THE weather was reasonably mild for Leongatha’s trek over to Drouin for their annual night games between the clubs’ respective senior women and senior men’s teams.
With Drouin’s women’s team currently sitting second on the table and Leongatha third, this fixture promised to be a magnificent match of local soccer.
In recognition of NAIDOC Week and Drouin’s 50th year celebrations the evening began with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony by Kurnai elder Aunty Cheryl. The women’s game kicked off shortly after at 5pm with the Senior Men’s match to follow at 7pm.
It was clear from the onset of the women’s game that both teams were evenly matched. With only two substitutes on the bench, the Lady Knights initially appeared at a disadvantage but as the game progressed the lack of fresh energy from the bench wasn’t noticeable as the Knights kept their play calm and composed. Drouin worked hard to keep Leongatha’s striker Lisse Bath marked in their defensive third but struggled to execute a clean ball to their own striker Briana Purvis who was successfully denied attacking play by the Leongatha’s centre backs Mandy Bongers and Val Langlet.
Leongatha’s Maddison Hollier was consistent on the left wing, pressing the Drouin defence’s possession and was supported by Ana Heneghan in left full back, playing her first game for the women’s team this season.
Leongatha’s right winger Maddi Herbert and fullbacks Jess Burrowes and Rhi Le Busque kept play tidy on the right side, executing some excellent long ball attacking plays.
Due to low squad numbers Molly Gurnett jumped from her usual position in the backline to play in the forward line, proving herself a strong, natural striker with a keen sense of positioning. It was
Leongatha’s powerhouse central duo Bernie Fitzgerald and Naomi Eaton whose composure was the foundation of Leongatha’s beautiful play.
Following numerous attacking attempts by the Knights, and some brilliant saves executed by Knights keeper Kate Membrey, neither team were able to take the advantage. It wasn’t until the 85th minute when midfielder Naomi Eaton played a beautiful through ball into space behind Drouin’s defence for Lisse Bath to dribble into a one on one contest with
Drouin’s keeper that the game was decided as Bath successfully booted the ball to the left of the keeper securing the win and a jump to second on the ladder for the Leongatha Lady Knights.
