Futsal – Eagles edge out Quake in a nailbiter

The Sydney City Eagles girls turned the tables on the drubbing they received from the Quake in round one to defeat their rivals 2-1 in a really fast and physical but fair game of Futsal between the 2nd and 3rd place sides in the league.
The game started evenly with perhaps the Quake settling quicker. The first threat came from the Quake when skipper Leesa Thompsons well hit shot was saved. Shortly after Lauren Ralston evaded her markers but her goalbound shot was well blocked by Tani Rosekelley.
The Eagles first close effort came when Amanda Bowering was put through by Fabiana Perfilio but Rebecca Nelson in the Quake goal quickly came out to smother the shot.
The contest was very close between the sides and to highlight their determination to get on top Eagles keeper Tani Rosekelley came down court and had a long range shot turned away for a corner as early as the 7th minute of the first half.
Moments later the Eagles took the lead when Renee Tomkins found plenty of space outside the Quake perimeter to turn and bury her shot low and hard into the bottom corner of the net.
The Quake went on the attacked immediately but Tani Rosekelley made two great saves firstly to deny Lisa Seeney following a nice one-two with Linda Dudek then the follow up shot from Sarah Semaan.
Rebecca Nelson did very well in the Quake goal as she came out to block Nicole Laws shot at almost point blank range.
One minute before half time the Eagles claimed an important second goal when a Quake attack broke down and Renee Tomkins seized on the loose ball and sped away down court. Renee found Melissa Link looming in support on the right side who coolly slotted the ball past the keeper for a classic counter attacking Futsal goal.
Into the second half and the fast pace of the game contined as both sides keenly contested for the ball.
Tani Rosekelley brilliantly turned away a drive from Lauren Ralston and Amanda Bowering did well at the back to clear a goal bound effort from Leesa Thompson.
The Quake had to put Stephanie Haim in goal for the remainder of the game but that did not stop her from having plenty of shots at goal from distance throughout the game.
Haim did well in goal to smother an attempt at the feet of Nicole Laws with the Eagles heavily on attack. At the other end Tani Rosekelley was having a terrific game for the Eagles and this time turned away a drive from Lisa Seeney.
The contest for the ball was brave and keenly fought by both sides and the officials did well to let the game flow as much as possible with only one foul being called for the whole match.
Quake continued to press hard for a goal but were being denied by a really committed defensive display from the Eagles.
With 6 minutes to go Campbelltown got a deserved goal. Sharp thinking from keeper Stephanie Haim saw her send a quick long throw to the other end of the court and Lauren Ralston got the slightest of touches on the ball to deflect her header past the keeper and into the net.
With minutes to go and the Quake pushing hard for an equaliser Laura Donnelly was denied by a fine block from Rosekelley.
With Campbelltown throwing players forward the Eagles were finding space on the counter attack and Renee Tomkins nearly sealed the win but Stephanie Haim did well to save her shot.
In the last minute Stephanie Haim?s shot from halfway was repelled by Tani Rosekelley.
The whistle blew for full time and the Eagles defence which defended stoutly the whole game won the day.
These two teams had been scoring freely most of the season but a 2-1 scoreline suggested the closeness of the game with both sides putting in a fine performance, but victory went to the Eagles who claimed a sweet revenge following the defeat in round one.
Goals
Sydney City Eagles : Renee Tomkins, Melissa Link
Campbelltown Quake : Lauren Ralston
Teams
Sydney City Eagles Campbelltown Quake
1. Tani Rosekelley 1. Rebecca Nelson
2. Renee Tomkins 2. Lauren Ralston
3. Kahlee Doyle 3. Claire Walsh
4. Lauren Vasota 5. Leesa Thompson
6. Kyra Rawnsley 6. Linda Dudek
7. Nicole Laws 7. Ashley Franas
8. Melissa Link 8. Sarah Semaan
9. Brooke Cowie 9. Stephanie Haim
10. Amanda Bowering 10. Laura Donnelly
19. Fabiana Perfilio 11. Lisa Seeney
Infringments
Fouls : Sydney City Eagles 1, Campbelltown Quake 0
Yellow Cards : None
Red Cards : None
Officials : Scott Kidson, James Nikolaides
by Peter Davies