South Coast Flame hit the road this week, playing at Camden Tigers home ground. The Flame side came away with 3 points, Cristina Barraza and Paula Mitchell both contributing to the 2-0 score line.
The Flame side started the game firing with their first shot on goal within 2 minutes of the starting whistle. After Barraza was taken down just short of halfway, Alexis Malizis took a quick free kick lofted into the feet of Mitchell. Mitchell took her defender one v one and pulled off a shot at the edge of the box, however, didn’t manage to get enough on it and it was comfortably scoped up by Tigers goalkeeper.
The home side had their own chance at taking the lead in the minutes following, after they were also awarded a free kick in their own half. Flame defender Kellie McIntyre initially won the ball, though headed it straight back into the feet of Tigers midfield. The ball was slotted in for Lisa Fressard who took a long-range shot hit just wide of the post.
In the 22nd minute the Tigers had their most convincing chance of the half after some sharp combination play in the midfield resulted in a through ball for Indiana Hernandez. Hernandez successfully turned her defender inside out although couldn’t manage to get the ball on target.
The Flame side responded to the Tigers attacking pressure well, coming up with their own chances in the final third. Jarrah Fuz testing the goalkeeper with a shot inside the box and Jessie abbott driving a long range shot over the bar.
The flame side comfortably withheld possession for extensive periods of time, often building up through the lines and looking to penetrate through the wide channels.
They were eventually rewarded for their disciplined approach after Malizis lofted another freekick into the feet of Barraza near the edge of the box. Barraza then laid the ball off for Mitchell who took her chances and hit a first time shot from 20 plus metres out. Her left foot long range chipped the keeper and gave the away side the lead in the 44th minute.
Although the flame side were not done with the half just yet, scoring again in the 45th minute. Some short combination play involving McIntyre, Prior and Emily Kostovski resulted in Kostovski carrying the ball into the box and being brought down by Tigers defence. The Flame side was awarded a penalty and Barraza stepped up with confidence slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
South Coast Flame now going into the second half with a 2-0 lead.
The Flame side looked to increase their lead early in the second half after Prior was brought down in the final third. Barraza stepped up to take the free kick, however, couldn’t manage to get it on target.
The very next play, the Tigers were awarded their own freekick after a successful counterattack. Samantha Cefai took the free kick just outside of the 18 yard, placing it on target, however, into the safe hands of Flame keeper, Ciara Wade.
The Flame side looked threatening on multiple corners that were hit into dangerous territory. However, Brianna Clarke managed to prevent them from increasing their lead after some impressive goal keeping.
In the 88th minute Haley Cowie showed some brilliant ball work and vision, beating two players and slotting a through ball for Sariah Wilson leaving her one on one with the goalkeeper. Clarke did well to close Sariah off quickly and got her fingertips to the ball pushing Sariah’s shot just wide of the post.
The home side were not ready to go down without a fight having two convincing chances in the final minutes of the game. However, Wade made some impressive full stretch saves protecting her clean sheet and earning herself player of the match.
The Flame sided celebrated their second win of the week after taking 3 points from Southeast Phoenix in their midweek catch up game down in Nowra.
The 20s side also managed to steal 3 points from Camden Tiger with a convincing 5-1 victory, continuing their undefeated streak.
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