DIAMONDS FORCED TO WORK HARD FOR THREE POINTS Monday 20 May 2019 Words Dave Webster \ WUAFC Media Photo TJF Photo
"The first half was the poorest I have seen us play for sometime, definitely the worst this season" said frustrated coach Guillermo Schiltenwolf. He gave credit to Victoria University saying they had forced the Diamonds to play their game in the first half. "we made some changes at half time and reverted to a back 4, which worked and we started to play our game again in the second half"
Despite the poor showing in the first half it was United who went into the break with a 2-1 lead. The first had come in the 18th minute when Coco Murphy spied the Vic Uni keeper off her line and from outside the penalty area chipped the keeper. University evened up the scores about 10 minutes later when Nicky Ries got their first league goal of the season with a fantastic long range shot that found the top corner of the net.
When you aren't playing well, you have to rely on your quality and that's what Diamonds did with Emma Main breaking through and slotting home a second goal in the 3rd minute of added on time of the first half. It was a gutting blow for University whose coach, Alex Brodie, said the team had done everything that had been asked of them in the first half.
The second half was a different story for United, they bought on ex University player, Rosie Wild and reverted to a back four which made a big difference and they started to control the game. In the 69th minute Emma Main picked up the ball wide on the flank at the half way line and set off, cutting inside on one of her trademark runs that was described by United's club captain, Sandy Cumpstone, as "like a hot knife cutting through butter", as she neared the penalty area, the University defence were hanging off her so she unleashed a scorching shot which flew into the top corner, leaving Laurel Smith, the Uni keeper no chance.
The 3-1 win keeps the Diamonds in second place, just three points behind leaders Wairarapa United. Next week will see them take teh short journey out to Seatoun Park to meet Seatoun at 12pm
ENDS
Match Details Saturday 18 May 2019 Newtown Park Wellington United (2) 3 (Emma Main 2, Coco Murphy) Victoria University (1) 1 (Nicky Ries)
