Gwelup Croatia SC fought hard to finish with a draw this week against Armadale SC in the women’s state league competition, despite injury and Covid absences and after a 10-nil loss in their last game.
The away game in round 4 kicked off on Sunday at 3.00pm at Alfred Sweet Oval – Armadale’s homebase.
A partnership quickly formed between Armadale’s Lucy Bamber and striker Ella Angus, however every shoot was met by Gwelup’s goalkeeper.
By half-time the score rested at nil all.
Just six minutes into the second half, Gwelup’s Lucy Bricklebank kicked the first goal.
“We wanted to win so badly, we wanted to fight,” Gwelup captain Lydia Denona said.
With the first goal already scored, Armadale’s midfielder Kirsty Woods equalised, lobbing into the net from outside the penalty box.
Despite a solid fight from both teams, full time ended a draw.
“It was competitive, I’d like to think we could have won it,” Woods said.
“Cynthia [Armadale’s goalkeeper] made some really great saves in the first half to keep us in the game.”
The Women’s State League 2022 season has seen the introduction of new substitute rules to bring the game inline with the men’s competition.
“Like Glory we only get three substitutes a game,” Woods said.
“We’ve had to change up our training style to improve fitness.”
Woods said the change has caused some confusion with some of the teams and referees still unsure of the new rules.
Round 4 was Gwelup’s second game of the season as they had a bye in the first and rescheduled the second due to injury and Covid-related absences.
“We only had two subs,” Denona said of Sunday’s game.
“But this was a big difference from last week where we lost 10–nil to South West Phoenix.”
Armadale’s team has also felt the sting of Covid absences and dropouts from the sport.
“We used to have three teams and now we only have two.
“All the Facebook groups are calling for players,” Woods said.
