Arrive Alive NSW Womens Premier League Round 6 Review
Four games, 19 goals scored. Sounds like an interesting day in the Arrive Alive NSW Womens Premier League! Unfortunately though the gap between the haves and have nots appear to be widening as the premiership contenders flexed their muscles in round six.
Central Coast Lightning 0
Penrith Nepean United 6 (E. Stewart 3, T.Rockall, E.Stott)
Central Coast Lightning couldn?t repeat their solid effort of last week when they came up against Penrith Nepean United at Pluim Park.
The Lightning had given Marconi a shake before a narrow loss but Penrith were up 3-0 by half time and finished it off with a matching three in the second stanza. Penrith have built some momentum after their first win of the season a fortnight ago.
They appear to be heading up the table with an important clash against Sutherland Sharks awaiting them next Sunday. Central Coast meet fellow cellar dwellers Sydney University and will be hoping to turn their fortunes around with a win.
Macarthur Rams 7 (R.Cartwright 3, S.Haim 2, K.Ledbrook 2)
Sydney University 1 (E.Schiller)
Macarthur Rams continued on their winning way with a 7-1 thumping of Sydney University.
Renee Cartwright scored twice for Macarthur in the opening 10 minutes before Sydney University struck back to hold to a 2-1 scoreline at half time. Stephanie Haim then matched Cartwright?s opening minute goal of the first half with the first of her two goals within a minute of the restart.
Last week?s star, Kylie Ledbrook, scored two goals for Rams; sandwiched in between those two strikes was Cartwright?s third of a hat trick. A 5 goal second half reflects Macarthur?s dominance. A classy side that?ll be hard to beat in 2008. Where too now for Sydney University? Their match next weekend with Central Coast will be a search for the beginning to a difficult season.
NWS Koalas 1 (N.Spirovski)
Manly United 0
The Arrive Alive NSW Womens Premier League match of the round between NWS Koalas and Manly United proved to be a tight affair.
Koalas were looking to rebound into the winner?s list after their first defeat of 2008 at the hands of Rams last Sunday.
However, Manly weren?t about to feel any sympathy for the home side and the two teams matched motors for the full 90 minutes. Just as it looked like the sides might share the points Natalie Spirovksi bobbed up in the 80th minute to nab the winner for Koalas.
This win would give the girls plenty of confidence going into the Mother?s Day mega clash with Marconi Stallions. Manly themselves run into competition leaders Macarthur Rams next Sunday. Tell me the round seven won?t be an absolute beauty!
Marconi Stallions 3 (T.Camilleri 2, A.Adalis)
Sutherland Sharks 1 (M.El Husseini)
The final match of the round saw Sutherland Sharks hosting the Marconi Stallions at the Harrie Dening Centre.
The Sharks had been without a win for three weeks and a match against Marconi was probably not on the top of their wish list in that situation! Camilleri opened the scoring for Marconi in the 24th minute followed soon after by the equaliser from Sharks striker Maggie El Husseini.
Twin strikes straight after half time by Camilleri again (47m) and Adalis (46m) settled the issue however with Marconi running out comfortable 3-1 winners. The Stallions look ready for the challenge of The Koalas this week at Marconi Stadium. The Sharks will attempt to get things back on track against the surging Penrith Nepean United.
Next week looks like a blockbuster round. The ?big four? go head to head with Competition front runners Macarthur Rams battling it out with fourth placed Manly United FC. The second placed NWS Koalas come up against arch rivals, third placed Marconi Stallions. Penrith Nepean and Sutherland Sharks, who are both hovering on the edge of the top four, meet up in a very important clash whilst the final game of the round is significant in that the two clubs sitting at the foot of the table match up at Sydney University Oval. If this round doesn?t produce some sparkling football I don?t know any round that will!
-By Ross Anderson
