It was a tough day for the Camden Haven Redbacks Ladies team on Saturday, as they took on Wauchope in Laurieton.
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Buoyed by two convincing wins in the past two weeks, the Redbacks headed into the match cautiously, but relatively confident that they could pull off another victory.
Once again the Redbacks pressured from the first whistle, finding themselves within shooting range in the opening minute.
However some strong defence from the visitors, showed that winning this match was going to be no easy feat. Both teams were going to have to bring their A-game if they wanted to walk away with the three points.
The Redbacks dominated much of the first half, with the ball consistently in their half.
Strong counter-attacks from Wauchope though proved dangerous, and if not for some brilliant defence by Redbacks Rachel Sheppard, Amelia Clacher, Hannah Wiedeman and Grace McKenzie early on, the score line could have been much different.
Despite their hold on the game though, and consistent effort, the Redbacks were unable to capitalise, seemingly missing the spark that had translated to goals in prior weeks.
This inability to convert hurt even more, when late in the first half, a free kick awarded to Wauchope saw a hotly contested ball rebound off Redbacks keeper Tamara Burns and an attacking Wauchope player, and find itself in the back of the net, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead at half time.
At half time, the focus was on forgetting the first half, and starting afresh in the second, said Burns.
We realised we were a bit flat, and although the girls were giving 110%, we were disappointed it wasn't showing on the scoreboard.
- Tamara Burns
"We realised we were a bit flat, and although the girls were giving 110%, we were disappointed it wasn't showing on the scoreboard," she said.
"But we knew we could easily score one goal in the second half, and be back in this match, and so we tried to focus on just getting back to basics."
The second half proceeded very similarly to the first, with the Redbacks once again in control, and Wauchope strong on the counter attack.
Midfielders Wade Bellamy, Maria Wilson, Katie Plush and Mia Windred worked tirelessly to create opportunities, but once again, the Wauchope defence held firm.
And just as with the first half, late in the second half, a counter attack from Wauchope saw the Redbacks defence scrambling, but outmanoeuvred, and a goal to the visitors saw them take the lead 2-0, and the chance of even a draw slip away for the Redbacks.
"We were definitely a little disappointed with the result, but that's the way sport goes sometimes," Burns said after the game.
"We obviously identified areas where we can improve, as we try to every week, and we'll keep working to improve ourselves each week, win or lose.
"Credit to Wauchope though, as they played a strong game and have a very tight defence - they're definitely a team to watch this season!"
All teams will have the upcoming Easter weekend off, with matches returning the following week, with once again a triple header in Laurieton commencing at 1pm.