Round 13 Darebin Falcons vs Brunswick Zebras – Falcons Soccer Family Day
Darebin Falcons endured a frustrating afternoon against Brunswick Zebras at Capp Reserve on Sunday.
Coming off a promising result against Women’s State League Division Two North West leaders Bulleen, the hosts fancied their chances against a team struggling at the other end of the ladder.
But despite dominating possession for large parts of the game, Falcons could not get that all-important goal and eventually went down 1-0.
It was a costly result, dropping them from fifth to seventh, and, with just five games to go, severely denting their hopes of a coveted top-four finish.
On the club’s family day and in bright sunshine, the match started promisingly. Employing the 4-5-1 formation that had served so well the previous week, the Falcons were asserting themselves in the middle and, with right winger Niddie Morgan proving excellent service, lone striker Kathryn Sparks was getting plenty of shots on goal.
Morgan, in fact, had the ball in the back of the net from Sparks’s cross but was adjudged to have handled it in the process and it was disallowed.
And, as chance after chance flashed the wrong side of the post or just over the crossbar, it quickly became obvious this was not going to be Darebins’ day.
That frustration was compounded late in the first half when the Zebras scored with practically their first meaningful attack, a miss-hit shot giving keeper Leanne Hamilton no chance.
As the second half progressed with little sign of a change in fortunes, coach Tracey Hodges pushed a second player up front.
The result was more pressure on Brunswick’s defence but still no breakthrough, as the hard-working Sparks again struck the upright and Jo Rooney fired just over.
Darebin will be hoping their scoring touch returns this weekend when they visit fourth-placed Yarra Jets.