South Hobart and Ulverstone were forced to settle for a point apiece, as they played out an entertaining 1-1 draw in their Saturday afternoon Super League clash at Darcy Street. Eliane Fader continued her red hot form as she opened the scoring on 12 minutes but a penalty converted by Eli Cropp midway through the second half halted the hosts bid to register a third consecutive victory.
The opening sparring produced a nervy affair. Neither team was able to stamp their authority on the match early, with South perhaps holding the edge with territory. Early scrambling defensive efforts appeared to be the order of the day.
One instance saw Georgia Burley use every ounce of her experience to draw out a goal kick when hemmed into the corner by a goal-hungry Phoebe Djakic. While soon after South’s defence played with their backs against the wall as Cropp played through Mikalha George, who had space between the centre backs but was denied by a back-peddling defence.
South's star young winger Eliane Fader then lit up the match on the 12th minute.
The early warning signs of South finding room on the flanks from a switch in play paid dividends. Fader received the ball, free from her marker and nothing but the empty near corner of the goal in sight. The finish with the outside of her foot appeared destined for the net and put her side 1-0 ahead.
With wind in their sails, South upped the tempo as Ulverstone struggled to string passes together. Ulverstone’s passing woes nearly saw South doubling their lead quickly. A miscommunication between goalkeeper and defender saw Djakic with a prime opportunity. She hit the shot without hesitation but didn’t have the composure the forward would’ve been hoping for and the chance went begging.
With turnovers rife in midfield, South Hobart looked to the space on the flanks to capitalise. Emily Nellis and Burley were called upon on numerous occasions for a last ditch challenge to stop a lively South forward line.
Play was wrestled back for a patch towards the 35th minute mark for Ulverstone with the team in purple finding a way through the midfield. Soon enough Monica Orlowski was called upon to thwart the path of a goal-ward, dancing Lucy Reimer at the top of the box.
South continued to be a threat ahead of the break. Bridie Cooling nearly scored a stunning goal, blasting a shot from 35 yards out to force Georgia Anderson to pull out a quality save from her top locker.
The game opened up in the second half, with South’s midfield wall stamping less authority on the match. The shots began to tally up, but most of them seemed more hopeful than threatening.
Still the home side had an opportunity to extend the lead, again when a high press that saw a hospital pass pounced on by Djakic. Ulverstone’s goalkeeper Anderson was forced to make amends for her transgression by pulling off a block to deny the South forward.
Near the hour mark, Ulverstone found their break. With an earlier handball in the box waved off, there was no doubt in this instance. The referee blew for a penalty with Cropp stepping up for the visitors. The goal was nothing to write home about, however it was enough to bring Ulverstone back into the game.
With the scored tied back up the intensity of the match grew as the gloves were well and truly off. The challenges flew in, with one instant seeing a frustrated Ulverstone winger throw her marker to the ground after being shepherded from the ball.
South Hobart found themselves on the back foot as the match wore on, with Ulverstone’s forwards pressing hard in daring patches. Still the home team had their opportunities, with counter attacks producing moments for both sides.
As time dwindled, another poor clearance handed Niki Moutsatsos with space and the opportunity to strike. Anderson pulled out the necessary save, but Djakic was there to pick up the pieces. The golden chance for the match winner went begging however, with the shot unable to find the target from close range.
Hopes of finding a late winner were then dashed when the referee called for full time. South Hobart were left to rue missed opportunities, with the WSL’s dark horses still proving they are a difficult team to beat. While Ulverstone will be satisfied to have come away with another draw despite being unable to produce their best.