Parkes United capitalised on an Orange Confederates’ defensive lapse on Saturday to secure a 1-all draw at Orange Hockey Complex in the Western Premier League.
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United produced numerous attacking raids on the Confederate goal, but looked likely to go home frustrated after the home side produced an inspired defensive effort for the majority of the clash.
But, with just four minutes remaining and the Orange side leading 1-nil, Parkes’ Cass Hodge found the back of the net to equalise and ultimately secure the draw.
“I was very pleased with the effort of the girls, particularly given the number of key personnel missing from our line-up today,” United coach Aaron Huppatz said.
“I changed the structure and played a double centre half to counteract the number of players missing and this worked very well for us.
“We created plenty of opportunities, but the Confederates goalkeeper had a cracker of a match and made many outstanding saves to keep them in the match.
“Things just didn’t go our way in the circle.
“I thought we were the better team.
“We were not troubled defensively and it was just one runaway goal that gave them the lead.
“Unfortunately we just could not capitalise on most of the opportunities we created,” he said.
Both sides were kept scoreless in the opening half, although both had several chances.
Ten minutes after half-time Confederates’ young gun Annabelle Tierney opened the scoring, powering her goal home to give her side the lead.
But Hodge saved Parkes in the shadows of full-time.
Best for Parkes were Amy Thornberry, Denise Gersbach and India Draper.
Draper was voted Players’ Player.
The draw sees United sitting in sixth position on the competition ladder, one win behind Dubbo Blue Jays, before they host St Pats this Saturday.
