Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Round 14 Review

The leading sides in the league continued to dominate whilst the battle for fourth place became a little bit tougher for at least one team. Macarthur Rams striker Stephanie Haim, last season?s Platinum Medal Winner as the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Player of the Year, was at her dynamic best putting four goals past the Sutherland Sharks. Sounds like the race for the Golden Boot Award might be hotting up in the closing rounds!
At Marconi Stadium The Stallions found themselves behind after just two minutes of play when Louise Neville scored for Manly United FC. Manly tried hard to build on that lead but Marconi?s defence held on. In the 26^th minute Elizabeth Morison added a second for the visitors giving them a 2-0 lead which they held into the half time break.
The second half produced no glee for either side as Manly couldn?t take advantage of any scoring opportunities whilst Marconi couldn?t grab themselves the goal that might have brought them back into the match. The Stallions once again tried hard but Manly were too good on the day.
The win leaves Manly United FC third on the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League ladder, four points behind second placed Macarthur Rams and four points ahead of fourth placed NWS Koalas.  
Marconi Stallions 0
Manly United FC 2 (L.Neville 2m, E.Morison 26m)
Over at the Harrie Dening Centre it was the Stephanie Haim show as The Rams went on the rampage against Sutherland Sharks.
The Rams held a 3-0 half time lead after Haim scored in the 18^th, 20^th and 38^th minutes. Sigrid Manty added Macarthur?s fourth 8minutes into the second half before Stephanie Haim completed her single handed rout of The Sharks with her fourth goal in the 90^th minute.
It was simply a matter of the defending premiers being too good for their opposition though The Sharks probably put in a better performance than they have in recent weeks. Macarthur keep the pressure on the Illawarra Stingrays as the two powerhouses settle down to fight out the Minor Premiership. The Rams had also scored a 5-0 win over an under strength Sydney University in a mid week catch up game.
Sutherland Sharks 0
Macarthur Rams   5 (S.Haim 18m/20m/38m/90m, S.Manty 53m)
The competition leaders, Illawarra Stingrays, continued on their winning way with a comprehensive 5-1 win over Penrith Nepean United.
The Stingrays scored twice in the first seven minutes through the super striker Michelle Heyman. Penrith then conceded an own goal in the 15^th minute, giving Penrith supporters real fear of a complete rout. However, Brook Conroy bobbed up in the 40^th minute to put Penrith on the scoresheet. At 3-1 things looked a little brighter for the visitors before Illawarra?s Jayd Cunningham piloted away her side?s fourth goal four minutes before half time.
Illawarra had plenty of chance to improve on their lead in the second half but, apart from a nice goal by Anne Mayo in the 65^th minute, they found it hard to hit the target. The young Penrith side battled away but Illawarra were a big step up in class on Penrith?s previous opponents, Sutherland Sharks. The Stingrays were simply too good.
The Stingrays will now spend the next fortnight readying themselves for the clash with Macarthur Rams on 19^th July at Lynwood Park. That match may well decide the Minor Premiership so expect plenty of fireworks when the two competition titans meet.
Illawarra Stingrays       5 (M.Heyman 3m/7m, own goal 15m, J.Cunningham 41m, A.Mayo 65m)
Penrith Nepean United 1 (B.Conroy 40m)
The most significant meeting of Round 14 came in the shape of the NWS Koalas v Sydney University game at ELS Hall Park. Only three points separated the two sides going into this game with Sydney University having a game in hand. Unfortunately that game is against Macarthur Rams. A win was essential for both combatants.
After a see sawing first half hour where both sides missed opportunities Leonore Carr was in the right place at the right time to put The Koalas in front. Sydney University?s lack of a potent goal scorer came back to haunt them as good lead up work was spoilt by poor finishing. However, after being down 1-0 at half time, The University girls equalised in the 56^th minute through Angela Ekwensi. This set the scene for a final third of the game with both sides desperately looking for the winner.
The Koalas saw luck run their way though as, in the 73^rd minute, Sydney University failed to deal with a long throw in by the home side and gifted The Koalas a soft goal. Adrijana Cirjak was the goal scorer; possibly grabbing The Koalas most important strike of the season. University tried to find a way back in the remaining minutes but couldn?t do so. In the words of Sydney University Captain, Belinda Seers, ?We were sorely disappointed in ourselves?.
It?s not all over for Sydney University but now they have to keep winning now and rely on others to derail the The Koalas finals hopes. The University side will be lamenting some points they let slip in draws with some of the league?s lower ranked sides. The Koalas, obviously, will be thrilled with a win that puts them six points clear of University as we draw into the final weeks of the competition.
NWS Koalas          2 (L.Carr 31m, A.Cirjak 73m)
Sydney University 1 (A.Ekwensi 56m)
The Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League now goes into hiatus until Sunday 19^th July. That weekend will see two riveting encounters with Macarthur Rams playing Illawarra Stingrays and Manly United FC hosting Sydney University. These two games will have a vital bearing on the make up of the finals series so expect plenty of excitement when the stars of the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League lock horns!
-By Ross Anderson