Soccer: The Chinchilla Honeybears took on top-of-the-table Rockville on Sunday. Rockville, unbeaten this season, were full of confidence with the Honeybears coming into the game on the back of a disappointing loss to USQ.
The game started very even with both teams attacking well but it was Rockville who created the first real chance after they were afforded too much time on the edge of the Honeybears penalty area. They fired a long-range shot which Honeybears goalkeeper Chloe Cann managed to keep out with a brilliant save up high. It was her first game in goal.
The Honeybears responded with a chance of their own with the ever-impressive Annie Johnson causing problems for the Rockville defence with her speed and direct running. She fired a ball across goal but no one was able to get on the end of it.
It was then Rockville who went ahead - after playing an inch-perfect through ball, Mia Hoffman-Young finished confidently.
It didn't take long for the Honeybears to respond after a quick formation change and some good interplay from Honeybears front two Bonnie Callaghan and Annie Johnson. Callaghan found herself through on goal, making no mistake with a calm finish past an advancing goalkeeper.
The joy was short-lived though, with Rockville retaking the lead minutes later. Penny Dukes found space outside the area and fired a long-range shot towards goal which the impressive Cann this time was unable to keep out.
The sides went into the halftime break, Rockville 2, Honeybears 1.
The Honeybears started the second half well and levelled the scores when Sally Carroll fired a ball across goal for Callaghan to control and slot her second of the game.
Rockville lifted after conceding and started to pile the pressure on the Honeybears who were struggling to hold possession and it was to be only a matter of time before Rockville took the lead.
It came in the 59th minute when they fired in a free kick from the edge of the area.
The Honeybears kept fighting and, on a rare attack in the closing stages, Makenzi Nothdurft nearly levelled the scores after Annie Johnson beat her defender and crossed for Nothdurft, who was unable to get the finishing touch with the pass just out of her reach.
Rockville scored a late goal to make the final score 4-2.
Coach Tim Taylor said after a disappointing result in the last game, he got a good response from the girls.
"I don't feel the score line was a clear reflection of the game as it was fairly even throughout," he said.
Taylor said there were several stand-outs in the match.
"Young Jacque Cox who had never played before this season was solid as a rock as right fullback. We have been working hard with her this week to prepare her for this weekend and she did everything I asked and more; she was brilliant.
"Chloe Cann in goal, who had never played there before, but put her hand up when needed, she was impressive and will only get better.
The Honeybears' next game is against Warwick in Toowoomba this Sunday at 1pm.