Arrive Alive NSW Women?s Premier League Round 19 Review
The top two clash at Lynwood Park proved to be a thriller whilst the other semi final contenders were able to record solid wins elsewhere.
The Macarthur Rams v NWS Koalas match at Campbelltown started with a bang when Koalas Gabbie Dickinson opened the scoring in just the 2nd minute of play. The Koalas fought hard to hold this lead until half time but, within moments of the resumption, that girl with attitude Danielle Brogan slotted away an equaliser for the locals.
Katarina Craft put The Koalas back in front just eight minutes later. Despite heavy pressure from The Rams, Koalas looked like holding on for an important win. However, The Rams always find something extra at home, with former Young Matilda Renee Cartwright grabbing a second Rams goal in the 87th minute. So, we?ll all share the points, right? NO! Renee Cartwright wasn?t quite finished yet and bobbed up in the 89th minute to score the winner!
A great never say die win for The Rams; a win that puts them atop the competition table with just two rounds to go. This one will hit The Koalas hard, seemingly having victory snatched from their grasp in the dying moments. It?ll be a test of character for The Koalas girls as to how they respond to the disappointment. They have two tough games coming up; Manly United FC next week followed by Marconi Stallions in the final round.
Macarthur Rams 3 (R.Cartwright 2, D.Brogan)
NWS Koalas 2 (G.Dickinson, K.Kraft)
Manly United consolidated their position in the top four with a hard fought 3-0 win over the Sutherland Sharks at Cromer Park.
The match was something of an arm wrestle in the first half with The Sharks battling away admirably but the locals took the lead just five minutes before half time through Gil Foster. Manly maintained this narrow lead until the 72nd minute when Neville scored the first of a brace; her second coming in the 86th minute.
Sutherland were gallant in defeat but Manly were just too good. A big game with Koalas looms next weekend for the Manly girls; a match that may define just what their chances are in the finals series. That catch up game with Penrith is still to be played also; a must win for Manly that will remove any remaining pressure on their semi final spot.
Manly United FC 3 (G.Foster, L.Neville 2)
Sutherland Sharks 0
Marconi Stallions kept the scoreboard attendant busy with a thumping 8-0 win over Central Coast Lightning at Marconi Stadium.
After Marconi scored through Fab Perfilio in the first minute of play The Stallions built up a solid 4-0 lead by half time with additional goals to Ash Connor(12m), Sam Muscat(23m) and Tony Dempsey(32m). The Stallions went on with the job after half time, adding another four goals; Muscat grabbing a hat trick with two more goals in the 53rd and 71st minutes, Perfilio getting her second in the 61 minute and the ever reliable Trudy Camilleri scoring the final goal in the 85th minute.
This was a comfortable game for Marconi in the lead up to the finals. They meet Sutherland next weekend before a big match with NWS Koalas in the final round. That day of football at Marconi Stadium may decide the Club Championship.
I don?t think that the end of the season can come quickly enough for Central Coast Lightning. It?s been a disappointing year with the spectre of Super League football in 2009 not being a palatable option. There are too many good things about Central Coast football to think the club won?t bounce back quickly.
Marconi Stallions 8 (S.Muscat 3, F.Perfilio 2, A.Connor, T.Dempsey, T.Camilleri)
Central Coast Lightning 0
The final match of the round saw Penrith Nepean United keep alive their slim semi final hopes with a 1-0 win over Sydney University.
Emma Stewart found the net for the winning goal in a closely fought encounter. Sydney University backed up their effort of last weekend against NWS Koalas but couldn?t get the points in this one.
Penrith have what appears a favourable draw in the coming weeks but their semi final hopes will revolve around the postponed match against Manly United FC. A win there will certainly have the girls from the foot of the mountains breathing right down the seasiders necks.
University will play for pride in the final two weeks; a motivation that certainly seems to be working for them.
Sydney University 0
Penrith Nepean United 1 (E.Stewart)
Two more rounds to go. The end of the season is just around the corner for four sides; the season is about to get deadly serious for four others!
There appears very little between the top four on any given day. The Rams and Koalas still look the sides to beat for the major honours however.
-By Ross Anderson
