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05/05/91
Eden Turn On The Class
by Jeremy Ruane
Michele Cox, Lyn Pedruco and Monique Van de Elzen, ably supported by Auckland rep Karin Jensen, celebrated their returns to the SWANZ World Cup squad with top-drawer performances as Eden turned on the class to triumph 6-0 over Waitemata City in their Northern Premier Women’s League clash at Pollard Park on May 5.
In a game well marshalled by Ed Beuning, the early exchanges were very even, but Eden gradually took control, with early efforts from Jensen, Pedruco and Cox, from a quickly taken direct free-kick, narrowly astray.
Eden took the lead in the 21st minute, Jensen playing a good ball through for Beth Clark who took it on and rounded Yvonne Van Bakel before tucking it away.
Five minutes later, and Waitemata found themselves two down. Another through ball, this time from Van de Elzen, and away went Jensen to thump in a fifteen-yarder.
Five more minutes elapsed before Eden struck their third, a party-piece from the SWANZ connection this time. A free-kick from Cox was laid off by Van de Elzen to Pedruco. Van Bakel parried her shot, but Van de Elzen pounced on the loose ball - 3-0.
Jensen almost added a fourth before half-time, a wonderful individual burst culminating in a twenty-five yard strike which was narrowly astray.
Nine minutes into the second half came number four. A poor clearance by Van Bakel was intercepted by Helen Exler, who laid off for Van de Elzen. A far post cross was well controlled and duly hammered home by Jensen.
Number five, in the 55th minute, came from Pedruco, heading home following a scramble to clear a Clark corner. Pedruco would have made it six in the 62nd minute, but for fouling Van Bakel as she leapt to head home another Clark corner.
Eden relaxed and allowed Waitemata some respite, which almost cost the “Gold Chicks” a late consolation goal. Barbara Cox brought down Tracey Duke in the penalty area, but Michelle Townsley showed no mercy to City,. with a good save from Melissa Verryt’s spot-kick.
Eden rounded things off in the final minute with a touch of magic from Michele Cox. Raiding down the right, an inch-perfect thirty-yard ball found Van de Elzen, and Carolyn Webber knocked home the lay-off for 6-0.
Van Bakel stood out for City, with Verryt and Duke also doing well when allowed. Waitemata, however, had no real answer to the midfield dominance of Pedruco and Cox.
Eden: Townsley; Wheeler, B. Cox, McCahill, Exler; T. Cox, M. Cox, Pedruco, Van de Elzen; Jensen, Clark. Sub: Webber
Waitemata: Van Bakel; Edmonds, Francis, Dunn, Walker; Smith, Mickleburgh, Verryt, Ansell; Duke, Thurlow. Sub: Meikle
Referee: Ed Beuning
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