Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Round 18 Review
With NWS Koalas scoring an upset win over Manly United FC and Sydney University going down to Illawarra Stingrays, the fourth placed NWS Koalas now have a nine point break over Sydney University with just three matches remaining. Illawarra Stingrays hold a five point lead in the run to the Minor Premiership whilst Macarthur Rams seem to have second place in their grasp, holding a four point gap over Manly United FC.
Certainly the surprise result of the round was at ELS Hall Park where the NWS Koalas scored a 1-0 win over Manly United FC.
Manly, fresh from their great win over Macarthur Rams the previous weekend, weren?t able to reproduce that form on Sunday. The Koalas snatched the lead in the 42nd minute through a fine Brittany Ring goal and never relinquished it.
Both sides played some enterprising football but The Koalas rose to the occasion to score an important win. The talk was after last week?s Manly v Rams result that the competition could no longer be regarded as a two horse race. Maybe after this game the number of teams in with a show for the title may be four, not three?
NWS Koalas 1 (B.Ring 42m)
Manly United FC 0
At Lynwood Park the Macarthur Rams bounced back from their defeat at Cromer Park last Sunday to record a solid win over Penrith Nepean United.
Rams Captain Kylie Ledbrook opened the scoring in the 3rd minute of play before extending the home side?s lead with a second goal in the 25th minute. Sigrid Manty added a third one minute later to send the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League title holders to half time with a 3-0 lead.
Penrith tried hard to bridge the gap in the second stanza, but to no avail. Stephanie Haim grabbed Macarthur?s fourth goal in the 69th minute to seal The Rams win.
The Rams were just a bit too good for the Penrith youngsters, with the win consolidating 2nd place on the competition table for the Macarthur team.
Macarthur Rams 4 (K.Ledbrook 3m/25m, S.Manty 26m, S.Haim 69m)
Penrith Nepean United 0
At J.J.Kelly Park the Illawarra Stingrays posted the final nail in the coffin of Sydney University?s finals hopes with a 1-0 win.
This was a hard fought game with Sydney University putting up a very competitive performance. The Stingrays struggled to shake off the determined University side; snaring the winner in the 85th minute of play when Sam Spackman scored.
Whilst relief may have been the main emotion on the Illawarra faces at that point a feeling of devastation may have swept over Sydney University after fighting so hard for a share of the spoils. The win looks to have almost assured The Stingrays of the Minor Premiership whilst the game University side now plans for season 2010.
Illawarra Stingrays 1 (S.Spackman 85m)
Sydney University 0
The Marconi Stallions managed their fourth win of the 2009 season with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Sutherland Sharks at Harrie Dening Centre.
The first half was a tight affair with both sides trying to take the ascendancy. With a 0-0 scoreline when the teams went to half time oranges, fans looked forward to a tooth and nail struggle in the second half. However, the visiting Stallions broke the game open four minutes after the break when Sciberras hit the back of the net to set her team on their way. Priscilla O?Riordan got a second for Marconi four minutes later before Siljanoska?s brace in the 67th and 83rd minutes.
This was a welcome win for the struggling Stallions. Sutherland?s recent form had been much improved but they were no match for Marconi in the final 45 minutes of this game.
Sutherland Sharks 0
Marconi Stallions 4 (C.Sciberra 49m, P.O?Riordan 53m, D.Siljanoska 67m/83m)
So, the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League moves into its final stages with just three rounds remaining. With the top four settled it now seems a matter of building for the finals for some teams whilst others play for pride. I doubt that any game will be easy, no matter what the state of play, so expect an upset or two yet as we approach the finish line of season 2009.
-By Ross Anderson
