Charlotte Wilford Carroll (WU) clashes with ex Diamond Sam Wooley (PNM) (photo TJF Photos)
DIAMONDS STRENGTH IN DEPTH SEES OFF MARIST CHALLENGE
Monday 6 July2020
Words Dave Webster \ WUAFC Media
Photo TJF Photos
Wellington United Diamonds showed their strength in depth with a 2-0 win over Palmerston North Marist in a top of the table clash at Newtown Park on Saturday. Coach Maika Ruyter-Hooley made seven changes to the starting line up from the team that had beaten Seatoun 5-1 the week before, having lost Zoe Barrott & Nat Olson to injury and Courtney Stone away. Top goalscorer, Jemma Robertson was moved to right back, Striker Olivia Browne was given a first league start for the season while Emma Main and Charlotte Wilford Carroll were also given starts after sitting on the bench the previous week. Ironically one player who would likely have started was Sam Wooley, however she had transferred to Palmerston North Marist the week before and was lining up against the Diamonds!
Despite the number of changes Diamonds dealt with the challenge of the leagues only other unbeaten team comfortably. The back line off Sarah Alder, Rosie Wild & Jemma Robertson snuffing out the Marist attacks with relative ease. While at the other end Dani Ohlsson and Olivia Browne were causing problems for the Marist defence with some nice crosses into the box. Diamonds came close to scoring on a couple of occasions, Asha Strom had a rare shot from 25 meters out that just missed the right hand upright.
It wasn't until the 68th minute that the deadlock was broken, when Marist keeper Brooke Bennett made an uncharacteristic error and spilt the ball, Diamonds Olivia Browne was on hand to put it in the back of the net.
Palmerston North Marist started to chase the game after this and it opened up a bit but they were still unable to break down the Diamonds defence. As the game opened up Jemma Robertson started making more runs down the right wing and it was on one of these where she cut in to the penalty area and was fouled, the ref having no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Robertson stepped up and maintained her record of scoring in every game this season to make it 2-0 to United.
Wellington United Diamonds coach Maika Ruyter-Hooley said it was a good performance, especially as it was almost effectively a completely different team from last week. Palmerston North Marist coach, Barry Scullion, was pleased with the way his team pressed United in the first half but frustrated that they were unable to break down their defence. He thought a draw would have been a fair result, saying "we lost a goal to a mistake and then lost the second as we chased the game, but we're looking forward to playing them again in three weeks time at home"
Ends
MATCH DETAILS
Women's W-League
Newtown Park
Saturday 4 July 2020
Wellington United Diamonds 2 (Olivia Browne, Jemma Robertson(pen))
Palmerston North Marist 0
Despite the number of changes Diamonds dealt with the challenge of the leagues only other unbeaten team comfortably. The back line off Sarah Alder, Rosie Wild & Jemma Robertson snuffing out the Marist attacks with relative ease. While at the other end Dani Ohlsson and Olivia Browne were causing problems for the Marist defence with some nice crosses into the box. Diamonds came close to scoring on a couple of occasions, Asha Strom had a rare shot from 25 meters out that just missed the right hand upright.
It wasn't until the 68th minute that the deadlock was broken, when Marist keeper Brooke Bennett made an uncharacteristic error and spilt the ball, Diamonds Olivia Browne was on hand to put it in the back of the net.
Palmerston North Marist started to chase the game after this and it opened up a bit but they were still unable to break down the Diamonds defence. As the game opened up Jemma Robertson started making more runs down the right wing and it was on one of these where she cut in to the penalty area and was fouled, the ref having no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Robertson stepped up and maintained her record of scoring in every game this season to make it 2-0 to United.
Wellington United Diamonds coach Maika Ruyter-Hooley said it was a good performance, especially as it was almost effectively a completely different team from last week. Palmerston North Marist coach, Barry Scullion, was pleased with the way his team pressed United in the first half but frustrated that they were unable to break down their defence. He thought a draw would have been a fair result, saying "we lost a goal to a mistake and then lost the second as we chased the game, but we're looking forward to playing them again in three weeks time at home"
Ends
MATCH DETAILS
Women's W-League
Newtown Park
Saturday 4 July 2020
Wellington United Diamonds 2 (Olivia Browne, Jemma Robertson(pen))
Palmerston North Marist 0