Round 11 Match Report
The Ballarat Eureka Strikers secured a 4-3 win over Keilor Park in Zagame’s State League 1 with a sparkling first half performance.
The Eureka Strikers got off to a bright start with a goal in the third minute. Jasmine Emselle headed home a Tessa Curtain corner. Keilor Park struck back ten minutes later, after the Eureka Strikers failed to attack the ball in the middle third; which allowed Keilor to mount an attack with pace.
Ballarat then wrestled back control of the match; and we rewarded in the 20th minute when Claire Demuth applied pressure in the attacking third, won the ball back and found Jordan Ivey in space on the left win. Ivey’s cross found Natalie Barbara at the back post. Six minute later Ivey and Barbara teamed up in the exact same way for a replica goal. Ballarat Eureka Strikers then piled on the misery in the 39th minute when Demuth was brought down in the box by the Keilor Park goalkeeper; despite the ball crossing the goal line the referee awarded a penalty which Curtain coolly converted.
4-1 up at half time, the Ballarat Eureka Strikers looked like they were going to extend their lead early in the second half - creating numerous scoring chances; with Ivey hitting the bar.
Coach, Ricky Romein, used the cushion to provide some game time to younger players. Lisie Dodds made her first appearance in a senior game this season, coming on at right midfield, and Vanessa Yung, Georgia Morgan and Molly Esmonde all given extended time. It looked like the experiment had paid off early, when Esmonde hit the post. However, the momentum shifted and in two minutes of madness Keilor Park struck twice; in the 76th and 78th minute respectively.
The more experienced players were brought back into the game, and the Ballarat Eureka Strikers were able to stave off any further threat to the win.
Claire Demuth impressed in her first start for the seniors; she was involved in the build-up to three of the Eureka Strikers goals, presented well and applied pressure consistently on the opposition. Tessa Curtain continued her strong vein of form and Holly Williamson was commanding in defence.
The win lifts the Eureka Strikers to second on the State League 1 ladder, just three points off league leaders Melbourne University.
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