Eliane Fader’s lone goal was the point of difference for South Hobart in a close contest against University. The decider arrived at the 10 minute mark after South tore out of the gates early. Crafty defending and a clear at all costs mentality kept University in touching distance throughout but South clung onto victory, despite play opening up in the second half providing opportunities at both ends of the park.
With the early pickings, South showed no hesitation from the kick off. A quick switch of play from midfield, found Fader lurking at the back post. The finish wasn’t there for the chance in the 1st minute, but the intent was clear.
South didn’t allow University to gain a foothold early, clearing the first foray forward by the Bees with confidence.
The opportunity soon arrived for South to capitalise on the positive start. Replicating the chance in the opening minute, Fader was at the ready in the box. A looping ball from midfield found a wicked bounce to beat the keeper and Fader was able to put enough on her header to deny the scrambling Uni defender a potential goal line clearance.
Momentum was in South Hobart’s corner as calamity was narrowly avoided when a wicked deflection off the back of Emma Cazaly from a cross landed safely into the hands of Rhiannon Steele. Minutes later, Pishon Choi tried her luck from a distance, forcing the keeper to parry with the scraps begging for an oncoming player.
Slowly University gained traction as the game panned out. University were limited to hopeful half chances which were the only product of the hard work to turn the ball over in midfield. South continued to dial up the pressure but struggled to find a target.
The half hour mark brought action at both ends of the pitch. Fader laid the ball off to Choi, who skirted off the shoulder of the last defender. 1v1 with Steele, the Bees keeper stormed forward to meet Choi at the edge of the area to block golden chance.
Barely a minute later, University caused havoc off a corner. Swung in by Olivia Young, Georgia McMullen failed to cut the ball out in the area, leading to a goal line scramble. Claims of handball and last ditch defending ultimately left South unscathed.
South Hobart wrestled control of the match back as half time neared as brave defending by the Bees kept the game in touching distance. The half finished with a chance for University off the counter through Sophie Young, whose cross searched for Lillian Shegog but found a corner instead.
The resumption saw the match open up, with University searching for an equaliser and South unable to find the target. Again, the early pickings of the half fell to South Hobart. Choi continued to look a threat, whilst Eve Swain also had an effort from distance.
Hassle clawed University into the match with pressure around the ball out of defence the instigator to earn a throw in that led to an opportunity at the feet of Olivia Young. Well within the midfielders range, Young’s shot flew over the post.
A slate of substitutions by South threw off their first half rhythm, which meant they had the territory but couldn’t do much with it. While momentum fell the side of the Bees, with combinations linking through midfield into attack.
The chances kicked up later in the half, but the tantalising moments arrived late from dead ball situations. With 2 minutes of regular time left, Lucy Roberts stepped up for a free kick that came close to the top corner, but ultimately curved away from goal.
A minute later University had one themselves. Olivia Young opted for the cross, sending the ball past an outstretched McMullen. But the opportunity was left begging for a back post finish that didn’t arrive and the game ended with South Hobart 1-0 victors.