Shoulder-to-shoulder: Cobram’s Alyssa Iannucci battles for the ball. Photo: Cobram Roar
Cobram is Roar–ing with delight after its senior women’s team celebrated its first win in the top flight on Sunday.
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Goals from Amelia Perri, Alyssa Iannucci and Ella Lissington powered the Roar to a 3-1 victory over previously undefeated Wangaratta.
It was Cobram’s first win in the division one competition after getting promoted from division two last season, coming up against a Wangaratta side that beat the Roar 4-1 in the opening game of the year.
Roar coach Taner Tekin said there was some enthusiastic celebrations following the team’s breakthrough triumph.
“It is good to get the monkey off the back,” Tekin said.
“There were absolute scenes from the women after the game, they were rapt.
“It was a good, solid win. This is how I expected us to play from the start, and how they put it together on Sunday was wonderful to watch.”
Under pressure: Jenna Mason gets her pass away for Cobram. Photo: Cobram Roar
The Roar gaffer said he hoped the result could be a big boost for the squad moving forward.
“Having that first win against a team like Wangaratta, I think it really boosts the confidence of our women’s players,” Tekin said.
“They know they can compete at that higher level against some of the better teams, and I think going forward that is the biggest confidence they have had so far.
“They all remembered the song from last year and they all sung it loud and proud.”
Heading into the game following the Easter break, the Roar were bolstered by three new additions to their squad.
Seeking to avenge their round one defeat to Wangaratta, it was Perri who opened up the scoring with a great strike just inside the 18-yard box 10 minutes into the match.
There were more chances at both ends of the pitch, but Cobram’s experienced defenders Jessica Tekin, Talia Ellis and Kim Collins made sure the women took their lead into the sheds at half-time.
Tracking back: Ella Lissington, middle, rushes to try and win the ball back from her Wangaratta opponent. Photo: Cobram Roar
After the break, Wangaratta came out firing, but it was the Roar who doubled their advantage when Iannucci found the back of the net.
Despite being reduced to 10 players, Wangaratta got a goal back and it looked like a grandstand finish was on the cards.
But Lissington’s goal from a corner reestablished Cobram’s two-goal advantage, sealing the result in the process.
Just more than a month into the season, Tekin said he could already see evidence of how the team had developed and improved.
“I think they have learned a lot. Our women have learned to play faster and be more physical,” he said.
“I think they caught on to that on Sunday and we were much better than the opposition.”
The Roar will now take on Wodonga Diamonds on Sunday, April 23 at Cobram.
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