Albion Park were the team to beat on Sunday afternoon as they took out a comfortable 5-1 win over Tarrawanna in the Builders Club Women Division 1 fixture. Their comprehensive win reinforces their position as League Champions. Although Tarrawanna played a strong game, it wasn’t enough to beat the home team on this occasion.

The game began with Albion Park almost immediately maintaining a majority of the  possession with most of the play occurring in their attacking half. Such was their dominence that Albion Park Keeper Aleisha Clessek barely touched the ball in the entire first half. The first chance on goal was just a few minutes in and came from Albion Parks’ Faith Atkins who struck the ball swiftly towards goal however it was a straight forward save for Tarrawanna’s Keeper Melissa Spero. Albion Park had another chance just minutes later. From a corner kick, the ball was sent into the mix where it fell nicely to Atkins who struck the ball over the cross bar from close range. 

It was clear from the get go that Albion Park was spread well and used the field to their advantage. Tarrawanna struggled to hold possession for long before Albion park’s tight defence managed the steal the ball, not a very solid start for the visitors.

It took 14minutes for Albion Park to be rewarded for their dominant start. Shakiah Tungai cleared two defenders who were on top of her and cut the ball into the top left corner of the net with a cool finish.

It took 30 minutes for Tarrawanna to muster their first solid chance at the goal. Kristina Janeska found herself in space before she launched her shot well over the bar from distance.

Just before the break Albion Park doubled their advantage as a stunning strike from Brittany Ring left Spero with no chance. Albion Park went into the sheds two goals to the good. This was also a bitter blow for Tarrawanna who probably would have been happy to go into half time just one down.

It was clear right from the start of the second half that Albion Park picked up where they left off.  They were dominating the possession and attacking at will.  Tungai's shot from the left side flew over and across the goal in what was perhaps a further warning to the Blueys.

Not long after, Linda Hillard broke through Tarrawanna’s defence down the left flank and sent the ball towards goal forcing Spero into a fine save.

It was the 59^th minute that Albion Park managed to go three up as Kaelah Austin flew down the left side leaving two defenders in her wake before coming face to face with Spero who managed to deflect the ball away from goal. Lurking inside the penalty area was Christina Gilsic who neatly finished from close range.

With barely any time to settle, Austin managed to smoothly lob Spero from 15 yards to put Park four up.

Tarrawanna pulled a goal back in the 68^th minute through Augustyn Camille. Clessek looked to have made an error in judgement allowing Camille the opportunity to perhaps start a heroic comeback.

It wasn't to be though as with just five minutes to spare it, Gilsic's powerful shot from the right could not be stopped by Spero despite getting her hands to the ball.

These teams may meet again in the finals series over the coming weeks and Tarrawanna will need to regroup and find a way to stop the Albion Park juggernaut that has simply been unstoppable so far this season.

As we move into the final round, Albion Park have the opportunity to make it 16 wins from 16 as they take on Thirroul White and Tarrawanna host Kiama in what is likely to be a dress rehersal for the first week of the semi finals.

Terry Reserve 1 – Sunday 6^th August, 2pm

 

Albion Park: F. Atkins, K. Austin, T. Davis, M. Foscarini, K. Gilsic, L. Hillard, N. McCracken, R. McGartland, B. Ring, P. Robinson, C. Suttle, S. Tungai, M. Wunsch, A. Clessek.

Tarrawanna: C. Augustyn, E. Battin, K. Chaplin, H. Corczak, C. Dragovic, V. Freitas, F. Halloway, J. Iorianni, K. Janeska, I. Kyriacou, J. Laywood, B. Macdonnell, J. Pearce, M. Spero

Referee: Brendan Fotherington

 

Report by Lauren Ferri

Photos by Noel Wynn