Chloe Foley and Tara Andrews battle for the ball during Sunday's WPL clash at Fairmont Gardens, Wauchope.
FOOTBALL Mid North Coast's slow start to their Women's Premier League clash against undefeated Lake Macquarie City FC proved costly with the local side soundly beaten 5-1.
Round 14 featured three matches at the wonderfully-prepared Fairmont Gardens in Wauchope on Sunday.
Unfortunately for the home side, Lakes started the game strongly featuring quick ball movement catching FMNC out on numerous occasions.
Struggling for composure in and around the ball, and general lack of teamwork soon had the home side down 5-0 inside the first half hour of the contest.
But spurred on by a small but enthusiastic crowd of supporters, FMNC stood up and managed several counter attacks leading to a goal from Claire Coelho.
Coelho caught the Lakes keeper out off a cross into goal.
The second half of the game was fairly even with the FMNC possibly getting the better of the goal scoring opportunities.
Lakes' defence was happy to give away several free kicks around the 30 metre mark which handed FMNC several shots on goal.
The home had seven corners in the second half but, to the frustration of the players and coaching staff, none could be converted to goals with FMNC hitting the woodwork on several occasions.
One such shot from captain Samarra Schmitzer was a cracker.
The final 15 minutes saw FMNC really step up their attacks on goal but, frustratingly, rushed shots were either blocked or missed their target.
The Lakes side, which consists of as many as seven Newcastle Jets W-League players, hung on to claim the points with a 5-1 win.
Earlier in the day, Adamstown came away 4-3 winners over Valentine after leading 3-1 at the half time break.
Adamstown only really sealed the win in the final minutes of the game.
The second match featured former Wauchope Soccer Club player Rhali Dobson turn out for Mereweather in their match against Charlestown.
Dobson slotted home two goals in her side's comfortable 3-0 win.
