Second half showing sets Eagles up for big win

by Jordan Lim 0

A decisive second half showing from ladder leaders Boroondara Eagles saw them run away 5-2 winners over Sandringham SC, despite trailing at the half.

A stunning opener to Steph Tanti was cancelled out by a Taryne Boudreau finish, only for Annabelle Gibney to help the hosts regain the lead.

But a double to Amy Jackson, a second of the night for Boudreau and a single to Emma Hubbard saw the Eagles fly away with a win on the back of their incisive second half.

The goal-fest got underway in just the seventh minute as a defensive free-kick from Boroondara was mopped up by a pressing Sandringham forward line.

Tanti was on hand to stroke home a delightful curling shot from 25-yards, which beat Eagles stopper Alondra Villa all ends up.

Chances to Emma Runnalls and Nicola Westwood fell soon after as Sandy controlled the opening half against their more fancied opponents.

But a steadying goal in the 31st minute ensured the Eagles had even footing in the contest.

A looping cross to the far right post from Kayla Michaels found an unmarked Boudreau, who had time to weigh up her options before hammering a shot across the face, onto the post and into goals.

Sandy worked fast to regain the lead as a delightful ball from Lucy Kapusta from the right of defence found a breaking Gibney, who sized up her shot before delicately rolling the ball into the bottom corner.

She nearly extended the lead with the final chance of an entertaining first half, but despite a strong run on the left wing, her shot lacked conviction as it found the wanting arms of Villa.

The second half saw a rampant Eagles outfit turn up the heat at Kingston Heath, wasting little time to restore parity to the contest.

Midfield maestro Amy Jackson netted the first of two second half goals with a tidy from inside the 18-yard-box with 50 minutes played, after being slipped through by a tidy reverse ball from Boudreau.

The Eagles needed just seven minutes more to complete the comeback and take the lead through the busy Boudreau, who completed a well deserved brace.

Having twice already threatened Nikki Cook’s goal in the second half, the Canadian forward made no mistake this time around, first forcing Cook into a miraculous reflex save, before pouncing on the rebound to push the score line out to 3-2.

Runnalls – one of Sandringham’s best performers in a losing side – saw another header wide from a Tanti corner, as she threatened to pull the game back into a stalemate.

But the contest was effectively killed off in the 80th minute as substitute Emma Hubbard rose highest to header home from a Sarah Jacobs corner.

A great defensive block from Ash Callaghan – who also came on in the second half – denied Runnalls from the edge of the area.

That paved the way for Jackson to cap off a strong showing with a fifth goal of the night, slamming the ball home from a tight angle off a Liv Ellis lay-off in the 88th minute.

***

Sandringham SC 2 (Tanti 7’, Gibney 38’) defeated by Boroondara Eagles 5 (Boudreau 31’ 57’, Jackson 50’ 88’, Hubbard 80’) at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex [HT: 2-1]

Sandringham SC: 21. Nikki COOK (GK), 4. Emma ROBERS, 6. Steph PARTON, 8. Nicola WESTWOOD (12. Eliza GLEADELL 76’), 9. Emma RUNNALLS, 10. Steph TANTI, 11. Lucy KAPUSTA, 18. Sienna FOGARTY, 19. Annabelle GIBNEY, 20. Hannah STUART, 30. Emma GUNN

Unused Substitute(s): 16. Elisabeth ROBERS, 5. Jaime Brown

Yellow Card(s): Jackson 67’

Red Card(s): Nil

Boroondara Eagles: 21. Alondra VILLA (GK), 10. Emma GROSS (6. Ash CALLAGHAN 69’), 5. Sky JENSEN, 9. Alex GUMMER, 22. Liv ELLIS, 55. Jess TAY, 51. Kayla MICHAELS (11. Aliesha NEWMAN 63’), 15. Amy JACKSON, 7. Taryne BOUDREAU, 2. Sarah JACOBS, 31. Rani CAVARRETTA (17. Emma HUBBARD 76’)

Unused Substitute(s): 1. Anna LANNING (GK), 8. Ellen TURNER

Yellow Card(s): Runnalls 60’ 

Red Card(s): Nil