Match Report

Woonona Sharks Womens FC Vs Thirroul Thunder Womens FC

Sunday 29th May 2016

Ocean Park 2:00pm

 

 

Woonona Sharks bounced back in the second half to overcome a one nil deficit at halftime granting them three points towards their already successful season. Goals to Amy Pubbard (48’) and Kate Stewart (75’) for Woonona were enough to defeat Thirroul’s Zoe Grew (5’) wonder strike in the first half.

The match began with high energy from both squads with each having early chances at goal. The first for the Thunder resulted in a goal from Z. Grew in the 5th minute when she was found with an early cross from the right hand side about 2/3 way up the pitch to the edge of the box. Allowing the ball to bounce first Z. Grew struck it sweetly on the half volley and into the net just underneath the cross bar with Sharks keeper Kelsey Clements unable to stretch for it. From the restart Woonona looked to equalise within a minute playing forward right away, leading to a lofted shot by Melanie Ireland dipping over the crossbar and into the roof of the net. Woonona looked again to score on the ten minute mark with a short corner leading to a cross across the face of goal to no avail as both teams failed to make contact with the dangerous cross.

Thirroul utilised their strength in the first half by maximising structured build up play, clever passes and group interplay in attempt to extend their lead, however the Woonona defensive line would not be shaken again by showcasing the best defensive record of the competition thus far. In the 18th minute Thirroul keeper Grace Parker was forced to retire from the match due to an injury she sustained in a challenge. In attack the Sharks made use of a quick counterattacking style of play which forced the Thirroul defence to remain vigilant of every and all through balls and crosses that came their way. One of which had Woonona’s Angela Graham send a through ball down the right hand sideline for Stewart in the 35th minute for her to cross the ball to the near post, Andy Standen entered a 50/50 challenge with the new keeper but only managed to poke the ball wide.

The second half began with far greater energy than what left the first half with both teams springing into action. Woonona looked like a new team with far greater structured build up play and movement of the ball from one side of the field to another, while Thirroul began to use counterattack as a method of scoring. It wasn't long before Woonona claimed their first goal with an impressive strike from approximately 35 yards out by Centre back Pubbard who had instinctively pushed forward after a corner was taken. The result was a ball being cleared along the ground though the midline of the field and Pubbard’s first time shot rocketing into the net above the very crowed box. The next 20 minutes or so saw a tense struggle for possession through the middle of the field with both teams trading turns at moving the ball into the attacking third to no avail.

The next promising chance came from Woonona in the 63rd minute when Fiona Leafe ran down the line with blitzing speed to cut back along the edge of the box and play a killer pass to Jordan Wheatley who’s first time shot at the far post was collected easily by the Thirroul Keeper. The resulting kick from the keeper saw effective possession through the midfield by Amanda Allnutt and Alex Sands for Thirroul to see a loose through ball chased down by Allnutt who shot to the right hand side and unfortunately wide. The last goal of the match was in favour of Woonona which came about when Stewart travelled down the right hand side and cut in towards the box, she engaged in three attempted challenges by Thirroul defenders and with a last ditch effort in a very crowded area, poked the ball at the near post slipping through a tiny gap between the keeper and the post.

Woonona Sharks FC wore Purple socks for this fixture to raise awareness of domestic violence and to aim to remove the negative stigma associated with victims through the help of an Illawarra charity. Woonona Captain Morgan Potter outlined that the match was tough, “they’re our local rivals and every time we face off both teams usually step up”. She commend her coach’s half time team talk where he was calm and positive despite being one nil down, relaying, “he just said we needed to just get back to playing our game, controlling the ball and deciding how the match should be played”. Stand in Thirroul Coach Adam Ward commend the performance of his side against a top of the table team, “we definitely stepped it up today compared to recent weeks. The girls stuck to the game plan that our regular coach Corey has put in place and it definitely showed today, the girls didn't give up even after letting in an easy goal in towards the end”. Both coaches have congratulated the other team for the display of football for the afternoon, showcasing the quality of female football in the region, and with two of the three goals of the match being produced from wonderful outside the box strikes, women’s football is definitely progressing well in the Illawarra.

 

May 29th 2016

Ocean Park 1 - Woonona

 

Woonona Sharks - 2 (16)(48’), (13)(75’)

Thirroul Thunder - 1 (11)(5’)

 

Referee: Greg Wilson

 

Woonona Sharks Womens FC: Angela Graham, Melanie Ireland, Georgia Lang, Fiona Leafe, Ammy Lewis, Morgan Potter, Jordan Van De Voorde, Jordan Wheatley, Amy Pubbard, Kate Stewart, Andy Standen, Kelsey Clements, Sam Walker, Shenae Giraldi

 

Thirroul Thunder Womens FC: Grace Parker, Amy Panteli, Amanda Allnutt, Miranda Blackbourne, Toni Dobbs, Evelyn Fetterplace, Zoe Grew, Chloe Hocking, Asha Hodgins, Alex Sands, Anna Sands, Louise Vitney, Kirsten Ward, Amy Ziebell,Beth Grew, Bryony Loosemore

By Sammy Jordan

Photo: Pedro Garcia (archive)