Southern under-18 scores first big win

University White Huskies player Ash McNaughton is on the ground while Taieri A player Libby Willlocks looks to move the ball on in a women's premier club match at the McMillan Hockey Centre on Saturday. Photo: Peter McIntosh
University White Huskies player Ash McNaughton is on the ground while Taieri A player Libby Willlocks looks to move the ball on in a women's premier club match at the McMillan Hockey Centre on Saturday. Photo: Peter McIntosh
Southern under-18 scored its first big win of the season on Saturday afternoon when it overturned one of the top two sides in City Highlanders 1-0 in premier women's club play.

Right from the beginning, this match had the makings of a tight tussle, as the women in blue came out firing and put City under pressure, as the strike combination used its speed and fitness to full advantage.

City's superior composure in that part of the field held it in good stead as Jemma Morland and Anna Forster controlled their defensive end.

It took a broken-down attack from City and some good defending in the midfield from Southern to cause the breakthrough.

Southern latched on to the counterattacking chance and, after a couple of clean passes through the deep defence, Ellie Duncan slotted it home.

This was the first time in several weeks City had been behind on the scorecard and it certainly sparked it into life.

For the rest of the first half, there was wave after wave of attack on the Southern defence, but Jess Faulks at the back, and Tessa Buschl at centre half, both had very strong games and City was unable to break through.

Southern continued to look dangerous on the counterattack and, between Duncan and Isabelle Becconsall-Ryan, they kept the City back four busy.

At halftime, both teams were calling for calm and to play their own pattern.

Southern managed to come out and continue to press hard in the second half but could not put the game away, while City seemed off form.

There was a feeling that whatever team scored first in in the second half would get a roll on and take the match, but neither side could get the strike away.

Milla de Bruin and Sarah Allen were dangerous for City but not quite enough to take the points.

In the other matches this weekend, University White Huskies and Taieri A battled to a 1-1 draw, while Momona kept its 100% record intact, beating Kings United 7-0.

Southland downed Uni B 6-0.

-By Matthew West

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