Altona’s Womens Premier League side honoured its first home-grown Hockeyroo in a milestone game on Saturday, recording its third victory of the season over Toorak-East Malvern at Grant Reserve. Danielle Schubach playing in her 100th premier league match was dominant as usual, showing us why she is current Victorian captain and has played on the international stage.
Altona started well, converting a penalty corner in the first three minutes, with Bronte Kerley deflecting a pass from Schubach into the back of the net. Unfortunately, the lead was short lived, with TEM tying the score due to a defensive lapse of concentration. The scoreline remained tied at one all, into the break.
The second half saw both sides have periods of ascendancy, but neither able to score. Some unusual umpiring decisions at both ends saw confusion amongst both teams. One such decision benefitted Altona, with Steph Sarantis smashing a dangerous rebound into the net, while the TEM defenders had stopped, assuming they were due a free hit.
TEM continued attacking, creating several opportunities. Taylah Brennan, in goals, was superb, saving everything, and veteran full back Carla Ruhe was rock solid in defence. Nicola Brown and Jessica Brennan were running amok in the midfield and forward lines, with several shots at goal saved by the TEM keeper. With five minutes to go, TEM equalised 2-2, with a deflection wrong footing the unlucky Brennan in goals.
With only two minutes on the clock, Schubach stole the ball, making a quick break for goals. She beat two defenders and then found Sarantis, who had slipped her defender with a smart lead, and one timed the ball into the net to score the winner. Altona held on in the remaining minutes to record a 3-2 victory.
“Earlier in the season, conceding a goal in the last five minutes to surrender the lead, would have seen us drop our heads. I was so glad this didn’t happen today, and I am sure Dan’s 100th game was motivation for them to keep working hard. It’s been a tough year, but we’ve been able to give premier league experience to so many up and coming young women, so the future looks bright” commented Coach Marc Richardson.
Altona play Waverley today at Grant Reserve in their final match of the season.
Altona 3 defeated Toorak-East Malvern 2
Goals: Steph Sarantis 2, Bronte Kerley 1
Best: Carla Ruhe, Taylah Brennan, Danielle Schubach, Steph Sarantis, Nicola Brown, Jessica Brennan
Meanwhile, earlier, Altona’s Premier League Mens team scored a 4-2 victory over TEM, led by a best on ground performance from Steve Campbell. Despite conceding two goals, Altona always felt in control, and hope to make it a clean sweep, with a match against Waverley today at Grant Reserve. Altona welcomed back Canadian international Matthew Guest, who played for the first time since recently winning silver at the Pan-American titles.
Altona got off to a flyer, with Campbell scoring an inspirational individual goal, beating three TEM defenders, and then slotting the ball into the net, quickly followed by a searing drag flick from Chris Coleman on a penalty corner. TEM got one back, after Altona turned the ball over in the midfield, but their momentum was short lived with Pat Phillips scoring a spectacular goal from a tight angle to make it 3-1.
TEM weren’t done however, with a drag flick on a penalty corner deflecting off first runner Campbell’s stick past an unlucky Adam Barty in goals. It was a shame as Barty, along with veteran defender Mathew Higgins and young full backs Jake MacVean and Matthew Huf had been dominating the TEM forwards.
Altona pulled together though, and created a number of scoring opportunities. Captain Jesse Gatt took on Phillips for goal of the day honours, slotting a shot from a tight angle high into the net to take the score to 4-2.
“Last year, we lost to TEM late in the year, costing us finals, so we were pumped up today to get a bit of revenge and do the same to them. I was very pleased with all the boys, particularly our young defenders. Campbell was everywhere, and lead from the front again. I look forward to finishing off the year on a high against Waverley tomorrow” said a pleased Coach Ben Guy after the match.
Altona 4 defeated TEM 2
Goals: Steve Campbell, Chris Coleman, Pat Phillips, Jesse Gatt
Best: Steve Campbell, Jake Macvean, Matthew Huf, Patrick Phillips