Despite notching up a fourth straight NPLW victory for 2016, Calder United goalkeeper Bethany Mason-Jones believed complacency set in as her side just pushed over the line for a 2-1 win.
Sitting comfortable at 2-0 – courtesy of a close-range finish from Rachel Alonso and a goal squeezed past the keeper from Aliesha Newman – Calder slumped to a disappointing second half, which saw Bayside pull a goal back before the game fizzed away to a narrow victory for the visitors.
Mason-Jones spoke on the perceived complacency, and even admitted her side slipped away in the first half.
“First half I think we got a little bit too complacent,” Mason-Jones said.
“The second half they really came out hard at us. It was good for us to get a good fit side that could match us, but it was a little bit disappointing in the second half, I’m pretty sure the coaches were too.
“Hopefully it’s something we can learn from, to not get too complacent.”
It was another good personal performance from the custodian, who has stitched together an impressive NPLW campaign to date – but was just happy to play her part in the narrow win.
“I’m always awake on the ball. I’m don’t want to be one of those keepers that gets too complacent, I always want to be involved in the game.
“It was really good to get some action in the second half, but again just disappointing to let them into the game.”
“I’m happy that I could put some work in for the team and show them that I’m there if they muck up.”
“But it is a little bit disappointing to have played well in the first half, then let them in the game. We just lost our shape and it’s something we can learn from.
Looking ahead to the next week, two meetings with fellow NPLW side Box Hill United awaits, as the pair were drawn in their Team App Cup fixture for Wednesday, while they then meet in the league on Saturday afternoon.
“It’s really important [week] actually, we’ve got Box Hill United twice in one week,” Mason-Jones said.
“So hopefully we can make an impact on them and as any game, we should be playing our best and not take anything for granted.
“Play our game and don’t let the other team take us over.”