Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Round 12 Review

The Sutherland Sharks v Manly United FC and Macarthur Rams v Sydney University games were postponed due to water logged pitches; Macarthur Rams and Sydney University being doubly disadvantaged when their catch up fixture on Saturday was also canned. The ongoing schedule for a number of clubs is becoming very cumbersome but the constant rainfall is leaving very limited options.
Down at J.J.Kelly Park the Illawarra Stingrays met the Marconi Stallions. The conditions were heavy but surprisingly good as the two sides took to the field. The game started quite evenly with both sides having chances. The Stingrays lost Rachel Cowin to injury but this seemed to spur them into life. In the 32^nd minute an Anne Mayo through ball found Talitha Kramer who in turn crossed to find Ash Connor leaping above the pack to head away the opening goal against her former team.
This goal signalled a sudden Stingrays avalanche as Sam Spackman broke through for the locals, crossing to Hayley Kerrigan who finished sweetly extending The Stingrays lead to 2-0. Within a minute The Stingrays were awarded a free kick around 25 metres from The Stallions goal. Up stepped Ash Connor to send a thundering spot kick into the back of the net. Suddenly a close tussle had turned into a rout with Marconi shell shocked.
The Stallions tried hard to mount a comeback with Stingrays keeper Sarah Gollop forced to make at least one outstanding save to keep the visitors at bay. The Stingrays started to play some ?pretty football? but couldn?t quite find the back of the net. In the 61^st minute though Hayley Kerrigan bobbed up to complete her brace, giving The Stingrays an unassailable 4-0 lead. Illawarra Coach Brett Wallin then made some changes with a view of keeping some of his players under wraps for next week?s match with Manly United FC. The full time result of 4-0 to Illawarra kept them atop the ladder, eight points clear of defending premiers Macarthur Rams. Whilst The Rams have three games in hand Illawarra?s win keeps the pressure on The Rams to stay in the hunt for the Minor Premiership.
Illawarra Stingrays 4 (H.Kerrigan (35m/61m, A.Connor 32m, 36m)
Marconi Stallions    0
In Sunday?s other game the NWS Koalas hosted Penrith Nepean United at ELS Hall Park.
The Koalas needed a win and set about their task with plenty of vigour. A 10^th minute strike by Rachel Jones got the home side off to a good start but Penrith replied in the 33^rd minute through Conroy. In the shadow of half time Evelyn Chronis regained the lead for The Koalas with a fine strike. With a half time scoreline of 2-1 it was anybody?s game. 
Penrith Nepean tried hard to repeat last week?s winning effort. But, seven minutes into the second half, Carlie Ikonomou put her stamp on the match with a well taken goal to give The Koalas a 3-1 lead. Ikonomou bobbed up again to score in the 61^st minute, putting the game beyond doubt at 4-1.
The Koalas were a little too good on the day though Penrith put in a commendable effort. Coach Claude De Francesco will be hoping his side can gather some momentum now as they vie for a finals spot.
NWS Koalas                  4 (C.Ikonomou 52m/61m, R.Jones 10m, E.Chronis 40m)
Penrith Nepean United 1 (B.Conroy 33m)
The various grounds around Sydney are now very much resembling municipal swimming pools. With more rain forecast for this week there will be a lot of club officials with fingers crossed hoping that there are no more disruptions to the competition next weekend. Speaking to some of the footballers themselves I can relay that the girls are being driven crazy by the continued cancellations. All they want to do is play football. Would someone please send the rain gods on a holiday?
See you all next week.
-By Ross Anderson