Krista makes crucial impact

KRISTA ENZIANO

OLDHAM had to settle for 43-43 draw with Bournemouth 7’s Blades in Southampton — but it was a Netball Premier League game they should have won, according to coach Mike Greenwood.

The visitors were confident of victory against a side who had yet to taste success this season.

Oldham matched their hosts goal-for-goal in the early stages, but it was Bournemouth who edged the first quarter 12-10.

Greenwood acted and Krista Enziano came on at goal shooter, with Kathryn Turner moving up to goal attack, while Emma Dovey was introduced at goal defence.

The changes worked with Enziano finding her range, forcing the Blades defence into conceding penalties in an attempt to stop her. Oldham pipped the quarter by one at 13-12.

Blades built up a small lead in the third quarter as Oldham were guilty of making too many mistakes in attack.

With only a point separating the two sides, there was all to play for in the final quarter.

The pressure told on the Blades’ goal attack as her shooting went awry.

Oldham came at their opponents hard, and Enziano sunk crucial shots when it mattered to reduce the deficit to one goal down with 30 seconds to go.

But Oldham had to turn the ball over to have any chance of getting something from the game.

Up stepped Emma Dovey with a cracking interception, Oldham got the ball to Enziano, who showed courage under pressure to level the game.

Oldham were lucky to scrape a draw and will have to improve for Sunday’s war of the Roses clash against Leeds Carnegie.

Greenwood said: “It was a game we should have won, but made elemental errors.

“We were lucky to draw in the end. We have a lot to work on in training this week before the Leeds game.”