Tactical switch saves Saints

The inspired tactical promotion of swashbuckling right winger Camille Szarbo to the midfield held the key to Saints Eagles South captain Rachel Mcmahon’s goal in the dying minutes to beat Burdekin 4-3.

A young Saints team had plenty to celebrate at fulltime after squandering a two-goal advantage early in the first half to find itself locked up at 3-all with 10 minutes to go.

The halftime decision to pull Szarbo off her favoured right wing into the midfield proved to be a masterstroke at the decisive moment.

The converted midfielder delivered the final pass of a sublime movement to send Mcmahon one-on-one with the goalkeeper as the game hung in the balance.

A true strike under pressure from Mcmahon sent the ball into the far corner to seal the victory.

“If you’re a spectator, I suppose it was a thriller,” coach Craig Bacon said.

“It was a lovely build-up through the backline to the midfield, which created a oneon-one opportunity with the keeper and she slotted it.

“They were very excited with their achievement after the game, and relieved too, because when you lead 2-0 you expect to go on with it and get the win.”

Bacon said there was room for improvement in his side in learning to play for the full 90 minutes and he hinted the second-half cameo may not be Szarbo’s final midfield stint for the season.

The Burdekin got its revenge in the men’s game, dominating Saints 3-1. A late consolation goal was the only blot on the Panthers’ copybook.

Jay Leckenby scored a brace before Matthew Kolb gave his best impression of Lionel Messi, beating five defenders on a 50m dash before finishing into the bottom corner to seal it.

It was a win to savour for coach Leighton Gallagher with five regulars out of commission.

Young reserve graders Connor Brown and Mason Matthews impressed on promotion to the FQPL, while Oscar Licciardello, who only recently turned 16, got through a mountain of work in the midfield.