Derby draw not to blame for defeat
MUDGEERABA defender Krystell Harrison insists the emotional comedown from the Wallabies’ derby draw with Gold Coast United was not to blame for yesterday’s 5-2 NPL Women’s (NPLW) loss to Mitchelton.
A week after playing out a thrilling 4-4 stalemate against United in the inaugural battle for the Faye Rodd Cup, Mudgeeraba’s twogame unbeaten run was brought to a halt with a “flat” Round 7 performance at home to Mitchelton.
The hosts opened the scoring through Sarah Skinner in the third minute, before the Mustangs hit back to take a 2-1 lead into halftime.
Parity was restored shortly after the break when Jemima Lockley netted for the Wallabies, but their momentum was instantly halted when a broken wrist for Mitchelton’s Chantelle Nohokau forced the game to be switched to an adjacent field.
It was all one-way traffic from then on, but Harrison denied last week’s derby played a role.
“I thought we would’ve gone into this game feeling good because we were all on a high (after last week) and pumped for it. We scored in the first couple of minutes but after that we were quite flat.,” the 32-year-old said. NPL WOMEN R7
The Gap FC Lions FC Souths Utd Mitchelton Roar Youth Moreton Easts Pride FC GC United Capalaba Mudgeeraba Logan Sunny Coast SWQ Thunder
P W 5 5 5 5 6 5 5 4 6 3 6 3 6 3 5 2 6 2 4 1 5 1 7 1 3 0 7 0
D 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 0
L 0 0 1 1 2 3 3 2 3 2 3 6 2 7
26 22 12 9 6 5 -4 7 5 -8 -31 -14 -12 -23 Pts 15 15 15 12 10 9 9 7 7 4 4 3 1 0
“We didn’t play our best game, we forced it. I wouldn’t say we panicked but we just didn’t play with the same amount of energy.
“I personally think (the problem) has been with the training because we’ve missed a few with all the rain. Our captain (and defensive midfielder), Ailie Rennie, was missing too because she was in Melbourne and I think we missed her talk on the field.”
After conceding 32 goals in their first three games, the Wallabies got their season back on track with a 4-3 victory over Logan on March 4 before taking a point off United in Round 6.
Harrison said confidence within the group remained high.
“Once we beat Logan we thought we’re a good chance to do well in this comp. We will continue to improve at this level and get used to adjusting our game, being quicker, being faster, thinking quicker.
“Even the Souths game (lost 4-0), I thought we were starting to play good. I played reserve grade last season so I’m still learning.
“(It’s about) knowing your role and your job, exactly what you need to do in certain situations. Playing at this level is different.”
The result leaves Mudgeeraba in 11th spot on the 14team ladder, ahead of Saturday’s 6pm trip to Easts.
The Tigers sit mid-table after disposing of SWQ thunder 4-2 at Gatton on Saturday.
Olympic FC Pride FC Moreton Bay Roar Youth Lions FC North QLD Strikers FC Redlands Brisbane City GC United SWQ Thunder Cairns FC Crusaders FC Sunny Coast
P W 6 5 6 5 7 4 7 4 6 4 6 3 5 2 7 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 5 2 6 1 7 1
D 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0
L 0 1 2 2 2 3 2 4 3 3 3 3 5 6
12 25 3 2 15 -4 2 -1 -1 -3 -5 -3 -7 -35
Pts 16 15 13 13 12 9 7 7 7 7 7 6 3 3