Manly Allambie were leading 1-0 against BTH Raiders at Wyatt Reserve on Sunday when Sam Grant saw space. Over the back of the goal-keeper’s head.
From 35 yards out she noted the ‘keeper off her line and launched an audacious chip-come-lob that bounded into the goal to give her team a match-winning lead.
Manly Allambie coach Kyle Cannon said Grant and fellow goal-scorer Chloe Guthrie were among his team’s best.
“Sammy and Chloe, our two girls up front, played really well. They didn’t allow anything back through midfield and defended really well from the top.
“Overall we kept the ball quite well and limited their chances going forward. And of course you always have to compliment the backline when you keep a clean sheet,” Cannon said.
United’s first goal came on the 30-minute mark after three corners in a row. A cross was deflected to Guthrie who smashed the ball home from the edge of the 18-yard box.
Yet Cannon felt his team could’ve been more clinical up front.
“We lacked a bit of finishing in the final third. We were just panicking a little. It’s why we didn’t put a few more away. We weren’t as clinical as we could’ve been.
“But we defended well and transitioned from defence to midfield really well. I’m very proud of the team. We’ve gone back to basics and have slowly been building up to good results,” Cannon said.
The win saw Manly Allambie head to the top of the ladder with 18 points over Seaforth (17 points), Wakehurst (16) and Manly Vale (13).
In other games Seaforth trounced Pittwater RSL 8-0, Brookvale went down 3-1 to Beacon Hill FC and Mosman got home 2-1 over Wakehurst. Manly Vale enjoyed the bye.
