The South Coast Flame managed to secure a win in some tough conditions against Camden Tigers this past weekend.

The South Coast provided some extreme winds and moments of wet weather giving both teams an unpredictable variable to manage. However, Flame seemed to rise above finalising the game with a 3-1 victory.

Camden had their first chance at opening the score line only minutes into the game. A driven ball sliced through the Flames defence onto the feet of Lisa Fressard who carried the ball into the wide channel. She then beat her player and played a ball directly across the face of the goal into Samantha Cefai whose first-time volley skied over the cross bar.

Only two minutes following Cefai had another chance at goal. After some build up play in the midfield another ball landed in the box for Cefai to take her chances, however, she again couldn’t manage to get the ball on target.

The away side continued to create chances, often winning the ball back in dangerous territory and entering the box but struggled to test Flames goalkeeper, Sariah Wilson.

Flame had their first shot on goal in the 30^th minute after a freekick was awarded in their final third. Ruby Blanche stepped up to take the freekick but swiftly played a short ball for Kelly McIntyre to take a hit. McIntyre drilled the ball towards goal although it was unfortunately deflected by the wall before being cleared out for a throw in.

Flame seemed to gain a little momentum with a couple convincing attacking plays. Some resulting in Emily Kostovski being brought down just outside the box but the referee controversy just let the game continue, leaving Flame fans screaming in frustration.

It was a relatively quiet first half with the ball often being dictated by the wind making it challenging to connect a final pass. Camden Tigers seemed to dominate possession initially, but Flame did gain some traction towards the end of the half.

Heading into the second half Flame started to move the ball more effectively and we saw some countering attacking moments that placed Camden Tigers under significant pressure.

However, after a turnover centrally and a quick bounce pass, we saw Camden’s Indianna Hernandez entering the 6-yard box. She was initially shut down by McIntyre, although the ball sprayed out and was met at pace by Fressard who slotted the ball in the back of the net, taking her team into the lead in the 65^th minute.

Notably, Flame responded well. Just a hand full of minutes passed before McIntyre put her team back in the game.

A beautiful diagonal ball from Cristina Barraza landed at the feet of Mikayla De Jong in a one-on-one position with the goalkeeper. Although Camden keeper, Brianna Clarke pulled off a miraculous save resulting in the ball bouncing back out of the box. McIntyre took a touch about from approximately 40-yards out and sent a floating shot top corner, that Clarke couldn’t manage to keep out of the net.

Flame maintained the pressure and created multiple chances in the following minutes and in the 84^th minute they were rewarded for their diligent approach.

A lofted diagonal ball from Lilli Rosandic landed in the 6-yard box and was deflected into the feet of Jess Cruickshank who confidently tapped the ball beyond Clarke, taking her team into the lead.

However, Flame was not done yet scoring again in 88^th minute. Flames intense high press proved too much for Camden in the final minutes, allowing De Jong to gain possession in the final third before beating her player and squaring the ball across goal for another tap in goal for Cruikshank.

Cruikshank leading her team to a 3-1 win Over Camden Tigers.