Arrive alive Women?s Premier League Grand Final Review 2009
Arrive alive Women?s Premier League Grand Final Review
The Illawarra Stingrays stamped themselves as the queens of NSW football with a resounding 6-1 victory over Macarthur Rams in Sunday?s Arrive alive Women?s Premier League Grand Final.
The Premiers were in scintillating form, putting together a second half goal fest that left the defending Arrive alive Women?s Premier League champions gasping for breathe. Some classy goals, fine combinations and five star performances from all of Illawarra?s ?big guns? made for a memorable day in the history of the Illawarra Stingrays club.
Stingrays Captain Michelle Carney?s inspiring performance was rewarded when she was named the inaugural winner of the Joey Peters Medal for Player of the Match in the Grand Final. Carney?s loyalty to The Stingrays and the high esteem in which she is held by her team mates certainly qualifies her for the title of an Illawarra Stingrays legend.
The match was the culmination of a tremendous day of football at Balls Paddock, Woonona. This postage stamp of a ground, nestled amongst South Coast suburbia, lent itself to the creation of an exciting atmosphere. The crowd involvement was great to see with the two First grade Grand Finalists attracting the support of two very vocal cheer squads! Surely a day like this one is what football is all about?
The Arrive alive Women?s Premier League Grand Final started briskly. The Rams had a steely determination about their early play whilst The Stingrays were keen to push forward. The two teams exchanged attacking forays without being overly threatening. Ledbrook and Carney, the respective Captains, schemed through midfield looking for some weakness in the opposition. Play moved from end to end in what was shaping as an entertaining finale to the 2009 season.
Michelle Carney picked up an early yellow card after following through with her shot following an offside call. She was in the action again soon after when putting Ash Connor through on goal but Connor?s shot sailed over the bar. Macarthur?s own build up looked solid but they were unable to take advantage in the attacking third of the field.
In the 15th minute The Stingrays won a corner after a good run down the left flank by Talitha Kramer. Hailey Kerrigan?s corner came in close to the front post, giving Rams keeper Michelle Grigg and awkward take. The ball appeared to come off Grigg?s gloves and cross the line with the overjoyed Stingrays players racing to congratulate Kerrigan on her strike. Suddenly it was 1-0 to Illawarra.
The Stingrays charged forward almost immediately from the resumption with Trudy Camilleri firing off a bullet which flew straight to the Rams keeper. Illawarra looked keen to go in for the kill against their shell shocked opponents.
Illawarra then lost possession in their own defensive third with the ball falling to Macarthur?s Stephanie Haim whose shot was defused by a diving Sarah Gollop in goals for Illawarra. From this play The Stingrays raced to the other end of the field where Ash Connor was left one on one with Rams keeper Grigg but the Macarthur custodian was good enough to get a hand on Connor?s shot, deflecting it just wide of the left post. Soon after Rams defender Claire Walsh succumbed to injury, making way for Sam Donaldson.
Talitha Kramer was having a fine game for the Illawarra side out on the left. Another damaging dash by Kramer had Macarthur on the back foot. Kramer?s centre wasn?t cleared by the defence before Carney unleashed an overhead kick which went centimetres wide of the goal.
A yellow card for Trudy Camilleri followed before Rams were awarded a free kick within range of goal. However, Kylie Ledbrook?s shot rebounded off the wall with her follow up being pushed wide.
Ledbrook was trying to inspire her team mates with some strong running from midfield. After some nice lead up a Ledbrook pass failed to find a support but rebounded off a defender to the feet of Stephanie Haim. Haim?s left footed thunderbolt flew straight at the Illawarra keeper who juggled the ball before holding on.
On the stroke of half time Illawarra won another corner. Anne Mayo?s kick came in tight on goal, bringing a save off the line by Macarthur?s Laura Donnelly. A second corner was then punched away by keeper Grigg. Soon after referee Peta McCallum whistled a halt to the first half with The Stingrays holding a narrow but deserved 1-0 lead.
The first half had been far from one sided and the defending champions would have gone into the sheds giving themselves a good chance of achieving that historical ?three peat?. They weren?t to know what was to come in the second stanza.
Macarthur came out strongly after the break with some short, crisp passing leading to another solid shot from striker Stephanie Haim. However, Illawarra keeper Gollop was equal to the task, deflecting the shot for a corner which The Stingrays cleared after being awarded a free kick. The game had recommenced in a similar vein to what had been seen in the opening period of the match with both sides pressuring their opposing defence.
In the 53rd minute the menacing Michelle Heyman stole the ball from a Macarthur defender in the Rams defensive third. Heyman moved forward then drifted across field, laying on a superb pass for a charging Michelle Carney who raced into the box before beating the keeper with a well taken strike. The Stingrays had stretched their lead to 2-0.
The Rams attempted an immediate answer, pushing forward and winning a free kick. The shot into the goal mouth was once again juggled by keeper Gollop but Macarthur were unable to take advantage.
Within three minutes of their second goal Illawarra moved forward again with some brilliant combination. A fine save from Rams keeper Grigg saw The Stingrays win a corner. Samantha Spackman, who had started the second half with a flourish, aimed a pinpoint place kick into the goal mouth where Trudy Camilleri was on hand to head the ball into the back of the net and extend the Illawarra lead to three.
If The Rams weren?t already wondering what had hit them Illawarra won another corner two minutes later. This time Grigg couldn?t hold onto the ball with the scramble that followed seeing Michelle Heyman pot away the loose ball to leave The Stingrays with what appeared an unassailable 4-0 lead.
Five minutes of carnage had left the 2007/2008 champions on their knees whilst The Stingrays cheer squad were ecstatic!
The Rams replaced Leesa Thompson with Leila Braimah. Stingrays? keeper Gollop also picked herself up a yellow card.
To Macarthur?s credit they didn?t give up the ghost. After a poor pass in defence from Illawarra Leila Braimah pounced on the ball only to shoot high and wide. The Rams continued to try and go forward. This did leave them vulnerable to counter attack though with Sam Spackman in particular causing the defence all sorts of problems down the right wing.
Ash Connor had another one on one opportunity with the keeper only to shoot off target. Spackman then made a tremendous breakaway. As the Illawarra star approached goal she appeared to be at too tight and angle to score. That she was but only because the cross bar got in the way of her strike!
Illawarra were in control. There was plenty of time left in the match but that looked as if it may work more against the struggling Rams rather than in their favour. In the 73rd minute The Rams gave themselves something of a lifeline when Kylie Ledbrook bobbed up to take advantage of an Illawarra defensive error and score for Macarthur.
Any thoughts of a comeback were quickly scuttled though when The Stingrays launched into attack one minute later. A dazzling run down the right by Michelle Heyman busted the Rams defensive line. Heyman?s cross was perfect, finding Ash Connor on hand to head past the keeper and restore Illawarra?s four goal cushion.
Heyman, who had gone into the match under an injury cloud, was warmly applauded by her team mates as she was replaced by Jess Cooper.
The Stingrays now looked to have the ball on a string with some stylish football being played by the likes of Michelle Carney and Sam Spackman. More goals looked likely from the locals but The Rams were doing their best to keep the rampant Stingrays at bay.
Macarthur did mount attacks of their own with Stephanie Haim prominent in front of goal. But, try as they might, The Rams couldn?t add to their tally.
In the 83rd minute Michelle Carney capped a marvellous match for herself and her team with a magical goal. Carney turned in, out, propped, stepped and then slammed the ball into the back of the net as the bemused Rams defenders looked on. What a goal!
Carney obviously wasn?t satisfied with her masterpiece though, coming very close to adding another in the dying moments of the game. Illawarra Coach Brett Wallin gave some of his substitutes a run as the game moved to its conclusion. The final whistle was met with pandemonium as The Stingrays bench went wild and their light blue cheer squad raced onto the field to celebrate. This was a stunning result for the team that had won their way back into the Premier League with victory in the Arrive alive Women?s Super League last season.
Macarthur Rams may have been vanquished on the day but they should be proud of their effort in reaching their third successive Arrive alive Women?s Premier League Grand Final. It?s the sign of a wonderful team that they have been able to sustain their level of achievement over such a period of time. Coach Matt Turvey and his team were shattered with the result but you can be certain that The Rams will be back next season seeking to win back their title.
The Illawarra Stingrays have had a wonderful 2009 season, winning all honours with their star studded side. Their Grand Final performance was one that they had been capable of producing at any time. When everything clicks into place The Stingrays are a devastating side. It?s little wonder that a number of Stingrays players will be seen in action during the upcoming Westfield W League.
Despite the lop sided scoreline this game proved a fitting final to an exciting Arrive alive Women?s Premier League season. The two top sides in the competition, a stellar day at the office for one of those sides but a brave effort from the runners up. It?s already got everyone looking forward to 2010!
Illawarra Stingrays 6 (M.Carney 53m/83m, H.Kerrigan 15m, T.Camilleri 56m, M.Heyman 58m, A. Connor 74m)
Macarthur Rams 1 (K.Ledbrook 73m)
The day wasn?t all about the first grade Grand Final though.
Balls Paddock saw an assembly of the finest talent in girls/women?s football from age groups Under 12 to seniors. Those in attendance saw some future Matildas in action during the earlier games on the card, with a host of exciting football on display.
In the Under 12 Girls Grand Final Premiers Manly United FC took on the might of NWS Koalas. After taking the half time lead through an own goal the Manly side seemed headed for a comfortable victory. However, The Koalas were made of sterner stuff, mounting a brave comeback. A wonderful goal by Hayley Evans saw The Koalas draw level in the second half only to be denied victory when Manly?s Georgia Wood was on hand to score the winner in the closing stages.
Manly United 2 (own goal, G.Wood)
NWS Koalas 1 (L.Evans)
The Under 14 Girls Grand Final was a magnificent game of football. With their two very talented squads NWS Koalas and Marconi Stallions turned on a classic. With the sides locked 0-0 at the break NWS Koalas Natasha Sterjovski was on hand to put her side in front in the second half. Marconi?s Kristi Pavlicevic then scored what was surely the goal of the day; a 25 meter thunderbolt that slammed into the top right hand corner of the net. A goal that Robbie Fowler would have been happy with!
Both teams then went in search of a winner with opportunities coming thick and fast. However, as the final whistle neared it was Zoe Gomez who became the player of the moment when she scored what turned out to be the decider for The Koalas. So the Premiers added the title of Champions to their resume, NWS Koalas winning 2-1.
NWS Koalas 2 (N.Sterjovski, Z.Gomez)
Marconi Stallions 1 (K.Pavlicevic)
The Under 16 Girls Grand Final proved to be a tight affair. Second placed Marconi Stallions took on the fourth placed Sydney University. The latter had done a fine job, winning through to the decider with semi final wins over Sutherland Sharks and NWS Koalas. Despite some excellent football neither side could find a goal in the first half. Neither side gave an inch as the battle resumed with both teams coming close to breaking the deadlock. When full time came it was still 0-0 and the Grand Final went into extra time.
A penalty shoot out appeared to be looming as time ticked away. The, deep into the second period of extra time, Marconi Captain Helen Petinos threaded her way though the defence to slot away what proved to be the winning goal. Cometh the hour, cometh the woman! Marconi Stallions came away 1-0 winners.
Marconi Stallions 1 (H.Petinos)
Sydney University 0
In the Arrive Alive Women?s Reserve Grade Grand Final the Illawarra Stingrays took on Premiers Manly United FC. This proved to be a tight encounter in the first half before, on the stroke of half time, Sam Muscat scored for The Stingrays after a free kick.
This piece of misfortune seemed to weigh heavily on Manly after the break with The Stingrays gradually gaining the ascendancy. Illawarra Taylor Watt scored a brace before Hannah Minogue completed the rout for Illawarra with a fine finish after a classy run. The Stingrays had been Manly?s bogey team during the season and so it proved on Grand Final Day.
Manly should take some solace from their success in winning the Premier?s mantle for 2009. The Stingrays Grand Final victory was a well deserved climax to their season.
Manly United 0
Illawarra Stingrays 4 (T.Watt 2, S.Muscat, H.Minogue)
It was almost a shame to see the day end. My personal congratulations to everyone involved in the organising of the event; it was truly a football feast for all lovers of girls/women?s football.
My appreciation goes to everyone involved with the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League in 2009; the club officials, the coaches and, of course the players. I?ve enjoyed covering the league this season and I hope that my articles have helped bring added recognition to the premier women?s football competition in NSW.
See you all in 2010!
-By Ross Anderson
