Arrive alive Women?s Super League Round 17 Review

Second spot and the double chance in the semi finals is still up for grabs though with Central Coast Lightning and Gladesville Ravens locked in battle for that position going into this weekend?s final competition round.
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.
At Francis Park the competition leaders Blacktown Spartans took on the Northern Tigers.
The Spartans started with a sparkle when Lauren Vosota (?Bullet? to her friends) scored the opening goal in the third minute of play. She repeated the dose in the 29^th minute, giving her team a 2-0 lead at half time.
The Northern Tigers generally competed well but were unable to match a Spartans side that radiates confidence. The second half was scoreless but the Northern Tigers never threatened quite enough to turn the tide.
This was one of those clinical type performances that Blacktown has become good at this season; not necessarily fancy but getting the job done. They must go into the finals series as favorites to take the crown. The Northern Tigers are nearing the end of what may look an unsuccessful season when one considers the competition table but the young Tigers team has certainly shown their potential in 2010 with some fine efforts.
BLACKTOWN SPARTANS 2 (L.Vosota 3m/29m)
NORTHERN TIGERS 0
Pluim Park was the venue for the Central Coast Lightning v Springwood United FC clash.
It took a while for Central Coast Lightning to get their noses in front in this game but, when they did, they made sure of the win.
Shorter opened the scoring for the home side in the 31^st minute with Ashleigh Morris doubling the lead 7 minutes later. Morris then snared another in the 46^th minute and the game suddenly looked like becoming a landslide.
To Springwood?s credit they hung in doggedly through the second half until the 86^th minute when Raegan Woolley scored. The final score saw Central Coast run out 4-0 winners.
This win keeps Central Coast in second spot, if only on goal difference. They meet Eastern UNSW Lions this week in their final round match. Springwood can never be accused of not trying but this season has been a learning curve for the team. There?s one match remaining for the girls to snatch that elusive first win but it won?t be easy. Springwood meets APIA at Summerhayes Park next Sunday.
CENTRAL COAST LIGHTNING 4 (E.Shorter 31m, A.Morris 38m/46m, R.Woolley 86m)
SPRINGWOOD UNITED FC 0
St George Stadium played host to the match between the home side, St George FC, and Gladesville Ravens.
The Ravens were looking for a big win in an effort to improve their goal difference which is the factor keeping them out of second place on the table at the moment. St George FC approached the game with the hopes of a good performance given their struggles during the season.
Gladesville, like any team, have influential players in their ranks who lead the way into battle. However, those players are obviously supported by the team as a whole. You don?t win a game of football with three or four on the field; you need eleven committed players on the field to a successful team. That?s what Ravens have in 2010. So, well done Fatma, Georgena, Aleshea, Tania, Rebecca, Alison, Naj, Melissa, Alyssa, Alisha, Ash, Noelle, Peta, Nicole, Hannah and anyone I?ve missed.
The Ravens opened the scoring in the 11^th minute with a goal from Fatma ?(Fatty? to her friends) Agar. Gladesville would have been hoping that this then opened the floodgates but it didn?t. St George hung in and, whilst they were copping most of the pressure, they managed to keep Gladesville at bay.
In the 27^th minute Gladesville went two goals up when Agar scored her second goal. The ?Super Sub? had now taken on the mantle of ?Super Starter?. In the 46^th minute Agar completed her hat trick, effectively ensuring The Ravens of the points. However, they were not able to ram home the advantage in the second half and their 3-0 win left Gladesville in no better spot goal difference wise than when they kicked off.
Gladesville now must beat league leaders Blacktown Spartans next Sunday and hope that Eastern UNSW Lions can assist their cause by talking points from Central Coast Lightning. Anything is possible but it won?t be easy.
ST GEORGE FC 0
GLADESVILLE RAVENS 3 (F.Agar 11m/27m/46m)
Finally, I mentioned an upset? At Lambert Park APIA Leichhardt Tigers met Lady Hawks; fourth place up against fifth. Lady Hawks late semi final run seemed to have been snuffed out last weekend with their narrow loss to Central Coast Lightning. However, the girls from Melita Stadium came to play.
This is one of those matches where the only information I have is the goal scorer?s names. I can tell you though that the Lady Hawks pulled off a surprise in downing APIA 2-1.
Natalie Spirovski scored for APIA bit Grace Ryanhart and Danni Pringle countered for Lady Hawks. This was a big effort by the visitors and another of those hard to explain results from APIA.
With the greatest of respect to the Lady Hawks girls, on paper this looked a mismatch. However, on the field where it counts Lady Hawks showed plenty of heart.
Mathematically Lady Hawks could still make the finals. They play the battling St George this weekend whilst APIA play Springwood United who they barely escaped from last time the two teams met. I?m not predicting the right results will come to pass for Lady Hawks but at least they have something to play for. How APIA have managed to get themselves in such a position is hard to fathom but they will need to improve ten fold if they are to be competitive in the finals series.
APIA LEICHHARDT TIGERS 1 (N.Spirovski)
LADY HAWKS 2 (G.Ryanhart, D.Pringle)
One more round of football until our top four teams do battle in the finals. Next weekend still holds plenty of interest with the fight for second place, the outside chance that fourth spot could be in contention and plenty of teams wanting to end 2010 with a bang. That sounds like a host of good reasons to be at an Arrive Alive Women?s Super League match next weekend.

– Ross Anderson