Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Round 21 Review

Those semi finals look to be amongst the most keenly contested in some seasons as all four teams have shown the ability to take the title on their day. The two form teams, Manly United FC and NWS Koalas, meet in the minor semi  final on Saturday whilst Premiers the Illawarra Stingrays host defending champions the Macarthur Rams at J.J.Kelly Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Stingrays chose to rest a number of players on the yellow card borderline along with others suffering minor injuries for their game against Penrith Nepean United at Cook Park.
The match turned into something of an arm wrestle as the weakened Illawarra squad battled to overcome a determined Penrith side. Both sides had opportunities but neither were able to find the back of the net. The half time score saw two duck eggs on the scoreboard and those two eggs hadn?t hatched by full time.
The Penrith side won?t care who played for the opposition; they?d snared a point from the 2009 Premiers. However, The Stingrays and their Coach, Brett Wallin will have lost little sleep over the result. Next weekend is when the real action starts. You can be sure that Illawarra will be ready to rumble with the Macarthur Rams.
Penrith Nepean United 0
Illawarra Stingrays          0
Out at Lynwood Park Macarthur Rams tuned up for the finals with a final round clash against Sutherland Sharks.
Kylie Ledbrook got the ball rolling for The Rams with a goal in the 6^th minute of play. Sutherland then managed to stick with the Macarthur side for a long period before Stephanie Haim doubled the local team?s lead in the 35^th minute. Within four minutes Linda Dudek had added a third Rams goal and it was pretty effectively game over. The Rams 3-0 half time lead may have been expected by the Lynwood Park faithful to blow out in the second stanza. However, Sutherland managed to keep the Macarthur girls at bay until the 77^th minute when Stephanie Haim scored her second goal.
Macarthur were simply too good for a game but outclassed Sutherland Sharks side. This was a good pipe opener for the Rams girls as they prepare for next weekend?s major semi final against Illawarra Stingrays. Sutherland?s season is over and they?ll be hoping for much better in season 2010.
Macarthur Rams   4 (S.Haim 35m/77m, K.Ledbrook 6m, L.Dudek 39m)
Sutherland Sharks 0
At the Sydney academy of Sport the Manly United FC side took on the Marconi Stallions.
The first half was quite keenly contested with The Stallions giving the locals a run for their money. However, in the 32^nd minute Manly?s goal scoring machine Caitlan Jarvie put the ball in the back of the net to give her team the lead. Manly maintained this advantage into the break. After half time Manly battled hard to try and extend their lead. In the 67^th minute that girl Caitlan Jarvie was on hand again to give Manly a two goal buffer. Pelay Ingles gave her side more reason to celebrate juts eight minutes later when she scored to break Manly out to a 3-0 lead.
It was close up shop time from there for Manly, a decision that almost cost them dearly. The Stallions suddenly found a new lease of life with Fab Perfilio grabbing a brace in the 77^th and 79^th minutes before Brooke Starrett added a third in the 89^th minute. What had looked like a comfortable 3-0 win for Manly turned into an honourable draw for Marconi in their last appearance of the season.
Again, the result made no difference to Manly?s situation going into next weekend?s finals. However, Coach Larry Bates would have been happier to see his side finish the season with a confidence boosting win rather than having to share the points. The result gave Marconi a positive note to end their season on; the 2008 Club Championship winners will be keen to return to contender status in 2010.
Manly United FC  3 (C.Jarvie 32m/67m, P.Ingles 75m)
Marconi Stallions 3 (F.Perfilio 77m/79m, B.Starrett 89m)
At Sydney University Oval the NWS Koalas came visiting for Sydney University?s final game.
Georgina Stylianous continued her goal scoring streak in opening the scoring for the visitors in the 4^th minute. This remained the only score during the first half as both teams battled for supremacy. University looked to be in the game until the 63^rd minute when Rachel Jones scored a second goal for The Koalas. University couldn?t get back into the game from there and The Koalas ran out 2-0 winners.
Both goals featured The Koalas new secret weapon, the Tash Loguidice ?Delap? throw in. Defences seem thoroughly bamboozled by Loguidice?s long distance throws which are a becoming a very fruitful tactic for The Koalas. I?d dare not suggest that Tash?s arms have become more dangerous than her shooting foot but opposition teams will need to be very careful when the young Koala has the ball in her hands.
The Koalas now look forward to a mega finals clash with Manly United FC next weekend. Sydney University disappointing close to the season sees them bow out for 2009, hoping that 2010 will bring them better fortune.
Sydney University 0
NWS Koalas            2 (G.Stylianous  4m, R.Jones 63m)
So, it?s on to the finals with plenty of excitement in store. I can?t wait for next weekend; as I?m sure the fans of each of the four finals teams would agree. We?re going to see some magical football in the next month so fasten your seat belt.
-By Ross Anderson