Sandringham SC were dealt their fare share of luck as a pair of late fortunate goals saw them run away with a 2-0 snatch and grab win over South Yarra at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex.
Despite starring in the loss, defender Samantha Tighe gave away a penalty and scored an own goal to condemn the Lions to an undeserved loss.
Had the score remained 0-0 at the games conclusion, there would’ve been little complaints from either party, and that’s the way the game looked like heading for all of 80 minutes.
South Yarra defended gallantly but lacked composure on the ball, while Sandringham held possession well without looking too creative in the final third.
It combined for interesting viewing, with the story of the first half Yarra’s failure to string combinations of passes together.
Annabelle Gibney started brightly with a pair of shots, the first a well control volley which floated just over and the second a stinging strike which forced ‘keeper Claire Imray into action.
She then flashed a dangerous ball through the box which looked for all money to find a final touch, but it evaded all oncomers.
The defensive duo of Lindsay Dore and the aforementioned Tighe were immense in repelling bouts of sustained pressure in their defensive half, making a number of crucial interceptions between them.
But Yarra were carved open approaching half-time, luckily for them, Eliza Gleadell fluffed her lines following a good cut back from Westwood.
The visitors started the second half with gusto and they’d somewhat found their passing range, enjoying little bouts of dominance scattered across the early minutes of the half.
Sara Alberici was proving livewire on the left, and she nearly created a goal out of nothing.
Her chase forced Sandy stopper Ingrid Phillipe to clear the ball in her path, where it deflected to Aoife Murphy 35-yards from home.
She was unable to make the distance with her volleyed chip, with Phillipe caught desperately off her line.
Imray was made to deal with a few efforts from winger Nicola Westwood, whose best effort was a curling one that tailed too much, straight into the keeper’s arms.
More valiant defending saw South Yarra move within 10 minutes of another memorable result, but it wasn’t to be their day as luck deserted them with two tough goals.
In the 79th minute, the referee pointed for a spot kick after Tighe was adjudged to have handballed just inside the area, despite the shot coming from point blank range.
Nevertheless, Steph Tanti made no mistake from the spot, calmly sending the keeper the wrong way to slot her second penalty in as many rounds.
At the centre of it all, Tighe – who was best on ground despite the circumstances – then deflected a Westwood strike past a falling Imray, whose momentum took her away from goal while she watched the ball float in.
In the end, the three points went the way of Sandringham but the plaudits were all South Yarra’s who were fought valiantly to the death.
Sandy will be happy to admit they escaped with one, but regardless it’s another three points towards their finals fund.
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Sandringham SC 2 (Tanti [p] 79′, Tighe OG 83′) defeated South Yarra 0 at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex [HT: 0-0]
Sandringham SC: 1. Ingrid PHILLIPE (GK), 23. Emily MORRIS-KRAUSE, 6. Stephanie PARTON, 11. Lucy KAPUSTA, 4. Emma ROBERS, 7. Kristie SHEARING, 18. Sienna FOGARTY, 19. Annabelle GIBNEY, 8. Nicola WESTWOOD, 12. Eliza GLEADELL (50. Lois GREENWOOD), 10. Steph TANTI
Unused Substitute(s): 2. Lauren DIDUSZKO, 21. Nikki COOK, 27. Simone KENNY
Yellow Card(s): Nil
Red Card(s): Nil
South Yarra: 1. Claire IMRAY, Sarah DASH, 2 Hayley WALKINSHAW, 4. Samantha TIGHE, 5. Lindsay DORE, 6. Hannah CHARMAN, 7. Ashley LEDOUX, 8. Madelaine JONA (12. Jennifer WESTHAGEN 85’), 9. Aoife MURPHY (14. Eliza MEALIN 62’), 10. Katherine FOSTER (15. Gretel TEMPLETON 74’), 11. Sara ALBERICI
Unused Substitute(s): 13. Ashleigh BELLMAN, 16. Maddison WHEATLEY-HARRIS
Yellow Card(s): Nil
Red Card(s): Nil