SOUTHS will try and knock off one of the two sides they have not yet been able to beat in women’s Premier League Hockey this season when they travel to Parkes this afternoon for the minor semi-final.

A loss would spell the end of a season that has held a lot of promise for the two blues, but they go into the game knowing that they are fielding their best possible line-up.

Coming off their 4-2 win over Lithgow Zig Zag last week, Souths will welcome back Ash Corby to their forward line. She has been overseas for the last month.

The outcome of the match is likely to come down to whether Souths can find a way to lift their defence, given that their attack isn’t something that has been a concern at any stage this year.

To date Souths’ offence has produced 58 goals which is second only to Lithgow Panthers.

Parkes sit fourth with 52.

However, at the other end of the field it is a different story, with Parkes letting in just 23 compared to 40 for Souths.

“We shouldn’t have too much of a problem scoring goals against anyone, I’m confident that our work with the ball will always get us enough of a score to win,” coach Damien Carter said.

“But we need our defence to lift. Parkes are a team who like to shift their fullback further up the field and push their halves forward. It creates an overlap and puts the defence under a lot of pressure if you’re not ready for it.

“Our backs really need to be communicating with each other and knowing when to leave their opponent and shut another player down.”

While Carter is confident that his players will create enough opportunities to win the match, he said there is another aspect of Parkes’ game that needs to be dealt with – goalkeeper Amy Thornberry. He said a little extra care will need to be taken once they penetrate the Parkes circle.

“She is the best goalie in the comp,” he said of Thornberry.

“She made some great saves against us in the two games this year and she’s especially strong close to her body.

“Sarah Watterson had some success against her in the draw we had with them, she took her on and dragged it around her and I think that is probably the way to go, or look for a pass in behind her.

“The style we’re playing at the moment creates a lot of space in the middle of the field for us, but the risk is that it gives space to the opposition. There is danger in what we’re doing.”

Parkes will have concerns themselves after they were kept scoreless by Bathurst City on their home surface last Saturday in the qualifying semi-final.

They squandered a handful of chances in the 1-0 loss, but will take some confidence from the fact that they defeated Souths 4-1 last time the two teams met.

Souths take on Parkes from 1.25pm today.