Women’s 1’s make it 6 from 6

The Panthers took on SL1 2010 newcomers TEM for round 6. Even though TEM are new to SL1 and Waverley sit undefeated on top of the table, we knew that they had come away with some good results in their first few games, including beating two teams who finished in the top 4 in 2009.

Waverley coach Andrew Aldons was quick to remind the team before the game that it was not going to be an easy match.

And right he was, even though Waverley had the pushback for the start of the match, it was TEM who started the better of the two teams and put Waverley on the back foot. The Waverley deep defence were put to the test early on.

Christine Johnstone was leading the defence, snuffing out any threat and frustrating any plans TEM had of attacking down their right side.

Waverley stepped up the pace through Renee Trost and Kirsten Thompson in the mid-field and finally began to find some form up front. Trost was dominating at inside right. At one stage she picked up the ball and using her turn of speed, left her defender in her wake to drive the ball into the circle where she was eventually fouled by a TEM defender. Waverley was rewarded with the first penalty corner for the match.

Waverley’s hitter Alex Watson made no mistake and drilled the ball into the bottom left corner for Waverley to go 1 nil up.

With TEM now pressing for the equaliser, they started to shift the ball around with precision. And on the TEM double transfer, they found a long ball through to a striker who ran the ball into the circle to find a Waverley defenders foot, and a penalty corner was given.

The equaliser came from a variation to their L1 who slotted the ball into the bottom right.

Just before the half time break, Waverley found themselves with another penalty corner. This time Watson hit the ball to the bottom right, and just as it was looking like the ball might be missing to the right, Nicole Price came running in and with a diving effort saw the ball into the net for Waverley to go 2-1 up at the break.

The second half started with both teams coming out much stronger. It was a tough battle. The TEM side were disciplined in their press and Waverley were not finding it easy to penetrate their attacking circle.

Eastman and Watson with support from Johnstone and Thomson as the flank halves were more controlled coming out of defence, finding balls through the TEM lines on the double transfer.

Sheree Thomson was having a great second half, combing well with Trost at inside right and Price at right wing. The right sided trio were making some great plays into attack. Despite this, Waverley could not find the elusive final pass and TEM eventually found more time and space with the ball.

TEM earned a succession of penalty corners and their battery was looking dangerous. They found their second goal through another penalty corner, the initial save was made by Waverley keeper Sue-Anne Hocking. The Waverley defence were too slow to react and a TEM striker was there to pounce, finding the backboard to equalise the scores for the second time in the match.

It was another flash of brilliance from Captain Trost combining with Kirsty Sheppard that saw Waverley go 3-2 up. Trost casually beat the TEM defence to create a 2 on 1 with Sheppard. Sheppard’s shot was saved by the keeper, but Waverley’s Argentinean player, Paula Diaz-Oliva was there for the rebound; slotting the ball under the keeper for her first goal for the season and send her team mates into raptures.

Final Score

Wav 3 ; TEM 2

Fake n bake best on ground: Christine Johnstone