A huge thanks to Jellis Craig North East for presenting this weekend’s match preview.
The week after the first loss is the one that tells you something about the group. Six rounds unbeaten, and the Redbacks Women had built an answer for every question this competition had asked. Brunswick Juventus, on Saturday afternoon at The Web, asked one question that the squad could not answer, and now the season’s next chapter starts on Saturday evening at Inez Hunter Reserve.
Southern United are the opponent. Fifth on the table with eleven points from seven rounds, the home side carries a record that suggests organisation rather than firepower. The Redbacks turn up to a venue that plays to the home side’s strengths, on the back of a result that exposed where Eltham might be most vulnerable.
Chloe Murphy and American striker Shelby Nickal present Southern’s two most obvious attacking threats, with three goals apiece in six matches. Southern have only taken the field six times, due to a 3-0 forfeit win against Banyule in Round One. A 3-0 defeat against Bundoora in their last outing suggests a side that might come up short against the competition’s very best.
The 6-3 loss against Brunswick was a difficult afternoon for Jonathan Barrientos. The coach made five changes at the break in an effort to find a response. A 1-5 deficit became 3-6 by the close, with Paige Foa, Izzy Berks and Claudia Dimasi all on the scoresheet. Attacking output doesn’t seem to be an issue, but tightening the defence will be priority #1.
The Redbacks also have the benefit of being fresh, having benefited from the forfeit by Doreen United in the Nike FC Cup. The Redbacks were scheduled for cup action on Wednesday night, however received a free pass to the next round.
The table looks tighter than it did a week ago. FC Clifton Hill remain top on eighteen points. Bundoora United second on fifteen. Eltham third on fourteen, level with Brunswick on the same total but ahead on goal difference. The Redbacks travel knowing a Southern win drops the visitors back into the chasing pack and lifts the home side level.
An opportunity to respond to the season’s first major setback. Inez Hunter Reserve. Saturday. 6pm.