Women?s Premier League Round 8 Review
Sunday dawned as a beautiful day for football as your scribe made the trip to God?s own country on the peninsula to watch the Manly United FC versus Macarthur Rams match at Cromer Park.
Macarthur Coach Matt Turvey didn?t disappoint, managing to produce another ace from up his sleeve with the inclusion of Sydney FC star Renee Rollason in the Rams starting line up.
The match started in an open fashion with both sides having early shots at goal. Renee Rollason was in the action from the kick off for Macarthur with her jinking run creating their opening opportunity.
Stephanie Haim was very involved in the early exchanges; obviously benefiting from the good service by newcomer Rollason. Manly had difficulty in clearing the ball from their danger area with Macarthur winning successive corners. Whilst Haim?s first corner was poor, her second caused Manly keeper Alyssa Harris to come off line to punch away the ball.
Rollason was again in the thick of the action moments later, dispossessing a Manly player on the edge of the box and advancing before centring to an unmarked Stephanie Haim whose shot was well saved low down by keeper Harris.
In the 12th minute Macarthur?s solid start was rewarded when Linda Dudek finished off some nice work with a classy finish to give the Rams a 1-0 lead.
Manly were struggling to create worthwhile opportunities. Sarah Roger and Tiarn Powell saw half chances come and go with the Macarthur defence resisting all challenges. Ellen Wheatley made some strong runs for Manly out of defence with her speed being a valuable asset.
In the 18th minute Haim shot again from inside the penalty area, bringing a palmed save from the Manly keeper. Teegan Courtney followed up with a second shot which the keeper dived to take; fumbling before being rescued by a clearance from one of her defenders.
Manly weren?t able to find their rhythm at this stage. Macarthur attacked out of defence with Haim delivering a sweet backheel to Rollason who ran deep into the Manly half before having her shot charged down just outside the eighteen yard box.
Manly gave their spectators some reason to lift off their seats when Jessie Wharepouri combined with Leah Giuffre to bring a save from Macarthur keepers Monique Jackson.
In the 26th minute Manly were awarded a free kick to the right of the Macarthur penalty area. The ball was laid back to Anna Nakao who unleashed a thunderbolt which was tipped over the bar by a leaping Monique Jackson. The resulting corner saw the ball cleared to the other end of the park where the Rams received a corner of their own. Stephanie Haim?s spot kick found the head of Danielle Brogan in from of goal but the ball flew straight to keeper Harris.
Manly then worked the ball forward, before Liz Morison shot over the bar. Macarthur then charged to the opposite end through Renee Rollason who made a long, searching run before setting up Linda Dudek who slotted the ball into the back of the net, extending Macarthur?s lead to 2-0.
Renee Rollason was dominating the middle of the park. Manly had no answer to the rangy W Leaguer?s attacking bursts, whilst her team mates were feeding off her skilful distribution.
Manly had their moments, though not as many as they may have liked. A ball laid back to Gill Foster on the edge of the box saw the former Matilda shoot hard and low with keeper Jackson diving to hold the chance. Manly attempted to find their passing game; building up a couple of worthwhile attacks but without a result. Liz Morison had another opportunity but Rams keeper Monique Jackson was defusing any dangerous situations that arose with some acrobatic goal keeping.
Gill Foster then served up a pin point cross to the back post for Tiarn Powell but Powell was unable advantage. Manly set up a chance for Morison but Jackson tipped yet another one over the cross bar. Macarthur scrambled from the corner, seemingly unable to clear the danger before Jackson finally got the ball in hand.
The half time whistle blew with Macarthur Rams holding a 2-0 lead.
Manly began the 2nd half briskly, moving the ball in a quick passing game which saw them pressing Macarthur?s defence.
Macarthur?s Tori Preddy succumbed to injury soon after the restart, being replaced by youngster Maddison Strutt.
Macarthur were put back on their heels somewhat by Manly?s enthusiastic restart and took some time to get back into stride. Needless to say Renee Rollason was involved in the visitor?s first attacking surge of the half before Stephanie Haim?s cross saw the ball out of play. Rollason then made another long run before firing a miss hit shot high and wide.
Rollason then dispossessed a Manly defender in front of goal before breaking into the box and off loading to Linda Dudek who completed her hat trick with a stylish finish.
Manly went into attack from the kick off with Sarah Roger making a strong run before being solidly tackled by Claire Walsh. Manly were trying everything to work their way back into the match but Macarthur were in all the right places. Manly set up again but were unable to get closer than the 20 metres from which Sarah Roger shot over the bar.
At the 64 minute mark Manly Coach Grant Lee replaced Liz Morison with Emma Stewart.
Macarthur entered a period of dominance as they laid siege to the Manly goal. Rollason had her shot charged down; Haim had her strike pushed wide by the keeper. Manly?s initial second half momentum seemed to have slowed as Macarthur assumed control.
Alice Wilson then replaced Leah Guiffre for Manly.
Soon after, Dudek and Haim combined to set Haim up for a shot of goal. This was saved by a diving Alyssa Harris. Manly then played a long clearance which put Powell into the clear. However, Rams defender Lauren Ralston back-tracked quickly to snuff out the chance.
After 75 minutes Macarthur made another change with Elisha Williams being replaced by Leila Braimah.
Linda Dudek made a strong run forward before crossing to Haim whose shot was charged down, resulting in a corner for the Rams. Nothing came of the corner with Manly taking the ball upfield from defence, only to be called off side as they broke towards goal.
Danielle Brogan then won a ball in defence to send her side into attack. Dudek and Rollason combined before Rollason?s shot sailed over the cross bar.
The ball broke for Manly with Sarah Roger advancing on a loose ball before shooting wide of the mark. At least it was a shot; something seen only rarely from Manly in the previous 20 minutes.
Claire Walsh was given an early mark by Coach Matt Turvey, leaving Lauren Johnson to play the remaining 6 minutes for Macarthur.
Manly now had their turn to hold a significant territorial advantage but, given the scoreline, it was to no avail. The home side camped inside the Macarthur half for the remaining minutes but the Rams defence held. When the final whistle blew Macarthur had pulled off a significant win with a 3-0 result.
Macarthur Rams Captain Claire Walsh on the big improvement shown by her side, given their recent form. ?Obviously our new additions have helped. Brogan has strengthened our defence and Rollason provided good service from the midfield? said Walsh. ?Manly are a 90 minute side with a good passing game. We knew we?d have to play well to beat them? commented the Rams defender. ?I think we?re capable of winning a lot more games now? were Walsh?s somewhat prophetic final words.
Manly United FC Coach Grant Lee was somewhat circumspect about the result. He conceded that Renee Rollason?s experience and skill from the middle of the park had been a dominant factor. Lee wasn?t critical of his side, being pleased with their play in periods of the match. One gets the impression that the Manly mentor still thinks his side can be contenders come the business end of the season.
An impressive display by Macarthur Rams. Renee Rollason certainly gave the side a lot more direction out of midfield whilst Danielle Brogan?s return has added starch to the defence. Manly were not disgraced but, on the day, they were outplayed.
I can only wonder who Rams Coach Matt Turvey will add to his squad next week. There? apparently a new game at Rams training; Guess who Matt?s signed this week?
MANLY UNITED FC 0
MACARTHUR RAMS 3 (L.Dudek 12m/23m/60m)
At Ison Park Southern Branch and Central Coast FC met in what turned out to be a tight encounter.
Southern Branch managed to actually snatch a lead for the first time this season when Caylie Wise scored for the home side in the 25th minute. Southern Branch maintained this lead into the half time break as hopes rose of a memorable win.
Central Coast lifted after the interval but Southern held them out until the 64th minute when Jenna Hedge equalised for the visitors. Within three minutes Central Coast had grabbed the lead when Gabrielle Raica scored.
Southern Branch tried hard to regroup but the final dagger pierced their heart in the 87th minute when Melissa Swinfield scored a third goal for Central Coast to secure their 3-1 victory.
A game effort from Southern Branch but Central Coast kept coming to record their third win of the season.
SOUTHERN BRANCH 1 (C.Wise 25m)
CENTRAL COAST FC 3 (J.Hedge 64m, G.Raica 67m, M.Swinfield 87m)
Marconi Stadium saw a tight first half between second placed Marconi Stallions and the much improved Western NSW Panthers.
Marconi, backing up from a 10-0 victory over Southern Branch on Saturday, seemed somewhat sluggish in the first half as the Panthers dug deep. With a 0-0 half time scoreline Marconi Coach Rob Pearce needed to call on his team to aim up which, after the break, they certainly did.
Two minutes into the second half Renee Tomkins had put the Stallions in front with a well taken goal. If there was any thought that Marconi were now going to run away with the game it didn?t happen immediately. Western NSW were nothing if not game but Marconi?s class eventually shone through.
Samantha Muscat, who had scored a hat trick the day before against Southern Branch, came to the fore once more with goals in the 75th and 78th minutes to put her time in a seemingly impregnable position. Nine minutes from full time Megan Embleton pulled one back for the Panthers but within four minutes Muscat had restored Marconi?s three goal buffer; completing her second hat trick in two days.
The full time score saw Marconi maintain second place on the ladder with their 4-1 win but the scoreboard made things look a lot easier than what they were.
MARCONI STALLIONS 4 (R.Tomkins 47m, S.Muscat 75m/78m/85m)
WESTERN NSW PANTHERS 1 (M.Embleton 81m)
Illawarra Stingrays travelled to Francis Park, looking to keep their spot atop the Football NSW Women?s Premier League ladder with a win over Blacktown Spartans.
The Stingrays started well with Kim Bonilla adding to her growing goal tally with a neat strike in the 13th minute. This was to be the only goal of the half though as Blacktown scrambled well against an Illawarra team that failed to capitalise on their opportunities.
In the second half Blacktown fought hard to keep the Premiers at bay but eventually something had to give and it was the Spartans defence. In the 63rd minute Ash Connor was on hand to double Illawarra?s lead before, five minutes later, Michelle Heyman put the issue beyond doubt with her side?s third goal.
The final score of 3-0 to Illawarra reflects favourably on the effort Blacktown Spartans put into the match. Illawarra were, once again, a trifle spasmodic in their focus. The Stingrays seem confident in their ability to put the foot on the pedal only when they need to but I?m sure this is a habit that Coach Brett Wallin would like to see disappear in favour of a 90 minute effort.
Still, you can?t do much more than win, can you?
BLACKTOWN SPARTANS 0
ILLAWARRA STINGRAYS 3 (K.Bonilla 13m, A.Connor 63m, M.Heyman 68m)
Sydney University met Inter Lions at Hensley Field with the two sides at opposite ends of the table.
This was certainly a match of two halves.
The match was intense from the kick off with Sydney Uni attacking, constantly testing the Inter defence. Inter did have their own chances in the first 10 minutes with winger Stephanie Ascone putting a great ball through to Heidi Makrillos but Makrillos?s shot was saved by the Sydney Uni keeper. Nadia Hamson in the midfield then put Stephanie De Francesco in a position to score but the opposition defence pounced on her.
Winger Jess Martinez intercepted a Sydney Uni pass, making a great run forward. She offloaded to Makrillos but the Inter star was shut down by the opposition before she could release her shot. At the other end of the field University?s Jenna Kingsley went one-on-one with Inter keeper Amanda Horafios, but went wide of the goal. Then, in the 14th minute, Sydney University?s Caitlin Jarvie opened the scoring for the home side. University?s intensity continued with their side having the speed to capitalize on any short pass or error made by Inter. By the 26th minute University were leading 3-0.
In the 34th minute Inter Lions had their moment of glory when Nadia Hamson took on the opposition before threading a ball through to Stephanie De Francesco. The young Inter player sidestepped the Sydney Uni keeper and slotted the ball away. Unfortunately for Inter this seemed to awaken the Sydney University side who then went on an unanswered four goal spree. Each goal highlighted Sydney University?s skill as they made Inter Lions pay dearly for any error.
Inter didn?t drop their heads, having the odd chance as well but they just could not take advantage. With 2 minutes left in the half, Stephanie De Francesco looked like increasing her goal tally to two, but with the Sydney Uni keeper beaten, a defender managed to clear off the line leaving Sydney University with an impressive 7-1 lead.
In the 2nd half Inter showed their true fighting spirit, attacking from the kickoff, with De Francesco?s run at goal being ended by smashing tackle from University?s Sydney FC W League star Alesha Clifford. Sydney Uni then counter attacked but the Inter defence was solid, forcing an error. A free kick by Kristi Pavlicevic laid off to Heidi Makrillos, looked like a winner, but skimmed the post.
Inter mid-field picked up its intensity, winning more balls following subs by both sides. Amanda Horafios showed her skill punching clear a dipping shot at goal in the 73rd minute. Temika Wearing and Kyrra Rawnsley worked tirelessly at the back, with Kyrra?s magnificent tackle on the Uni striker saving a certain goal.
Another free kick taken by Kristi Pavlicevic was this time successful, dropping to Heidi Makrillos who made no mistake in finding the back of the net in the 85th minute. Both Inter and Sydney University were relentless in their attempts to score. Whilst the 7-2 scoreline was disappointing for Inter, the attacking manner of the game was not.
In the end though, Sydney University had too much firepower for Inter, whose disappointing season seems to be getting worse. The Lions second half effort is to be commended but with a 7-1 half time lead Sydney University didn?t have to do too much more.
(Thank you to the Inter Lions club for supplying this match report. No list of goalscorers was supplied to Football NSW for this game.)
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY 7
INTER LIONS 2
It would appear that, in every round of this 2011 Women?s Premier League season, we can rely on at least one upset. This weekend?s surprise came at ELS Hall Park where NWS Koalas played host to Sutherland Shire.
The Koalas have been one of the form sides this season, sitting in the top four since round one with a series of strong performances. Whilst they had suffered their first defeat of the season last week at the hands of Illawarra Stingrays it was generally thought that they?d take the points against an improving Sutherland side.
Someone obviously forgot to inform Sutherland of the script as the visitors seemed to care little for Koalas reputation in a tight tussle. The warning bells were ringing for the Koalas at half time when the two sides retired for oranges with a 0-0 scoreline.
If Koalas fans were expecting a change of fortune after the break they were to be disappointed. Both sides wasted chances but, in the 67th minute, it was Sutherland?s Makkieh Elhusseini who broke the deadlock with a classy finish.
As much as the Koalas attempted to find an equaliser they couldn?t with the Sutherland defence holding strong. The final whistle blew, giving the Shire girls a big win which would certainly have Coach Michael Michael smiling from ear to ear.
This left NWS Koalas with successive defeats; a stumble in what has otherwise been a successful campaign. They venture up the F3 to Pluim Park next week to do battle with Central Coast FC whilst Sutherland will attempt to maintain their momentum when they host Blacktown Spartans at Harrie Dening Centre.
NWS KOALAS 0
SUTHERLAND SHIRE 1 (M.Elhusseini 67m)
So another weekend of football comes to a close with Illawarra Stingrays sitting atop the competition table, one point clear of Marconi Stallions. Sydney University are a further two points back with NWS Koalas another three points behind University in fourth place. The rapidly advancing Macarthur Rams are a point outside the top four whilst Sutherland Shire sit sixth; their highest ranking on the ladder in some time.
I?m already looking forward to next week with another mouth watering list of matches on offer; especially the blockbuster at Lynwood Park when Marconi Stallions meet Macarthur Rams.
See you at the ground!
-By Ross Anderson
