Women’s Super League Round 5 Review

It also contributes to a misleading table after six rounds, with some teams having played up to two more fixtures than others, and almost all teams due to play at least one catchup game.
Feature Match of the Week: APIA Leichardt Tigers vs Nepean FC
APIA Leichardt have continued their steamrolling start to the season, this time putting away another six goals against a plucky Nepean FC.
The difference on the day and indeed throughout their first four games has been the sensational Aysha Adalis. The 23 year old scored five of APIA’s six goals to take her season tally to an astonishing 17 in just four games.
Contrary to the scoreline, Nepean were more than competitive for the entire game. They created numerous chances and even put one in the back of the net, only to have it disallowed for a foul on Tigers keeper Karinda Moodley.
The game started brightly on a perfect Wilson Park pitch that showed no signs of the dampness that forced the other four fixtures to be postponed.  Nepean gave as good as they got and midway through the first period looked capable of pulling off a major upset.
It was no surprise however when Adalis popped up with the opener after 20 minutes, latching onto the end of a nice through ball and finishing calmly with the outside of the boot.
From 1-0 the game became increasingly scrappy, with APIA generally opting for long arial balls to capitalise on their speed up front.  Their strong, physical approach looked to unsettle Nepean’s smaller midfield. The girls from the west were made to pay 5 minutes before halftime when Tanya Black bundled home a cross from point blank range to send the Tigers to the break with a two-goal buffer.
The second period started very much like the first as Nepean continued to cause headaches for the APIA defence.  Shannay McCormack tested Moodley a few times while Brooke Conroy hit the crossbar from a near-impossible position on the right touchline.
APIA’s trump card yet again was Adalis who produced possibly the goal of season on the hour mark. Spotting the keeper off the line she launched a rocket from all of 35 meters, stunning fans and players alike with the sheer audacity of the attempt.
From then on it was the Adalis show as she netted three more times – all from outside the box. Gladesville spies would well have noted that shutting down APIA starts first and foremost with shutting down Adalis’ right boot.  They’ll also be facing up to an APIA side still missing the services of Nat Spirovski who is another four weeks from a return.
Nepean will be disappointed with the final score considering they matched APIA for long periods. They will take heart from the fact that they created so many chances against the league’s benchmark team and a defence that has leaked only one goal in four games.
Colourful APIA coach Tarek Madani was his outspoken self after the game, expressing disappointment at the quality of his team’s football.
“We were very very sloppy today – we didn’t get out of second gear.  Sometimes we looked like we didn’t want to play.”
He did however find time to praise superstriker Adalis, whose phenomenal goal tally is increasing almost exponentially.
“She’s a talent, isn’t she? The scary part is that she’s not even fit yet. When she’s fit she’ll be a different player.”
APIA Leichardt 6 (Adalis (5), Black)
Nepean FC 0
Apia Leichardt Tigers: 1. K Moodley, 13. D Pringle, 4. E Noro, 15. M Petschy, 9. F Domino, 3. G De Rooy, 7. T Black, 25. C Bellucini, 8. A Adalis, 10. K Bridge
Nepean FC: 1. K Pearce, 2. L Kelly, 3. M Murray, 10. L Wegrzyn, 5. K Whiteside, 6. T Rockall, 7. N Lopez, 9. R Hannon, 8. J O’Brien, 11. S Boardman, 4. S McCormack
at Wilson Park
Sydney Olympic vs Northern Tigers WASHED OUT
Parramatta Lady Hawks vs Springwood United WASHED OUT
Gladesville Ravens vs St George FC WASHED OUT
Northbridge FC vs Eastern UNSW Lions: To be played Wednesday 20th April
-By Ryan Cropp