Courtesy: Canberra Times


Colts and Cobras dominate

11 Jan, 2012

The ACT dominated the Open Women's futsal competition as both the Cobras and Colts claimed maximum points from their two matches to lead the way alongside NSW Lightning with two rounds remaining in a tight league ladder.

A late goal from Sarah Crittenden proved to be the difference in the traditional clash of the heavyweights, ACT Cobras and NSW Thunder, in the opening match on Day 2 of the championships.

Crittenden struck with time running out to settle a pulsating clash which could have gone either way. Both goalkeepers played wonderfully well with Cobras' Klara Manenica making a superb stop from the ever-dangerous Renee Tomkins, while at the other end, Tani Rosekelly denied Sabrina Spinapolice in a one-on-one.

Spinapolice had brought the Cobras back into the match in the first half with a smart finish on a quick Cobras counter-attack to cancel out a goal from Thunder's Claire Walsh early on.

For long periods it seemed like that would be that but Crittenden struck close to the full-time whistle with what could prove to be a crucial goal.

The Colts followed the Cobras onto the court for their second match of the tournament hoping to make amends following their opening day loss to Southern NSW. That they did so, and against a highly-rated Queensland side, was in no small part to the effective finishing of Ellie Raymond and a spirited all-round display in which every squad member played a full part.

The match was a close affair with neither side able to break the deadlock in the opening exchanges. It took a moment of brilliance to give the Colts the lead with Raymond lashing a free-kick into the Queensland net off the base of the post close to half-time. Raymond was at it again midway through the second period with another sublime finish, rounding off a swift team move, as the Colts got home 2-0.

NSW Lightning, meanwhile, continued its explosive start to the tournament with a 3-1 win over Southern NSW. Kathryn Mladineo put the Lightning in front in the first half with a neat finish, her second goal of the competition. Southern equalised from the penalty spot after the referee adjudged a shirt-pull in the area, with Sarah Yatim thumping the spot-kick high into the roof of the net.




Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com