BATHURST City might not use the sort of structure favoured by most teams in women’s Premier League Hockey, but on Saturday it proved to be highly effective.
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The system that Bathurst City coach Lisa Quinn has implemented saw her side enjoy plenty of space and goals, beating Lithgow Zig Zag 9-1 at Bob Roach Field.
Square balls and quick transfers saw City dominate through the midfield and that set the platform for its biggest win in 10 years against Zig Zag.
Premier League newcomer Shona Jarvis finished with a double, as did Kelly Baker, Kelsey Willott and Bec Bosianek, while Brooke McFadden found the opener.
“I think we stuck to our passing game, I think the goals were team goals and we didn’t get caught up with the fact we had a lot of space and get caught running the ball too much,” Quinn said.
“We let the ball do the work, we moved it around and we put the goals away. I think it’s a credit to the team that our shots have been on goal.
“This is the second year that we are playing a non-traditional system and I think the girls have really got the knack of it this year. We have got the strength through the midfield and that’s backed up by the strikers being on point.”
Despite the scoreline, Zig Zag’s performance was not lacking in effort. Though conceding space through the midfield, inside their own quarter the defenders made some good challenges.
Young goalkeeper Bree Rigby made a smart glove save 75 seconds out from half-time to deny Tirah Jarvis and in the second period she produced a double block.
But no matter the effort from Zig Zag, the weight of possession Bathurst City enjoyed and the threats in its line-up meant goals were inevitable.
McFadden scored the opener after four minutes when she slotted home on the left post. It came from the first of City’s nine penalty corners.
Baker added the next two to help City to a 3-0 lead at the break, with Zig Zag’s best chances of the half coming from a pair of penalty corners on the 30 minute mark.
It took just 45 seconds after play resumed for Bosianek to strike while a Willott field goal made it 5-0 with 48 minutes gone.
Zig Zag did enjoy a bright moment when a nice finish from Danni Lemckie got it on the board, but in the 15 minutes that remained, City renewed its effort.
Shona Jarvis and Bosianek both found the mark in in quick succession before Willott converted from a penalty corner.
Shona Jarvis then iced the win with her second Premier League goal 56 seconds from time.