He was frustrated to see shots he felt could have been saved thud into the back of Souths’ goal. He was frustrated no card was given when striker Sarah Watterson was struck in the stomach by the stick of a Panthers defender.

When Daisy Morrissey dived full length to deflect the ball into the net late in the game only to have it disallowed – her effort was ruled to come off the back of her stick – once again there was frustration.

“We didn’t play our best, Lithgow deserved to win, not by that 11-2 scoreline,” Carter said.

“It was just frustrating, we played five minute pockets but then we just dropped off.”

Panthers’ state representative Abby Wilson returned for the match in Lithgow and dictated terms. She not only scored half of her side’s goals, but set up most of the others.

Panthers’ first goal came after five minutes and followed that soon after by finding the mark from a penalty corner.

Sarah Watterson renewed Souths’ hopes when she converted with a tomahawk from a fast break to make it 2-1, while she added a second before the break.

Panthers led 5-2 at half-time, before running away with the contest as Souths’ intensity fell away.

“It started really good in the second half and we had a couple of good chances, but then the heads went down and it was 6-2, then 9-2, we dropped off,” Carter said. “I just want more consistency.”