The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website | home
28/07/91
Guts Then Glory For “Gold Chicks”
by Jeremy Ruane
Eden showed all their fighting qualities as they clinched the 1991 Premier Women’s League championship, defeating West Auckland 3-1 in a no-holds-barred thriller at Pollard Park on July 28.
In an incident-packed encounter, the battling qualities associated with any championship-winning side came to the fore, and Gold Chick Poultry Farm Eden, along with their title-defending opponents, showed these were possessed in abundance.
Once again, Eden were forced to come from behind, a delightful Wendy Sharpe glancing header opening Wests’ account in the seventeenth minute, after good work down the right from Jan Whittle.
Eden’s reply, seven minutes later, was conjured by Monique Van de Elzen. Picked out by Michele Cox, she proceeded to weave her way past two defenders before sending in a low cross which deceived all bar Karin Jensen, arriving unmarked on the far post to slot home.
In her last match before taking maternity leave, Sharpe displayed several facets of her game. One unsavoury incident, in which she spat at Sacha Haskell in retaliation for a foul, was followed moments later by some brilliant close control, as Haskell and Terry McCahill were left floundering in her wake. Michelle Townsley was equal to the resulting shot, tipping over for a corner.
Incensed by the spitting incident, Eden punished Wests in the best possible manner, and again it was the dynamic duo of Cox and Van de Elzen who combined with telling effect.
Picking up a wayward pass, Cox retained her poise to avoid two potentially nasty challenges before sending a slide-rule pass through a square defence for Van de Elzen to latch onto, and outgun Auckland captain Leslie King in a one-on-one, to establish a 2-1 lead for the “Gold Chicks”.
Chances were coming thick and fast, the best of them seeing Jensen fire a 25-yarder which forced King to tip over, Paula Stuart flicking a header over from a Wests corner, Van de Elzen deceiving King with a dipping shot which hit the crossbar, and Townsley producing a marvellous reflex save to deny Stacey O’Hara.
Eden increased their advantage in the 65th minute, more Van de Elzen creativity allowing Jensen a chance to beat the defence for speed, and the Norwegian gleefully shot home beyond King into the far corner.
A minute later, and the tensions which had arisen from the ‘personal vendetta’ approach of Wests all but boiled over into a punch-up. Van de Elzen was chopped down from behind by Heather Campbell, who then produced a rugby league hold on her downed opponent.
Van de Elzen thrashed out in response, and the quick actions of Barbara Cox and referee Hengo Sioneloto restrained any further outbreak of violence. Both players were addressed briefly by the official, and can consider themselves fortunate to have escaped further punishment.
Wests continued to press to reduce the deficit, but were denied by solid defensive work, and the 3-1 scoreline left Eden in an unassailable position at the top of the Premier League. Well done, “Gold Chicks” - worthy champions!
|