Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Round 5 Review

 During the week they got one of those games out of the way with a 3-0 win over Penrith Nepean United. Low and behold, we get to this weekend and a freak storm floods areas of the Eastern Suburbs, causing a postponement of Sydney University?s Round 5 match against Macarthur Rams! It may be time for the Uni girls to employ a Native American Witch Doctor as a team assistant. Are there such things as anti rain dances? Better luck next weekend girls.
Your reporter ventured out to Marconi Stadium for the match between Marconi Stallions and the Illawarra Stingrays. The Stallions have been struggling in recent games, culminating in a mid week 5-0 hiding at the hands of Macarthur Rams. The Marconi side is not recognisable from last season?s finals team with a host of new faces. Two of their best players of 2008 were facing them in today?s contest; Trudy Camilleri and Ash Connor are now with The Stingrays.
The Stingrays, on the other hand, appear to have started their return to the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League in good style. Whilst the rain gods have not been kind to The Stingrays either they have looked impressive in the matches that they have played. Illawarra?s attacking stocks remain strong though their defensive powers are being put to the test with a long list of injuries.
I must admit that I feared for Marconi?s well being in this game. I?d seen snippets of their match against Macarthur and they really struggled. I could see the Stingrays numerous attacking weapons cutting The Stallions to ribbons. When Michelle Heyman opened the scoring in just the sixth minute after a beautifully weighted ball from Trudy Camilleri it looked as if my prediction may prove accurate. However, I must say that Marconi were to prove me wrong.
Almost immediately The Stallions produced a half chance from Sam Muscat. Whilst The Stingrays were tending to monopolise possession The Stallions were sticking manfully, or should that be womanly, to their task.
The 17^th minute brought an unfortunate setback for Marconi when keeper Courtney Halpin misjudged a high ball from The Stingrays, allowing the ball to get behind her for an ever present Heyman to swoop on and tap away for goal two. Was this the signal for an Illawarra goal onslaught?
The short answer is no. Marconi weren?t playing badly whilst The Stingrays couldn?t quite manage to keep their foot on the accelerator. With Fab Perfilio urging on the troops, ably supported by whole hearted efforts from Kyrra Rawnsley and Jenai Shearer, The Stallions kept Illawarra from inflicting further damage.
Heyman is a special player; certainly a Stingray that I personally enjoy seeing in action. She is strong, fast and hard on the ball. Referees don?t always seem to share my enthusiasm for Michelle?s vigour but seeing her flying above the pack in pursuit of a header from numerous Stingrays corners shows just what a gifted athlete she is. Heyman was asking plenty of questions of the Marconi defence but the home side managed to keep both her and her Stingrays team mates to two goals before the break. Illawarra suffered a mortal blow just before half time when Trudy Camilleri was crunched in a tackle, having to be assisted from the field with what appeared to be a serious knee injury. The Stingrays may soon have to employ their own orthopaedic surgeon with knee injuries being the flavour of the month down Wollongong way.  I have my fingers crossed that Trudy?s injury is not as bad as it looked. Alexandra Sands took Camilleri?s place on the field.
The second stanza saw a good tussle ensue though; it?s true to say that The Stingrays looked the side more likely to score for most of the half.  Marconi hung in there but their chances were few and far between. A snap shot by Jenai Shearer then a great ball putting Filiz Urkanci into the clear before Stingrays keeper Sarah Gallop pulled off a wonderful diving save.
The Stingrays mounted pressure with Carney, Connor and Heyman pressing the defensive line. Talitha Kramer also did some good work on the right flank but Marconi held on by any means they could. A yell went up for a penalty in the 78^th minute when Ash Connor appeared to be brought down in the box but the referee would have none of it. Marconi Coach Mauro taco went to his bench in an effort to find some inspiration. Muscat and Rawnsley made way for Cox and Petinos whilst Sam Proctor was replaced by former Gladesville Ravens defender Freyja Meere.
In the 84^th minute though, that girl Heyman was again to the fore. Marconi failed to deal with a cross that saw the ball end up on the right foot of The Stingrays striker who slammed in her hat trick goal. Marconi broke away virtually from the kick off with the youngster Helen Petinos being on the end of a beautiful pass but being unable to beat the keeper in a one on one situation. Petinos had another chance soon after when, after a great back heel from Fab Perfilio, the 16 year old hit the cross bar. This looks like a young lady with a future.
From my own perspective it was great to see a girl from my own grass roots club, Chipping Norton, 16year old Stephanie Suber take the field for the final moments. A first grade debut Steph! I?m very proud of you young lady.
The Stingrays were deserving winners, with a 3-0 final scoreline.
Marconi Coach Mauro Taco was disappointed with the final result. He made it clear however that he was not disappointed with the level of commitment which his team had put into the game.
Illawarra Coach Brett Wallen bemoaned the possibility of losing another player to injury. Wallen stated that his side is suffering from having a new defensive line every week due to the injury toll. He felt that his side was out enthused at various stages. He was not happy that the team ?fell over the line? rather than going on with the job after their good start.  Wallen felt that his girls could build on this performance though; saying that it was a good sing when a side played below their best but still took the points.
The Stingrays had a little too much class here but it was a gutsy effort from The Stallions.
Marconi Stallions   0
Illawarra Stingrays 3 (M.Heyman 6m, 17m, 84m)  
Elsewhere on the day the Sutherlands Sharks poor start to the season got even worse with a 8-0 hammering at the hands of the Manly United FC side.
Manly were up 4-0 by half time with goals to Liz Morrison (17m, 21m), Elyce Bates (30m) and Louise Neville (40m). Manly went right on with it after the break as Gill Foster (56m) and Caitlin Jarvie (74m, 76m) inflicted more damage before Neville completed her brace in the 88^th minute.
Manly continue to impress this season. Are they ready to take that next step up from contenders to title holders? The Sharks, however, are really struggling to compete. One wonders where their season will go from here.
Manly United FC    8 (E.Morrison 17m/21m, L.Neville 40m/88m, C.Jarvie 74m/76m, G.Foster 56m)
Sutherland Sharks 0
The final game for review saw Penrith Nepean United produce something of an upset in sharing the points with the high flying NWS Koalas.
After The Koalas took the lead in the 18^th minute through their enthusiastic striker Evelyn Chronis, Penrith fought hard to stay in the match. Low and behold, in the 78^th minute up bobbed Penrith?s evergreen skipper, Taryn Rockall, to snare an equaliser that brought the beleaguered Penrith team their first points of the season.
A great pick me up for Penrith Nepean United but what appears to be a wasted opportunity for The Koalas.
Penrith Nepean United 1 (T.Rockall 78m)
NWS Koalas                     1 (E.Chronis 18m)
This was a disappointing weekend for a number of sides in varying ways but a touch of individual brilliance from a number of players saw their sides gather valuable points. Next week Mother?s Day beckons with the chance for all Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League supporters to treat Mum to a day at the football. Could there be a better gift for the woman who brought you into the world?

-By Ross Anderson