Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Round 17 Review

It just goes to show that the competitive edge remains for every team in the league no matter what their situation as we move towards the finals.
With one week remaining before the finals series the Illawarra Stingrays appear to have the premiership title safely tucked away in their back pocket whilst Manly United FC are holding off Inter Lions in the run for second place. Macarthur Rams are safely ensconced in fourth place with the chasing pack now vying for finishing position only.
The in form Inter Lions travelled to Bathurst for the weekend to do battle with the Western NSW Panthers.
Inter Lions task was to be made that little bit harder by the absence of last weekend?s goal scorers, Catherine Cannuli and Natasha LoGuidice. However, the remainder of the Inter squad was determined to step up and fend off the feisty Panthers.
Inter?s Danni Calvi opened the scoring in the 4th minute from a play that originated from a great through ball by Caitlin Jarvie to Brooke Starrett. Starrett?s cross found Renee Tomkins who set up Calvi to score.
The game then settled into a gritty, hard-fought match with Inter dominating possession but failing to find the back of the net, despite numerous opportunities. Jodie Bain looked certain to score from a brilliant header but was denied by a classy save from Western NSW Panthers goalkeeper, Sarah Hunt. With Inter looking set to go to the break with a 1 – 0 lead, a Panthers free kick in Teegan Courtney volleying home the equalizer.

The tempo lifted in the 2nd half with Inter Captain Jodie Bain taking control in the midfield. A sizzling run by Inter?s Nadia Hamson set up the play for Caitlin Jarvie to score in the 60th minute to put the visitors back in front Inter dominated territorially but The Panthers hit them on the counter attack, looking quite dangerous. However, The Lions were able to hold on to their lead and take home the three points.
Inter maintained their momentum heading towards the finals but The Panthers were very competitive. Both teams have given their fans plenty of thrills so far in 2010.
WESTERN NSW PANTHERS 1 (T.Courtney) 
INTER LIONS                            2 (D.Calvi, C.Jarvie)
At ELS Hall Park the NWS Koalas met Manly United FC.
Manly started the game strongly; with Tiarn Powell giving her side the lead with a goal in the second minute of play.
Fifteen minutes later the visitors had gone two goals up after Alex Kent scored. Things were looking decidedly nasty for The Koalas and they didn?t get any better when Liz Morison made it 3-0 to Manly in the 32^nd minute of play.
At this stage it looked like the scoreboard attendant at ELS Hall Park may need a calculator to keep track of Manly?s score but The Koalas weren?t about to give up.
Rachel Jones put NWS on the scoresheet in the 39^th minute, leaving the half time scoreline at 3-1 to Manly. After the break The Koalas worked their way into the game but couldn?t find themselves another goal. As time ticked away Manly looked comfortable with their advantage but Rachel Doyle of The Koalas decided to shake things up a bit with her goal in the 78^th minute.
At 3-2 to Manly with twelve minutes to go anything could have happened but Manly maintained their lead to win the match.
Manly United FC is still second on the competition table following this win whilst The Koalas remain in seventh place. NWS deserve credit for a gutsy fightback but Manly deserved the points on the day.
NWS KOALAS            2 (R.Jones 39m, R.Doyle 78m)
MANLY UNITED FC 3 (T.Powell 2m, A.Kent 17m, L.Morison 32m)
At Harrie Dening Centre the Sutherland Sharks and Marconi Stallions were both looking to break long losing streaks when they met on Sunday afternoon.
The first half was a tight affair with neither side able to take advantage of opportunities. It was pretty obvious that both sides were very keen to win and, as such, no quarter was being given.
With the match still scoreless in the shadow of half time Marconi were awarded a penalty after Liz O?Reilly was fouled in the box by a Sutherland defender. Once O?Reilly brushed herself off she got up and calmly slotted away the place kick to give her side a 1-0 lead.
After the break The Sharks bounced back quickly with Taryn Ruiz scoring the equalizer for the home side in the 49^th minute. At 1-1 it was anyone?s match.
The two sides both went looking for the winner but it was The Stallions who took their opportunity when Helen Petinos scored in the 71^st minute. Marconi held their slender advantage up until the final whistle to record their first win in some time. Hopefully all the girls could remember the team victory song!
This would have been something of a heartbreaker for Sutherland; they put in a solid effort but didn?t reap the reward. Marconi took their chances and scored a clinical win. Both sides will be looking for better times in 2011.
SUTHERLAND SHARKS 1 (T.Ruiz 49m)
MARCONI STALLIONS  2 (E.O?Reilly 45m, H.Petinos 71m)
Down in South Nowra Southern Branch played host to the Sydney University side. Southern?s recent form had been a gigantic improvement on what the side had produced in the first half of the season but they were up against another side here who?d made a significant comeback of their own in 2010.
Southern Branch scored first after a period of consistent pressure. The University keeper had already made desperate one on one save from Southern?s Laura Robertson before Elise Battin supplied a clinical finish after the University defence was stretched by a fine Southern Branch build up. Was there another upset on the cards here?
Southern Branch looked to be playing for the half time break but got caught out in the 3^rd minute of stoppage time when the University girls got behind the home side?s defence for Loren Mahoney to score. Half time saw the two sides locked together at 1-1.
The second half opened with 20 minutes of Sydney University pressure. The Southern Branch defence was tested every which way; conceding multiple corners and having to come up with a series of last ditch tackles. In the 73^rd minute a great run by University defender Emma Schiller saw her wrong foot the Southern Branch keeper and score to give her side the lead for the first time in the match.
Another desperate Southern Branch challenge saw a penalty awarded to Sydney University but young Southern Branch keeper, Josie Strong, was equal to the task and saved the shot to keep her side in the match.
Both teams had scoring opportunities thereafter but failed to take advantage. In the 93^rd minute Loren Mahoney completed her brace for Sydney University, giving them a hard fought 3-1 win.
Both sides deserve credit for an exciting match. Pats on the back should also be handed out for the way in which the two teams have overcome adversity this season to produce some fine football in the second half of the competition.
SOUTHERN BRANCH  1 (E.Battin 39m)
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY 3 (L.Mahoney 45m/90m, E.Schiller 73m)
Finally, Macarthur Rams travelled to J.J.Kelly Park to take on arch rivals the Illawarra Stingrays.
Illawarra started strongly, snatching the lead in the 10^th minute through a goal by Hayley Kerrigan. The Rams fought back though and in the 25^th minute Macarthur?s Lauren Ralston equalized.
The two sides traded football blows up until half time but couldn?t be separated; going to the break locked at 1-1.
The second half settled into a continuation of the grim battle but, in the 69^th minute, Hayley Kerrigan scored again for Illawarra to break the deadlock. Though Macarthur did everything they could to pull back The Stingrays lead it wasn?t going to happen with the defending premiers running out 2-1 winners.
The Stingrays have had some tough matches in recent weeks but this should only help to have them battle hardened for their finals campaign. Macarthur put in a solid performance only to fall short. However, they did show what a competitive side they are; something The Rams always produce in spades when it comes to finals football.
ILLAWARRA STINGRAYS 2 (H.Kerrigan 10m/69m)
MACRATHUR RAMS           1 (L.Ralston 25m)
Seeing so many exciting games in one weekend augurs well for the upcoming semi finals. Whilst Illawarra Stingrays must be worthy favorites to defend their Grand Final Champions crown they have three worthy adversaries who will ensure that nothing comes easy for the premiers. The final round of the competition proper next week will also decide the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Club Championship with Manly United FC and Inter Lions going into Round 18 locked together.
Look forward to some more great football next weekend!
-By Ross Anderson