Ulverstone produced a surprise on Saturday afternoon as they held the presumptive Super League front runners Clarence Zebras to a 1-1 draw in their Round 4 clash.
In a repeat of Clarence’s last outing the opener came via an early penalty however that’s where the similarities finished. Ulverstone played as a team with a cheat sheet on how to stop a free-scoring Zebras bagging a goal in open play whilst looking threatening in attack themselves.
Both teams set out with a shuffle to their starting XI's from their Round 3 games. Odette Carpenter slotted into centre back for Ulverstone pushing Lucy Reimer into attack. Clarence traveled with 12 players missing live-wire fullback Louisa Marmion and 2019 Media Award winner Allie Berry. The lack of bench would provide a challenge for the Zebras as the game wore on, limiting their options to change things up.
From the kick off the intensity of the match was apparent. Clarence came out with the press and Ulverstone were looking to deal damage on the counter with both providing combinations to unpick the others midfield. The Red’s character was tested early after a penalty was given for a handball in the box as Emily Nellis failed to deal with a crisp cross within the laws of the game.
A much-loved centre back goal was soon delivered as Selina Steventon stood up to take the kick from the spot to make it 1-0 Zebras.
With the opener Clarence strolled with confidence but Ulverstone’s defence held tight, coming up with key challenges when called upon. The Zebras high press produced some hairy moments at the back for the Reds, but Clarence was unable to capitalise.
Instead Ulverstone’s experience and quality in the final third involving Reimer, Mikalha George and Eli Cropp provided plenty of headaches on the counter. A couple of warning signs from Ulverstone were fired. One drew a yellow card after Mady O’Brien pulled out a no-nonsense shoulder charge on Reimer for nutmegging her defensive counterpart Zara Dixon.
Right as Ulverstone had found another gear but seemed incapable of getting close enough to really threaten Shelley Cook in goal, there was an answer. Half an hour into the game and Reimer repaid her coach’s faith in moving her back into attack by applying the finishing touch on Cropp’s cross. The goal may not have been pretty hitting under the crossbar before going over the line, but the game was now level.
The power balance of the first half shifted again following the equaliser. Possession continued to sway between the sides, but it was Ulverstone who now had the better of the chances. The Red’s nearly capitalised after a long ball played George through with support in a 2 v 1 situation with the keeper. The forward was denied however as Cook rose to the challenge producing a quality save.
Half time arrived with the game still 1-1 despite the calls from the home crowd for a penalty after a final tussle between O’Brien and Reimer.
With a limited bench to turn to, Clarence pushed O'Brien into midfield drawing Dixon into centre back from the right and pulling Isabella Ferrier into full back. The shift proved some-what successful, as Clarence stepped up their intensity in midfield with O'Brien providing more experience. However the supply chain to Zoe Nichols at centre-forward remained blocked like when sauce is stubbornly stuck in the bottle, with Ulverstone’s defence further restricting the attackers few chances on the ball.
The Reds approach was more from the ‘if it ain't broke don’t fix it' playbook, which saw Ulverstone repeating their first half tactics.
After a tense opening period to the half, the Zebras wrestled control of the game as the search was on for a winner. The Reds defence wound up working in overdrive forcing Clarence to soul search as the normally free scoring side just couldn’t find a goal.
Again the press from Clarence caused a turn over but the scramble somehow dealt with the threat. Caitlin Stalker had looked lively most of the match and on the hour she deciding to back herself only to hit the crossbar with her shot. The post would return to action soon after denying Burt’s whipped cross.
Again the tables turned with Ulverstone working the counter confidently to their advantage. Their three pronged attack began to press their opponents and threatened to seize all three points.
With the clock ticking down, Georgia Anderson came up big. First with a strong grab from a high searching cross, then to thwart Stalker when she thundered in on goal.
There would be no late winner for either side however, as the final whistle drew the encounter to a close with neither side able to break the second half deadlock and the final score 1-1.
It’s been a slow start to the season for Ulverstone but the side can be buoyed with this result, proving they’re adaptable and can rise to the occasion. Meanwhile Clarence Zebras will look to put this one behind them to bounce back for next round’s crunch fixture against Olympia Warriors. This week may be spent at the drawing board to remembering how to score from open play.