The Kingborough Lions have advanced to the Statewide Cup Semi Finals with a 5-0 win over University at Olinda Grove. On paper it was a game that looked like it would be a real battle, but the Lions were far too strong as they stormed to victory.
Star striker for Kingborough, Laura Davis was deemed fit to start after sustaining what looked like a possible hamstring injury against Clarence couple weeks back, and she took her spot in the starting XI but it would be her fellow attacker Emille Tatton who would go on to steal the show.
The opening 15 minutes was all the Lions making their mark and suggesting they were going to be the superior team. Horgan took on the roll of play-maker in the 6th minute by threading a through ball to Davis, and though nothing may of come of the shot, it was an early warning that Horgan was going to be tough for University's defence to contain.
Rhiannon Steele made some vital saves early on for University, saving long range bombs from Christabelle Moore on two occasions in 2 minutes! It was clear if Kingborough were going to break the deadlock they needed to produce some better quality shots in order to get it past Steele.
In the 20th minute it appeared as Uni had worked their way into the game having a few attacking chances of their own but the Kingborough defence held their structure well, just as they did for the majority of the day.
The Lions pressure and intensity finally saw them get the breakthrough and score the first goal of the day when a lovely cross from the left wing by Davis picked out Emille Tatton. Tatton made no mistake firing a fine diving header right into the right corner of the goals to make it 1-0 Kingborough.
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Solstice Photography[/caption]
University nearly equalised immediately as Sophie Young took on her defender and had a shot from range on the left wing but Erika Mackintosh had no problems blocking it out and away for a corner.
Right before Half-time the Lions would breakthrough again when Hickman took on the defence and fired a shot inside the box. Her shot was palmed back into play by a great save from Steele, but Tatton was waiting to pick up the pieces and she tapped home her second of the day to make it 2-0 Kingborough at the half time break.
Five minutes into the second half and Kingborough scored their third goal as Zoe Horgan whipped in a lovely cross to Laura Davis. The ball was fumbled by Steele and wound up bouncing into the net for an own goal.
Whilst the result wouldn't go her way, Sophie Young's work rate for University was a standout. Rushing back from the attacking end to come back into defence and put in a shift for the struggling back four, it may well have been a harsher final score if not for her.
Elissa Bowditch also stepped up too as all captains should in the back line, shouting instructions and desperately trying to prevent anymore goals.
But the Lions would add another when Zoe Horgan sent in another good cross into the box, this time to Tatton and she made no mistake, completing her hat trick with a easy tap in right down the middle of the net.
There would be no mercy for University in the 90th minute either, as the fifth and final goal of the day would end up in the back of the net off Bowditch. An attempt to clear the ball went off the shin and into the back of the net for an unfortunate own goal that saw it end 5-0 Kingborough.
In the end University defended bravely for the 90 minutes but were simply outclassed by Kingborough. The Lions attackers just had too much quality for the Bees and that showed in the final result.
Tatton was brilliant scoring a hat trick, Davis created endless opportunities and Horgan delivered plenty of dangerous crosses into the box for Kingborough.
For University, Bowditch defended with courage and conviction all day for her team and Sophie Young was a real shining light for her team in attack.
Solstice Photography[/caption]
University nearly equalised immediately as Sophie Young took on her defender and had a shot from range on the left wing but Erika Mackintosh had no problems blocking it out and away for a corner.
Right before Half-time the Lions would breakthrough again when Hickman took on the defence and fired a shot inside the box. Her shot was palmed back into play by a great save from Steele, but Tatton was waiting to pick up the pieces and she tapped home her second of the day to make it 2-0 Kingborough at the half time break.
Five minutes into the second half and Kingborough scored their third goal as Zoe Horgan whipped in a lovely cross to Laura Davis. The ball was fumbled by Steele and wound up bouncing into the net for an own goal.
Whilst the result wouldn't go her way, Sophie Young's work rate for University was a standout. Rushing back from the attacking end to come back into defence and put in a shift for the struggling back four, it may well have been a harsher final score if not for her.
Elissa Bowditch also stepped up too as all captains should in the back line, shouting instructions and desperately trying to prevent anymore goals.
But the Lions would add another when Zoe Horgan sent in another good cross into the box, this time to Tatton and she made no mistake, completing her hat trick with a easy tap in right down the middle of the net.
There would be no mercy for University in the 90th minute either, as the fifth and final goal of the day would end up in the back of the net off Bowditch. An attempt to clear the ball went off the shin and into the back of the net for an unfortunate own goal that saw it end 5-0 Kingborough.
In the end University defended bravely for the 90 minutes but were simply outclassed by Kingborough. The Lions attackers just had too much quality for the Bees and that showed in the final result.
Tatton was brilliant scoring a hat trick, Davis created endless opportunities and Horgan delivered plenty of dangerous crosses into the box for Kingborough.
For University, Bowditch defended with courage and conviction all day for her team and Sophie Young was a real shining light for her team in attack.