Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Garry McKenzie
Images: Chris Simpson

A last minute penalty save from Hideka Shikata has salvaged Peninsula Power Women a 0-0 draw with Western Pride Women at Briggs Road Complex.

After both sides failed to put away their chances throughout the contest, Nikkola Dawes earned the chance to snatch the win after being upended in the Power penalty area.

However, her spot kick was denied by Shikata to see Power retain just their third clean sheet of the season.

The result marks the second time Pride and Power have drawn this season and sees both sides position on the table unchanged – Pride holding on to eighth and Power in tenth.

Key Moments

7’ - CHANCE FOR PRIDE -  Power goalkeeper Hideka Shikata misjudges a pass across her own area that allows Melissah Von Bischoffhausen to get a sight on goal, however she shoots wide of the open net

35’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – Hannah Bianchi runs onto a loose bouncing ball at the top of the area and sends a first time volley over Shikata and onto the crossbar

35’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE - A flowing Pride move sees Nikkola Dawes smash a low shot towards the corner of the goal but Shikata dives low to push it behind

45’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – Shikata looks to clear from off her line but the ball finds Pride’s Alicia Cole who returns serve with a first time lob that forces Shikata to backpedal before taking the catch

66’ – CHANCE FOR POWER - Abby Belford runs onto a ball behind the Pride defence, shrugs off Camilla Falaniko Ah Ki in the penalty area but sends her shot just over the bar

77’ – CHANCE FOR POWER - A flowing counter attack sees Le Roux released but her shot is saved by Pride goalkeeper Kirsten Veeren

73’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE - Bianchi is played on goal by Emma Barnes but her low shot is stopped by a diving Shikata

87’ – CHANCE FOR POWER - The ball finds Le Roux with back to goal who turns and shoots to produce a diving save from Veeren

90’ -  CHANCE FOR PRIDE - Dawes is bundled over at the top of the area. She dusts herself down only to see her penalty saved by a diving Shikata

What They Said

“The second half we had chances but we couldn’t get them in the back of the net. The first half was fifty-fifty and it was a close match. The penalty miss was unlucky from Dawesy but (Shikata) is a good keeper.” - Mellisah Von Bischoffhausen, Western Pride FC Women midfielder

“I think it is a good point in the end and I think a point is probably the right result for both sides. It was not a very pretty game. Both sides worked their socks off, so credit to all the players on the pitch today from both teams. I thought in the first half we had a lot of good possession but we were rushing when we had the ball. In the second half we were able to attack with a lot more consistency.” – Michael Cook, Peninsula Power FC Women coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s 2016 – Round 20

Saturday, August 6
Briggs Road Complex, Ipswich

Western Pride FC Women – 0
Peninsula Power FC Women – 0

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/2aBMW0p

Match Officials – Krystina MARKOVICS (referee), Madeleine RAPISARDI (assistant), Jamie CUNNINGHAM (assistant)