The Westfield Matilda’s downed the New Zealand Football Ferns 2-1 in a hostile contest at Bluetongue Stadium this afternoon as both teams put the finishing touches on their preparation for the upcoming World Cup.
The vocal crowd of 2286 was brought to life early with a stern left foot strike from Catherine Cannuli, which was grabbed by Ferns keeper, Jenny Bindon.
Cannuli continued to press and opened proceedings only minutes later after she managed to get a glancing header to a neat cross from Sam Kerr in the eighth minute.
However, the Ferns pressed forward and almost replied as a swift cross quickly turned into a melee of feet as the ball pinged around players in the box before keeper, Melissa Barbieri, desperately dove on the ball.
Barbieri was called upon only moments later to bat a shot over the bar from Percival, whilst dealing with the intense afternoon sun.
The Ferns were firing and got their revenge on Barbieri with a unique double nutmeg from Hannah Wilkinson that shocked all in attendance.
The Ferns were reaping the rewards from the intense pressure they’d been building on the Matilda’s.
Tameka Butt was the first to throw water on the fire as she sped passed the Ferns defence before pushing a solid right foot shot just wide of the keeper.
The Matilda’s however, were beginning to build pressure on the Ferns from shear weight of possession.
Sam Kerr took the initiative and shot from long range forcing the Ferns to sit up and take note.
The momentum shifted several times in the first half, with both sides having several opportunities to capitalise.
Early in the second half, Collette McCallum was given an opportunity after Tameka Butt was brought down just outside the box.
McCallum calmly converted the free kick much to the surprise of Fern defence which was caught napping.
Both possession and momentum seesawed throughout the second half.
Betsy Hassett had the first real shot on goal for the Ferns with a gutsy drive that found it’s way into the safe arms of Barbieri.
As the second half wore on tensions began to fray as both sides became more desperate to gain the upper hand before the upcoming World Cup.
Despite going down to the Matilda’s by three goals earlier in the week, the Ferns came with a point to prove, and pushed their trans Tasman rivals for the full 90 minutes.
Matilda’s coach, Tom Sermanni, said they were ready for an onslaught from the Ferns.
“It was a battle, but we kind of expected that.
“We won the first game comfortably, but they came out much more forthright and in our face today, it was almost like a cup tie environment,” he said.
Matilda’s midfielder, Tameka Butt, also reiterated her coach’s thoughts on the way the Ferns bounced back.
“It was a tough match in comparison to the one we played against them a few days ago, but I think that just comes from them losing and bouncing back.
“We came out with a completely different team today and I think were really preparing well for the World Cup,” said Tameka.
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