Tuesday 18 September 2007

 Box Hill Inter advanced to a semi-final showdown with minor premier Heidelberg United next Sunday after a 2-1 extra time victory over Ashburton at Bob Jane Stadium on Sunday.

Genia Avram’s neat finish 5 minutes into the first added period sealed the win for Inter, who had come from behind to square the game at 1-1 in normal time after Annabelle Gibney had given Ashburton a first-half lead.

In blustery conditions, Ashburton had the aid of the breeze in the opening stanza and used it to good effect, carving out the bulk of the early chances.

Only a fine block by Box Hill goalkeeper Helen Klerides denied Seyma Erenli an early goal after the Ashburton striker had been played in beautifully by Stacy Louras.

The impressive Tal Karp then crafted another opening for fellow midfielder Rosie Mortellaro, but Klerides was once again up to the task of fending away Mortellaro’s tame strike.

Ashburton was consistently first to the ball throughout the first half, and deserved its lead on 35 minutes when Gibney latched onto a headed flick-on which cleared the Box Hill defence to lob the advancing Klerides.

Erenli could have added a second soon after when picked out at the back post by Karp’s cross-field free kick but she lashed her first-time shot wide.

Box Hill came out a different side after the interval, finally calling Ashburton ‘keeper Antoinette Michail into action on 50 minutes to stop a goalbound Anthea Vardakas’ strike.

With the wind now in its favour, Inter began to press for an equaliser, going close when Amanda Lawless’ in-swinging corner deceived Michail to hit the crossbar.

On the break, Ashburton could have doubled its lead when Gibney raced clear on goal from the halfway line. But with only the goalkeeper to beat, she screwed her shot wide.

And moments later, Box Hill needed a desperate goal-line clearance from Chiara Romano to deny Gibney after the competition’s leading scorer had beaten the diving Klerides for what looked a certain goal.

Ashburton came to rue those two chances less than 10 minutes from time when Inter finally found reward for its increased second-half tempo and sustained forward pressure.

Vardakas was the architect, picking out the touchline run of Avram, who delivered for Kat Smith to ram home from close range.

In a frenetic final few minutes, Smith had two chances to give Box Hill the win in normal time, lifting a long-range effort over the woodwork and failing to hit the target with a free back-post header after Jess Humble had swung in the cross.

But in the first period of added time Inter scored what was to be the winning goal when Avram collected Vardakas’ long ball close to the centre line, outpaced the Ashburton defence and slotted coolly past the diving Michail.Box Hill Inter advanced to a semi-final showdown with minor premier Heidelberg United next weekend after a 2-1 extra time victory over Ashburton at Bob Jane Stadium on Sunday.

Genia Avram’s neat finish 5 minutes into the first added period sealed the win for Inter, who had come from behind to square the game at 1-1 in normal time after Annabelle Gibney had given Ashburton a first-half lead.

In blustery conditions, Ashburton had the aid of the breeze in the opening stanza and used it to good effect, carving out the bulk of the early chances.

Only a fine block by Box Hill goalkeeper Helen Klerides denied Seyma Erenli an early goal after the Ashburton striker had been played in beautifully by Stacy Louras.

The impressive Tal Karp then crafted another opening for fellow midfielder Rosie Mortellaro, but Klerides was once again up to the task of fending away Mortellaro’s tame strike.

Ashburton was consistently first to the ball throughout the first half, and deserved its lead on 35 minutes when Gibney latched onto a headed flick-on which cleared the Box Hill defence to lob the advancing Klerides.

Erenli could have added a second soon after when picked out at the back post by Karp’s cross-field free kick but she lashed her first-time shot wide.

Box Hill came out a different side after the interval, finally calling Ashburton ‘keeper Antoinette Michail into action on 50 minutes to stop a goalbound Anthea Vardakas’ strike.

With the wind now in its favour, Inter began to press for an equaliser, going close when Amanda Lawless’ in-swinging corner deceived Michail to hit the crossbar.

On the break, Ashburton could have doubled its lead when Gibney raced clear on goal from the halfway line. But with only the goalkeeper to beat, she screwed her shot wide.

And moments later, Box Hill needed a desperate goal-line clearance from Chiara Romano to deny Gibney after the competition’s leading scorer had beaten the diving Klerides for what looked a certain goal.

Ashburton came to rue those two chances less than 10 minutes from time when Inter finally found reward for its increased second-half tempo and sustained forward pressure.

Vardakas was the architect, picking out the touchline run of Avram, who delivered for Kat Smith to ram home from close range.

In a frenetic final few minutes, Smith had two chances to give Box Hill the win in normal time, lifting a long-range effort over the woodwork and failing to hit the target with a free back-post header after Jess Humble had swung in the cross.

But in the first period of added time Inter scored what was to be the winning goal when Avram collected Vardakas’ long ball close to the centre line, outpaced the Ashburton defence and slotted coolly past the diving Michail.

By George Egonidis Courtesy FFV Website