Women?s Premier League Round 7 Review
Our Match of the Round was the Sydney University v Marconi Stallions clash at Seymour Shaw Park.
This match was transferred from Sydney University Oval to Seymour Shaw Park early in the week. The rain clouds disappeared overnight leaving us with excellent conditions for what seemed destined to be a great game of football.
Sydney University turned over the ball virtually from the kick off leading to a dash down the left flank from Helen Petinos who won her side a corner. The corner kick zeroed in towards the face of goal where Jessica Coates shot from point blank range. The University defence did well to deflect the ball away from goal but to the feet of Samantha Muscat who fired over the cross bar. This had been a big let off for Sydney University.
Marconi had certainly started with plenty of zest but University eventually settled, helped by some errant passing from Marconi which turned over possession. Marconi looked in charge though with Trudy Camilleri playing a strong hand in midfield. Renee Tomkins had Marconi?s second scoring opportunity in the opening ten minutes with a long range strike which flew just to the side of goal.
A mistimed pass in defence from University?s Alesha Clifford saw Camilleri go forward for the Stallions before finding Petinos with a fine pass. The diminutive Marconi striker let fire from the edge of the box only to pick out the safe hands of University keeper Ilana Krigstein.
Sydney University did have their moments but had failed to threaten in Marconi?s final third in the opening 15 minutes.
Helen Petinos created another half chance for the Stallions when her crushing tackle on University?s Emma Schiller won her side possession. Petinos turned and rifled a shot at goal only to pick out the University keeper.
It was University who came up with the best scoring opportunity though when Caitlin Jarvie and Olivia Kennedy combined to see the former Young Matilda streaking towards goal. One on one with Marconi keeper Courtney Halpin, Kennedy looked certain to score but Halpin pulled off a top class save. University followed up with a long range strike from Hannah Kimber which was well wide of goal.
Marconi still held the territorial advantage but Sydney University had begun to show signs of life. Jarvie and Kennedy certainly looked dangerous in their rare moments on the ball.
In the 26th minute Marconi played forward from defence with Trudy Camilleri shredding the defence. Her pin point accurate pass into the penalty area saw Samantha Muscat arrive fractionally before Sydney University keeper Ilana Krigstein to slot the ball into the back of the net for the opening goal. This was nothing more than Marconi deserved for the early dominance.
Camilleri and Feliz Urkanci then combined in the 32nd minute, leaving Urkanci with a shot on goal which was well taken by keeper Krigstein.
Soon after, Sydney University moved forward threateningly. Marconi struggled to clear the ball, leading to a fine centre ball finding the head of Olivia Kennedy in front of goal. Unfortunately for the University side the ball was just off target.
Sophie Svinos came up with a fine tackle to defuse a University attack before pumping the ball forward towards Jessica Coates. University defender Emma Schiller got to the ball first, putting her side on an attack from which they won a free kick. The long range strike at goal was, however, high and wide.
Marconi looked enterprising in attack, producing plenty of good football across the park. Sydney University were still in the fight though; hovering around the Marconi goalmouth. On the stroke of half time University almost equalised when a high ball was fumbled by Marconi keeper Halpin; falling to the feet of a University player who missed the golden opportunity.
The half time whistle saw Marconi go into the sheds with a 1-0 lead.
The second half commenced with Sydney University making one change; bringing Jenna Kingsley into the game in place of Lauren Maclean.
A poor Marconi free kick saw University steal possession with Jarvie, Kennedy and Kingsley combining to break the Marconi defence before Jarvie shot wide.
Marconi then raced to the opposite end of the field through Camilleri and Petinos but the latter?s angled shot on goal was feeble. At this point Sydney University?s Olivia Kennedy picked up a yellow card for what appeared to be dissent.
Marconi almost self destructed when a loose ball was allowed to head towards the goal line. Whilst the Marconi defence were happy for the ball to go out Olivia Kennedy made sure it didn?t, firing the ball across goal. Courtney Halpin was unable to hold the ball before a scrambling clearance saw the Stallions escape. At the other end Marconi threatened with Lindsay Glohe shooting from the edge of the box, marginally over the cross bar.
This had become a real end to end battle with both teams charging forward at every opportunity. Marconi were awarded a free kick to the right of the 18 yard box. Helen Petinos?s spot kick found the head of Jessica Coates but the ball sailed over the bar.
In the 59th minute a Marconi free kick, awarded after Samantha Muscat was pulled back by Meegan Shepherd, saw Renee Tomkins fire inches above the cross bar. University then broke away with Jenna Kingsley being fouled by Sophie Svinos. The resulting free kick flew straight across the goal mouth without a foot being laid on it before finally being cleared by Lindsay Glohe.
This was proving to be an entertaining game of football with the two teams ready to chance their arm at every opportunity. The scoring chances were coming thick and fast; it seemed to be a matter of who was going to be the first team to find the back of the net.
Marconi?s defence, whilst generally self assured, were tending to panic in front of goal. However, they continued to find an escape route; sometimes through their own skill, other times through Sydney University?s failure to capitalise.
Marconi then camped themselves inside the University half for a number of minutes, winning free kicks and corners but without achieving a result. In the 71st minute Marconi replaced Feliz Urkanci with Marie Svinos.
There was plenty of feeling developing as the two teams threw everything at each other. Marconi couldn?t quite find the killer blow; Sydney University were a whisker away from finding the equaliser. A Marconi corner saw Helen Petinos yellow carded for time wasting before her kick appeared to be cleared off the line by Olivia Kennedy. Confusion reigned amongst players and officials with a goal seeming to be awarded before play finally resumed with a goal kick. Frustration was certainly becoming evident as the tackles came hard and fast.
After a scramble on the edge of the Marconi penalty area, University were awarded a free kick. Trudy Camilleri was yellow carded for dissent but the University free kick was wide of goal.
Marconi were turning over possession, allowing University to build pressure. A seemingly innocuous shot from Meegan Shepherd some 35 metres from goal forced a leaping, palmed away save from Marconi keeper Halpin. Another free kick from Shepherd, given a similar distance from goal, also flew to Halpin.
Good play from Jodie Bain and Jo Saliba saw Helen Petinos receive a ball on the edge of the box before shooting wide. Soon after Lindsay Glohe received a yellow card for dissent as it became obvious that both sides disagreed with a number of refereeing decisions.
University again pressured the Marconi defensive line but again the Stallions found a way to hold on. Coming out of defence, University raced forward with a Jodie Bain foul giving University a free kick within range. Shepherd again hit her spot kick straight to Halpin as Marconi clung to their lead.
University had one more chance through a free kick but Marconi?s Jodie Bain cleared the ball as the final whistle blew. Marconi had prevailed with a 1-0 scoreline.
Marconi Stallions Captain, Jodie Bain, described the game as one of two halves; the first dominated by Marconi but with the momentum swinging Sydney University?s way after the break. Nonetheless Bain was happy with her side?s effort; especially with the fact they?d grabbed the win.
Sydney University Captain Emma Schiller was obviously disappointed. Schiller thought that Sydney University had played much better after half time but that Marconi had taken their opportunity in the first half.
This was the game of the season so far. Both sides played with flair and passion. The tackles were uncompromising, the penchant to attack from anywhere on the field most refreshing. The match was a great advertisement for women?s football. Marconi Stallions and Sydney University are to be congratulated on the spectacle they provided for an enthusiastic band of spectators.
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY 0
MARCONI STALLIONS 1 (S.Muscat 26m)
The other blockbuster scheduled for this weekend?s round was the Illawarra Stingrays v NWS Koalas match at J.J.Kelly Park.
Both teams were undefeated coming into this game so fans were salivating at the thought of some of the league?s best players doing battle.
The Stingrays broke out of the blocks quickly with Kim Bonilla opening the scoring eight minutes into the game. The American import had been under an injury cloud prior to kick off but showed no sign of pain as she snatched her goal scoring opportunity.
The Koalas, though stunned by this early setback, settled into their game. Fans were treated to a most competitive half of football but Illawarra went to the sheds at half time deserved 1-0 leaders.
After the resumption the defending Premiers broke the game wide open with a seven minute goal spree which left their opponents wondering what had hit them. Two minutes into the second half Ash Connor doubled Illawarra?s lead before, just three minutes later, bagging herself the second goal of her brace to leave her team with a 3-0 advantage. Four minutes further on the Mayor of Wollongong, Michelle Carney, added another goal to her burgeoning 2011 goal tally with a classy strike which left NWS Koalas reeling on the ropes.
The Stingrays have this ability to put together a few minutes of brilliance which leave opposing sides clutching at thin air. This was another of those occasions.
Despite the Koalas best efforts a consolation goal in the 76th minute to Micaela Damas was their lone response on the scoreboard as their unbeaten record was reduced to ashes.
Illawarra Stingrays made a statement on the day, that being that it will take a very committed challenger to wrest their title away from them this season. The Koalas were not disgraced, just outclassed on the day. I?m sure that Coach Gerry Gomez and his team will take the lessons learnt on the day and be ready with a fitting reply the next time the two sides meet.
ILLAWARRA STINGRAYS 4 (K.Bonilla 8m, A.Connor 47m/50m, M.Carney 54m)
NWS KOALAS 1 (M.Damas 76m)
Manly United FC packed the thermal underwear as they headed off to a chilly Bathurst for a late kick off against the Western NSW Panthers.
Manly had lost three in a row, the Panthers were looking for their third win in succession. Manly went into the game with a number of players missing through injury, including leading goal scorer Sarah Roger. It had also been confirmed during the week that Captain Pelay Ingles would be out for the season after an injury in the earlier rounds.
Western NSW Panthers have built in confidence in recent weeks and that confidence stood them in good stead in this match. Try as Manly might they were unable to gather any momentum and wasted the opportunities that came their way. The Panthers hung in and, at the end of the day, deserved their share of the points in a 0-0 draw.
Manly?s strong start to the season has stalled. They now find themselves in sixth place on the ladder, equal on points with Western NSW Panthers but with an advantage in for and against. They?ll need to find form again quickly with old rivals Macarthur Rams coming up next week at Cromer Park.
The Panthers are to be congratulated on their resurgence after a very ordinary start to the 2011 season. They face a stern test of their new found spirit when they meet the Marconi Stallions next Sunday at Marconi Stadium.
WESTERN NSW PANTHERS 0
MANLY UNITED FC 0
Macarthur Rams threw out the welcome mat at Lynwood Park as Blacktown Spartans came visiting.
Rams Coach Matt Turvey produced an ace from up his sleeve when the name ?D.Brogan? appeared on the team sheet. The Sydney FC and former Rams star has rejoined her old club after being cut from the Matildas World Cup train on squad during the week. Her appearance would certainly have brought a smile to the face of all Rams supporters. Heaven knows who Master Turvey will pull out of his back pocket next week!
Macarthur made the early running but were found to be rather wasteful in front of goal. Twenty minutes into the first half Macarthur were awarded a free kick. Blacktown failed to recognise the danger and, suddenly, a familiar face was on hand to make them pay as Danielle Brogan celebrated her return to Lynwood Park with the opening goal of the match.
This was to be Macarthur?s only joyful moment however as a resolute Blacktown defence and some disappointing play in the final third saw the Rams unable to add to their goal tally. The Spartans had a couple of chances of their own; in the first half a one on one between Erin Connell and Macarthur keeper Monique Jackson went begging. A similar opportunity in the second half was also wasted by the Spartans in a game where their chances didn?t come in abundance.
Macarthur held on to take the points, leaving Blacktown languishing in 11th place on the competition ladder, still without a win. Macarthur are now fifth, just three points outside the top four.
Great to see the return to the Football NSW Women?s Premier League of Danielle Brogan. ?The Enforcer? will certainly add some fire to Macarthur?s performances in coming weeks.
MACARTHUR RAMS 1 (D.Brogan 20m)
BLACKTOWN SPARTANS 0
Inter Lions were looking to break a losing streak when they met Central Coast FC at Concord Oval.
When Heidi Makrillos scored for the home side after 15 minutes it looked like inter were on their way but this proved to be something of a false dawn for the Lions. Melissa Swinfield equalised for the Central Coast side moments prior to half time, leaving the teams locked together at the break.
The second half was one of wasted opportunities but, when Kyrra Rawnsley put Inter in front again in the 74th minute, Coach Joe Baldacci would have heaved a sigh of relief. Within four minutes Joe was in need of resuscitation as Central Coast?s Siahn Bozanic scored twice to give her side a 3-2 lead which they held until the final whistle.
Central Coast FC showed a large amount of intestinal fortitude to get away with this one; hanging in and taking their chances when they presented themselves. Inter Lions somewhat dismal season appears to be going from bad to worse as last season?s Grand Finalists attempt to find the cure for their stuttering form.
INTER LIONS 2 (H.Makrillos 15m, K.Rawnsley 74m)
CENTRAL COAST FC 3 (M.Swinfield 44m, S.Bozanic 75m/78m)
Sutherland Shire travelled to South Nowra to take on Southern Branch.
Daila Borg put the visitors ahead in the 18th minute before adding a second goal five minutes from half time. The Sharks were in control but Southern Branch did their best to make life difficult for them.
If Sutherland had come to Ison Park expecting a goal fest they were to be disappointed. Their sole goal of the second half came to Tessa Feggans in the 78th minute but the result itself was never in doubt as Sutherland grabbed their second win of the season.
Sutherland are now eighth on the competition ladder whilst Southern Branch remain nailed to the bottom of the table. Sutherland?s improvement this season may not see a regrowth of all the hair Coach Michael Michael has lost in the last two seasons but I?m sure the affable Sutherland mentor has now remembered how to smile. Southern Branch Coach Shane Duffy still has a full head of hair but must be wondering how he can conjure up a win for his embattled team.
SOUTHERN BRANCH 0
SUTHERLAND SHIRE 3 (D.Borg 18m/39m, T.Feggans 78m)
Sutherland were expected to win this one and win they did though the road to success was a little tougher than expected.
Did I say surprises? Upsets, coaches pulling rabbits out of their hat plus one of the most enthralling games of the season all added together to make this a special weekend of football in the Football NSW Women?s Premier League. I can?t wait to see what?s going to happen next weekend!
-By Ross Anderson
