Women?s Premier League Round 4 Review
Illawarra Stingrays and Marconi Stallions were pushed by their less favoured opponents whilst the lopsided results of recent weeks appear to have abated.
Your reporter filled his thermos, packed his travelling rug and headed south for the country derby between Southern Branch and Western NSW Panthers.
Overcast skies greeted the two sides as Southern Branch and Western NSW Panthers took the field at Ison Park in South Nowra. Both sides were coming off previous round losses so a win was of the essence, especially for the struggling Southern side.
The opening minutes were dominated by The Panthers with Captain Gillian Rosconi having dual opportunities defused by Southern keeper Josie Strong.
Western?s Megan Embleton also made some incisive runs down the right flank as the visitors held both the territorial and possession advantages.
In the 8th minute Western made ground down the right with a cross from Embleton finding Rosconi in front of goal for a simple finish to put The Panthers in the lead.
Chloe Callaghan then combined with Jemma Collingridge but the latter?s volley at goal lacked venom, being comfortably fielded by the Southern keeper. The early signs were not good for the home side as they struggled to hold the ball, finding themselves constantly under pressure.
Western were displaying plenty of confidence in attack; moving the ball around the park to break down the Southern defence. Rosconi in particular was looking dangerous in front of goal with another solid strike flying to the hand of a diving Strong in the Southern goal.
A beautiful cross from the left flank by Lauren Diduszko was misjudged by the Southern keeper and met at the back post by Megan Embleton but her shot flew into the side netting.
Southern were unable to build any momentum as their opponents monopolised possession. A Western corner in the 21st minute found Kira Churchland in front of goal but her well taken shot went straight to the keeper.
Southern gradually found some combination but their brief periods inside the Western NSW half were not proving constructive. The Panthers keeper Jessica Daymond was enjoying a fairly comfortable afternoon with little work being pushed her way.
The Western NSW defence was looking composed with Teigan Cox playing a strong role in the middle of the field. Going into the half hour mark the game was evening up with The Panthers initial surge seeming to slow somewhat. In the next moment though Western broke from defence with some enterprising play ending with Megan Embleton?s shot being pushed over the bar by Southern keeper Strong.
In the 34th minute Southern won themselves a corner but Western NSW were able to clear the threat comfortably. The Panthers charged forward soon after with Jemma Collingridge involving herself in the attack. However, the visitors couldn?t quite find their way and, despite call for a handball against a Southern defender, the home side managed to clear their line.
Good combination by Cox and Rosconi saw the Panthers Captain racing towards goal but her shot went rather weakly into the side netting. Another opportunity went astray soon after when Rosconi was called offside as she was about to tap away her second goal.
The Panthers put together some fine one touch passing with Kira Churchland?s long pass finding Megan Embleton whose pass towards goal was pushed to the goalkeeper with the goal at the visitors? mercy.
The half time whistle blew with The Panthers up 1-0. Considering their considerable dominance of most of the half they?d have been expecting a lot more.
The playful banter between Southern Branch Coach Shane Duffy and the Western NSW Panthers spectators kept everyone amused as Duffy was given some pointers on player management and dealing with match officials. It was good to see people ready to have a laugh and enjoy the football. I wish this would happen every week!
The second half commenced in bright sunshine. The Southern girls were hoping that this was a sign from above that their luck was about to change. However, it was Western who were first to attack, winning successive corners; neither of which they were able to convert.
In the 54th minute Jemma Collingridge then made a jinking run into penalty area before laying the ball back Rosconi who was unable to get to the ball. Southern weren?t able to work their way out of trouble though with a shot from Western hitting the bar before dropping to the feet of Chloe Callaghan who put her chance away in fine fashion. It was now 2-0 to The Panthers who almost made it three when a Gillian Rosconi header from a Kristy Collingridge cross was unable to find its mark.
Collingridge made another fine run, striding into the box before crossing to Chloe Callaghan who suddenly had a brace next to her name. After 55 minutes Western NSW had built a 3-0 lead.
Kristy Collingridge was proving a real handful for the defence down Western?s left flank, making a series of sizzling runs. Southern were battling to stay in touch with a number of heads dropping as the scoreline started to get away from them.
Southern had barely created a scoring opportunity, being unable to enough passes together to prise open the Southern defence. The home side were starting to tire also with many girls having backed up from Reserve Grade.
In the 65th minute Cox and Rosconi combined well before releasing Callaghan who burst down the flank. She checked and crossed the ball but her effort was too close to the goalkeeper who fielded it comfortably.
Both coaches then went to the bench; Western NSW Panthers substituting Kira Churchland with Lisa Mathews whilst Southern Branch brought on Rheanna Lotter for Chantelle Nohokau. Pru Harrison had also moved to the bench for Southern having been replaced by Mel Armitage.
Western were soon on the attack again but Rosconi?s shot moved wide of goal. Embleton and Rosconi combined to send Embleton down the sideline with her cross to goal flying just over the head of the advancing Chloe Callaghan.
In the 81st minute the Southern defence failed to clear the ball. Constant Western NSW pressure saw Jemma Collingridge steal the ball, breaking into the box before the ball pin balled to Callaghan. She ran to the line, crossing across the face of goal where Kristy Collingridge smashed the ball into the back of the net for goal number four.
Leanne Billington then replaced Sarah Frank in the 83rd minute.
Callaghan was soon advancing on goal once more, in search of her hat trick, but her shot was saved at fingertips by Southern keeper Strong. Southern then got their big opportunity to score with Caylie Wise making a fine before shooting over the bar. Three minutes from time Wise grasped her chance with a shot from outside the box sailing into the back of the net to make the score 4-1.
Kristy Collingridge then broke through after a tired attempt at clearance by the Southern defence but keeper Strong was able to dive on the ball to save the day.
The final whistle saw Western NSW Panthers running out 4-1 winners.
Southern Branch Captain, Sarah Johnson admitted to being disappointed with the result. She lamented that the club was struggling with numbers in the two senior grades, requiring many players to back up from Reserves or even the Under 16?s. Johnson said that the younger girls do bring enthusiasm into the side. Asked how the team was coping with the lopsided scorelines of recent weeks Johnson said ?It is hard to back up but we keep battling away?.
Western NSW Panthers Captain Gillian Rosconi said that, whilst it was pleasing to win, she thought that her team faced a long, difficult season. Rosconi felt that The Panthers had improved their game today with better passing and more communication on the field. She felt that recent matches had seen the team rushing and pushing passes which contributed to their disappointing results.
Whilst Western NSW did deserve their win they made heavy weather of what looked like being a landslide given their early domination. Southern Branch tried hard but were basically outplayed across the park. There were some very tired players towards the end of the game as the rigours of the day took its toll on individuals backing up from earlier games. Both teams face tough seasons but, at this stage, the determination and willingness to play is there for all to see.
SOUTHERN BRANCH 1 (C.Wise 87m)
WESTERN NSW PANTHERS 4 (G.Rosconi 8m, K.Callaghan 54m/55m, K.Collingridge 81m)
At Cromer Park Manly United FC and Inter Lions fought out a tight first half with the two sides going to the break locked at 0-0.
Eight minutes into the second half Manly?s new goal scoring dynamo, Sarah Roger, pounced to give her side a 1-0 lead. Six minutes later Manly?s answer to Wayne Rooney; fortunately Sarah is better looking than Wayne, completed her third brace in three matches to push her team out to a 2-0 advantage.
Inter Lions struggled to get back into the match but, when Gemma O?Toole added Manly?s third goal in the 75th minute to effectively kill off any hope of a comeback from the visitors.
Inter?s Heidi Makrillos scored from the penalty spot in the 76th minute but it to no avail as Manly United FC ran out convincing 3-1 winners.
Manly United FC continue on their winning way, remaining undefeated after three rounds. Inter Lions have only one point from a possible nine and the penalty spot has been their only source of goals in the last two matches. The two teams are certainly heading in opposite directions at this early stage of the season.
MANLY UNITED FC 3 (S.Roger 53m/59m, G.O?Toole75m)
INTER LIONS 1 (H.Makrillos 76m)
Francis Park was the venue for the Blacktown Spartans versus Marconi Stallions match. Blacktown were looking for the first win of 2011; Marconi were keen to rebound after their surprise defeat by NWS Koalas last weekend.
To Blacktown?s credit they took the match right up to The Stallions and the visitors struggled to put their stamp on the match. The first half was nip and tuck but neither side was able to get the scoreboard attendant busy prior to the break.
Marconi snatched the lead 3 minutes into the second half when the classy Jessica Coates put the ball in the back of the net. If The Stallions thought this may be a sign of the dam starting to break they were shocked just two minutes later when Bruce equalised for Blacktown.
As the second half progressed opportunities came and went but the 1-1 scoreline remained. In the shadows of full time, with the points apparently about to be shared, Marconi Captain Jodie Bain brought joy for the travelling supporters when she scored to give her team the lead. There wasn?t enough time for Blacktown to mount a fresh challenge and Marconi left for home with the three points.
Blacktown have had some difficult issues with player numbers; having lost a group of high profile recruits early in the season. However, this display should give the team confidence going forward. Their results have not looked good on paper but looking at the matches in context they?ve put in some very competitive performances. Marconi battled away to get the win; it?s always a positive when sides aren?t necessarily at their best but still find a way to get a result. However, Coach Rob Pearce will be looking for more from his team in the coming weeks.
BLACKTOWN SPARTANS 1 (L.Bruce 50m)
MARCONI STALLIONS 2 (J.Coates 48m, J.Bain 87m)
Macarthur Rams travelled to the Central Coast to take on Central Coast FC.
The Rams started strongly with Renee Cartwright putting the visitors up 1-0 after just 6 minutes. Linda Dudek added a second for Macarthur in the 26th minute as The Rams looked likely to run away with the match. However, Siahn Bozanic grabbed her fourth goal of the Women?s Premier League campaign to bring Central Coast back into the match in the 33rd minute.
The home side had little time to savour their resurgence as Dudek gave herself a brace with her second goal just four minutes after the Central Coast goal. Stephanie Haim then made a welcome return to the goalscoring list for Macarthur when she scored their fourth goal right on half time.
With the Rams up 4-1 at the break it looked a long way back for the Central Coast side and so it proved to be. Despite managing to keep Macarthur scoreless through the second half Central Coast couldn?t add to their own tally leaving the final score at 4-1 In favour of The Rams.
This is Macarthur?s first win of the season after two draws in earlier matches. The jury is still out on Macarthur?s chances this season. We?ll have to see how they cope with the competition ?big guns? before truly assessing their hopes.
Central Coast FC tried hard again. They deserve plenty of credit for the way in which they?ve regrouped after a disastrous start to their season. They were essentially outplayed on the day but showed plenty of spirit in the second half.
CENTRAL COAST FC 1 (S.Bozinac 33m)
MACARTHUR RAMS 4 (R.Cartwright 6m, L.Dudek 26m/37m, S.Haim 45m)
The Illawarra Stingrays made the trip up the highway to Harrie Denning Centre for their clash with the Sutherland Shire girls.
A look at the form guide would not have had The Stingrays shaking in their boots with Sutherland, despite their improved effort against Macarthur Rams the previous weekend, seeming somewhat outclassed. Never let the form guide fool you!
The Sutherland girls put up a courageous performance, keeping pace with the much vaunted Stingrays to keep the Premiers scoreless in the first stanza. Centrebet would have given you long odds about a 0-0 half time scoreline in this match but even better was to come for The Sharks when Tessa Feggans opened the scoring with a controversial goal in the 55th minute. Sutherland 1 Stingrays 0! Would this be the biggest upset of the Women?s Premier League season? As Stingrays officials rushed to resuscitate Coach Brett Wallin the Illawarra machine snapped into gear.
The old firm of the ?Two Michelles? hummed into full throttle as Miss Carney and Miss Heyman went about putting the world back upon its axis. Carney equalised for The Stingrays in the 60th minute with Heyman giving her side the lead 7 minutes later. The shattered Sutherland side conceded four goals in the last nine minutes as Carney and Heyman both completed hat tricks.
Illawarra Stingrays remain undefeated but this was certainly a wakeup call for the defending champions. The scoreline belies the big effort put in by the Sutherland girls who are to be congratulated on their performance. Coach Michael Michael, though disappointed, may well wear a broad smile at training this week.
On the other hand one may expect that the Illawarra mentor may not be too happy with his group which could mean a busy weekend on the training paddock for the Illawarra girls this week.
SUTHERLAND SHIRE 1 (T.Feggans 55m)
ILLAWARRA STINGRAYS 6 (M.Carney 60m/81m/90m, M.Heyman 67m/87m/89m)
The most interesting encounter of the weekend looked likely at Hensley Athletic Field where two of the league?s undefeated sides, Sydney University and NWS Koalas, were to do battle.
Sydney University have been busily knocking in goals left, right and centre. NWS Koalas haven?t been quite as flamboyant but they?ve been achieving the results with some positive play.
This match turned into a game of two halves. In the first 45 minutes Sydney University took their opportunities. After both sides wrestled for supremacy in the opening half hour it was University?s Caitlin Jarvie who opened the scoring in the 32nd minute. Erin Wilson doubled the home side?s lead five minutes before the break, sending the team?s to the change rooms with Sydney University holding a 2-0 advantage.
University maintained their lead after the break and, though NWS Koalas pushed forward, they were unable to find the back of the net. As time ticked by another Sydney University win was starting to look likely but The Koalas had other ideas.
In the 75th minute Koalas were back in the game when Micaela Damas scored. Within six minutes The Koalas were level when Katarina Kraft beat the keeper for NWS?s second goal.
The last nine minutes saw both sides looking for the winner but without success. The final scoreline of 2-2 was probably a fitting result; a share of the points for two very competitive sides.
Both teams look likely to be amongst the contenders at the business end of the season. The Koalas travel to Bathurst next weekend for a match with Western NWS Panthers. Sydney University will be off to Blacktown to go to war with The Spartans.
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY 2 (C.Jarvie 32m, E.Wilson 40m)
NWS KOALAS 2 (M.Damas 75m, K.Kraft 81m)
The completion of Round 4 sees Manly United FC and Illawarra Stingrays atop the ladder with Manly having their noses in front on goal difference. Sydney University and NWS Koalas are two pints away with Marconi a close 5th on six points.
The season is building nicely as teams are finding their feet after the uncertainty of the opening rounds. I?m looking forward to some great football in the coming weeks.
-By Ross Anderson
