Womens SL1 match report round 8

Waverley maintained top spot on the ladder and their undefeated 2010 season with a good 3-1 win over a struggling MCC on a cold and wet Saturday afternoon.

Waverley started the game a bit off the pace but within 5 minutes were soon moving the ball around with ease. Alex Watson leading from the back, combing with Eastman, Johnstone and Law on the half line. The defenders were switching the play looking for balls through to strikers Sheppard, Price and Larter.

The first half played out with no score, Waverley’s countless circle penetrations coming off with no reward.

The more frustrating aspect was that the Panthers were not making their opponents win the ball but were instead giving them the ball from naive passes and weak tackles.

Luckily for Waverley, Paula Diaz-Oliva was working tirelessly in her role as central defender. Making timely tackles.

In the second half once again Waverley controlled the play in deep defence however could still not find the reward up front.

Whether complacency or tiredness set in it was hard to tell, but Waverley dropped off their work rate and to give the home side credit they sensed the change and took advantage. MCC were awarded a penalty corner for a lost tackle inside their circle, they scored first. A deflection coming from a Waverley defenders sticks.

The Panthers now looked stunned.

A few position changes were made. Kirsty Sheppard and Paula Diaz Oliva moved into the mid-field joining Kirsten Thompson. This allowed Captain Renee Trost to play on the forward line.

These changes soon paid off, the first goal coming from an Alex Watson strike on a penalty corner.

The second goal came from some great play from Nicole Price. Price tackled the MCC defender at the top of the circle. The ball spilled free and Kendall Trenberth got the ball, passed it back to Price who was standing in great position on the post to deflect the ball past the MCC keeper.

Waverley’s third goal came from Trost who received the ball at the attacking 25, ran into the circle beating an MCC defender and the Goal-keeper to seal the win for the Panthers.

Waverley should have added to their tally as the home side struggled to cope with the movement of the Waverley team.

Waverley now face a great challenge in round 9, we host Essendon at home who are placed 2nd on the ladder and have only lost one game.

Fake ‘n bake best on ground: Renee Trost