WPL Qualifying Final - Ashburton vs Preston Lions - Sunday 31 Aug.
Preston Lions scored an upset win over Ashburton today at the Darebin International Soccer Centre. The match was a real arm wrestle in the first half with neither side scoring. Preston was aided to some extent by a strong breeze and had the edge in possession but generated few real scoring chances. When Preston did attack, the wind tended to send the ball directly to Tet Michail, the Ashy keeper. The Ashburton defence was working hard and Cindy Dussoye was getting plenty of the ball for the Ashy team. The only Ashburton chance for the half came at the 40 minute mark when Kelly Sandefur found herself one on one with the Lions keeper but she chose to shoot from too far out and the ball missed the goal.

In the second half Ashburton came out with a lot more intensity and had many chances to score. The Ashburton midfield was getting a lot more of the ball and they generated scoring opportunities, which unfortunately were not capitalised on. In the first 15 minutes the lions seemed to be under constant attack with shots at goal coming from Stacey Louras streaming down the left, and Kelly Sandefur getting into the action. Gucan Koca  also lifted in the second half and had 2 genuine scoring chances.  A free kick taken by Gulcan 25 metes out was glanced by Rosie Bureta but the ball went tantalizingly into the side of the net. At the 70 minute mark Sarah Walsh came on to the field with immediate effect; however her 30 metre shot did not have enough sting in it. At this stage of the game it seemed inevitable that Ashburton would triumph, despite the best efforts of the Lions Ashleigh Kelly who was having a wonderful game on the left.

Unfortunately for Ashburton a square ball from Rosie Buretta to Kelly Eaton was intercepted at the 80 minute mark by Peta Lipec for the Lions and despite Cindy Dussoye getting a tackle in and Tet Michail getting a hand on the ball the shot was too good to stop. This goal was against the tide of play but was enough to seal Ashburton’s fate who will now have to front arch-rivals Heidleberg next Sunday in a cut throat elimination final.

Photos of the match are here.