Arrive Alive Women?s Super League Round 18 Review
Whilst Gladesville Ravens scored a great win over the Premiers, Blacktown Spartans, it wasn?t enough to edge them into second place after Central Coast narrowly snuck past Eastern UNSW Lions. APIA also cemented their place in the finals with a win over Springwood United FC.
Blacktown Spartans also won themselves promotion to the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League in 2011 by winning the Club Championship. Congratulations to all involved with The Spartans for the club?s success this season.
In next weekend?s semi finals, all to be played at Francis Park at Blacktown, Gladesville Ravens will meet APIA Leichhardt Tigers on Saturday afternoon whilst Blacktown will play Central Coast Lightning on Sunday. I doubt that there?ll be any prisoners taken in either of these clashes so ensure you get to Francis Park on the weekend to see the girls in action.
Our weekend review starts with the Blacktown Spartans v Gladesville Ravens game at Francis Park.
The Ravens came into the game in a must win situation and, despite going behind 1-0 in the 27th minute after Blacktown?s Captain Bronwyn Jarvis scored, Gladesville were not to be denied.
In the 47th minute the visitors equalized through a goal from Mel Freckleton. Within five minutes The Ravens were in front when Hannah Vousden scored. The Gladesville side was at their enthusiastic best; working to snuff out Blacktown?s attempts to get back into the match.
In the 70th minute Gladesville scored what turned out to be the clincher when Mel Freckleton was the right girl in the right spot to complete a classy brace. Gladesville saw out the final twenty minutes strongly to record what was a confidence boosting result a week from the finals.
Blacktown will be disappointed to lose their undefeated record in the last match of the season but they?ll be primed for a big performance in the first week of the finals. Who knows? Maybe Sunday?s match was a preview of what we can expect on Grand Final Day?
BLACKTOWN SPARTANS 1 (B.Jarvis 27m)
GLADESVILLE RAVENS 3 (M.Freckleton 47m/70m, H.Vousden 52m)
At David Phillips Field the Eastern UNSW Lions played Central Coast Lightning.
A win here was vital for Central Coast as they endeavored to ensure second place and the double finals chance it provides.
Unfortunately I?ve not been provided with any details from this match but I can tell you that Central Coast did achieve their goal, albeit narrowly, with a 1-0 win over Eastern UNSW Lions.
The prize for The Lightning?s win is a major semi final with Blacktown Spartans next Sunday. Congratulations to Central Coast on their performance to finish as runners up both on the competition table and in the club championship.
Eastern UNSW Lions missed out on yet another close match but they should be well pleased with their debut season in the Arrive Alive Women?s Super League. With a little tinkering here and there The Lions could prove very competitive in 2011.
EASTERN UNSW LIONS 0
CENTRAL COAST LIGHTNING 1
At St George Stadium it was St George FC up against Lady Hawks.
The Lady Hawks went into the game hoping that results elsewhere may work in their favor and give them a chance at reaching the finals but that wasn?t to be.
After a fairly quite opening thirty minutes all hell broke loose with three goals being scored in four minutes. Grace Ryanhart put the Lady Hawks in front in the 31st minute with Lexie Wilson doubling the visitors? lead two minutes later.
St George then struck back in the 35th minute Laura Fagan pounced on an opportunity to leave the half time score at 2-1 in favor of Lady Hawks.
After the break both sides fought hard to grab some ascendancy. Finally, in the 72nd minute, Alishia Dudman put one in the back of the net for the Lady Hawks to stretch their advantage to 3-1. St George FC couldn?t bridge the gap and it was Grace Ryanhart who scored again for Lady Hawks two minutes from time to give her side a well deserved 4-1 win.
St George put in a good effort in their final appearance of the 2010 season. They?ll be hoping for stronger overall showing in 2011.
The Lady Hawks finished their season in grand style but, unfortunately, fell just short of a semi final spot. Their two seasons in the Arrive Alive Women?s Super League have displayed plenty of potential. Continued improvement may see them challenge for finals football next year.
ST GEORGE FC 1 (L.Fagan 35m)
LADY HAWKS 4 (G.Ryanhart 31m/88m, L.Wilson 33m, A.Dudman 72m)
At Summerhayes Park APIA Leichhardt Tigers needed to win to ensure their semi final spot. All Springwood wanted was a win!
Again, detail is scarce for this match. APIA won through with a 3-1 win Sky Tasker was the goal scorer for the home side whilst Rosillo, Kylie Meehan and Natalie Spirovski did the damage for the visitors.
APIA now plays Gladesville Ravens in the minor semi final next Saturday. This should be a very entertaining affair. Despite APIA?s indifferent form during the season I don?t know of any side that looks forward to playing them. If everything clicks for The Tigers they are capable of anything; but will they click?
Springwood United FC had a tough introduction to the ?big time? this season but they did manage some promising performances. They can now start planning for next season. The girls should be proud of what they did in 2010.
SPRINGWOOD UNITED FC 1 (S.Tasker)
APIA LEICHHARDT TIGERS 3 (L.Rosillo, K.Meehan, N.Spirovski)
Four teams now go on to decide the Grand Final Champions in 2010. For the other five clubs the season has come to an end. There have been plenty of highs and lows for each. We?ve seen some excellent individual performances; some great goals, dazzling saves, bone crunching tackles, tears and cheers. The Arrive Alive Women?s Super League has provided us with eighteen round of exciting football.
The semi finals will be keenly contested with four very capable sides going into battle. Blacktown Spartans must start favorites after a wonderful season but the competition starts all over again next weekend. Any one of the four teams remaining can mount a case for why they can win the title. I can?t wait to see the Arrive Alive Women?s Super League?s four best teams in action next weekend.
– Ross Anderson
