Annerley Move To Second After Strong Second Half Showing
Annerley 5 (McNamara 50'; Sweeney 52'; Hein 56', 60'; Parra 79') Eastern Suburbs 1 (OG (Carroll) 40') HT 0-1 Played at: Elder Oval
A four goal blitz in ten second half minutes helped Annerley to a 5-1 success over Eastern Suburbs on Saturday afternoon. The first half proved to be one for the purists with very little in the way of cohesive action that didn't see the first free kick of the game arrive until the 32nd minute. However, just as the half looked to be dwindling to completion, Easts broke down the right with Kate Griffiths who's crossed was tipped away by Annerley keeper Gemma Layfield, but straight into the legs of Cindy Carroll who was unable to avoid it from bouncing of her and into the back of the net to give the visitors the lead going into the break. The second half saw a completely different game unfold and it all begun badly for Easts just five minutes after the break with captain Fatima Flores going down after a 50/50 challenge for the ball. In obvious distress she needed to be stretchered off with what is a suspected broken ankle. The incident seemingly leaving the visitors stunned, Annerley went on the rampage in a blistering 10 minute spell. Rachael McNamara's solo effort levelled the scores on 50 minutes after she dispossessed Sarah Ryan and weaved her way to the edge of the box before driving the ball low to the right of Easts keeper Julia Duffy. Two minutes later Annerley took the lead. Rebecca Sweeney finding space just outside the box and smashing a firm shot beyond the diving Duffy with the Easts defence reeling. An error from Duffy on 56 minutes, as she attempted to play the ball our from the back, resulted in Gabrielle Hein picking up the ball and clinically dispatching it past the Easts custodian to make it 3-1 and just after the hour mark, Hein struck again for her second and Easts fourth after Sophie Malouf failed to clear for the visitors. Easts had an opportunity to pull one back when a good cross from Griffiths forced Layfield to react as Annalese Holzworth was lurking. Layfield managing to scramble the ball clear. By now it was all Annerley and Hein almost netted her hat trick when put through by Sweeney, but she drove her shot wide of the mark with just Duffy to beat. With less than ten minutes remaining Annerley did get their fifth when substitute Camila Parra cut inside her opponent from the right and fired a fierce shot across Duffy into the far corner of the goal. A couple more chances fell Annerley's way as they threatened to turn things into a rout. Sweeney first finding Annika Coyne who's well timed run brought her to just inside the box where she drilled her shot of the upright to the relief of a beaten Duffy and moments later it was Coyne again who went close to scoring from a late corner, but Duffy was equal to the task. The final whistle finally brought proceedings to an end and with it, second spot on the ladder for Annerley. It's hard to say if the injury to Flores was the catalyst for Annerley's success but it certainly proved to be the major turning point in the game. Annerley head to Pine Hills next round and based on their second half performance, you'd expect them to pick up all three points. Easts have a slightly easier task with bottom side Souths United the visitors to Heath Park.
Coaches Remarks:
Anthony Costa - Annerley: "I thought we started ok in the first half but never got out of first gear. I though we were on top but they did well to force an own goal. Second half we had a game plan which we discussed and the girls executed it really well which bought instant reward. We stopped their number six from playing out from the back and once we stopped stuffing around with the ball at the top of the box we were a lot better. I think we definitely deserved the win today."
Luke Pauza - Eastern Suburbs: "Overall we weren't real good but hats off to Annerley. They won 5-1 but it could have been 10-1 had they taken their other chances. They're a good, quick attacking team. They got their chances second half and took them. Hats off to them - well done."
FB Media Player of the Match: Rebecca Sweeney (Annerley).
As well as netting one for herself in the game, her biggest strength was holding the ball and releasing incisive passes that ultimately yielded dividends for her side.
Team Line-ups:
Annerley: Layfield (gk), Appelhof, Birleson, Carroll, Coyne, Donsky, Hein (Welsh 74'), Kirkcaldie, McNamara (Parra 67'), O'Connor, Sweeney (Smith 85').
Subs: Smith, Welsh, Parra.
Eastern Suburbs: Duffy (gk), Balarezo (Hicks 64'), Flores (Lee 49'), Griffiths, Holzworth, Jeffery, Malouf (Lockyear 45'), Panetta, Ryan, Sullivan, Watson.
Subs: Hicks, Lee, Malouf, Saywell. Referee: Daniel McLaughlin
