An evening clash between neighbours Thirroul and Woonona Sharks, saw the visitors take home the three points for their round two fixture on Wednesday night, at Thomas Gibson Park.
The visitors had their first goal scoring opportunity in the 10th minute of the match with a free kick taken by Ainsley Hawes just outside the 18-yard box, before sending a precise ball into the head of Sinead Bailey who would later send her header just inches off the far post.
Thirroul would later respond with an exceptional through ball from Leah Carlon and into the feet of Chloe Hocking who sat wide.
A cut back into the middle from Hocking saw her shot head straight into the hands of goal keeper Ivana Peric.
In the 26th minute, the Sharks had another big chance with a one-two play between Emily Franklin and Nikita Woods who would later slip the ball in behind and into Jessica Beale who’s shot would be denied by the corner post.
Shortly after, a wide ball from Thirroul’s Kirsten Ward found Carlon in the centre of the box, but a chance for the home side was soon denied once more.
Thirroul’s Mila Gehrke received a corner ball just inside the 18-yard box in the 30th minute but would send her shot high over the cross bar.
Minutes later, the likes of Wheatley and Beale were both on the attack for the Sharks but could not grab the lead.
With just two minutes to go in the first half, Thirroul’s Asha Meusburger was sent in behind her defence line and what looked to be a tap in goal was shortly denied by the Sharks defender Sienna Humphrey who bravely cleared the ball off the line.
In an intense first half, the two sides headed into the sheds with a 0-0 draw.
A dominant start in the second half from the home side saw Mila Gehrke take a strike from just inside the halfway line but would later fly out for a goal-kick.
In the 55th minute, Woonona looked to be dangerous when Franklin took the line with pace once more but would send her aim clear off the far post.
In the 68th minute, the Sharks took a 1-0 lead when an accurate corner ball from Franklin flew into the box, before captain Jordan Wheatley effortlessly sent her effort into the back of the net.
Just seven minutes later, Nikita Woods shifted the ball to the right side of the pitch where Lindsay Mcleod would soon be taken out from a misjudged tackle by Thirroul’s goal keeper Charlotte Ville.
Wheatley stepped up to the penalty mark and would score her second goal for the match, setting the scores at 2-0 to the Sharks in the 75th minute.
The goals weren’t over just yet, with the away side showing nothing but continuous dominance as the Sharks would strike back again with Dharmini Chauhan finishing her one on one chance against Ville for a 3-0 lead just two minutes later.
The home side were exceptional challengers, but it was Woonona who showed late dominance, taking home the three points in Wednesday nights clash.
Thirroul 0
Woonona Sharks 3 (Jordan Wheatley 68’ 77’, Dharmini Chauhan 79’)
Date: Wednesday 3 May 2023
Venue: Thomas Gibson Park 1
Report by Alison Dinh, on Twitter @alisondinh_
