Defence of corners Massey’s downfall in final loss
Massey had Glenfield rattled early, creating a couple of chances, but Glenfield scored a soft goal from a corner and got on a roll after that.
Glenfield had the game in the bag by halftime, up 3-0 on their way to winning their third title in five years, following victories last year and in 2011.
Massey coach Richard Green said it wasn’t the result they were after.
‘‘We struggled to get going later in the game,’’ he said. ‘‘We had them startled until they got a fairly soft corner.
‘‘They got another one soon after and it actually built their confidence.’’
He thought his side had more chances in the first half, particularly through star striker Jane Barnett, but they struggled to get anything going.
Green was scratching his head when it came to remembering when they last conceded a goal from a corner. Glenfield, who were a bit taller and better in the air, capitalised on it three times in the final.
Massey were twice caught napping in the first half to be down 2-0 after 43 minutes.
Estelle Harrison opened the scoring in the 12th minute when she took a corner and everyone watched as it floated into the back corner.
Harrison then set up Belinda van Noorden in the 42rd minute, van Noorden heading the corner home.
‘‘We had patches where we were more than a match for them until they probably scored their second goal,’’ Green said. ‘‘We had a lot more shots on goal.’’
Barnett was a class act again and threatened the Glenfield defence, but didn’t get enough ball.
Sarah Morton was solid at right back and then left back after Charlotte Gordon went to hospital with a suspected broken ankle. New Zealand under-20s player Amber Phillips was solid at the back.
Jess Oulaghan, Barnett and Rhonda Bridges are the only three players remaining from the 2012 final.
Massey are a young team, with eight schoolgirls, and they could become a force if they stay together. They will lose a couple though in captain Oulaghan, who is moving to Auckland to join the police force, and Maia Green is heading overseas.