MWFA Women’s Select Team took the series lead on Wednesday night when they defeated Northern Suburbs Football Association Women’s Select 4-1 on a rainy evening.
Both teams started strong, but it was MWFA who took the early lead. After pressuring the NSFA defence MWFA forced a corner.
Jess Sekulich connected with the ball after a short corner to find the back of the net.
The following 30 minutes saw an even fight between the two teams with plenty of opportunities to add to the scoreboard. However, nothing was capitalised on and so MWFA entered the second half 1-0 up.
MWFA Coach Kyle Cannon (Manly Allambie) was impressed with the first half considering the women did not get to train together before the match.
“A few touches and passes were off at the start of the game.” Cannon said.
“They really grew as a group as the game went on, they stepped it up and created plenty of chances in the second half.”
As the rain continued to pour the second half saw MWFA further their lead.
Georgia Goulding (Manly Vale) was next to put her name on the scoreboard as she put one in over the goal keeper’s head.
MWFA did not hold back with Sam Spackman (Manly Vale) scoring twice in quick succession.
Using her pace, Spackman darted through the NSFA defence before calmly controlling the ball and slotting it pass the keeper both times.
With MWFA up four nil the women were confident they would be walking away as victors. However, NSFA would not give up that easily.
NSFA dominated the end of the match with multiple shots on goal. If it wasn’t for Manly Vale’s Lauren Scaramuzza the match could have ended very differently.
Scaramuzza put her body on the line as goalkeeper, diving and saving everything that came her way until NSFA’s Sophie De Montemas (Turramurra United) lined one up from outside the box to the top left corner of the net.
The full-time whistle blew and MWFA walked away as victors with a 4-1 result.
Cannon thought it was an outstanding performance and that “it was a good result and builds a bit of momentum and belief going into the game this week against Manly United First Grade Women” on Thursday 3rd March, 7:30pm on Cromer Park 2.
They will be looking to match the Men’s success against Manly and add to the history of MWFA defeating Manly United.
“A lot of (if not all) the girls used to play at that level, so it will be a really good test, and they will have to draw on all their experience to match it with Manly for 90 minutes.” Cannon said.
Match Details
Who: MWFA Women’s Select vs Manly United First Grade Women
When: Thursday, 3 March
Where: Cromer Park 2
Time: 7:30pm kick-off
