Inner West Allstars 1 West City Crusaders 2

The young and enthusiastic West City Crusaders prevailed in the heat against the more experienced Inner West Allstars to progress to the next round of the Womens Premier League Finals.

In the first half the Allstars enjoyed most of the possession and court position. Nicole Laws was anchoring the defence while her Allstar team mates were constantly probing for goal scoring opportunities.

The Crusaders were in a more cautious frame of mind and were content to retract into a defensive formation and hit hard on the break, but with the Allstars marking goal scorer Laura Elliott closely their goal attempts were limited.

The Allstars kept up the pressure all half. West City keeper Melissa Khoury came out smartly to block a Renee Tomkins goal bound shot and Dominique Caridad saw her shot clip the crossbar after a nice one two with Eleanor Rugg.

Tomkins laid on a nice pass for Eleanor Rugg but her shot was well saved by the keeper but neither team could break the deadlock as the two sides went to the break at 0-0.

The Crusaders opened the second half in a more attacking mindset. Tani Rosekelly made a great block to deny Laura Elliott and also save the follow up from Tiana Gauci.

Renee Tomkins long range volley was stopped by Melissa Khoury and her long throw down court saw Elliotts shot smartly saved by Rosekelly.

The Allstars nearly took the lead when Tomkins effort across goal was nearly touched in by Nicole Laws sliding in at the far post.

The Crusaders took the lead in style when Laura Elliott held the ball up well in an advanced position laid the ball back to Kayleigh Koops who smashed an unstoppable shot from near halfway into the top corner of the net.

The Allstars responded immediately when Renee Tomkins shot was brilliantly tipped onto the post by Melissa Khoury but Dominique Caridad was on the spot to sweep the loose ball into the net and level the game at 1-1.

The pace had totally changed from the first half with both sides going from end to end in search of a goal.

Laura Elliott shot just wide and Tani Rosekelly came out smartly to tip away a cross intended for Koops who would have had an easy tap in. Doris Osman also came very close for the Crusaders when her header looped just over the far post and away to safety.

Doris Osman capped off a fine game when she won the ball deep in her own half and ran the ball down court. Riding tackles along the way she rounded the keeper and slotted the ball home for an outstanding goal to make it 2-1 to the Crusaders.

With only minutes left on the clock the Crusaders smaller and nippier players clung on determinedly in the strength sapping heat to deny the Allstars and claim a fine victory to advance to the next phase of the finals series.

Source : Football NSW
Published : 9/2/2009