A brace from Allie Berry helped guide the Clarence Zebras to a 3-1 win over South Hobart in their Sunday Super League clash. Berry's pair of delightfully chipped goals helped secure her side the victory after an early penalty had the game locked at 1-1 after 10 minutes.
The wind sure played a major factor in the match. We saw attempted long balls down the midfield corridor failing to make the mark, inadvertently going out for goal kicks and goal kicks were going in all sorts of directions. Let's just say it was not what you would expect from a regular game of football.
Louisa Marmion was the first scorer in the opening minutes making no mistake from a corner delivery which she slotted home from close range. Conceding so soon woke up South as they restricted Zebras to playing out of the back and really began to put some pressure on.
Their efforts eventually paid off as they set up a counter attack and lured in Danielle Kannegiesser to make a challenge inside the box which led to the referee pointing to the spot. Phoebe Djakic stepped up to the penalty box and finished with sheer power into the top left past Zebra's keeper Shelley Cook to make the scores 1-1.
Kannegiesser was involved in the action seconds after Djkaic's equaliser. Unfortunately for her it was a heavy knock she sub-stained and was replaced by Madi O'Brien. One injury soon doubled to two, when Zoe Nichols also went down hard in the second-half after a hard collision with South's keeper Georgie McMullen, which resulted in Nichols also being withdrawn.
Allie Berry was the difference maker and she opened her account right before half-time with a wonderful chipped goal. Berry noticed McMullen off her line and elected to lob it over her head which landed safely home. It provided a big lift for the Zebras going into the break with a 2-1 lead despite some good pressing from South.
McMullen was kept busy throughout the game by the vibrant Zebras attack and her best moment came when she pulled off a fantastic diving save to keep out Nichols. Nichols and Ferrier combined wonderfully but it wasn't enough to get past McMullen.
Berry put the game to bed with almost an identical goal from her previous. McMullen was once again slightly off her line and Berry launched it with ease once more to make the final score 3-1.
With the three points banked, the Clarence Zebras will now turn their focus to their must win match with Olympia midweek, whilst South Hobart will entertain Kingborough Lions next Sunday.
