ashburton took advantage of some defensive errors to
press their attack, but their efforts went wide.
Preston was still unable to launch a successful
counterattack out of their half and were giving away
freekicks as they desperately defended against a resurgent
Ashburton. A free kick awarded on the left was crossed in
and Ashburton had a free header. Fortunately for Preston
the unmarked player sent her header just wide of the post.
Another free kick to Ashburton sent the shot well over the
bar.
But now
Ashburton were beginning to tire and the Lionesses began
to win more of the tackles and intercepting passes as
Ashburton were slowly running out of steam. Preston, on
the other hand, were gaining in confidence and both
Veronique Guilbert and Kate Christoff were venturing
forward from their defensive positions, giving the
Ashburton players marking headaches.
The introduction of Nikki Garner helped change the
dynamics of the game. Her first touch almost sent Peta
Lipec through on goal. Another pass to Sarah Lovett and
her shot went just wide. Just as it began to look as if
Preston would score a goal almost came at the other end. A
mix up in defence had the Preston backline in all sorts of
bother but they managed to scramble the ball eventually
out of danger.
At the other end it looked as if Preston would score but a
brilliant defensive tackle robbed them of the opportunity
to take the lead. The reprieve did not last long. Once
again Nikki Garner played Peta Lipec and her effort sent
her through on goal. With the keeper charging out to
narrow the angle Peta slipped it past her in to the near
post. It was 1-0 to the Lionesses. But there was 20
minutes to go.
To make matters more difficult captain Diana Piculovski
went down with a knee injury and had to be stretchered
off. Preston’s coach Andy Fry had to reorganize his team
to absorb the loss and ensure that Ashburton did not pull
one back. Again desperate defending, with a goal line
clearance kept the score still in Preston’s favour. Casey
Naumovski was racing across the defensive half closing
down any threat and clearing the danger. She was supported
by Paula Massouh, who hadn't stopped chasing all day.
Then with only five minutes to go it was becoming obvious
that Ashburton were exhausted. They kept on attacking to
their credit but their passes lacked direction and the
Lionesses were happy to let the ball go out at every
opportunity and run the clock down.
The final whistle blew and the Preston Lions Womens team
had secured the right to challenge Minor Premiers Box Hill
for the opportunity to play in the Womens Premier League
Grand Final. That game will be played on Sunday 7th
September at 12pm at John Cain park (Northcote City’s
ground).
Photos by
Pece Siljanovski
Ashburton 0
Preston Lions WFC 1
Darebin International Sports Centre
(DISC)
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