Women?s Super League Round 6 Review
Feature Match of the Week: APIA Leichardt Tigers vs Gladesville Ravens
Gladesville have produced one of the best performances of the season so far with a resounding 4-1 win over APIA Leichardt Tigers. The victory brings them level on points with both the Tigers and Eastern UNSW Lions in what is quickly becoming a three-way battle for top spot.
Both sides entered the match undefeated and in good form, the Tigers in particular having scored over 20 goals in their first four games. If this intimidated the Ravens they did well to hide it, dominating the game from the opening whistle.
Having found goals everywhere in the first few rounds, the Tigers were having trouble just finding the ball as Gladesville took total control of the match with an impressive brand of short-passing possession football. The quality of their movement and style showed on the scoresheet, with four different scorers finding the back of the net.
At the other end APIA’s goal machine Aysha Adalis saw little of the ball and appeared frustrated when she did, shooting from outrageous distances as the Gladesville defenders closed down the space. Her Gladesville counterpart Amanda Bowering was doing the complete opposite however, displaying a deftness of touch as she played others into the game as the focal point of the attack.
APIA’s afternoon did not start well when first choice keeper Karinda Moodley departed after just five minutes, succumbing to an injury she carried into the match.
It got worse ten minutes later when Gladesville striker Alyssa Hardie poked home from close range to reward the away side for their early dominance. Within five minutes Gladesville had another, this time courtesy of Fatty Agar whose dangerous free kick evaded everyone and snuck inside the far post.
It was all too much for APIA coach Tarek Madani who received some stern words from the referee after one too many zealous remonstrations. APIA did have opportunities though and found the back of the net at least once in the first half, only to be ruled offside.
The second half only got better for Gladesville who put away a third through Hannah Vousden to sink any hopes of a Tigers comeback. APIA found chances even harder to come by in the second period, turning the ball over frequently and all to often playing fruitless long balls to Adalis.
They were given a consolation when Adalis finally found some space in front of goal with minutes remaining, but the Ravens finished in style as substitute Grace Osmond slammed home a fourth to cap off a great day for the away side.
Gladesville coach Paul Wade was pleased with the result but was reluctant to declare it a perfect performance.
“At times was difficult because when it was good it was very good, but when we didn’t get it right it frustrated me. Maybe that?s because I have set such high standards this season.”
On a day when his team dominated possession, he took the time to praise the defensive performance of his side.
“I’ve demanded recently that we don’t stop running until we get the ball back. It’s just as important playing without the ball as it is with it,” he said.
Disappointed APIA mentor Tarek Madani was full of praise for Gladesville, revealing some part of him expected the result.
“They are a very good side and they wanted it more than us,” he said.
“It was very personal for them today. We beat them in the semis last year and they’ve just done the same thing to us, they’ve smashed us.”
“It’s been leading up to this over the last four weeks. Yeah we’ve been winning 6-0, 7-0, but we haven’t been playing and it showed today.”
APIA Leichardt Tigers 1 [Adalis 85′]
Gladesville Ravens 4 [Hardie ’11, Agar ’20, Vousden ’53, Osmond ’88]
APIA Leichard Tigers: 1. K Moodley, 4. E Noro, 15. M Petschy, 9. F Domino, 3. G De Rooy, 7. T Black, 8. A Adalis, 10. K Bridge, 5. C Turner, 14. F Hickey, 30. C Jurjevic
Gladesville Ravens: 1. R Colechin, 31. N Eid, 4. A Bird, 3. H Vousden, 23. A Hill, 9. A Hardie, 34. M Fortino, 12. A Crosbie, 32. A Bowering, 8. F Agar, 11. G Atallah
at Wilson Park
Northbridge have snatched a dramatic late draw from the Northern Tigers at Mills Park.
Dal Pozzo’s goal looked to have won it for the home side before Robinson scored in the 90th minute to deny the Tigers their first win of the season.
Northbridge move temporarily into 6th spot with the result, although having been the only team play their full quota of fixtures they could be bumped down a few places in the coming few weeks.
Northern Tigers 1 [Dal Pozzo]
Northbridge 1 [Robinson]
at Mills Park
St George vs Eastern UNSW Lions WASHED OUT
Nepean FC vs Parramatta Lady Hawks WASHED OUT
Springwood United vs Sydney Olympic WASHED OUT
-By Ryan Cropp
