Nina’s Dunsborough Diamonds have at long last warranted some long overdue joy with a hard fought 3-2 victory over Australind in a women’s Premier League encounter at the Dunsborough Recreation Oval on Sunday.

It was a strong comeback after the 7-0 hiding they received against Bunbury United last week.

Dunsborough 3 beat Australind 2

Nina’s Dunsborough Diamonds have at long last warranted some long overdue joy with a hard fought 3-2 victory over Australind in a women’s Premier League encounter at the Dunsborough Recreation Oval on Sunday.

It was a strong comeback after the 7-0 hiding they received against Bunbury United last week.

At no time during the week had the players been downhearted by the loss knowing they have performed better in the first-half of the season against tough opposition without reward.

With the return of goalkeeper Stacey Rouse, midfielder Joey Schleuter and striker Narelle Jeffery expectation was high that they could pick up maximum points.

The Diamonds got off to a flying start when Jeffery underlined her value and with the aid of a strong breeze scored with a long shot in the first minute of play.
   
Australind were back on even terms in the 23rd minute when with the best move of the match down the left wing Dunsborough’s defence was pulled apart leading to Lauren Inness to score with a neat ground shot.

Ten minutes later the Diamonds were in front again when Chelsie Winchcombe, playing in attack for the first time, pressured a mistake from the Australind defence to a searching cross for the ball to roll over the line.

Dunsborough took a strangle-hold on the game within one minute of the second-half when Jeffery outran the Australind defence and tenaciously chased the ball to punt it under advancing goalkeeper Alison Carey.

It was a rare piece of slack marking in the 58th minute that allowed Emily Birt to throw Australind a lifeline with a carefully controlled angled shot that left Rouse stranded.

When it seemed that Australind might salvage something from the game with a series of searching attacks Dunsborough regrouped with strong performances from Natasha Peake, “player of the match” Nat Hill, Winchcombe back in defence and the ever reliable Dene Mayers holding steady to preserve a much needed win.


Dunsborough line-up:

 Stacey Rouse, Brooke Johannessen, Narelle Jeffery, Grace Lindsay, Natalie Hill, Joey Schleuter, Dene Mayers, Chelsie Winchcombe, Anna McBride, Emma Olsen, Kate French. Substitutes: Natasha Peake,  Brsooke Steinki, Jules Olsen, Erin French, Emily Mathews.

Goalscorers: Narelle Jeffery 2, own goal.

Player of the match: Natalie Hill.