By Andrew Cooling.
The Weekend Wash-Up: An Intriguing Opening Weekend
The opening round of the 2022 MyState Women’s Super League is in the book and whilst you never want to overreact to just one weekend’s worth of results, it’s fair to say there was plenty to take away from the opening set of fixtures.
On Friday night it was South Hobart proving far too strong for Olympia and looking every bit a side that is primed to charge up the ladder this season and thrust themselves into the thick of the title race.
Launceston United likewise announced themselves as a major threat. They claimed a 3-1 win over Clarence Zebras making it the second year in a row that they have defeated the Zebras on opening day.
Whilst down at the Den, ten manic minutes to start the second half saw Devonport pull off a remarkable come from behind win over the Kingborough Lions, as the sides again combined for an entertaining goal-fest.
Davies Doubles but Roberts Steals the Show
The season kicked off on Friday night with South Hobart picking up right where they left off in the Summer Cup, claiming a 3-0 win over the Olympia Warriors to maintain their unbeaten start to 2022.
The pattern of the game was established early on, with South dominating possession and the Warriors pinned back deep in their own end defensively. Warrior’s Skipper Natalia Leszczynski did a mountain of work at the back, whilst new keeper Shelley Cook was kept busy in the Warriors net. Cook showed why she still rates as one of the best keepers in the business and was a major reason as to why it remained just 3-0 despite South completely dominating the contest, making a string of big saves throughout the 90 minutes.
After 45 minutes of frustration, it was Lucy Roberts who eventually unlocked the Warriors defence when her corner was nodded home by the returning Bonnie Davies from close range. It was a glistening display from Roberts in the South Hobart engine room all night long. She paved the assist on all 3 of South Hobart’s goals and in addition, she created several other chances that weren’t converted. Time and time again her clever range of passing found holes in the defence and her assist on the second goal, fired home emphatically by Nikki Moutsatsos was a superb piece of play, picking the ball up in midfield, before playing a one-two to charge forward then expertly dissect the defence. Davies then put the cherry on top by making it 3-0 with her late second goal but in truth, the 3-0 score line flattered the Warriors and but for some poor finishing, and super keeping from Cook, the final score would have been a lot more emphatic.
Launceston United Open Up in Style but Concerns for Star Recruit
It was new season, same story at Floorworld Park, as Launceston United began their campaign with a big 3-1 win over the Clarence Zebras. There was some buzz coming out of the North in the preseason that Utd were quietly confident they could push for silverware this season and based on this performance, that appears to be justified.
They took the lead early through Madi Gilpin, who headed home Annie Reitsma’s pinpoint cross and would have doubled it shortly after if not for Kacee Ponting keeping out Montana Leonard’s spot-kick.
Leonard’s day would end early as she unfortunately limped off with what looked like a bad knee injury. Scans will be required to ascertain the extent of the damage but Utd will be desperately hoping she can avoid long term damage because in the time she did spend on the park she was very much as advertised. She looked a player who could do some real damage this season and her goal to double United’s lead was pure class, cutting onto her right foot and picking out the far corner to perfection.
Madi O’Brien ensured a grandstand finish when she curled home a superb freekick in the 89th minute to cut the margin to 2-1, but any fears of a wobble were quickly put to bed when Annie Reitsma finished off Elodie Gray’s strong build-up work to restore the two-goal buffer within 60 seconds.
Despite the defeat Clarence Zebras won’t be hitting the panic button just yet, after all, they went 16 wins and a draw from their next 17 matches after an opening day thrashing of 5-1 at the hands of United last year and they were missing some key players in Taylor Rand, Zoe Nichols and Allie Berry. Still, between this and the Summer Cup final, there are definitely some concerns for Adam Powell and it feels unlikely that they dominate the league in the fashion they did last season.
Strikers Second Half Surge Leaves Lions Licking Wounds
Ten minutes of madness to start the second half saw the Devonport Strikers pull off an upset win on the road at Clennets Lightwood Park, rallying back from a goal behind to claim a 3-2 victory over the Kingborough Lions. Outside of the opening ten minutes of the second half, it was a game the Lions largely controlled and in terms of scoring opportunities, they certainly shaded them. But for most of the afternoon they simply found no way past Samantha Hardy, who was absolutely outstanding in the Strikers goal. The Strikers backup keeper made a number of massive reaction saves and impressed with her handling under the high ball all afternoon.
The first half was dominated by the Lions but they were finding Georgia King an impassable object at the back as she did a fine job shackling the dangerous Laura Davis. The Lions major joy came down the right-hand flank with Danielle Kannegiesser exerting a large influence over the game and frequently getting in behind. It was no shock when this provided the avenue for the opening goal, her cross picking out Amy Ollington at the back post who fired home to put her side ahead. They really should have extended that lead and headed into the sheds with more of a buffer and their failure to do so would come back to haunt them.
On 49 minutes a clearance fell to Maddie Payne in some room outside the box. Seizing the space she stepped up and delivered a delightfully finessed shot, chipping the keeper from 20 yards and drawing the Strikers level.
A minute later and a long ball over the top released speedster Jazmin White, who fired her initial effort into the woodwork but followed up and chipped home stylishly from close range at the second time of asking. It was rinse and repeat on 55 minutes when another long-range ball over the top once more brought the Lions defence undone, allowing White to race in behind and bag her brace.
It left the Lions in an enormous hole and despite pulling one back via Bronte Gadon from a corner just past the hour mark, they were continually frustrated by Hardy and the Strikers defence who would do enough to hold on and claim a big three points to kick off the season.