Fowler sisters star as Lions defeat Strikers
ENJOY watching the quality of Ciara and Louise Fowler while you can.
That was Leichhardt coach Angelo Caravella’s declaration after his side maintained their 100 per cent winning record with a 4-1 win against JCU Strikers.
The Fowler duo are back playing for Leichhardt in the FNQ Premier League, but for how long Caravella does not quite know.
What the coach is certain of is that their influence — both on the game itself and on their teammates — can’t be understated.
“They want to beat everyone, and they don’t ever want to get beaten,” Caravella said. “You see it at training and you see it on the field. You should see them when they’re against each other training in a oneon-one.
“When they show that level of intensity, even at training, it starts at the core and ripples through the rest of the squad.
“We’re fortunate to have a number of players who have those great qualities.”
Tonia-Marie Rantucci showed again why she is one to watch, scoring a brace — the first of which came barely 40 seconds into the contest.
Ria Collie continued her goalscoring ways while Stacey Ghietti jagged one of her own.
But it is the Fowler sisters, in particular Ciara, who caught the eye of many.
Ciara spent part of the past W-League season alongside Matildas sensation, sister Mary, at Adelaide United.
While she didn’t quite get the same game time as Mary, who has since linked with
Montpellier in France, you can see how the time spent with the W-League side, as well as the family’s own long-term training regimen, has put Ciara on another level.
Louise has the same skill set as her older sisters and plays in a similar direct, aggressive and effective style.
“They’re very dangerous players and both of them can shoot effectively from long range, which makes them even more dangerous,” Caravella said.
They helped Leichhardt dominate the midfield, which ensured the Lions secured the three vital competition points.
“We had nearly three times the volume of shots, the same sort of volume of dangerous balls into the 18-yard box, and had the bulk of the possession,” Caravella said.
“For us, it’s the ability to get forward. The girls are breaking down the obstacles in their path and getting it forward.”
In the other games, Edge Hill United smashed Southside on Friday night while Mareeba United scored six against Innisfail United.
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