Arrive Alive Women?s Super League Round 6 Review
It?s indeed pleasing to see that more than one side grabbed their first win of the 2009 season on Sunday. Now they?ve met that challenge the next test will be to add to that initial success. But, though I may now have spoilt the surprise aspect, let?s have a look at the five Arrive Alive Women?s Super League games contested in Round 6.
The match of the day certainly appeared to be at Ron Routley Reserve where the Inter Lions met Southern NSW FC. The girls from Nowra came into the match in a rich vein of form whereas their opponent?s displays had plateaued somewhat in recent weeks. The question was being asked; ?were Inter Lions struggling to live up to their pre season hype??
The opening forays of the match saw Inter pushing forward. Elyce Goss fired the first broadside across the Southern NSW bow but was well wide of the mark. Southern NSW took a little time to settle but, once they did, they put together some attack of their own culminating in a wild speculator from Emma Cobb.
The game played quite evenly in these early stages with both sides looking capable of scoring. Natalie Spirovski and Dani Calvi combined well for The Lions before Elyce Goss laid a ball back to the edge of the box for Renee Tomkins to shoot over the bar. Soon after Goss set up Dani Calvi whose attempt flew straight to young Southern keeper Josie Strong.
Katie French always looked dangerous for the visitors, as did Emma Cobb. French hit one great shot which, with Inter keeper Mona Blundell stranded, hit the post and bounced clear. Inter broke from this defensive situation to send Elyce Goss charging at goal but her shot sailed to the right of goal.
The first goal was obviously going to be vital. In the 20th minute Inter were awarded a free kick for a handball just inside Southern?s half. Natalie Spirovski took the place kick quickly, channelling the ball on to Catherine Cannuli. The former Young Matilda shimmied, turned and found herself in space. As she ran parallel to the 18 yard box Cannuli turned and unleashed a stunning shot which slammed into the back of the net. Inter had grabbed a 1-0 lead.
For a short period Southern NSW looked rather stunned. Almost immediately Cannuli nearly scored again as she leapt to head a corner just wide of the mark. But Southern NSW survived and, through some brilliant play from Emma Cobb, launched some attacking raids of their own.
The Southern side was having trouble dealing with Inter?s Renee Tomkins who continually made ground with the ball. After breaking quickly from defence the home side launched an assault on the Southern goal. Try as they might Southern could not clear the danger, with the ball finally finding the boot of Tomkins who slammed a thunderbolt past the keeper to give Inter a 2-0 lead.
The Lions entered a period of dominance with Tomkins make a sizzling run up the middle of the park from her own 18 yard box before laying on a pinpoint pass for Dani Calvi. One on one with the Southern keeper Calvi found a way to put her shot over the bar. Inter went forward again soon after with Spirovski and Cannuli combining before Spirovski launched a miraculous shot on goal which hit the post. In quick succession Tomkins made yet another run through the defence but her pass found Calvi off side.
This sounds like Inter Lions had all the play but far from it. Southern were very competitive; Katie French finishing a menacing run into the Inter box with a good pass that just couldn?t find a target.
In the 43rd minute that girl Tomkins made another bust. She looked right and found Goss with a well weighted pass. Goss?s centre to goal was met by Calvi who finished off a quality piece of football with a sublime touch. The Southern girls barely had time to settle before Calvi intercepted a poor defensive pass to race upfield. Her shot was blocked by the keeper but Elyce Goss was there to pick up the scraps and tap away Inter?s fourth goal.
The half time whistle blew moments later. Inter were leading 4-0; a scoreline that did Southern NSW FC little justice. They had played much better than that score suggested but they now faced a huge job to get back into the match.
Almost from the second half kick off Southern NSW?s task became even harder. After some fine lead up play involving who else but Renee Tomkins, Claire Tyson pounced on a pass to slot away goal five.
Southern attempted to rally with Lowyn Lightfoot hitting a sizzling free kick, only to see it tipped over the bar by Inter keeper Mona Blundell. The game became quite open with both sides building good attacking raids. Emma Cobb copped a wicked shot in the face but, as all tough Nowra girls do, eventually got back to her feet to continue the battle.
Inter?s raids always looked that little bit more likely to bring goals however and, in the 62nd minute they added to their score through the individual brilliance of Catherine Cannuli. Cannuli won the ball near halfway before using her physical presence and considerable skill to break into the clear. As the Southern NSW keeper advanced to meet her Cannuli showed all her experience to coolly slot way her shot. If this young lady can get herself match fit again she?d not be out of place in any W League side. Her class shone through every time she injected herself into the game.
Southern NSW persevered and were rewarded in part when a fine Emma Cobb run down the right flank opened up the Inter defence. Cobb?s cross found Sarah Frank who finished the movement with a sweet shot. The 6-1 scoreline looked better but still not quite what Southern NSW deserved.
If Southern thought that Inter were about to back off, their goal brought an immediate response. Renee Tomkins burst into the open almost from the kick off. As she came towards the right edge of the Southern box she sent a sizzling shot towards goal; a shot that left Josie Strong grasping at air. Ouch! It was now 7-1 and Inter didn?t look finished. Both sides did create further opportunities, the best possibly being another effort from Cannuli that brought a world class save from Southern keeper Strong. However, the scoreboard attendant?s busy day was complete with the final score being 7-1 to Inter Lions.
The Southern NSW FC coaching staff looked at each other when asked for a comment after the game. ?The sun will come up in the morning? was the telling remark. They described Inter Lions as ?too quick? and ?too good?.
Inter Lions Coach Joe Baldacci was very complimentary towards his side?s opponents saying that the score didn?t really reflect the competitiveness of the game. He commented that Inter had taken their opportunities and felt that they had finished the match strongly. Baldacci mentioned the outstanding efforts of Tomkins, Spirovski and Cannuli but was happy with the team?s overall performance.
I felt a lot of sympathy for Southern NSW FC. That?s not necessarily what a beaten side wants to hear but they really didn?t deserve this scoreline. Inter Lions certainly did send a message to any other team that fancies themselves as title contenders. So many scoring options, so much talent.
Inter Lions 7 (C.Cannuli 20m/62m, R.Tomkins 34m/75m, D.Calvi 43m, E.Goss, 44m, C.Tyson 46m)
Southern NSW FC 1 (S.Frank 74m)
Out at Francis Park St George FC grabbed their first win of 2009 with a shock 3-1 win over Blacktown Spartans.
St George FC certainly came to play, opening the scoring in the 21st minute through Nyrie English. Nyrie enjoyed scoring that first goal so much that she added a second just two minutes later. St George?s Swedish import Evelina Vagesjo snatched a third goal for her side right on half time to have St George holding a commanding 3-0 lead at the break.
The visitor?s consolidated their lead in the second half without adding to their margin. Blacktown?s Bronwyn Jarvis gave her side a consolation goal 2 minutes from full time with a sweetly hit free kick. St George prevailed though for a 3-1 win. The success may have come at a cast though with Shen Uzunlar being stretchered from the field with a knee injury.
St George FC Coach Craig Fletcher was a happy man after the game. He was very pleased with his team?s effort.
Blacktown Spartans will be disappointed with this result. It certainly isn?t consistent with their recent efforts. Hopefully the real Spartans can bounce back against Sydney Tigers next week.
Blacktown Spartans 1 (B.Jarvis 88m)
St George FC 3 (N.English 21m/23m, E.Vasejo 45m)
At Parklands Oval the Northern Tigers had plenty of spring in their step after recording a much needed win over PCYC Lady Hawks.
The locals started with plenty of their trademark enthusiasm, grabbing the lead in only the third minute through a Georgie Eastoe goal.
Try as both sides might this proved to be the pivotal moment of the game as neither team could find the back of the net for the remaining 87minutes. Credit to the two teams for a whole hearted effort but I must express some joy for The Tigers that they?ve broken through. As a reward they get themselves a trip up the F3 to the Central Coast next Sunday. PCYC, in the meantime, host the Inter Lions.
Northern Tigers 1 (G.Eastoe 3m)
PCYC Lady Hawks 0
Those other Tigers, the Sydney ones, bounced back from last weekend?s surprise loss to Blacktown with a narrow 3-2 win over Gladesville Ravens.
Goals to Alicia Cavanagh, Janet Kingsley and Kate Meehan countered those of Black and Hulme from The Ravens. This was a good battle but the class of the Sydney Tigers squad told the tale in the end. Fourteen year old Lauren Rossillo, a member of The Tigers Under 16 squad, got to take the field with some of the side?s big names late in the match. Well done Lauren on your debut in first grade.
Ravens put in a competitive effort. Sydney Tigers are yet to play to their potential. The next few weeks could be vital to their finals hopes.
Gladesville Ravens 2 (T.Black, A.Hulme)
Sydney Tigers 3 (A.Cavanagh, J.Kingsley, K.Meehan.)
We mentioned the word upset at the beginning of this article but I?ve saved what may be the biggest until last.
Competition leaders Western NSW Panthers FC played host to Central Coast Lightning at Alec Lamberton Field. The Panthers were warm favourites though no-one left Central Coast without a chance of victory.
The Panthers are usually adept at winning the close encounters but today Central Coast bettered them at their own game. After the two sides went to oranges at 0-0 the arm wrestle continued through the second half.
In the 75th minute Central Coast?s Rochelle Johnson scored to give her side the advantage. Western NSW tried hard to rally but conceded an own goal just five minutes later to give The Lightning an unassailable lead. It was a very happy Central Coast side who greeted the full time whistle having knocked the table topping Panthers off their perch.
A great win for Central Coast but a sobering loss to The Panthers. They don?t lose many games in their own backyard so this one will hurt.
Western NSW Panthers 0
Central Coast Lightning 2 (R.Johnson 75m, own goal 80m)
This was an exciting weekend of football with a number of results that will bring a smile to the face of those who support the battlers. Next week it starts all over again however. You?re only as good as your last performance so those who?ve found momentum now have to keep it surging. Good luck!
-By Ross Anderson
