A look back at some of the Round 11 action in the Northern Football League.
LAKESIDE CHARGES LATE
It wasn’t until the final quarter when Lakeside and Greensborough could be separated, with Lakeside surging ahead to become eventual 11-goal winners in Section 1 of the NNL.
Each team had periods of momentum throughout the game where consecutive goals were added ensuring the margin never extended beyond either teams reach.
Lakeside’s shooter Rebecca Lally opened the game well, being a good target for Anna Soldatic and Latoya Wards who made intercepts to give Lally plenty of opportunities to shoot.
It was only minor errors from around its attacking circle, including a short pass call that cost Lakeside slightly.
Solid defence was also helping Lakeside with goal keeper Jessica Elder putting enormous pressure on her opponent.
Despite this, she still wasn’t able to restrict Greensborough goal shooter Kate Cool completely, who scored 15 of her teams 17 goals in the first half.
Although Lakeside had forged a five-goal lead at half-time the win wasn’t certain, with the Boro still looking like a chance to get back into the match.
But six of the first seven goals in the third quarter seemed to change this, until Greensborough made a late comeback to again bring the margin back to five goals.
The first three goals of the final quarter meant the Boro came within two goals, however that was the closest it would get.
Intercepts from Lakeside’s defence helped stem the flow of goals and allowed more opportunities for scores to be added down the other end.
Lakeside kept working the ball well around the circle with Lally scoring 10 goals in the final quarter, to end with 34 in her team’s win.
Lakeside 1 (44) defeated Greensborough 1 (33)
EARLY BLITZ CARRIES STARS
An impressive second half from Whittlesea wasn’t enough to secure a win over the Fitzroy Stars, whose quick start helped them to a 42-38 victory.
Whittlesea’s shooters continuously followed and rebounded their shots to ensure that any ball presented was used to make an impact on the scoreboard.
This was made difficult by the Stars’ defenders who at times forced the Eagles to pass the ball backwards in order to move it into its attacking circle.
Down the other end Sophie Atkinson wasn’t missing and she helped Fitzroy take a two-goal lead into the second quarter.
Although Fitzroy missed two shots in a row, its ability to stop the Eagles scoring in that period of play meant they didn’t prove to be costly misses and the Stars were eventually able to seal the goal.
A 12-goal to seven second quarter allowed Fitzroy to extend its lead to seven goals at half-time.
The move of Natasha Skehan from wing attack to centre, as well as the speed of Jacinta Dwight, helped the Eagles’ ball flow in the third term.
These changes helped Whittlesea fight back its deficit and it was able to enter the final quarter holding the momentum and down by only four goals.
Determination for the win was evident from Dwight who fought for stray balls and kept balls from going out of court.
Although Fitzroy struggled in the second half as Whittlesea dominated play, the Eagles were unable to combat their half time deficit, eventually going down by four goals in an entertaining battle.
Fitzroy Stars 1 (42) defeated Whittlesea 1 (38)
