Ulverstone held their nerve to carry out a 2-1 victory over South Hobart in their Round 12 WSL clash. The first half took a while to get going, but Eli Cropp and Lucy Reimer both notched a goal a piece for a two goal buffer at the break. A comeback was sparked to life early in the second half through Pishon Choi’s finish and the remainder of the match was on a knifes edge, but Ulverstone held on for the win in their final home match of the season.
From kick off, the intensity fit the third position that was at stake. Immediately the match was bogged in midfield, with quick passes, turn-overs and challenges flying. Playing on the slightly smaller back pitch, a shoot on sight mentality was employed by Nikki Moutsatsos, who led South’s front line in the first half. Ulverstone held the marginal advantage in territory and they looked particularly looking dangerous from dead ball situations.
Warning signs of surges by Cropp from midfield arrived early. In ten minute intervals leading to the opening goal, Cropp caused trouble. In the 11th minute combining with Mikalha George for a corner, in the 21st a dash through the centre but going one defender too far. Then on cue, ten minutes later, the spark arrived from a Emily Nellis centre back run through midfield. The ball came to Cropp at the top of the D who produced a classy finish inside of the post. The celebration from the scorer and her team showed the relief of finding the breakthrough.
An opportunity for South to tie the match up was then presented to Moutsatsos on a platter. Working between the centre backs, the forward beat the line for a 1v1 with the keeper but her shot sailed over the bar. One minute prior Ulverstone had a chance themselves, nearly forcing a turnover deep in South’s defensive territory.
Breathing space arrived for the Reds in the 41st minute. A short corner worked between George and Febey Mitchell pinged out to Reimer in space. Taking the invitation, Reimer clipped the ball over the traffic in front and found the goal.
The end to end affair would continue through the second half and by applying early pressure South Hobart reaped their reward. Lucy Roberts whipped in a ball from the left hand side that found Choi in the mixer. The referee dismissed the calls of offside from the crowd, with South suddenly finding a way into the match.
Waves of pressure arrived from either end. A couple half chances for Eliane Fader threatened, while George produced a tantalising opportunity begging for a back post finish up the other end.
The search for South’s equaliser continued as the clock wound down. Bridie Cooling asked questions from fullback, winning the ball with the only intent to move forward. Soon the youngster was pushed into attack, being in on goal in extra time only to be denied the opportunity by the offside flag. Meanwhile the heroics of Naomi Berrell’s persistence of challenges screaming “not today” up the other end kept South in the hunt until the final moments.
The win means Ulverstone now holds the advantage in the race for third with three rounds to go. The victory provides a two point buffer over South Hobart, while Kingborough remains in contention to surge up the ladder with a handful of games in hand.