Arrive Alive Women?s Super League Round 13 Review

After midweek catch up matches that provided nil all draws in the APIA v Eastern UNSW Lions and St George FC v Springwood United FC games, the goals flowed more freely over the weekend.
Unfortunately I must apologise again for a lack of detail supplied regarding goals scored, etc but let?s battle our way through regardless with a review of what occurred at each individual game.
At David Phillips Field the action was fast and furious as the Eastern UNSW Lions and Northern Tigers went to war in the battle of the big cats; in name at least!
These two sides aren?t sitting in the top half of the ladder but no-one can deny the intensity with which they approach their football. The Lions were backing up after a tough midweek game but it certainly didn?t dampen their competitive spirit.
Both sides had their chances to come away with all three points after Tigers led 2-1 at half time but, in the end, the honors were shared in a 2-2 result. Gigi Tsang added to her growing goal tally for the home side along with Godman whilst Docherty and Dal Pozzo found the back of the net for The Tigers.
EASTERN UNSW LIONS 2 (G.Tsang, R.Godman)
NORTHERN TIGERS       2 (C.Docherty, G.Dal Pozzo)
At Lambert Park, APIA Leichhardt Tigers and St George FC were both hitting the pitch for the second time in a week as they went looking to further add to their season?s points tally.
The gulf between the two sides on the competition table was reflected in the scoreline as the high flying APIA girls took their struggling opponents apart. It wasn?t a fond farewell for St George FC Captain Natalie Di Francesco in her final game for St George before moving to Queensland. Now, I don?t know if Natalie is making a lot of farewell appearances but I thought she?d left weeks ago! She will be sorely missed by her St George team mates.
The 6-0 APIA victory was highlighted by an Alicia Cavanagh hat trick. With Cavanagh working into form as The Tigers drive towards the finals the Leichhardt girls will certainly look even more formidable in the big games ahead.
APIA LEICHHARDT TIGERS 6 (A.Cavanagh 3, N.Spirovski, K.Bridge)
ST GEORGE FC                          0
At Summerhayes Park Springwood United, fresh from grabbing their first competition point midweek, met second placed Gladesville Ravens.
Springwood tried hard but couldn?t match the Gladesville girls. The Ravens still hold hopes of running down competition leaders Blacktown Spartans to snatch the premiership crown. They were too solid for the locals with a stand out performance by Mel Freckleton who found the back of the net three times.
The Ravens continue to impress but Springwood took some joy from the week with that precious competition point from their midweek game.
SPRINGWOOD UNITED   0
GLADESVILLE RAVENS 4 (M.Freckleton 3, I, Blair)
Up at Pluim Park the Central Coast Lightning played host to the Blacktown Spartans in what certainly looked to be the match of the round.
The visitors scored first with Stacey Hetherington heading home the goal from what appeared a well rehearsed corner play. This was the lone goal of the first half in what was a very competitive encounter.
After half time the Central Coast side caught the Blacktown defence flat footed, slipping a great ball through to striker Potts to equalise. The game was now up for grabs as both sides went looking for a winner. However it was Blacktown, after striker Amanada Kearns got in behind the Lightning defence to set up Lauren Vosota?s volleyed goal, who came up with the vital play.
Central Coast had a chance to take a share of the points five minutes from time when they were awarded a penalty for a Blacktown hand ball but Spartans keeper Yeliz Dogan came up with a brilliant save to give her side the win.
These two sides showed in this match why they?ll both be in the thick of the action come finals time.
CENTRAL COAST LIGHTNING 1 (R.Potts)
BLACKTOWN SPARTANS           2 (S.Hetherington, L.Vosota)
Fifth placed Lady Hawks had the bye this weekend.
So the weekend ended with the top four still way out in front of the rest of the pack. Blacktown Spartans lead on 29 points; Gladesville Ravens are second on 25 points, followed by APIA on 21 and Central Coast Lightning on 20 points. There are still a number of catch up matches to be played though with APIA and Central Coast both having a game in hand.
Next weekend sees a very important clash between APIA Leichhardt Tigers and Blacktown Spartans at Lambert Park; a match that could open up all sorts of possibilities for the competition table. The battle for the top two spots coming into the finals is certainly an intense one. The pressure will certainly be on all the teams in the top four in the coming weeks.
See you all at the ground next weekend.
-By Ross Anderson