Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Preliminary Final Review
In a match that was played in a real ?finals style? by both teams The Rams didn?t seal their place in next weekend?s Grand Final until a final minute goal by striker Stephanie Haim.
With this week?s Grand Final opponents, Illawarra Stingrays, on hand to watch the match the two finalists treated spectators to a tough encounter which both sides dominated at various stages.
The Rams hit the ground running; the defending champions certainly had the look of a team on a mission in the opening minutes of the match. Steadily though the game started to even out and it was actually the Manly United side that had the first goal scoring opportunity. From a corner Gill Foster was given a free header by the Rams defence but her attempt sailed over the cross bar.
Foster also took a free kick which was awarded on the edge of the Macarthur box a few minutes later but this time sent her shot wide of the target. Manly were now pushing forward and creating chances. Manly?s goal scoring star, Caitlan Jarvie, was certainly putting the heat on the Macarthur defence but couldn?t quite find the space to pull the trigger.
A strong Macarthur raid involving Stephanie Haim, Renee Cartwright and Kylie Ledbrook saw Ledbrook release the final shot which ran across the face of goal. Soon after Manly striker Liz Morrison picked up a yellow card after a tangle with a Rams defender. Nerves were on edge as both sides searched for the opening goal.
The Rams now went through a period where they monopolised possession. Most of the game was now being played in Manly?s half. Stephanie Haim made a strong run for Macarthur but the cross at the end of her charge went nowhere. Kylie Ledbrook and Sigrid Manty combined before a centre found Haim on her own but her attempted volley was miskicked away from goal.
Manly then turned things around as they started to pick up their game. Caitlan Jarvie burst onto a through ball, discarding her defender before cutting in towards goal. However, The Rams defence recovered, dispossessing the Manly striker before she could shoot at goal. A break by Louise Neville then created danger as her lay back inside found Bronte Bates in front of goal. Alas, her shot went over the top of goal, much to the relief of Rams supporters.
Manly were certainly finishing the stronger as half time loomed but were unable to find the back of the net. Macarthur?s defence had been tested but the home side had also given Manly United plenty to think about. As the two teams headed for the sheds it was certain that both coaches were going to be stressing the importance of that opening goal. Which team was going to be able to grab the initiative?
The start of the second half showed that we were headed for another absorbing 45 minutes as both teams stepped up the pace.
Manly had the best chance in the opening period of the half as Gill Foster burst towards goal. As the former Matilda was about to shoot she was sandwiched between defenders and hit the ground hard. Call of ?Penalty? came from Manly supporters in the crowd but the referee was unmoved. The other person unmoved was Gill Foster who hadn?t looked like getting up after her tumble. Fortunately, after treatment, Manly?s golden girl was fit to resume.
At the other end of the park a pinpoint Kylie Ledbrook free kick found the head of Stephanie Haim in front of goal but Haim?s glancing header was well held by Manly keeper Shannon Heath.
The game ebbed and flowed before, in the 61st minute, the match was blown open. A neat ball saw Macarthur?s Linda Dudek burst through. Dudek held her pass up beautifully before releasing Renee Cartwright into a one on one situation with the Manly keeper. Cartwright tucked the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the net and suddenly Macarthur were in the lead!
Manly Coach Larry Bates now subbed Liz Morrison with Danielle Pearce.
The Rams now went forward with some good variation from a free kick seeing Nicole Winley shoot wide of goal. Sigrid Manty then made a long run for Macarthur but her cross was well held by the keeper.
Manly were now getting desperate as they fought to try and find an equaliser. The visitors pushed forward in numbers but Macarthur had plenty of bodies behind the ball to keep Manly at bay. Whilst they were creating half chances Manly couldn?t quite get into position to pressure The Rams defence. The better shots on goal seemed to be coming Macarthur?s way when they managed to mount a counter attack.
Time was now becoming Manly?s worst enemy. The match had maintained the smell of a ?one goal epic? for most of the game and, unfortunately, Manly now found themselves on the wrong side of such a scoreline.
As time ticked away Macarthur broke out of defence, finding Stephanie Haim on her own near half way. Haim turned in and out before racing up the left flank. She momentarily looked for support but, when upon realising she had none, Haim moved off again before firing off a shot from about 20 metres and wide of the Manly box. Next minute the ball had slammed into the back of the net leaving the Manly keeper stranded. A stunning goal from the Macarthur star who is always capable of the spectacular. This had to be the goal that killed the game and so it was when the referee blew the final whistle as play resumed.
Macarthur Coach Matt Turvey was a happy man. He described the game as ?typical finals football?. Turvey believed that neither side had dominated during the first half with the 45 minutes marred by lots of turn overs. Prior to the game and again at half time Turvey had spoken to his team about the importance of settling down. He felt that if the team got back to basics they?d be okay. Their usual short, sharp game still wasn?t quite there said the Rams mentor but the team had still got the result they wanted.
Manly Coach Larry Bates said that he wasn?t disappointed with his side?s performance. ?It was one of those matches that could have gone either way? said Bates. He felt that his side had taken the game to Macarthur. Bates offered the opinion that each side had dominated a half; his own team the first half, Macarthur the second. Macarthur had taken their chances, Manly hadn?t. Whilst Bates thought that the Foster incident early in the second half could have led to a penalty for his side he noted that it had been a ?good, competitive footy season? and that Rams had deserved to win.
There wasn?t much between these two teams all season. It was always likely that this finals clash was going to go right down to the wire. Manly are to be congratulated on a fine season where they showed that they are serious title contenders. Well done to Larry Bates and his talented squad of players.
It hasn?t been an easy season for The Rams but here they are, about to contest another Grand Final. This was a gutsy effort Macarthur and certainly send out the warning signs to Illawarra Stingrays prior to this weekend?s Grand Final.
Macarthur Rams 2 (R.Cartwright 61m, S.Haim 90m)
Manly United FC 0
In other Preliminary Finals action at Lynwood Park yesterday the NWS Koalas played their way into the Under 12 Girls Grand Final with a 1-0 win over Sutherland Sharks.
Sutherland?s day didn?t get any better in the Under 14 Girls where they were beaten 2-0 by the Marconi Stallions.
In the Under 16 Girls match Sydney University sprang something of an upset, beating NWS Koalas 1-0.
The Reserve Grade match saw a dominant performance by Illawarra Stingrays who defeated Sydney University 4-0.
So, it?s on to the final weekend of the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League this Sunday when the Grand Finals will be held at Balls Paddock, Woonona. Be there to be part of a big day of football as the stars of the Arrive Alive Girls/Women?s Premier League strut their stuff.
Arrive alive Women?s Premier League Grand Final fixtures
Grade 12 ? 8.45am
Manly United v NWS Koalas
Grade 14 ? 10am
NWS Koalas v Marconi Stallions
Grade 16 ? 11.30am
Marconi Stallions v Sydney University
Reserve Grade ? 1.15pm
Manly United v Illawarra Stingrays
First Grade ? 3.45pm
Illawarra Stingrays v Macarthur Rams
All matches played at Balls Paddock, Woonona
-By Ross Anderson
