The Illawarra Stingrays chalked up their first win of the campaign with a determined 2-1 win over Manly United at Albert Butler Memorial Park on Sunday.
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Goals from Erica Halloway and Blaize Kendis paved the way for the hosts to secure their first three points of the campaign. Coach Brett Wallin was pleased with the character his side showed.
“It wasn’t a fantastic display but it was a good, gutsy performance which is what we need,” he said
“You have to win those games and we really ground it out.
“It just showed a lot of effort and attitude which got us across the line.
“My major component with my coaching is that we go with the right attitude and we showed a lot of that. It was pleasing.”
The Stingrays took the lead through Halloway just five minutes in when she met Kendis corner.
Kendis doubled the advantage midway through the half after her cross found its way into the top corner.
Illawarra held their lead until late in the second until Isabella Walker got a goal back for the visitors.
Manly continued to push for an equaliser over the final few minutes, but couldn’t find the much needed goal.
“It was a really tough game,” Wallin said.
“They play a very similar style to us.
“They are pretty physical and they play a very high press as we tend to do so it was a little bit of like versus like.
“We got off to a flyer with a fantastic corner from Blaize and a great header from Erica.”
Illawarra have now had two losses and one victory to start their 2017 NSW NPL campaign.
The Stingrays take on Blacktown Spartans next weekend at Blacktown Football Park.