Mixed results for Cobram Roar at Myrtleford as women keep unbeaten streak going

Coach Bill Puckett made two changes from the previous week, with Ted Thomas replacing Martin Louchet at right back and Riley Denny resuming central midfield duties with Jackson Tasso, as Puckett left himself out.

The game started as expected, with Myrtleford being physical and direct.

Cobram was maintaining its good defensive shape and discipline, which had served it well the previous few weeks.

There was very little between the sides in the opening 20 minutes, as both teams cancelled each other out.

This caused Myrtleford to become frustrated. It started to force passes, allowing Roar’s central defensive trio of Dalesa Godwin, Jack Dovey and Maruis Williams to comfortably deal with anything that came their way.

Confidence was building throughout the Cobram team, with Ted Thomas and Jordan Nankiville able to push forward and support the front three of Toby Wane, Jake Kalz and Kieran O’Donnnell.

On the back of this, Cobram began to create chances and cause concern for the Myrtleford defence.

Nice interplay between Denny, Tasso and Thomas freed Wane on the edge of the area.

He cut inside his man and struck a fine shot, but the keeper managed to get a good hand on it to turn around the post.

Shortly after, the same player fired an almost identical shot across goal, which whistled just past the post.

O’Donnell fired in a left-footed shot, with the Myrtleford keeper making a fine save diving to his right-hand side.

He also fired over the bar shortly after.

Myrtleford remained a danger, with its centre forward getting on the end of a good team move, shooting narrowly past the post.

This ended a competitive first half of football.

The half-time message from Puckett to Cobram was to keep the defensive discipline and continue attacking when the opportunity presented.

Myrtleford started the second half with a couple of formation changes, pushing its wingers higher to prevent Thomas and Nankiville having the influence they enjoyed in the first half.

The opening 15 minutes of the second half were largely a midfield struggle, with Myrtleford enjoying the better of the possession.

It was, however, Cobram who had the best chance in this period, when a quick break involving Nankiville, Tasso and Kaz got the ball to Wane, who fired across goal, with the ball only just eluding the incoming O’Donnell.

It was at this point that Cobram faltered.

Over the next 12 crazy minutes the Roar conceded five goals to the Myrtleford centre forward.

The only one of note being the opener, which was a fine header into the top corner from an excellent cross.

The game was now effectively over. Cobram did manage to stem the flow and managed to add two goals of its own.

O’Donnell scored from the penalty spot, and Wane fired a good finish across the keeper into the bottom corner.

The final whistle brought the game to an end and with it a very disappointing defeat, 5-2, after promising so much for 65 minutes.

Division 1 Women

The Roar took on Myrtleford away, with Cobram continuing its unbeaten streak.

The Roar saw off the Savoy ladies 1-0 with an 84th-minute goal by wonder girl Casey Chandler.

Although the weather held up, the conditions on the ground were less than ideal, making it extremely hard for the Roar women to play clean, tidy football.

However, as good teams do, they found a way to get a result.

The Roar play Boomers this weekend at Apex Reserve and a win will see the ladies move to third position on the ladder.