Old Parks Ladies came out all guns blazing when they hosted Janine Van Wyk (JVW) Football Club in a Rand Central Local Football Association (RCLFA) premier league contest. They fought and hustled to protect their lead throughout the lung-busting 90 minute match, eventually succeeding and coming away with a 2–1 victory.
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The home side showed early signs of hunger and dominated the first half. They created many chances to put the game to bed but were not clinical in front of the goal. Old Parks captain Alyssa Tavares, and her partner Josslyn Potgieter, bossed the midfield, winning all duels and controlling the game.
They utilised the ball playing in both sides behind the JVW defence, allowing Kelly Allamby and Taylor Fritz to use their speed and skill on the wings. Allamby was a thorn in the JVW defence, making a brilliant run into the box and playing a perfect ball for Kaylie Neetling, and her well taken strike, to find the back of the net (1–0).
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Philile Nkosi, of JVW, was close to finding an equaliser at the stroke of half time. She dribbled two Old Parks defenders with ease, but her shot hit the cross bar, causing a scare for the home side supporters.
Old Parks seemed to be controlling the contest in the second half as they continued to press JVW high up, putting much needed pressure on them. They were awarded a penalty and Neetling, oozing with confidence, slotted it in with ease, giving her side a 2–0 lead.
JVW was not prepared to go down without a fight though. They regrouped and started to take the game to Old Parks. The home side was feeling the pressure and defended deep in their half. Jody McCarth stunned the goalkeeper Milani Tshiki with a well taken freekick that left her helpless (2–1) and raised comeback hopes for JVW.
The visitors continued to knock on Old Parks’ door, but Tshiki and her defence remained disciplined and protected their goal in order to the win the match.
Old Parks coach Collin Fritz applauded his side for hanging on and for working hard in getting all three points.
“We knew that JVW was going to come for us, and at this stage of the league everyone wants all points. We kept the discipline and shape well, which was very impressive. Good performance from the ladies. They worked hard and grinding the results like this is very good.”
He admitted that they should have buried the game in the first half, but they will go back to the drawing board and work on finishing.
“We had, like, 8 clear chances in the first half that we should have buried, but it’s the nature of football, sometimes it just doesn’t happen. We still have to work hard as we are chasing the league, but this game was a massive confidence booster for the players.”
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