Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Round 11 Review

Penrith Nepean United, Marconi Stallions, Sydney University and Manly United FC battled the elements on another cold Sydney night before having to test the tired muscles in their scheduled competition games on Sunday.
For the record, Penrith United scored their first win of the season in defeating Marconi Stallions 1-0 whilst Manly United FC beat a Sydney University side, left with nine players after two red cards, by a score of 3-0.
Sunday wasn?t necessarily a good football day either with the cold temperatures being worsened by afternoon rain. At Sydney University Oval, after Friday night?s game, the field was looking worse for wear with the cricket pitch area wet and slippery. This wasn?t going to deter the players from Sydney University and Illawarra Stingrays however as these two finals contenders went head to head.
With two players suspended after the Manly game, University were forced to blood some of their Under 16?s players on the bench. It would have been somewhat daunting for the Sydney University girls to glance at the Stingrays bench to see players who?d be gracing most of the other first grade sides in the league if available.
The University side certainly didn?t look intimidated once the opening whistle blew, controlling the ball nicely and working upfield. The two teams traded blows without really creating any solid chances but it was the home side that had the first shot on goal through Angelina Koncurat. Uni were doing some good work early, setting up a distance shot from Hannah Kimber which flew straight to the Illawarra keeper.
Illawarra were taking a while to get going with their best chance coming from a free kick which found Michelle Carney in space but The Stingrays star shot wide of the woodwork. Illawarra were finding some momentum though and in the 10^th minute a corner found the ever present Michelle Heyman at the back post to head in the opening goal of the game.
This sparked a period where The Stingrays created the best scoring chances; one after a break down the left flank by Ash Connor which saw her shoot high into a leaping keeper?s gloves, the second an intercepted pass by Michelle Heyman which she fashioned into an opportunity for Michelle Carney. Whilst neither foray brought a goal they were warning shots to the University defence.
Through all this though Sydney University didn?t panic. They continued some good build up from their own half but lacked that sting in the tail in front of goal. An ineffectual shot from Captain Belinda Speers showed signs of frustration but University did appear to be matching their more fancied opponents in most areas. Kelli Chase and Monika Holmwood were involved in a nice one-two down the left side of the field but the resulting cross was easily handled by Stingrays keeper Rachel Cooper.
But reward was coming University?s way when, in the 43^rd minute, Erin Wilson made a nice run before crossing towards the far post. The Stingrays keeper was wrong footed and could only watch as Beth Kermode ran through to tap away the equaliser. This ensured that University would go into the break with a share of the game, which was certainly as much as they deserved.
The early stages of the second half saw Illawarra making most of the running. A free kick from Anne Mayo found Michelle Heyman in front of goal but unable to control the ball. Sydney University then failed to clear a ball after a throw in leading to a chance for Illawarra?s Ash Connor but she shot to the keeper. University made a break from defence through Beth Kermode but she too found the keeper rather than the back of the net.
After a free kick to Sydney University Michelle Heyman was booked for dissent; her fifth yellow card which now earns her a one week holiday. Heyman looked to leave her mark on the game in another way though when, receiving the ball in front of goal, she came up with an audacious back heel which sent Michelle Carney dashing for goal. The Stingrays looked certain to score but somehow the Sydney University keeper, Amanda Verhaeghe, dived at Carney?s feet to save the day.
Ash Connor got into the fray with a nice burst but overcooked her pass to Heyman. The warning sings were there though for Sydney University and in the 64^th minute Connor met a well taken corner to head in Illawarra?s second goal.
To Sydney University?s credit they didn?t give up the ghost at this stage. They were shell shocked, yes. However, they sought to push forward in search of a goal. They weren?t helped though when on 70 minutes Illawarra were awarded a free kick just outside the University penalty box. Up stepped Anne mayo who let loose with a great shot that hit high in the back of the net. Illawarra had stretched their advantage to 3-1 and seemed to be finishing the better. Sydney University?s Belinda Seers questioned the free kick decision but all she got for her trouble was a yellow card.
A couple of quick Illawarra chances followed with Connor shooting wide, Carneheading to the left of goal and Heyman shooting over the bar from point blank range. In between all this Sydney University tried to create something of their own with some good breaks from defence but Illawarra were holding a territorial advantage. Michelle Heyman was given an early mark by Coach Brett Wallin, being replaced by former Marconi star Sam Muscat.
After another near miss by Illawarra a stream of substitutes took the field with Ash Connor being replaced by youngster Zoeie Redman and University Coach Jim Patikas swapping Daniella Thrassis and Hannah Kimber with Maree Patikas and Kate Andrews.
Sydney University continued to search for another goal. One charge forward looked promising but is called back for an Illawarra free kick. From this play Michelle Carney tip toed into the box with the University defenders failing to close her down. Carney in turn passed to Zoeie Redman who took her opportunity with both hands, knocking in Illawarra?s fourth goal.
The two teams barely have time to restart the game before the final whistle blows giving Illawarra Stingrays a 4-1 win.
Sydney University Coach Jim Patikas believed that his girls had been the better team in the first half. Unfortunately Patikas felt that they had failed to take their chances. After going behind 2-1 Patikas said that his girls had chased the game; something Illawarra took advantage of. The Coach was happy with his players? effort though whilst committing to work on the side?s attack in coming weeks.
Illawarra Coach Brett Wallin said that the conditions were tough and had caused a change of game plan. His team had sought to play the game down the flanks in the second half and Wallin felt that this had worked well for The Stingrays. He was impressed with the way his girls had toughed out the game. Whilst Wallin felt that his side were the better team on the day he did admit that the scoreline had faltered them somewhat. He also paid tribute to the University goalkeeper, Amanda Vergaeghe, who ha said had an outstanding game.
This was a good quality match under the conditions. Sydney University played some excellent football but suffer the problem of many teams in the league; the existence of a quality goal scorer. The team?s performance showed that they are more than capable of playing finals football later in the season.
Illawarra Stingrays continue to progress. They have so many goal scoring options that opposing defenders must have nightmares about playing against the girls from Wollongong. This was another game where they weren?t seen at their best but they still got the points. Good sides always seem to do that.
Sydney University   1 (B.Kermode 43m)
Illawarra Stingrays 4 (M.Heyman 10m, A.Connor 64m, A.Mayo 69m, Z.Redman 88m)
Elsewhere in the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League, Manly United FC continued on their winning way with a 2-0 win over NWS Koalas at Cromer Park.
Liz Morrison opened the scoring for the home side in the 35^th minute with Manly holding this 1-0 lead into half time. Though The Koalas tried hard to get back into the match they conceded a second goal in the 59^th minute to Louise Neville. This gave Manly a vice like grip on the match; one they didn?t relinquish.
This win sees the Manly United side consolidate third place on the competition ladder. They look headed for the finals and will prove a hard side to beat. The Koalas are in some trouble, seemingly struggling to find their best but they still sit inside the top four. The challenge is to stay there with Sydney University breathing down their necks.
Manly United FC 2 (E.Morrison 35m, L.Neville 59m)
NWS Koalas         0
At Cook Park Penrith Nepean United, still fresh from celebrating their first win of the season at the expense of Marconi Stallions, ran into the Macarthur Rams juggernaut.
The Rams are searching for their third Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League title in a row. They?ve been in awesome form at various stages this season; at other times they seem to have gone through the motions. Nonetheless they have the best defence in the league and sit in second place, five points behind Illawarra but with two games in hand.
The Rams had two goals on the board in the first seven minutes; one to Renee Cartwright after five minutes, the other to Stephanie Haim just two minutes later. Penrith tried to hold back the tide but by half time they were down 3-0 after conceding another goal to Renee Cartwright in the 29^th minute.
After the break Cartwright completed her hat trick in the 53^rd minute and an avalanche of goals looked likely. However, to Penrith?s credit, they managed to keep The Rams down to four goals until the 89^th minute of the match when Lauren Ralston completed the scoring.
The Rams were just too good but Penrith will take some good vibes from the weekend after Friday night?s win took them off the bottom of the ladder.
Penrith Nepean United 0 
Macarthur Rams           5 (R.Cartwright 5m/29m/53m, S.Haim 7m, L.Ralston 89m)
The final match for review saw Marconi Stallions hosting the Sutherland Sharks at Marconi Stadium.
Marconi?s season had sunk a little further into the mire on Friday evening after their defeat by Penrith Nepean United. Sutherland haven?t had much to keep Coach Michael Michael smiling either. This appeared a good opportunity for both sides top push for a much needed win.
Marconi grabbed the lead with a 7^th minute goal to Dempsey but Sutherland replied in the 25^th minute with a goal from Selva Barroso. With a half time scoreline of 1-1 it was anybody?s game but when Hitchen (49m) and Barosso (60m) added goals for Sutherland things looked bleak for The Stallions.
The local girls dug deep though with Perfilo (75m) and Greco (86m) snatching a point for Marconi with a grandstand finish. Sutherland will rue the one that got away though the one point collected will be welcomed by The Sharks.
Things don?t get easier for either side next weekend with Marconi travelling to J.J.Kelly Park to play the Illawarra Stingrays and Sutherland hosting Manly United FC.
A great weekend of football. Plenty of goals and plenty of excitement. The Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League is heating up in the run to the finals.
-By Ross Anderson