Players and spectators were greeted to a chilly afternoon for the first round of The Builders Club Women’s Division 1 match at Thomas Gibson Park on Sunday where Fernhill FC took on Thirroul Blue and drew even.

Fernhill FC have signed a host of players formerly from Wollongong Olympic who are now no longer in the competition and Thirroul have two teams in the competition with the bulk of last year’s Thunderbirds side with the Blue team.

Fernhill FC settled the quickest and started the game the stronger of the two teams, immediately on the attack with Thirroul hanging in there and trying to get a grip on the game.

With Fernhill dominating possession early in the game, Thirroul seemed to be pegged back deep in their half focusing on their defence.

It took ten minutes before we saw the first real attempt on goal from Fernhill as Emilia Skopal skipped through Thirroul’s defence and attempted a strike, but unfortunately placed it too high over the crossbar.

Thirroul keeper Margaret Andreason was keeping it together for Thirroul, constantly making fine saves as Fernhill looked for that break through.

Fifteen minutes in and Thirroul had their first real chance as Saskia Beeten intercepted a stray pass and managed to run the ball down towards the goal however she could only manage a scuffed shot that failed to trouble the goalkeeper.

Fernhill continued with their attack throughout the first period, with many shots invariably going directly into the keeper’s arms or over the goals. It was obvious the women were getting a little frustrated that they could not convert their possession into any meaningful chances and goals subsequently, half time saw the teams leave the field all square 0-0.

It appears that Fernhill regrouped at half time and whatever was said during the break had an immediate impact as the reliable Emilia Skopal broke the deadlock with a mazing run that eluded the desperate defence and slid the ball past the Goalkeeper who could only watch on as the ball slipped past her. It was certainly what Fernhill had hoped and perhaps deserved to this point.

This seemed to kick start Thirroul as they gathered some momentum and first half goalkeeper Margaret Andreason was thrust forward in a bold change.

It paid off in the 68^th minute when Andreason ran the ball down the left shoulder before hitting a clean strike which was only parried by the goalkeeper and Andreason stepped up and tapped the rebound home to level the scores.

It was now Thirroul with their tails up and hesitation from Thirroul’s Bryony Loosemore in the last minute saw a golden chance slip away to effectively steal the points. Nevertheless, Thirroul were delighted with their point whilst Fernhill rued the many missed opportunities.

The game ended 1-1 with both teams having plenty to work at over the coming weeks if they are going to challenge for the title.

 

Sunday 2 April.

Thomas Gibson Park, Thirroul

 

Fernhill FC W1 – Karia Bell, Chelsea Buesnel, Jessica Cruickshank, Lauren Harper, Teira Humby, Chontelle Kelly, Jacoda Links, Katrina O’Donnell, Kate Sebben, Emilia Skopal, Caitlin Walker, Jessica Buckman, Jessica Kelly, Denisha Tyler

 

Thirroul Blue W1 – Margaret Andreason, Saskia Beeten, Josephine Belsito, Verity Cole, Sierra Galloway, Bryony Loosemore, Taleah Mcpherson, Rhianen-Lee Ring, Hayley Thusberg, Claire Vahtra, Louise Vitney, Madison Yarrow, Teika Paegle, Megan Doyle.

 

Referee – Catherine Lear