Altona showed its finals credentials with a determined 3-2 away win against Doncaster in the Hockey Victoria women’s premier league.
The Seagulls had to withstand periods of attack from the home side in the second half and none more ferocious than the final four minutes, when they stood firm to come away with a stirring victory.
“They had us under the pump a fair bit in the last four minutes,” Seagulls captain Danni Schubach told Star Weekly.
“We had the whole team back there defending.”
It is the mark of a quality side to win in the face of adversity.
The Seagulls found the decisive goal from an unlikely source in centre half Bronte Kerley.
“She actually pushed forward towards the end to hit the winning goal,” Schubach said.
“It was definitely excitement when she scored because she doesn’t hit too many goals. She hit a good goal from the top of the circle.”
Just as important for Altona was the work of goalkeeper Taylah Brennan.
Brennan had questions thrown her way all afternoon and came up with answers more often than not.
“She’s been having a really good season,” Schubach said. “Especially on defensive corners, she’s been very solid there for us.”
Altona’s defence as a whole has come under fire this season and the Seagulls have conceded the most goals of any of the teams in contention for the finals.
On this day though, Mairaed Crawford was the roadblock to Doncaster’s circle penetrations but was also damaging out of defence to be one of Altona’s most influential players.
The Seagulls offset their at times leaky defence with one of the most potent strike forces in the league, so they are not too fazed about conceding an average of almost two goals a game.
“He [coach Greg Drake] has the mentality that he would be happy to concede a couple if we create more chances and score more goals than the other team,” Schubach said. “He’s not too concerned.”
Altona sits third on the ladder but is snapping at the heels of second-placed MCC.
“If we can keep ticking the wins over, hopefully we can push for finals by the end of the year,” Schubach said.
In men’s premier league, Altona lost 4-1 to Doncaster, leaving them in eighth place.
