Spring Gully keen to upstage Eaglehawk

SPRING Gully will try to break Eaglehawk’s winning run in tomorrow’s semi-final in the Football Central Victoria women’s Knockout Cup action.The Gully faces a difficult assignment on Eaglehawk’s pitch in the Westpac-backed competition.The Reds and Hawks will do battle from 10am at Truscott Reserve in California Gully.Spring Gully kept Cup hopes alive by beating Moama in the quarter-final.The play of Jess Hartland was a highlight in the Reds’ win.The defence was well led by sweeper Lillie Keogh.Gaby Young is capable of playing many roles, and should be watched for her runs into attack.The midfield work of Alyssa Whelan is superb, and chances will be capitalised on by the explosive pace of Elaine Stockdale and Rebecca Grenfell up front. Although she may be the youngest player in the team at 11, Shania Cromb proved last week that she is more than capable of matching with the senior players and setting up some excellent attacking runs.Eaglehawk is looking to finish the season by winning the double.The Hawks fought on to defeat the classy Colts United last week.In this season’s meetings, Eaglehawk scored a comfortable win against Spring Gully the first time, but the Reds struck back for a 1-1 draw in the next contest.With a full strength team available, Eaglehawk coach Ian Schepers faces some tough decisions to select his 16 for the team sheet, let alone the starting 11.Eaglehawk’s team: Matilda Tornwall, goalkeeper; Kathryn Ibbotson, goalkeeper; Charlie Bowland, sweeper; Anna Geary, right back; Jessica Pethybridge, left back; Alex O’Toole, centre back; Amy Skvarc (captain) centre midfield; Carlee Frankel, centre midfield; Jennie Samuel, left midfield; SarayaArman, right midfield; Maika Ruyter-Hooley, striker; Tegan Raeburn, striker; Rose Dillon, Bea Hunt, Meg Ridnell, Emma Biggs, Simone Arman, Alissa Argus, Alicia Schepers substitutes.Spring Gully’s line-up: 1 Lori Nicolson, 2 Britanii Norris, 3 Lillie Keogh, 4 Zoe Rule (captain), 5 Danielle Weeks, 6 Elaine Stockdale, 7 Gabrielle Young, 8 Jessica Hartland, 9 Tori Collier, 10 Ally Van Dalen, 11 Alyssa Whelan, 12 Rachael Eastman, 13 Shania Cromb, 14 Jasmine Wright, 15 Rebecca Grenfell, 16 Amy Grenfell. Coach: Dennis Barnett. Assistant coach: Maree Van Dalen. Manager: Sebastian BarnettStrathdale has struck its best form at the tail end of the season and will be determined to play well in tomorrow’s match at Kyneton.A convincing 3-1 win against the 2008 champions, Epsom, was followed up with a 3-2 victory against Castlemaine.In this season’s meetings, Strathdale scored a 7-0 win against Kyneton at Beischer Park, and fought to achieve a 4-3 win on the Rangers’ turf.Midfielder Jordan Ivey, defender Jodie Parker and goalkeeper Lil Waters are key players for the Strathdale team.Kyneton teamed superbly to beat Swan Hill in the quarter-final.The Rangers are keen to build on an improved second half of the season where it was competitive in many matches.Defenders Natalie Sims and Sonia Kriewaldt will play crucial roles against Strathdale, and best and fairest winner Christina Kennedy is another key player for the Rangers.Andie Laing, Sarah Bender and Kim Hutt will provide drive in attack with Chrissy Holt always dangerous in front.Kyneton’s line-up: Tracy Brassel, goalkeeper; Sarah Bender, midfield; Kimberley Dickins, defence-midfield; Rachel Djoric, midfield; Christy Holt, striker-midfield; Simone Hooppell, midfield; Kim Hutt, defence-midfield-striker; Christina Kennedy, midfield; Sonia Kriewaldt, left full-back; Andie Laing, midfield; Julie Nicholson, midfield; Sherry Perryman, midfield; Claire Scarlett, defence-goalkeeper; Laura Sims, defence; Natalie Sims, defence; Helen Smith, defence-midfield.Strathdale’s line-up: Lil Waters, Abbey Cochrane, Jodie Parker, Laura Bamforth, Jacinda Lythgo, Sarah Kelly, Emma Elliot, Anna Bertoncello, Tami Tuohey, Jordan Ivey, Georgia Moyle, Rachelle Smith, Steph Gywnn, Tahlia Maughan, Rhianna Maughan. Coach: Justin Sartori. Manager: Vicki Gwynn.The Rangers and Blues will do battle from 10am on the Barkly Square pitch.