By Jonty Ralphsmith
Mornington Peninsula’s experience proved too much for Casey Cannons to overcome in a preliminary final at the State Hockey Centre on Sunday.
Despite Casey having much of the play for the first half, it was Mornington Peninsula that was able to seize its opportunity on counterattack.
The stable and senior Mornington Peninsula lineup had slicker polish than a Cannons side in their first season competing at Vic League 1 level.
Casey was able to hit back reasonably quickly via Jess Rowland to go into halftime with the scores locked at 1-1, but the match ebbed Mornington Peninsula’s way after the break.
As she has done all season, goal keeper Sarah Sutton-McLellan was able to stave off several shots on target, with April Picton also fighting valiantly.
But the attack did not have enough opportunity, with Leandra McLauchlan, who dominated the first half, off with a hand injury.
She got Casey’s ball movement flowing and had the game on her team’s terms early, with her exit from the game a clear turning point.
Mornington Peninsula’s Courtney Taylor was able to get off the chain and set her team up from the back, which is what the Cannons knew they had to stop.
The Cannons were left to rue a missed penalty stroke that would have given them the lead against the flow of play, with Mornington Peninsula able to find the back of the net late against a fatiguing defence.
Despite the loss, the season represented a big step forward for the squad, who adapted to the standard increase with aplomb, competing with the top teams for extended periods despite the relative inexperience.
