Mareeba defence denies Lions in ‘hectic’ draw
MAREEBA earned only one point against the defending league champions but the 0-0 draw felt very much like a win for the Tablelands club.
Leichhardt rolled over the range hunting three vital competition points with a squad considered one of the best in the FNQ Women’s Premier League, with a mix of exciting youngsters, local veterans and a former W-League player.
And while their much heralded attacking capabilities put the Bulls on notice, a strong and resolute Mareeba produced one of its best defensive performances in some time to deny the Lions.
Mareeba coach Marcello Savaglio said the scoreline could be deceptive of the onfield action.
“It was really intense,” Savaglio said. “It was played at a fast and hectic pace for the full 90 minutes.
“It wasn’t like it was end to end either. They’d have it up our end for a while then we’d have a few chances.”
But while a strong attack can bring in the wins, Savaglio’s emphasis on defence is what proved the difference for a Bulls side looking to upstage their Cairns counterparts and take home the silverware in just a few months’ time.
“That’s what I said to the girls — you want to start with your defence if you want to succeed,” Savaglio said. “There was a lot of good, flowing football out there but it was a different game.
“It was backs to the wall. We didn’t let them through.”
Mareeba goalkeeper Farrah Boustead, regarded as one of the competition’s premier shot-stoppers, pulled off several strong saves, and powered on through an injury which has her in doubt for the Bulls’ road trip to Stratford.
Exciting Leichhardt teen Tonia-Marie Rantucci came up against her old club, engaging in an outstanding, backand-forth midfield battle with Mareeba’s Jane Close.
Elsewhere, Edge Hill United produced another strong performance to beat Innisfail United 6-0 while JCU Strikers smashed Stratford 9-0.
Edge Hill will travel to Leichhardt this Saturday, in the first clash between the powerhouses since the Tigers won the 2019 grand final 6-1.