Junee’s Leonard Cup hopes have lifted after the side notched a 4-2 win over Cootamundra in trying conditions.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Down 2-1 in the opening half, the Jaguars knuckled down to post three unanswered goals past their hosts and secure their first win of the season.
A lack of substitutes and players out of position proved troublesome in the early stages as Cootamundra took advantage of a strong tailwind, eventually scoring from a free kick in the 14th minute.
Stung into action, Junee reverted back to basics and began building possession in their attacking half.
The pressure paid off in the 20th minute when Kaitlyn Buck blasted past the goalkeeper after some strong attacking play to level the scores.
Junee continued to dominate proceedings, however, a momentary lapse in concentration saw Cootamundra reclaim the lead in a matter of minutes.
A seemingly harmless pot-shot from outside the box turned sour after freakishly deflecting off a Junee defender, sending the Strikers up 2-1 before halftime.
Undeterred, the Jaguars pushed on and set up camp inside their attacking half, forcing two corner and nine shots at goal in a ten-minute siege on Cootamundra defensive line.
The floodgates finally opened before halftime as Suz Waia struck true, sending the sides into halftime on level pegging.
Fresh from a break and with the tailwind behind them, Junee were a different beast in the second stanza.
The Jaguars starved their rivals of possession and territory for much of the second half, with Abby Foley and Amy Hanlon influential across the paddock.
Junee scored their third goal in the 62nd minute off the boot of Abby Lewis, who left defenders stunned with a strike from 30 metres.
Ash Goode stole the show with Junee’s fourth, scoring directly from a corner to hand her side a 4-2 away victory.
Coach Craig Duncan was pleased with the result.
“It was a good effort by all and stats are showing good trends,” he said.
Best for Junee in a top notch performance were Suz Waia, Amy Hanlon, Kaitlyn Buck and Abby Foley.