Diamonds Remain Undefeated in AHL

The WA Diamonds have defeated Tasmania 1-0 at the Perth Hockey Stadium to continue their unbeaten start to the 2012 AHL campaign.

In the final game of day two, the WA Diamonds were able to edge a committed Tasmania outfit, courtesy of a second half goal to WAIS athlete Ashleigh Nelson.

In what proved to be closer contest than most expected, both teams found in hard to break through the opposition defence effectively in a tight first half.

WA earned the first corner but it was broken down, the visitors then pressed forward and won a corner of their own, but WA Keeper Kate Hubble was up to the task to deflect the shot clear of the Diamond’s goal. As the half time whistle sounded, the sight of the scoreboard showing 0‐0 reflected the evenness of this contest.

Both teams seemed intent on scoring first after the interval and is was the Diamonds who managed to convert, through Olympian Ash Nelson who slotted home seven minutes into the second half.

In front of thrilled and large crowd at the home hockey in Perth, both teams pressed forward, earning a number of corners each, but both failed to convert to ensure a pulsating final few minutes.

Tasmanian coach Craig Williams was so hungry for the equalizer he substituted his Goalkeeper, Emily Harvey off the pitch and threw on another forward; optimistic his girls could win the ball in the midfield and find the elusive goal to tie it up. It was brave move that confused some in the stands, but luckily for the Diamonds it proved to be in vain, as WA held on to remain with QLD, the only undefeated teams in the tournament.

– Hockey Australia