HOCKEY
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SOUTHS had no answers for defending women's Premier League Hockey champions Lithgow Panthers at Bob Roach Field on Saturday as the visitors cruised to a 7-1 win.
Outside of the opening 10 minutes of the match where the possession was equally split, Souths rarely looked threatening in the top of the table match.
Competition frontrunners Panthers rarely let Souths get out of their midfield and it was pressure that lasted the entire game.
It was a match that Souths lacked enthusiasm from its early stages according to coach Mel Bestwick.
"We failed to get started and we couldn't come back from that. All credit to the Lithgow girls. They're a great side, but we really need to be ready to go from the start if we're to be in a game like that," she said.
"We panicked in defence and we couldn't get out. We were too bogged down. They pressed us really well and we struggled to come back. That's something we've got to focus on.
"We'll go back to the basics and our work off the ball. There'll be focus on doing the little things right that we shouldn't really have to be doing at training at this level."
Following an even start, Lithgow began to apply pressure and kept the two blues pinned in their own territory.
An Abby Wilson cross from the left wing eight minutes in gave Souths a scare while Amanda Saladine went very close off a penalty corner shortly after.
But after 24 minutes Lithgow finally capitalised when Katie Hamment cleaned up on the goalkeepers' pads.
Panthers were brimming with confidence and two minutes later they were in again through Roxsanne Van Veen.
An excellent solo run from Wilson, finished off with a diving shot, gave Lithgow a 3-0 lead at half-time.
Souths were still in the match at that stage, but they soon found themselves facing an even bigger deficit.
Amanda Saladine was on hand to punish a scuffed clearance from Souths goalkeeper Kate Brown, then Wilson scored on the back of a quick break.
Souths notched up the bulk of their circle penetrations after that goal, but Lithgow's defence was always up to the task.
With less than five minutes to play, Panthers were in again as Clare Bosman made it six for Lithgow.
Saladine's second made it a seven for the competition leaders, who have opened up a six-point buffer at the top of the ladder.
Ali Stanford scored a consolation for Souths with her finish off a post-siren penalty corner.
LITHGOW PANTHERS 7 (Abby Wilson 2, Amanda Saladine 2, Katie Hamment, Roxsanne Van Veen, Clare Bosman) defeated SOUTHS 1 (Ali Stanford)