Clarence Zebras have defeated Olympia Warriors 1-0 in the Tasmanian Women’s Super League after Caitlin Stalker’s volleyed goal in the first half was enough for all three points.
Wentworth Park was packed to the rafters (while maintaining appropriate physical distancing) for Wednesday night football. A strong crowd of 200 plus came out to see first and second in the table do battle under lights.
Team lineups
| Clarence Zebras | Olympia Warriors | ||
| 1 | Cook, Shelley | Cane, Mia | 2 |
| 4 | Steventon, Selina | Teale, Phoebe | 3 |
| 5 | Marmion, Louisa | Leszczynski, Sophie | 4 |
| 6 | Stalker, Caitlin | Chambers, Charlotte | 5 |
| 7 | Berry, Allie | Roberts, Caitlin | 6 |
| 8 | Ferrier, Isabella | Chambers, Madison | 7 |
| 9 | Gadon, Bronte | Davies, Bonnie | 9 |
| 10 | O’Brien, Madeline | Bomford, Olivia | 10 |
| 11 | Gill, Rachel | Black, Maddie | 11 |
| 12 | Nichols, Zoe | Gubb, Leah | 12 |
| 15 | Dixon, Zara | Russell, Heather | 13 |
| 16 | Richardson, Samantha | Michael, Inocent | 14 |
| 17 | Burt, Georgia | Cane, Isabelle | 15 |
| 18 | Fiemann, Brooke | Johnson, Hannah | 16 |
| 19 | Rand, Taylor | Farrow, Jenna | 21 |
| 2/21 | Bowden, Alyssa | ||
Referee: Tony Peart
The opening stages didn’t see much attack as both defences held their lines. Neither team had any real advantage as both were trying to feel each other out in this highly anticipated match.
Zebras’ Georgia Burt then sent in a corner delivery to the waiting Stalker who volleyed her shot onto the crossbar, the ball landing out of Olympia keeper Jenna Farrow’s reach and over the line.
Our only slice of cheese went the way of Zebras’ Selina Steventon after she took down Olympia’s Bonnie Davies. That was enough for Steventon to go into referee Tony Peart’s notebook.
Olympia’s best chance to equalise in the first half came through Davies’s chipped shot from long range. That ricocheted off the woodwork, however unlike Stalker’s earlier effort it did not cross the goal line.
Half time: Zebras 1 Warriors 0
The attacking play was all the way of the Warriors but their shots off target outweighed their on target strikes, with Olympia unable to take advantage of nine corners.
Olympia’s key midfield of Olivia Bomford and Inocent Michael tried to make that final play count but the Zebras back four of Louisa Marmion, Zara Dixon, Madeline O’Brien and Steventon all held their ground.The threatening Olympia forwards Davies, Mia Cane and Madi Chambers could not account for their high paced runs and chances.
Full time: Zebras 1 Warriors 0
Clarence Zebras claimed all three points, thus getting that vital one point gap at the top of the table, while their fellow Eastern Shore opponents lose their grip on first. However, this race is not over yet. Sunday September 13th will see our next instalment in this growing rivalry, once again at Wentworth Park.
The Zebras will now turn their focus to the challenge of Northern outfit Northern Rangers in the Statewide Cup on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, Warriors are also set for Cup action – they will be hosted by Beachside SC at Sandown Park.
