SL 1 women round 9 match report

Round 9 top of the table clash saw the Waverley women host old rivals Essendon.

The Panthers were happy to have their two AHL Viper players back in the team for the top of the table clash. Leah Merrett and Emily Paton returned into the squad after AHL duties.

The game started evenly with great battles in the mid-field. Waverley’s midfield duo of Renee Trost and Leah Merrett were controlling the play looking for passes to roaming strikers, Price, Larter and Young.

Waverley’s player of the match Trost was in imperious form her skill and work rate always kept the visitors on the back foot.

Waverley finally found the key to unlock the Essendon defence. Some persistent work from Eliza Larter up front saw her steal the ball from the Essendon deep defence, the ball went into the circle where an Essendon player fouled and a penalty corner was given.

The corner variation saw the ball passed to Leah Merrett on the left who scored for the home side.

Essendon looked to counter attack and their experienced striker, Jo Grunden was looking dangerous up front.

Essendon’s midfield players were using the play on rule to their advantage and Kristy Sheppard found herself not moving 5 yards from a free hit. Sheppard was given a yellow card.

Essendon broke through with the equaliser, the ball being played into the circle from deep in their right side attack where an unmarked Essendon striker was there to pounce.

Essendon’s experienced players started to use physical presence to dominate the rest of the first half and they were not disappointed when Sheppard clattered in with a sloppy tackle and was awarded her second card for the game. This time a green card was shown.

The rest of the home sides defence were not intimidated and stood their ground. Christine Johnstone in particular enjoying her role in closing down the Essendon right side attack.

As half time approached Waverley had cause to thank their goalkeeper Sue-Anne Hocking, an Essendon striker had a powerful shot at goal which Hocking was able to reach and clear the ball to safety.

With that let off running through their minds Waverley used half time to re-group and reaffirm tactics that working in the opening 15 minutes of the game.

The second half did not start to plan as it was Essendon that started the brighter forcing some early attack.

The Essendon midfielders were working tirelessly to get their strikers the ball.

Merrett at inside left and Johnstone at left half started to combine superbly midway through the 2nd half, their defensive roles causing havoc to any plans Essendon had of attacking down their right.

The home side were determined to get something out of the game and poured forward. Lucy Young at centre forward found herself in the right place at the right time and got her stick on the ball to score Waverley’s second goal for the game.

The visitors now knew they needed to chase the game and despite several circle penetrations, they could not find the break through.

Essendon’s best chance of scoring an equaliser came from undisciplined tackling, again from Kirsty Sheppard. This time Sheppard came in from behind and clumsily tackled the Essendon player. Could this be the rainbow of cards given to one player? No, it was another yellow card to Sheppard for the game.

The end result saw Waverley win their ninth consecutive game and continue their unbeaten 2010 record. But the team knows that there is work still to be done as the game was tight contest and could have gone either way.

Fake ‘n bake best on ground: Renee Trost