Orbost Hockey Club’s women’s team played out another absorbing contest against their closest local rivals, Swan Reach, in round nine action of the 2024 East Gippsland Hockey Association season last Saturday which saw Orbost travel to the WORLD facility in Bairnsdale.
It was a match where they were unfortunate to lose out to what turned out to be the only goal of the game.
Following Mia Joiner’s early shot after a clever Sophie Luchetta pass whistled wide of the post, the Green and Gold spent most of the first half absorbing plenty of attacking pressure from the hosts, but thanks to a brave block of a corner shot by Steph Buckland, a cool-headed clearance by Sarah McDonald and a reflex save by goalie Alana Farley, the backline held firm and the scoreline remained goal-less at the halftime break.
Moments after Misty Anderson made a crucial intercept in her own ‘D’ she was involved in a strong attacking move with Alison Farley at the other end that ended with a Jaime Haas shot being desperately scrambled to safety.
The home side kept generating plenty of chances of their own too, only to be met by fierce tackling resistance from Kerryn Volk on multiple occasions when her team needed her most, before finally the Orbost defence was breached with a back post tap-in to end a quick counterattack.
After Ellie Florance’s work in midfield generated an attacking opportunity for Bree Kenny, the follow up shot from Joiner from range was deflected past the post, and as the time ticked away, the visitors threw everything into trying to find an equaliser.
One late shot from Georgia Anderson deflected off a defender’s stick and looped towards Haas at the back post, only for the ball to just evade her reach, therefore preserving the win for Swan Reach by the narrowest of margins.
Final score: Swan Reach 1 d Orbost 0. The under 14s encounter was one of those games that was far closer than the final scoreline indicated, particularly in the first half when Swan Reach’s pair of goals both had its fair share of fortune and lucky breaks involved.
Orbost goalie Campbell Edlington was in fine form throughout, blocking multiple shots with both his boots and his body, including a big save from point blank range early in the second term, while defenders Sarah Gladstone and Leni Millward were also highly influential with their tackles and clearance work. Kayley Robinson played a very strong game in the centre, and along with Chloe Findley’s pace and dribbling ability, was able to effectively keep turning defence into attack for her team.
Jasper Anderson was a powerful presence up front for the Green and Gold, and on another day his attacking combinations with Mia Martin would have hit the back of the cage rather than passing just wide of it – ultimately four goals were recorded for the match, unfortunately none of them in the Orbost column on the scoresheet despite the efforts and endeavour of all involved.
Final score: Swan Reach 4 d Orbost 0. Orbost’s under 16s team also worked tirelessly in their matchup against a strong opponent that was able to strike the ball powerfully and effectively from distance whenever they needed to.
Mitch Farley put in a tireless performance across the ground, regularly shutting down and dispossessing opponents, while Sarah Gladstone was sterling in goal despite being under heavy pressure throughout.
Ellie Florance and Chloe Findley were full of industry in midfield and were behind most of the attacks that the Green and Gold were able to generate, including a couple of big runs on goal from Aster Anderson that ended with shots from a tight angle that were denied at the near post. Irrespectively of the scoreline the visitors’ kept their heads up and kept looking for scoring opportunities – a late consolation goal was certainly deserved, but regrettably it was not to be when Campbell Edlington’s powerful strike sailed just over rather than just into the top of the cage.
Final score: Swan Reach 10 d Orbost 0. Orbost Hockey Club will next be back in action this Saturday when it hosts Sale at its Recreation Reserve home.
IMAGE: Orbost Hockey Club’s Mia Martin reaches to block a shot during the under 16s match against Swan Reach last Saturday at the WORLD facility in Bairnsdale, with goalie Sarah Gladstone ready to react in the last line of defence. (PS)
