Arrive Alive Women?s Super League Round 16 Review

The weekend provided some tough battles with close results in most matches. The semi finalists were more or less confirmed though the make up of the finals is still hanging on results over the next two weeks. One thing that we can be certain of is that it?s going to be a very competitive finals series with very little between the four teams who will be participating.
An example of what awaits us in the semi finals was on show at Magdala Park where Gladesville Ravens met APIA Leichhardt Tigers.
The Ravens were obviously revved up for this match; wanting to prove to all and sundry their credentials as premiership aspirants. Their enthusiastic start produced the desired effect when Nikki Ridley opened the scoring for The Ravens in the 13th minute.
The Ravens played some good football during this period but APIA gradually played themselves into the game. In the 37th minute Alicia Cavanagh won a free kick within sight of the Gladesville goal and took full advantage; slotting away the place kick to even the score going into the half time break.
The arm wrestle continued into the second stanza with both sides working hard to break the deadlock. In the 59th minute Fatma Agar latched on to a fine pass by Georgena Attallah to put the home side back in front. Agar?s goal scoring exploits in recent weeks are earning her the title of ?Super Sub? amongst her team mates.
Just as The Ravens started to think they were about to get away with the three points that girl Alicia Cavanagh bobbed up again in the 76th minute to equalize for APIA. The final fourteen minutes produced plenty of thrills and spills but neither side could find a winner thus sharing the points in an entertaining clash.
Both sides remain in the running for a top two spot but one would think that Gladesville?s chances may be a trifle better with only two rounds remaining.
GLADESVILLE RAVENS 2 (N.Ridley 13m, F.Agar 59m)
APIA LEICHHARDT TIGERS 2 (A.Cavanagh 37m/76m)
At Melita Stadium Lady Hawks feint semi finals hopes went on the line against Central Coast Lightning.
The Lightning were in front after only fifteen minutes when Keane scored for the visitors. The 1-0 lead was maintained into half time by The Lightning with Keane adding a second ten minutes into the second half. The Lady Hawks looked to have had their finals hopes well and truly torpedoed before Grace Ryanhart gave them a lifeline with a goal in the 62nd minute.
Try as they might though the Lady Hawks were unable to reel the Central Coast side in and the match finished in a 2-1 victory to the Lightning side.
The Lady Hawks now fall six points off fourth place with two rounds remaining whilst Central Coast Lightning lift into second place on goal difference.
LADY HAWKS 1 (G.Ryanhart 62m)
CENTRAL COAST LIGHTNING 2 (R.Keane 15m/55m)
At Mills Park Northern Tigers played host to St George FC.
St George FC stayed in the game for the majority of the first half but in the 29th minute Georgie Eastoe was on hand to score her third goal in two matches, putting The Tigers up 1-0. In the shadows of half time Gabi Dal Pozzo slotted away a second for the home side; a goal that seemed to sound a death knell to St George?s chances.
After the break Northern Tigers looked to consolidate their lead further with their efforts being rewarded in the 62nd minute when Ally Meek scored Northern?s third goal.
St George FC were given some respite in the 72nd minute when Jessica Carosi scored but this was only to be a consolation goal for the visitors. The Northern Tigers held on strongly in the closing twenty minutes to record a well deserved 3-1 victory.
The Tigers are now in sixth place, looking to finish their 2010 campaign on a positive note. St George FC remain in eighth spot, seemingly safe from the wooden spoon but with no prospect of moving any further up the ladder.
NORTHERN TIGERS 3 (G.Eastoe 29m, G.Dal Pozzo 42m, A.Meek 62m)
ST GEORGE FC 1 (J.Carosi 72m)
At Summerhayes Park Springwood United FC took on the Eastern UNSW Lions.
Springwood FC started competitively and kept pace with The Lions in the opening period of the match. However, in the 20th minute Godman of Eastern UNSW was on target to put her side into a 1-0 lead.
The score stayed at 1-0 up until half time with Springwood still in the hunt for that elusive first win in the Arrive Alive Women?s Super League. But, five minutes into the second half, disaster struck Springwood when Ivanovic snared a second goal for the visitors to give them a 2-0 lead. With Springwood?s best goal haul in a single match this year standing at two a win now looked unlikely.
The homes side tried hard to rally but the Eastern UNSW Lions were too strong, recording their third win for 2010.
The Lions could now finish as high as sixth but Springwood?s hopes of offloading the wooden spoon seem doomed.
SPRINGWOOD UNITED FC 0
EASTERN UNSW LIONS 2 (R.Godman 20m, T.Ivanovic 50m)
There are only two rounds remaining in the competition proper, with the Arrive Alive Women?s Super League Finals Series just around the corner. There?s plenty of good football to go but the finals this season look like being blockbusters.
Keep cheering for your favorite team over the next few weeks.

– Ross Anderson