I have not yet watched the footage from the game yesterday but what a game.. What started as quite a tense arm wrestle, with both teams defending slightly deeper and preventing space in behind them, ended up as a high tempo, high pressing final 10 minutes when the Lady Reds could easily have snatched a draw or maybe even more..
Brisbane came into the game as hot favourites, last years champions and a side full of International experience, but the Adelaide girls are improving rapidly and were once again quietly confident going into the game. Having spent the bulk of the week working on our out of possession shape and defensive structure, it was pleasing to see us limit Brisbane to half chances and long range shots. Whilst we didn't create too many clear cut chances ourselves early on we did look dangerous on the break through Marijana Rajcic (MJ), Rachael Quigley and Donna Cockayne. As we tired slightly towards the end of the first half, Claire Polkingthorne was given too much time and space 30yeards out from goal and she took the most of that opportunity to strike at goal. A slight defelction on the shot appeared to loop it over Kristi Harvey to give Brisbane a 1-0 lead going into half time.
The second half started with Brisbane dominating possession and territory as fatigue started to affect our ability to press and maintain defensive shape. Substitutions were needed and Ashley Gunning, Greta French-Kennedy and Daniela DiBartolo were introduced to freshen things up. Before the substitutions could take effect, with Ruth Wallace off the pitch receiving treatment for a blood nose, Brisbane exploited their extra man and scored a second through Ashley Spina.
The second goal could have seen Adelaide drop their heads and maybe concede further goals, but driven on by the substitutes and their fresh legs, the opposite happened. Adelaide started to press higher and force Brisbane into mistakes. A quickly taken throw in and a great cross from the once again impressive Anna Green saw the Brisbane keeper fail to hold the cross under pressure and for once luck was on Adelaide's side with the ball dropping to Marijana Rajcic, who smashed it into the open goal to make the score 1-2. The momentum was definitely with Adelaide now and the final 10 minutes saw 3 or 4 very good chances fall to the Lady Reds; Donna Cockayne just failed to steer another wicked Anna Green cross in at the far post, Abby Erceg made a scything run from half way, linking well with Donna Coackayne to force another dangerous corner and Dani DiBartolo saw her powerful drive from an Ashleigh Gunning cross well saved by Kishi in the Brisbane goal who after looking a little edgy early on saved her team at the end with 2 or 3 very smart saves.
At the final whistle with the score still 1-2 the Brisbane side were very relieved and the Adelaide girls were visibly disappointed, which is a sign of their new found expectations and demands upon themselves. They now expect to beat anyone they play and they are not happy when they don't achieve what they want, they are no longer satisfied with coming close or simply being competitive, they expect to win. It may be a bit soon to be thinking that way, as it has always been said that there would be no quick fix for this side and that it would take time to get to a point where we could seriously challenge for titles against the 'big names' in the league, but the fact the team remains upbeat, positive and has retained the high expectations and demands placed upon them after such a tough start is very, very promising.
I am very proud of the side and the efforts and strides they have already made and I am very excited about how much further the team can progress. With the three U17 girls set to return this week, Sian McLaren getting closer to match fitness and Angela Fimmano starting her return, competition for places is going to intensify, which can only be a positive.
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