It was first versus second at Terry Reserve on Sunday afternoon as the undefeated Albion Park took on University in the Builders Club Womens Division 1.

Both sides started the game attempting to play high intensity football. Albion Park had the better of the chances overall but did look susceptible to a lingering University counter. Albion Park’s most influential players for the match were Kristina Glisic and Rylee McGartland (both netting goals) along with central defender Brittany Ring, who was immense despite being deployed in not her preferred position due to the absence of Tenaya Davis.

For University, the midfield combination of Elise Battin and Cayla Constable worked extremely hard all afternoon and intercepted many attempted passes into Albion Park’s forward line. Ultimately Albion Park showed their attacking prowess and with five different goal scorers in the match, it is difficult to argue the point.

The first real action started on the 14^th minute when the home side were awarded a free kick. The ever present McGartland stepped up to take it and thundered her shot from 30 yards straight into the crossbar, only to be cleared by the University defence.

The danger would not subside for University after this early warning sign. Intense attacking play from Albion Park led to Glisic darting her way through the defence and then lining up a shot which was blocked. The ball then rolled to winger Maddison Angel whose curled shot rose just too much and sailed over the bar.

The pressure valve broke for University on the 38^th minute however. Michelle Foscarini whipped in one of her many dangerous corners of the afternoon. This outswinger found the head of midfielder Liandra Gaykamangu as she leaped above the University defence. She finished the ball home with relative ease into the bottom right corner.

Within moments the advantage was doubled. Foscarini was again in the midst of the action as she beat her defender on the left wing and managed to lay the ball off to Glisic who had an empty net to tap into. Suddenly all of University’s hard defensive work had come unstuck and they were forced to come out of their shell and take more risks in attack.

Just before half time University had their real first chance. Centre-forward Kristen Gorgieski was the most eager to the ball, and she managed to whip in a dangerous cross into Geraldine Ponce. Ponce could not connect with the ball and scuffed her volley attempt.

Moments after coming out from the sheds, University managed to half the deficit. Lisa Tolson managed to skip past her defender and blast a left footed shot into the top corner that could only be watched by Albion Park goalkeeper Aleisha Chessell. It was reward for hard work put in all afternoon by Tolson on the left hand touchline.

Albion Park hit back on the 55^th minute through Foscarini however. Glisic’s shot was initially saved onto the crossbar by University goalkeeper Grace Lockard. The ball was not cleared from the 6-yard area properly and Foscarini slid the ball past Lockard without trouble.

Just 4 minutes later Albion Park had a fourth and this time it was McGartland. Taking a free kick on the right side of the field, she managed to curl her right-footed shot past the heads of her teammates and found the net directly in what was certainly the goal of the afternoon.

University had a chance in the 78^th minute to score a consolation as Batton’s right-footed shot was hit with too much power as it sailed over the bar.

The final bit of action for the afternoon was Albion Park’s fifth. After looking threatening all afternoon, Casey-Leigh Suttle skipped through the University backline and slotted the ball home into the bottom right corner.

Both sides keep the same positions that they held at the beginning of this fixture. Albion Park are now 11 points clear at the top of the ladder with a game in hand. As for University, their spot in second is now under threat in the form of a Woonona side who gained an important three points against Kiama in the race for finals football.

In next week’s fixtures, Albion Park head to Thomas Gibson Park on Friday night to take on a lingering Thirroul team. They then have another fixture on Sunday at Ray Robinson Oval against Fernhill in what will be a tiring weekend for them. Albion Park will be looking to be performing at their absolute peak in time for their State Cup final at the end of the month.

As for University, they are also away from home next weekend on Sunday against a Russell Vale side who will feel they are still in the hunt for finals football.

 

Sunday 8 July @ Terry Reserve

Albion Park – 5 (Gaykamangu 38’, Glisic 40’, Foscarini 55’, McGartland 59’, Suttle 82’)

University – 1 (Tolson 46’)

 

Albion Park – Aleisha CHESSELL, Philippa ROBINSON, Claire DUFFY, Nicole MCCRACKEN, Renee CROWE, Casey-Leigh SUTTLE, Brittany RING, Jessica HANLY, Kristina GLISIC, Liandra GAYKAMANGU, Maddison ANGEL

Coach – Richard DAVIS

 

University – Grace LOCKARD, Lisa PRIOR, Edith MELI, Rachel ABBOTT, Grace AMATTO, Elise BATTIN, Jinneecka KLENKA, Geraldine PONCE, Kristen GORGIESKI, Cayla CONSTABLE, Tallara SHAW, Lexi CARTER, Keely DODD, Paris FORD, Lisa TOLSON, Rhianna BROWN

Coach – Brod CRIGHTON

 

Referee – Mark TOOLE

Report by Jordan Warren, on Twitter @jwarren0817

Photo by Noel Wynn