Bulldogs Frustrated in Narrow Souths Defeat
Image supplied by Alan Minifie
Capalaba Bulldogs were left to rue their missed chances after succumbing to a frustrating 1-0 defeat to Souths United on Sunday in the National Premier Leagues Women’s.
A second-half strike from Souths’ Dominique Spampinato ultimately proved decisive at Wakerley Park Synthetic as the Bulldogs fell to their first loss since the competition’s post-COVID restart.
However, the outcome proved controversial, with the Bulldogs incensed just after the hour when Amy Chapman’s penalty shout was denied with scores still deadlocked.
Prior to the incident, both sides concluded an attacking first-half without score despite a bevy of opportunities at both ends of the park.
Stephanie Latham, Natalie Tathem and Kaitlyn Torpey all threatened the hosts’ goal early without finding the target before the Bulldogs’ closest chance presented midway through the half for Torpey.
Her 23rd minute volley was only foiled by a diving save from Souths custodian Ellen Hepburn, but minutes later the hosts were also knocking at the door as Kiri Dale’s long-range strike crashed off the post.
It signalled a strong close to the opening stanza from Souths, but they could not better Bulldogs goalkeeper Georgina Worth before the break as she made strong saves to deny Brooke Goodrich and Amy Moreland.
The chances remained with the hosts after the restart as Worth again denied Dale, while Goodrich headed across the face of goal.
On 65 minutes, the Bulldogs seemed destined for the penalty spot when Chapman was roughly cut-down in the box by Lauren Prott but, despite protests from the bench, the decision went with the Souths defender.
The hosts made the most of their lifeline approaching the final quarter hour when Spampinato got just enough on a seemingly benign cross to guide the ball in off the back post.
Looking to salvage a point in the final ten minutes, the Bulldogs remained frustrated as Torpey pushed a first-time strike wide and desperate defending spoiled a promising late opening for India Kubin.
The result see the Bulldogs remain in sixth position on the NPLW Queensland table, with an even 3-3 split from their six fixtures to date.
They remain on the road for their next fixture against Mitchelton FC next weekend.