Round 8 Review – Panagaris On Target Again As MUWFC Claim Another 3 Points.

📷 Paul Thiele Photographics

MUWFC hosted Adelaide Comets in Round 8 of the WNPL at the VALO Football Centre, in what was the beginning of the second round of games for the season.

MUWFC started brightly, with some lovely one touch passing and some delightful passages of play, and it didn’t take long to pay off. Only 11 minutes into the match, Kristy Moore was crunched inside the penalty area and the referee was left with no choice but to point to the spot. Chrissy Panagaris had no problems converting the spot kick to register her 11th goal of the season in just 8 games, and jointly leads the WNPL Golden Boot race.

The pressure continued with more one touch passing, and on 17 minutes, the lead was doubled when Ebony Kyriacou played a pinpoint diagonal ball over the top of the Comets defence to Laura Stockdale, who was able to connect with a sumptuous volley which went flying into the top corner.

The rest of the first half was played out on MUWFC terms, with a few more very good chances to put the game out of reach before the half, but some poor decision making in the final third ensured that the score stayed at 2-0 heading into the break.

The second half started as the first ended, with MUWFC in complete control, however signs of complacency started to show. MUWFC coach Tony Scalzi brought the experienced Donna Cockayne on for Jess Signoriello in the 55th minute to try and spark a response, and Millie Scott entered for Ellie Bills in the 65th minute, which had a good impact on both sides of the park.

There were more clear cut chances during the second half to put a 3rd goal in the back of the net, but as has been the way this season, our girls couldn’t quite manage to put the game to bed.

To Adelaide Comets credit, they continued to fight hard and stuck to their plan of frustrating our girls going forward, and managed to have a couple of decent counter attacks of their own, however the MUWFC defence stood strong and kept the score at 2-0.

Possession for MUWFC began to build up, however possession doesn’t always translate to goals, and that was proved during the half, as a lot of the MUWFC possession amounted to nothing of any serious danger.

Some more delightful passing between the likes of Ness Reed, Laura Stockdale, Kristy Moore, Donna Cockayne and Chrissy Panagaris created a few more chances, but again, just lacked the final touch.

Adelaide Comets gave themselves a lifeline during stoppage time, when a mix up at the back allowed them to take full advantage and score what turned out to be only a consolation goal.

A tough 3 points earned for Tony Scalzi’s ladies, but a 3 points that was required to keep within touching distance of Adelaide City who top the WNPL table at this point in time.

MUWFC’s Reserves also played on Friday night, falling to a late 0-1 loss to Adelaide Comets, which leaves them sitting 4th on the WNPL Reserves table.

Match Details: Friday March 26 2019 South Australian WNPL 2019 – Round 8

MUWFC 2 (Panagaris 11′, Stockdale 17′) Adelaide Comets 1 (Palmero 90′) Venue: VALO Football Centre