Coach draws on positives
Stratford Dolphins coach Peter Mortimer has “a glass half full” view of his team’s dramatic four-all draw against Innisfail United at home. The Dolphins led with just seconds to go before a late goal salvaged a draw for United, with teary-eyed players devastated after rolling to a 6-1 walkover the last time the two teams met.
STRATFORD Dolphins coach Peter Mortimer has “a glass half full” view of his team’s dramatic four-all draw against Innisfail United at home.
The Dolphins led with just seconds to go before a late goal salvaged a draw for United, with teary-eyed players devastated after rolling to a 6-1 walkover the last time the two teams met.
Trailing one-nil at halftime, Mortimer said he was proud of his side’s response, led by Jacinta Waterson’s second-half brace and goals to Celine Frank and Mikayla Casson.
“It was a pearler of a game,” Mortimer said. “It had everything. The girls were out on their feet but it was good football. The passing games from both teams were fantastic.
“Jacinta Waterson is usually our left defender but she has a real pit-bull attitude and was really strong on the wing.
“Some of our players were pretty upset but the wins will come. I said to the girls we dominated in the second half.
“The short passing and through balls were things we weren’t doing earlier in the season. We had multiple shots and opportunities.
“Tiarna Jurd, our centre back, was very vocal and provided great instruction. Her speed really drove us out of defence.”
With United’s Monica Vecchio red carded in the second half, the Dolphins went on the attack with seven goals scored in the final stanza.
“We were really pushing the envelope,” Mortimer said.
“It was a battle of attrition in the end.”
The Dolphins take on Mareeba United next weekend on the road.