Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Major Semi Final Review
The Stingrays, who went into the game after securing the title of Premiers at the end of the competition season, are now on the trail of the coveted double as they look to become the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Champions.
The Rams were within their influential midfielder, Kylie Ledbrook, but showed that the W League star doesn?t necessarily have to be on deck for the team to play good football. Macarthur had started well and actually looked the better side in the early exchanges. Their defence looked composed and it was Illawarra who had appeared to be having trouble finding their rhythm.
Linda Dudek had started in impressive fashion for Macarthur, proving dangerous with almost every touch of the ball. Dudek made one fine run which ended in a stinging shot that hit the post. At the other end Michelle Heyman?s physical style of play was testing The Rams defenders, opening up opportunities for Heyman?s supports.
The game developed into end to end football as both sides sought to gain the ascendancy. In the 16th minute Illawarra won a corner. Anne Mayo?s kick came in tight to the goal mouth where a bevy of bodies flew for the ball. Rams keeper Michelle Grigg attempted to take the ball but Illawarra youngster Talitha Kramer managed to get a touch which saw the ball just cross the line. The Rams players were not convinced that the ball had dribbled into goal before their keeper had regathered but the referee did not agree and suddenly the home side were 1-0 up.
Rams, to their credit, responded strongly to this setback. Within four minutes they?d charged up field on the back of another Linda Dudek dash. The Macarthur striker then laid the ball back for Stephanie Haim whose shot blasted into the back of the net for the equalising goal.
Both sides then approached their task with gusto as play went from one end of J.J.Kelly Park to the other. Rams had opportunities through a distance shot from Renee Cartwright and a juggled, volleyed hammer by Stephanie Haim. Macarthur may have been gathering some momentum but, in the 30th minute, all that changed.
The Stingrays moved forward with Michelle Heyman latching onto a ball in space. As Heyman worked into the edge of the Macarthur penalty area, she appeared to try and cut back in between a defender and the advancing keeper. A clash of bodies saw Heyman the one left standing, enabling her to come through and tap the ball in. Again, the visitors were not happy with the ruling, feeling that their players had been fouled, but the goal stood to give The Stingrays a 2-1 lead.
The Stingrays now started to put their game together, entering a period of dominance. Talitha Kramer came into her own, causing plenty of damage down the left flank. Heyman, Camilleri and Carney took control of the game giving Ash Connor plenty or room to move also. Sam Spackman was also prominent and The Rams were holding on by the skin of their teeth. Near misses started to become commonplace as Illawarra sought to put a final nail in Macarthur?s coffin.
In the shadows of half time Claire Walsh finally succumbed to an injury caused in the lead up to Illawarra?s second goal and was replaced by Sam Donaldson.
The half time whistle came as a welcome respite for the Macarthur side with Matt Turvey looking a worried Coach as he moved towards the dressing sheds with his team.
Illawarra Coach Brett Wallin made a replacement of his own at the break, substituting Hailey Kerrigan for Christie Akid.
When the game resumed after half time Illawarra continued to be the team in charge. Ash Connor and Michelle Heyman combined beautifully but the resulting goal was denied by an offside call by the linesperson. Soon after the frustration boiled over for Macarthur?s Annalese Baker with the referee showing her a yellow card.
Talitha Kramer continued to create havoc with her enthusiastic running but The Stingrays generally were controlling the game. The Rams then replaced Elisha Williams with Leila Braimah but Rams were having trouble mounting an effective attack.
A poor goal kick presented possession to Ash Connor but her shot sailed wide of the mark. A third Stingrays goal was looking a formality at this stage. Macarthur wasted a rare opportunity from a free kick before Spackman, Kramer and Heyman combined to set Michelle Carney on a charge at the line. Alas, Carney?s shot sailed wide of the mark.
Macarthur?s chances were few and far between. There appeared to be panic in their play as they tried to manufacture a goal. Illawarra?s attack wasn?t having much trouble creating chances but they were having difficulty finishing them!
Talitha Kramer picked up a yellow card for some physical play but it looked just a matter of time before Illawarra?s place in the Grand Final was confirmed. Then came another pivotal moment in the match. A handball was called on Illawarra defender Hailey Kerrigan, giving The Rams an opportunity to equalise from the spot with only minutes remaining. Up strode Stephanie Haim who showed no fear in converting the penalty to make the score 2-2.
Suddenly the game was headed to extra time as The Rams had performed the ultimate escape act. Was it going to be worth their while?
Macarthur certainly did lift their intensity in this period, applying some pressure on the Illawarra defence. But, in the 96th minute, it was Ash Connor whose glancing header bobbled across the line to put The Stingrays back in command. Macarthur pushed forward in an attempt to reel in the deficit but this also exposed them defensively. A succession of fine hits by Michelle Heyman was brilliantly saved by a diving Michelle Grigg. Carney made a nice run for Illawarra before laying back to Trudy Camilleri who shot over the bar.
Heyman again broke the defence crossing to the back post where Ash Connor missed a virtual tap in. It mattered little though as the final whistle blew to give Illawarra Stingrays a memorable 3-2 victory.
Stingrays Coach Brett Wallin was a happy man. He felt that his team had dominated the game for long periods. Wallin gave credit to Macarthur, saying that they?d hung in and given it their all. He also praised his side?s character in overcoming the disappointment of the last minute penalty to Rams and finding another gear in extra time.
Matt Turvey was upbeat about his team?s performance. He felt that the girls had proven that they can play attractive football, no matter which players were missing. Turvey felt that his team may have clawed back that third goal in extra time but they had played some panic football. Overall, Turvey was happy with what he?d seen, though obviously not the result!
So The Stingrays move forward to the competition decider whilst The Rams now have to get past the rampaging Manly United FC to win a Grand Final spot. Whatever happens next week you can be sure that the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Grand Final will be one of the highlights of the season.
In other matches at J.J.Kelly Park yesterday the Manly United FC Under 12 Girls defeated Sutherland Sharks 1-0.
The Under 14 Girls game was won by NWS Koalas 1-0 over Marconi Stallions.
Marconi Stallions extracted some revenge with a 1-0 win over NWS Koalas in the Under 16 Girls match whilst Manly United beat Illawarra Stingrays 2-1 after extra time in the Reserve Grade clash.
-By Ross Anderson
