Arrive Alive Women?s Super League Round 15 Review
The catch up match between the Sydney Tigers and Inter Lions on Thursday evening may now take on even more significance as the Tigers battle to cement their spot in the top four.
The week started with another catch up match between Central Coast Lightning and PCYC Lady Hawks. The Lightning did their semi final prospects plenty of good by coming up with a 2-0 win over the improving Lady Hawks. This looked a good preparation for The Lightning?s weekend trip to Bathurst for their match with Western NSW Panthers.
The Coast girls travelled to cold but friendly Bathurst hoping to repeat the success of their previous trip. The Panthers had revenge on their mind, setting up what would be a hard fought encounter.
Both teams approached the game with plenty of spirit. The two teams both created a number of scoring opportunities but neither could grab the decisive break through. With a half time scoreline of 0-0 it was anyone?s game.
The second half was much of the same as these two top four contenders tried to establish a winning platform. Try as they might though the two combatants couldn?t break the dead lock with a scoreless draw giving both teams a valuable point. The Lightning will be happy to have bagged four competition points this week, leaving them in a clear third place on the ladder. The Panthers maintain their standing in second place with the finals just around the corner.
More will be heard of these two sides as we get to the business end of the season.
Western NSW Panthers 0
Central Coast Lightning 0
The Sydney Tigers and Gladesville Ravens went to war at Lambert Park as The Tigers sought to push for a top two spot in the finals.
Like the stoush in Bathurst this one also proved to be a tough, tight match up as both sides fought for supremacy. Whilst The Ravens don?t have much to play for from the point of view of finals football they do appear to have a new found resolve that?s making them a most difficult opponent for anyone unfortunate enough to run into them.
Like any major prize fight these two teams traded punches; well, goals at least, as they tried to take control of the match. The Tigers netted two goals through two of their star acquisitions for the 2009 season, Alicia Cavanagh and Lisa Gilbert. The Ravens replied through Fatma ?Fatty? Agar and Ashleigh Smith.
The 2-2 full time score was a very positive return for The Ravens though they may have considered themselves unlucky. Paul Wade and his girls have done a marvellous job in recent weeks, turning their season around from one of what seemed great disappointment to one of infinite promise.
The Tigers effort left their Coach, Tarek Madani, somewhat disappointed. Leading into Thursday night?s blockbuster with Inter Lions this wasn?t what The Tigers were looking for. Individually this side is a match for anyone. However, they really need to pull it all together to make a challenge for the title.
Sydney Tigers 2 (A.Cavanagh, L.Gilbert)
Gladesville Ravens 2 (F.Agar, A.Smith)
At St George Stadium the local side, St George FC, hosted the visiting Blacktown Spartans.
Whilst finals football is out of the question for both teams pride was still on the line. St George haven?t been travelling well in recent weeks but lifted their effort for this game with Captain Natalie Di Francesco leading the way with a fine goal.
That effort was matched though for The Spartans by Larissa Monkerud, leaving both sides with a share of the spoils on the day. For St George that means that they edge above last placed Northern Tigers whilst Blacktown remains just one spot above their opponents in eighth place.
Both clubs would already be planning for next season, hoping to take some positive momentum into the off season with some good results in their remaining games. Here?s hoping that they can give their supporters plenty to cheer about in the last three matches of 2009.
St George FC 1 (N.Di Francesco)
Blacktown Spartans 1 (l.Monkerud)
At Melita Stadium the PCYC Lady Hawks backed up for their second game of the week in meeting the Northern Tigers.
The Lady Hawks have built a strong foundation in their debut season, highlighted by some strong performances in the last four or five rounds. Whatever the coaching staff are doing at PCYC it seems to be working!
After a scoreless first half in which both sides threatened PCYC snatched the lead in the 64th minute through their hard working striker Grace Ryanhart. Try as they might the Northern Tigers couldn?t find an equaliser and added another game to their list of near misses in 2009. The Tigers may not be championship material but their gritty efforts this season have often deserved better than what they?ve got.
Again, both sides will be looking forward to 2010 with a little more experience in each side appearing to be a valuable commodity.
PCYC Lady Hawks 1 (Grace Ryanhart 64m)
Northern Tigers 0
The final match of the weekend was the big clash between the competition front runners, Inter Lions, and the fifth placed Southern NSW FC at Ison Park.
The last match between these two teams saw some good football, so the afternoon promised a lively display. Whilst the home side pushed The Lions all the way they couldn?t match the star studded Inter Lion up, eventually going down 4-1 to the visitors.
Dani Calvi, Catherine Cannuli, Elyce Goss and Renee Tomkins scored for Inter Lions whilst Emma Cobb grabbed Southern NSW?s lone goal.
The win maintains the winning momentum for The Lions as they charge towards the finals. Southern NSW, however, find themselves in some trouble now, three points outside the top four with just three game to play. The final two spots in the semi finals are coming down to a very tight finish between the Southern NSW, Central Coast and Sydney Tigers sides. There are some pivotal matches for each side coming up in the next couple of weeks. Who?ll be the team that stands up to be counted?
Southern NSW FC 1 (E.Cobb)
Inter Lions 4 (D.Calvi, C.Cannuli, E.Goss, R.Tomkins)
Just three weeks remaining until the finals with some very exciting clashes still to come. Whilst Inter Lions appear to have the Minor Premiership in the bag can they net the double by taking the title of Premiers as well? Can Western NSW Panthers, Central Coast Lightning, Sydney Tigers or Southern NSW FC step up a gear and upset the Inter Lions apple cart? All will be revealed in the next few weeks!
-By Ross Anderson
