Earlier Match reports
Round 22 Match Report MPL – v Camberwell
Playing the reigning Premiers first and then runners up in back to back rounds, was indeed a daunting prospect. However, the Strikers could have drawn some confidence from a good showing in the first match on Saturday (Greensborough at GRN), a narrow 3-4 loss. Disappointingly, Burra’s winning goal came in the last minute of the game too.
On Sunday, Camberwell turned out to be a very different opponent. From the outset, they showed a class of hockey not encountered thus far. Their opening goal was scored in four minutes and to their credit, our lads matched this with a field goal from talented striker, Jesse Workman.
From here on though, it was evident that we were always going to be chasing the better team. Their polish and speed confounded spectators and opponents alike. Camberwell kept possession with deft passing and waited for an opportunity to stage fast and clinical attacks. Their international striker, Kleinschmidt, netted five goals in an awesome display, whilst their other international, goal keeper Bazeley, had merely one touch, though he did concede a goal in the first half.
The season now has a week long break which will give the Strikers time for a re-assessment and a breather before tackling lowest placed Mentone in the next round. This will end the first half of home and away matches.
Round 4 Match Report MPL – v Hawthorn at H1 3.30pm.
The first twenty minutes of the match were hotly contested with much of the play in mid-field. But when Hawthorn converted a penalty stroke which many thought was fortuitous, the Strikers seemed to flag a little.
It was quite unusual to see no Penalty Corners awarded in the first half and only one each in the second, with Hawthorn scoring from theirs.
Both teams scored two goals in an even second half, but the Strikers were unable to take the next step with the result being a 3 – 2 win the home side, Hawthorn.
Goals: Todd McHardy 2
Round 19 Match Report MPL – v Greensborough at MBN 3.30pm.
Playing the reigning Premiers is always a daunting prospect but as they had three players out on International U21 duty, we fancied our chances to test their depth. The Strikers showed exceptional will in attack to grab the initiative, racing to a 2 – 0 lead at the break.
We knew that ‘Burra was not going to take this lying down and they came storming back in the second half to make it 2 – 2 after some very controlled mid-field lead up work into attack.
Both sides had several chances to score in the second half. David Hammond again showed great judgement to keep the opponents at bay whilst at the other end, our forwards were somewhat unlucky to hit the cross bar once and have a goal saved on the line by a defenders over head ‘tennis shot’.
Round 4 Match Report WPA
The Womens Pennant A team travelled to Essendon on Saturday to meet one of the top 3 sides & in the first half we struggled to get our passing game going & to lay tackles early which meant the opposition were getting deep into their attacking area. We had a strong defensive unit with Anna, Emily, Phoebe & Sharon repelling many attacks along with some great work from Alison in goals – we lose count of the number of saves she makes each week, just fantastic work. Unfortunately for us, with the amount of time spent in our defensive half it was only a matter of time before they scored & we went into half time down 2 nil. Essendon got a third goal in the first 5 minutes of the 2nd half but from then on we played some good hockey and created a number of chances ourselves. Our passes were much crisper, they were finding targets & Jett, Bec & Lou were running almost non-stop to support the ball carrier. Catherine was a very welcome addition & with Julie created a lot of run through the midfield & up forward and mid way through the half we scored. Well done to Jess on her first appearance for the Pennant team & thanks to Nicolette for her cameo (don’t mention the card). The team continues to show improvement each game and whilst we haven’t managed a win yet we haven’t been without our chances, the ladies have a great positive attitude & as we spend more time together the improvements will keep coming.
Round 3 Match report MPL
SUHC v Essendon – 2.00pm at MBN
The Southern United MPL side which had not lost for two rounds faced the 2012 minor premier and promoted Essendon, at home. It was a test of where both teams were headed for the 2013 season.
Although being competitive in the first half, Strikers forwards failed to capitalise on the chances we had and the half time score of Essendon 1, Southern United 0, probably reflected the game to that point.
Ultimately, Essendon’s effective penalty corners (2 from 4) made the difference and they raced to a lead. Late in the game, we were awarded a penalty stroke for a defender’s breach on the line in a penalty corner, which Rowan Yeo converted.
To their credit, Essendon controlled the ball in mid-field and mounted attacks. Turning over the ball proved to be costly to the Strikers and David Hammond in goals made some timely saves to keep the score as it finished at 4 – 1, a win to the Bombers.
Round 2 Match Report MPL
Southern travelled to Melbourne High School on Sunday for its Round 2 match against MCC. The Strikers twice came back from being a goal behind to eventually share the points with its hosts.
In a largely end-to-end game both teams suffered from an inability to convert their circle penetrations into goals. Best for the strikers were goalkeeper David Hammond and forward Rowan Yeo.
Next week’s game sees Southern at home to Essendon in promises to be an epic battle between the two newly promoted Premier League teams.
Round 1 – Womens Pennant A vs MCC
We played at home to MCC and for around 70% of the game we were playing in our defensive half. When we did move forward we looked better when we moved the ball quickly and passed to supporting players but overall we were pretty rusty and whilst we could see what people were trying to do, the skill execution wasn’t quite there. The fact that we went into half time only one nil down was due to the great work from the defensive group in particular from Alison in goals who saved untold number of shots. Julie as an inner also spent most of the game helping out in defense & trying to keep a high forward was difficult with the ball spending so much time in the back half of the ground. We did better in the second half when we guarded the centre corridor more often & when our overworked halves in Phoebe, Emily & Ash got the ball through to the forwards we had a couple of shots on goal ourselves. With under 10 minutes to go Mel scored off a short corner and it looked like we might get a draw, unfortunately in the last couple of minutes MCC scored the 2nd to go 2/1 up which was the final result.
A big shout out to the people who stayed around to support the team on what was a really long day for many of you – it really gave the team a lift when they heard the encouragement & cheering in a tough match for them.
Whilst it was a disappointing result, for a team that came together for the first time on match day, against a true Pennant A squad we saw enough signs that improvement will come. For all the women/girls who want to play in the Pennant team, it would be fantastic if you could make it to training so we can practice those areas we need to improve on as a group, as well as individually.
Round 1 Match Report MPL
Round 1 MPL Match Report
Southern had a dream start to its Victorian Premier League season with a 4-3 win over Waverley at home on Saturday.
Despite trailing 2-1 at half time, United found an extra gear in the second half, edging ahead after second-half goals from Rowan Yeo, Chris Marr and Craig Hardham.
A full-squad effort was required to overcome a quality side like Waverley and the players delivered on a significant day for the club with the official opening of its new ground.
Michael Pearce provided the opener from an extremely tight angle, while evergreen goalkeeper David Hammond stood tall when required with a number of instrumental saves in both halves.
It doesn’t get any easier for Southern with a Sunday clash against MCC at Melbourne High School awaiting in Round two.
