Manly Vale women’s Premier League coach Tony Bruzzano was feeling positive ahead of Sunday’s match with Beacon Hill because for the first time this season he could call upon his full complement of players. And then his captain, Ali Warman, pulled out at the last minute.
Not to worry. In a hard-fought and willing affair at David Thomas Reserve, it was stand-in skipper Jules Waugh who sealed the 2-0 win when she ran onto a great through-ball, out-sprinted the defence and, ice-cool and composed, finished past an advancing ‘keeper for the win.
“Manly Vale and Beacon Hill always put on good games and yesterday did not disappoint!” Bruzzano exclaimed. “It was a good day for us – wins in both grades. I’m extremely pleased with both results. If we can keep our players fit and healthy, we will be challenging at the back end of the season. The girls are all putting in great efforts at training and are enjoying their football.”
Vale perhaps had the better of the first half, coming close on several occasions forcing fine saves by Beacon Hill’s keeper. And it wasn’t until the last few seconds of the first half when Manly Vale finally broke through.
It was a Samantha Spackman shot that brought out a diving save from the ‘keeper who couldn’t hold the ball, with Lauren Bullock following through to tap it in.
The second half was an equally good battle with Beacon Hill pushing numbers forward in search of an equaliser. Yet Vale’s defence was strong, led well by Ash Kirby, Ceri-Ann Greco and Mia Waddington.
Georgia Goulding and Samantha Spackman were also strong for Manly Vale while Madi Brilman and Jordan Clay came into the game also and “were fantastic in defence, too,” according to Bruzzano.
“And our goalkeeper, Lauren Scaramuzza, produced a handful of big moments when she was called on to make impressive saves,” Bruzzano said.
In other games Pittwater RSL went down to Brookvale 2-1, Seaforth crushed BTH Raiders 7-2 while Manly Allambie continued on their winning ways with a 3-0 win over Mosman. Wakehurst enjoyed the bye.
