Annerley Rearguard Stands Firm In Peninsula Victory

Peninsula Power 1 (Mookerdum 10') Annerley 2 (Hein 13'; Carroll 65') HT 1-1 Played at: AJ Kelly Park

Annerley's defence survived a late onslaught from Peninsula Power to earn a gutsy 2-1 win at AJ Kelly Park and dent Power's hopes of making the top four as three bizarre goals featured in the scoreline in this RD16 Mt Franklin Women's Premier League clash. Power took the lead early following a corner. The ball firstly played into the box before finding it's way back out to corner taker Yasmin Mookerdum, who's cross come shot floated to the back post and bounced in off the upright with Annerley keeper Gemma Layfield looking on in disbelief as the ball rolled in. The lead was short lived though when Annerley levelled three minutes later. Gabrielle Hein making a good run to just inside the box before hitting what appeared a tame shot. Unfortunately for stand in keeper Miranda Wilson, a late change after regular keeper Jess Scicluna was unable to play due to illness, fumbled when attempting to gather Hein's effort and allowed the ball to pop out of her hands and into the goal. The eventual winner came shortly after the hour mark and again it was a goal out of nothing that was more luck than judgement. Cindy Carroll's speculative effort from approximately 25 yards out, looping over Wilson and dropping into the back of the net. Both sides could have taken a lead into the break in what was a fairly drab first half. Donna Smith found Hein with a neat though ball but Wilson did well to close her down when one on one, forcing Hein's touch to take her away from goal allowing the Power back line to regather. Late in the half, Brit Whitfield's long range strike from 30 yards out had Layfield beaten as she back peddled, only for the ball to cannon off the underside of the bar and back out where it was scrambled away. The second half was a far more action packed affair as the chances came thick and fast the longer the half went on. Whitfield was amongst it all as you'd expect but she'll reflect on the opportunities spurned which begun just before the hour mark. A good ball in from Melissa Limov picked out Power's top goal scorer near the back of the box, but from 10 yards out and with just Layfield to beat, she dragged her shot wide. At the other end, Power's defence did well to contain Annika Coyne just as she was set to strike from inside the box, but it was shortly after that Carroll struck when Power failed to clear completely and the Annerley midfielder chanced her luck from distance to give her side the lead. As the game reached the final quarter of an hour, momentum swung well and truly Power's way as they dominated proceedings and bombarded the Annerley goal, but the resolute defending from the visitors was superb, with keeper Layfield in particular coming to the fore to deny what looked certain goals from Whitfield, Limov and Kayleigh Smith. The nearest Power came to an equaliser was from Taylah Brotherston's deep cross from the right which looped onto Layfield's back post before bouncing away to safety. Annerley held on though and were relieved to hear final whistle to put an end to an entertaining encounter for the neutrals and a stressful one for the coaches. Anthony Costa's side remain in fourth spot, four points ahead of Power but having played a game more, however, that catch-up game is against second placed Capalaba so a result is not guaranteed for Gary Ellis's outfit as they go in search of a finals spot.

Coaches Remarks:

Garry Ellis - Peninsula Power: "I thought the ending there was extraordinary and we had some chances there at the end. I'm pretty proud of the girls really. We had some great opportunities but that's football. Sometimes they go in, sometimes they don't. Some cracking shots and some good saves from their keeper. I thought we were the better team on the night but the result is what it is." Anthony Costa - Annerley: "In all honesty, we've gone three games without a win but from the last four games, that was the worst we've played by a fair way. We tried a new system tonight and to their credit, Power kept coming. The girls worked hard to get the win. Power threw everything at us that last twenty minutes. As stressful as it was, I'm really proud of the girls. To defend like that, to give their all for the team, that kind of desparation is what you need to get to finals. Credit to Peninsula, they had a really good game and a blinder that last twenty minutes."

FB Media Player of the Match: Gemma Layfield (Annerley).

In one of the most thrilling endings to a game you could see, Layfield pulled off a stack of fine saves during Power's late onslaught, ultimately helping her side to eventual victory.

FB Media Stats: Possession: 52% - 48% Shots on target: 14 - 12 Shots off target: 9 - 8 Shots blocked: 6 - 1 Corners: 7 - 10 Free Kicks: 11 - 6 Penalties: 0 - 0 Offside: 1 - 1 Yellow Cards: 0 - 1 Red Cards: 0 - 0