Arrive Alive Women?s Super League Final

Premiers Blacktown were looking to turn their recent form around whilst APIA were after a repeat of last weekend?s semi final win over Gladesville Ravens.
The early exchanges were in APIA?s favour with Natalie Spirovski particularly prominent. APIA were exposing the Blacktown defence but weren?t able to take advantage of their early opportunities.  Blacktown?s attack hadn?t yet been able to find its rhythm as the APIA defence were performing solidly.
Blacktown managed to create the best opportunity of the opening 15 minutes when a Bronwyn Jarvis free kick was headed over the bar by Stacey Hetherington.
APIA again moved forward with before Blacktown was given a free kick opportunity after the referee called a foul by Kirstie Bridge. Bronwyn Jarvis?s place kick flew into goal as a charge of Blacktown players surged forward but APIA defused the danger quickly.
APIA was then awarded a free kick of their own on the edge of the Spartans penalty area after the Blacktown keeper stepped out of the box when clearing the ball. Alicia Cavanagh?s spot kick hit the cross bar and bounced clear. The pressure was building on The Spartans though. They needed to find some breathing space but APIA seemed determined to suffocate them.
Another APIA free kick from distance landed in the path of Cavanagh who flicked the ball wide of goal. Blacktown?s forays into the APIA half were infrequent with APIA in control of the middle of the park.
In the closing minutes of the first half Blacktown started to gather some momentum but APIA still appeared comfortable.  At the half time whistle the teams were still locked at 0-0.
The second half was only minutes old when a Chanel Turner free kick found Alicia Cavanagh running at goal only for the APIA striker to volley straight to the keeper. Blacktown was more prominent in the opening minutes of this half as they tried to turn APIA back on their heels.
Slowly APIA started to grind away though and Blacktown was battling to close their opponents down. There were signs of frustration for APIA though as they started to pull the trigger from long range.
Blacktown Coach Neil Ross then played his cards from the bench, replacing Erin Connell with Kirralea Shannon who made an immediate impact with a strong run into the APIA half. Blacktown now had two speedy options up front as Shannon and Lauren Vosota joined forces.
Blacktown was then awarded a free kick. Their variation won them a corner after a deflection off an APIA defender. The resulting corner almost caused disaster for APIA but, after some heart palpitations, The Tigers were able to clear the ball. APIA Coach Tarek Madani then subbed Kirstie Bridge with Tani Rose-Kelly. Moments later an APIA corner almost brought joy for The Tigers but the header was taken low down by Spartans keeper Yeliz Dogan.
Some nice work by APIA captain Kylie Meehan and Natalie Spirovski was closed down by a fine Bronwyn Jarvis tackle. At this point Blacktown?s cause suffered a serious blow when Maryanne Mikhail was injured. Mikhail had played strongly up to this point and was replaced by Megan Burtenshaw.
Another APIA corner caused angst for Blacktown with Gillian De Rooy seeming to have the goal at her mercy before Blacktown keeper Dogan?s reflex palm saved the day. This was a game that was screaming for a goal but neither side were able to find the back of the net.
A yellow card to Blacktown?s Stacey Hetherington after a foul on Frances Dimino led to an APIA free kick. Chanel Turner?s delivery was headed into the path of Natalie Spirovski in front of goal but, once again, keeper Dogan was able to save the day for the home side.
APIA broke forward from defence with Spirovski and Cavanagh combining before Spirovski shot over the bar. Tani Rose Kelly then made a run from defence before passing to Cavanagh whose shot bobbled to the keeper.
APIA won yet another corner but this was headed wide with the last kick of the game. The referee?s whistle blew, leaving the match heading into extra time.
APIA made the first surge of extra time, winning a free kick to the right of the Blacktown goal. The kick again put Blacktown under pressure but keeper Dogan eventually grabbed possession to remove the threat.
As extra time went on Blacktown started to look as if they might finish a little more strongly than APIA. The Spartans won a free kick five metres outside the APIA box. Bronwyn Jarvis kick flew like an exocet missile at goal but was brilliantly saved by a diving APIA keeper Karrinda Moodley. 
At the end of the first period of extra time the score was still 0-0.
Blacktown had begun to look that little more desperate in extra time; that desperation bringing them increased opportunity. At the start of the second period Blacktown won a free kick only to see Bronwyn Jarvis?s kick blaze across the penalty box.
APIA won themselves a corner but the chance was wasted as the ball hit the side netting.
Blacktown then pounced on an APIA error in front of goal only to miss their chance and supply APIA with a relieving free kick.
As time wound down neither side could find that magical moment that would win the match. APIA suffered a blow when Natalie Spirovski was carried from the field. She was replaced for the final few minutes by the experienced Amanda Bowering.
The referee blew the final whistle, sending the match into a penalty shoot out.
A betting man may well have expected that a penalty shoot out would suit the experience of the APIA side. With the pressure now on the younger Blacktown side cracked. APIA?s Amanda Bowering put the final nail in the Blacktown coffin by slotting away the winning penalty.
This wasn?t what you?d call a pretty game but it was a true display of finals football. APIA was the better side, deserving to move through to the title decider next Saturday at Francis Park. Blacktown has had a wonderful season, being crowned Premiers and Club Champions. I?m sure that will give some consolation to a disappointed band of Spartans.
APIA, the enigma of the Arrive Alive Women?s Super League, are now Grand Finalists. Central Coast Lightning awaits them in the title decider in what should be a gripping encounter. Could it be that their oft mentioned potential is about to blossom?
BLACKTOWN SPARTANS   0
APIA LEICHHARDT TIGERS 0
APIA WON 4-3 ON PENALTIES.
I look forward to seeing all supporters of girls/women?s football at the Arrive Alive Women?s Super League Grand Final Day at Francis Park next Saturday.