Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Round 16 Review

I must apologise again that I haven?t been supplied with all the finer details of some matches. Also, please keep in mind when reading the reports that, if I don?t actually attend a particular game I have only the goal scorers? names, usually the time they scored the goals and the occasional email from one of the sides involved to assist in putting this review together for you. I apologise if any information I?ve been supplied with is incorrect.
In Bathurst the Western NSW Panthers finals hopes finally evaporated when they were held to a 2-2 draw by second placed Manly United FC.
The Panthers have now dropped seven points off fourth place with just two games remaining. Manly may also have left themselves under a little pressure as, though they have a game in hand against Sydney University, they now have Macarthur Rams and Inter Lions sitting just two points in arrears. Manly will need to be careful that they don?t give either chaser a sniff of a top two spot.
In the weekend?s match Kira Churchland scored a double for The Panthers in the 63^rd and 70^th minutes whilst Alex Kent and Liz Morison were the scorers for Manly. The scores reflect that this was a close match which could have gone either way. Western will be disappointed to drop out of finals contention but their efforts in their debut season in the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League have been impressive. Manly United FC won?t lose any admirers with their performance; they still look one of the danger teams in the finals series.
WESTERN NSW PANTHERS 2 (K.Churchland 63m/70m)
MANLY UNITED FC 2 (A.Kent, L.Morison)
Sutherland Sharks grabbed themselves a lifeline in their attempts to avert the wooden spoon when they managed a 0-0 draw with NWS Koalas at Harrie Dening Centre.
Both sides had their chances but neither was able to find the back of the net. The Koalas had the opportunity to snatch a win in the final two minutes of play but Sutherland keeper Bianca Alchi was able to pull off a fine save to ensure her team got a share of the points.
Sutherland meets the disappointing Marconi next week whilst The Koalas come up against Manly United FC.
SUTHERLAND SHARKS 0
NWS KOALAS 0
AT South Nowra Southern Branch continued their impressive back end of the season with a narrow 2-1 loss to Macarthur Rams.
After being held to a 0-0 half time scoreline The Rams grabbed the lead in the 53^rd minute through a goal to Linda Dudek. Elisha Williams double the visitors lead in the 75^th minute before Lousie Lloyd Jones snatched a consolation goal from the penalty spot for Southern Branch three minutes from time.
Whilst disappointed with the loss I?m sure that Southern Branch Coach Shane Duffy would be happy with the effort put in by his side. Macarthur Rams were certainly in control for most of the match but may have expected an easier task than what they eventually encountered.
Southern?s results against Inter Lions and Macarthur Rams in the last fortnight will have those who are still to venture to South Nowra in the second round treading very warily. The Rams come up against arch rivals Illawarra Stingrays next weekend in what should be a blockbuster.
SOUTHERN BRANCH 1 (L.Lloyd-Jones 87m)
MACARTHUR RAMS 2 (L.Dudek 53m, E.Williams 75m)
At Marconi Stadium a depleted Stallions team fell to a heavy defeat at the hands of one of the league?s form teams, Sydney University.
Sydney University grabbed the lead in the fifth minute through a goal to Mahoney who then proceeded to rattle off her hat trick with goals in the 25^th and 44^th minutes.
Marconi wouldn?t have enjoyed the half time oranges facing a 3-0 scoreline and, unfortunately, things didn?t get much better for the locals in the second half.
Despite Liz O?Reilly?s goal for the home side in the 64^th minute any hopes of a comeback were short lived as Kate Trebilcock replied for Sydney University one minute later. In the 68^th minute Olivia Kennedy put the final nail in the Marconi coffin allowing the University side to run out convincing 5-1 winners.
It?s been a disappointing end to the season for Marconi as a poor run of form; injuries and a lack of confidence have brought the youngsters back to Earth with a thud. Sydney University have been exactly the opposite; completing their season with a bang.
MARCONI STALLIONS 1 (E. O?Reilly 64m)
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY  5 (L.Mahoney 5m/25m/44m, K.Trebilcock 65m, O.Kennedy 68m)
The big match of the weekend was undoubtedly the Inter Lions v Illawarra Stingrays match at Concord Oval.
The Stingrays went into the match undefeated but Inter Lions were confident they could cause an upset.
Illawarra started well, playing bright football that tested the Inter defence. Their efforts were rewarded in the 20^th minute when Michelle Carney celebrated her return to the starting line up with a well taken goal.
The sides swapped sabre thrusts until half time without either causing any change to the scoreboard. So it was that Illawarra went into the sheds with a deserved 1-0 lead.
The talented Inter side was not to be denied however. The Stingrays wasted some further opportunities and Inter slowly started to work themselves into the game. In the 60^th minute Illawarra cleared outside the box from an Inter Lions corner. Natasha LoGuidice latched onto the ball sending it rocketing into the back of the net to put Inter Lions back on level terms.
Illawarra tried to respond but it was they who succumbed to the pressure in the 83^rd minute when Catherine Cannuli dispossessed a Stingrays defender near half way and set sail for goal. Cannuli slotted away her chance, giving Inter Lions a 2-1 lead which they held until the final whistle.
This was a massive win for Inter Lions; one that should give them a big boost in confidence as they move towards the finals series. I doubt that Illawarra Stingrays Coach Brett Wallin would be jumping off a cliff over his team?s first loss since 2009 but it?s a timely reminder for the Premiers that there are other contenders for the title.
Inter Lions travel to Bathurst next weekend for a game with Western NSW Panthers whilst Illawarra host The Rams at J.J.Kelly Park.
INTER LIONS 2 (N.LoGuidice 60m, C.Cannuli 83m)
ILLAWARRA STINGRAYS 1 (M.Carney 20m)
Two more rounds of football before the finals so there?s still plenty of opportunity for some upsets, some coach meltdowns and some player heroics. Does Illawarra?s loss open the competition up or is this just a momentary speed hump for the champions? Is Manly United FC, Macarthur Rams or Inter Lions the main challenger for the title? All these questions and more will be answered in the coming weeks.

– Ross Anderson