Summary: South Melbourne have run out 5-0 victors in their round 17 fixture against Bayside United. While holding a congenial 1-0 lead in the first half, it was through the efforts of Sarah Richardson that South began to dominate their attack, adding another four goals to their tally in the last 45.
After trying to go to as many South Women’s games as possible (and watch the livestreams), I now feel as though I have enough insight to start writing on them. Unfortunately, there really doesn’t seem to be enough resources/documentation of these games, and in writing match reports on SMWFC in the future, I hope to provide an air of legitimacy/support to a hard working group of athletes that brand the blue and white badge.
The beginning of the match saw Bayside hold a sizeable chunk of possession, restricting the South midfield to the halfway mark and suppressing possible counter attacks. However, solid defensive efforts from Shelby Green and Leia Varley snuffed out any potential chances from the away side. A minor defensive blunder does require a good save from Erin Hudson, but for the most part the ball remains predominantly outside South’s box. Bayside’s best opportunity of the half, coming in the 17th minute, coincided with South’s midfield becoming more involved in the game. A Bayside attacker weaves into the box, but Green puts her body on the line to prevent a shot from remaining on target, and the ball is subsequently cleared.
Thus, South’s monopoly began. The use of through balls and long balls (unlike the men’s senior team) proved to be a highly effective strategy; precise balls complemented by the pace of both Sarah Richardson and Sofia Sakalis made it incredibly difficult for the Bayside defence to shut plays down. And more often than not, the Bayside defence were caught sleeping, while the South attackers were more than capable of bringing up the ball effectively. As South’s confidence built, so did the unrest in Bayside. Richardson worried the bayside defence on multiple occasions, chasing after a ball and blocking the keeper’s clearance, though unfortunately unable to keep it in.
The South midfield had completely thawed out by the 25th minute, and as Kelsey Minton found her self one on one with the Keeper, she was able to bend it past her and into the back of the net. Despite scoring, South never switched off, and another South attack shortly after kick-off could only be stopped with a foul on skipper Jamie Pollock in the box. Sofia Sakalis steps up to take the penalty, but her shot rebounds off the inside of the post and is cleared. On the opposite end, a miscommunication at the back almost leads to a dangerous counter, though snuffed out by Hudson before the chance can manifest. There was nothing to be too concerned about, however, as South’s confidence on the ball outmatched what Bayside tried to throw at them.
Their dominance continued in the second half, however South were able to capitalise on their efforts more frequently. The first attempt came from Minton, whose solo effort, dancing past multiple defenders, just goes wide. Sarah Richardson, however, quickly established herself as the linchpin for South’s attacking presence. After winning a series of corners in the 50th minute, Richardson's volley from outside the box bounces past the keeper, doubling the lead of the home side. Unsure of how to respond, Bayside continued attempting to bring the ball down through the middle, but were chopped off before making it far down the pitch. Five minutes later, another ball is fed through to Sarah, who places the ball through the keeper’s legs for a brace. Bayside seemed unable to answer South’s surging midfield, with plays from Pollock and Sakalis utilising Richardson lying on the wing or Minton up ahead. One of Pollock’s runs culminates into looming cross, reaching Richardson at the back post, who powers it past the keeper. Unsatisfied with her first three, Richardson then takes on a few more defenders, before placing a long range strike in the bottom-right corner of the net in the 63rd minute.
Towards the later portion of the match, South lessened in their attacking plays, seemingly content with maintaining the lead they had fought for. However, there were a few instances where allowing Bayside on the ball for too long led to miscommunications/switching off. In the 78th minute, newly subbed keeper Alexia Karatzikos was required to save one of Bayside’s first shots on target. Less than 10 minutes later, another Bayside attempt beats the Karatzikos, only being kept out by the post. While extending the lead didn’t need to be a priority, staying alert isn’t only important when attacking. Particularly after Green had been subbed off, there were a few nervy moments at the back in the dying stages. It was Pollock’s clearance off the line that allowed South to keep a clean sheet during a corner in extra time, with the final whistle blowing shortly after.
It’s been noted that South Melbourne’s squad are currently in a transitional stage, with a large chunk of new acquisitions being brought to account for senior departures/injuries. While their season hasn’t been dominant, the South Women’s team has still maintained consistency in their performances, which will only improve as their younger prospects develop further.
South Melbourne Women’s FC: 5
Bayside United FC: 0