Women?s Premier League Round 17 Review
The advantage of a synthetic pitch is that the grass is always green and so it was at Hensley Athletic Field where third placed Sydney University took on Manly United FC.
Sydney University went into the match with some notable absentees; Olivia Kennedy currently overseas whilst Caitlin Jarvie has suffered a season ending knee injury. The University side still looked pretty lethal on paper though!
Manly United FC had come a long way to work themselves back into finals calculations with a succession of recent victories. This promised to be their biggest test in a while though as they battled to keep the momentum running.
This certainly promised to be an exciting clash with plenty of good football to keep the purists happy.
The match kicked off in good playing conditions; sunshine with the breeze that had been present earlier having died off considerably.
The first shot of the game came in the opening minute as manly thrust forward from the kick off. The ball was laid back to Jessie Wharepouri whose twenty metre shot went wide of the left post.
The early stages of the game were highlighted by the customary arm wrestle period where both teams were trying to gain a foothold. Manly had looked the more constructive in the first ten minutes, but Sydney University gradually found their rhythm.
Carlie Iknonmou and Hannah Kimber were playing strongly in the middle of the park for the home side, involving themselves in quite a duel with Manly?s Louise Neville and Jessie Wharepouri.
Actual scoring opportunities had been as rare as hen?s teeth though as neither side were able to place themselves to advantage in the final third.
Both teams looked composed in defence with A League star Alesha Clifford very involed for Sydney University. Clifford was caught out in the 19th minute though when, attempting to play the offside trap, Manly?s Emma Stewart got in behind her. Fortunately for the University side goalkeeper Michelle Grigg was equal to the task, advancing on Stewart and smothering the shot with her body.
A large amount of play was centred around midfield as the two sides attempted to gain some dominance. The opening twenty five minutes had presented two evenly matched teams who were giving the impression that this game may come down to one moment of individual brilliance or a touch of good fortune.
Any shots at goal that were coming tended to be from distance with neither goalkeeper being stretched.
A long ball from Hannah Kimber in the 30th minute brought some indecision from Manly defender Anna Nakao, with University?s Sam Spackman looking to capitalise. Whilst the attack did sneak into the Manly penalty box the Manly defence were able to defuse the danger and move the ball upfield.
Moments later University keeper Michelle Grigg ran wide to the edge of her area in defence, leaving her goal exposed to a long shot but Liz Morison was unable to take advantage. University?s Jenna Kingsley then won a free kick on the right of the Manly penalty box but the kick, though fumbled by the Manly keeper, was finally held and cleared.
Manly then gathered some momentum through a series of free kicks awarded in the University half. The second of these floated into the box, winning Manly a corner but the ensuing play saw an infringement by Manly which eased the pressure for the University side.
Sydney University broke down the right flank through Erin Wilson. Her cross towards Jenna Kingsley was headed away for a corner by the Manly defence. That corner caused havoc in the face of the Manly goal with a spectacular dive with the feet by keeper Alyssa Harris being the only thing that stopped Jenna Kingsley from opening the scoring.
University followed up with another shot soon after but Harris was once again able to keep her team on equal terms as she dived forward to take the ball.
Almost immediately University were on the attack again with a cross from Carlie Iknonmou being misjudged by keeper Harris. With the goal at her mercy Kingsley?s shot hit the post and was cleared by the defence.
In the shadows of half time University?s Loren Mahoney was brought down in the box causing the referee to point to the spot. Jenna Kingsley stepped up to convert the opportunity, giving Sydney University a 1-0 lead which they held as the first half ended.
The second half commenced with the pressure on Manly to find a quick reply.
The fourth minute of play saw manly awarded a free kick some thirty metres from goal. The kick was ineffectual, leaving University?s Sam Spackman to make a long dash upfield. Just as University looked likely to make Manly pay the ball was turned over and the locals rued a wasted opportunity.
Some good work from Manly?s Ellen Wheatley in the 54th minute of play saw her attempt to release Liz Morison onto goal but the University defence were able to close the situation down and clear the ball.
At this stage Manly Coach Grant Lee went to his bench, replacing Tiarn Powell with Sarah Roger.
In the 56th minute Sydney University won a corner which zeroed into the goal mouth. University? Erin Wilson was able to get her head to the ball at the back post the stretch her team?s lead to 2-0. Within one minute a well place cross found Wilson in front of goal with a brace at her mercy but she put the ball over the cross bar.
Sydney University were now taking control as the second goal had put Manly back on their heels.
When Manly were able to move into attack their passing lacked fluency as they struggled to break Sydney University down. Some fine Manly play in the 68th minute saw Wharepouri interchange passes with Ellen Wheatley who looked likely to score before hitting her shot over the bar.
Manly again created an chance when Gemma O?Toole made good ground out of defence before putting Ellen Wheatley in the clear once more. Alas, the linesperson?s flag was in the air, with Wheatley being called offside.
Liz Morison then scored herself a yellow card after a hand ball incident. The frustration was building for the Manly girls. Moments later a limping Morison was replaced by Tracy Baker.
Jenna Kingsley made a nice run for Sydney University in the 78th minute before trying to play the ball in the corner. Kingsley lost possession with some stylish play from Manly?s Gill Foster, Ellen Wheatley and Tracy Baker only coming undone as the final pass to Baker saw her offside.
University appeared happy to absorb the Manly attacks and go forward on the break.
In the 83rd minute Manly?s Emma Stewart chased down a ball that looked destined to cross the by line. Stewart crossed the ball to goal in one motion, tipping it over the head of University keeper Grigg to a waiting Baker. With a seeming tap in at hand Baker put the ball over the bar.
The miss was proven vital one minute later when Sam Spackman broke away down the left flank before crossing to Jenna Kingsley who calmly popped the ball into the back of the net. University looked safe with a 3-0 lead.
Manly had lost their drive and University then created a number of scoring opportunities. University took the chance to rest Erin Wilson, replacing her with Tess Hawkins.
Manly had a final chance in the closing minutes when a cross found Baker in the goalmouth but she pushed her shot wide. The full time whistle rang out leaving Sydney University 3-0 winners.
Manly Captain Gill Foster was disappointed after the game. The former Matilda felt that her team had basically got what they deserved but rued the missed opportunities which may have given them a lifeline at vital stages.
Sydney University Captain Emma Shiller was happy with her side?s win; even moreso when she heard that results elsewhere had seen the three points catapult her team into second place on the competition ladder.
This was a good game of football without being outstanding. Sydney University deserved their win but Manly may yet have a say in semi final places.
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY 3 (J.Kingsley 46m/84m, E.Wilson 56m)
MANLY UNITED FC 0
At Ison Park Southern Branch?s recent run of good form met an untimely end at the hands of premiership heavyweights the Illawarra Stingrays.
The Stingrays travelled to Nowra without star keeper Demi Poulos and goal scoring wizard Ash Connor; the latter being suspended after picking up her fifth yellow card last weekend.
It took the competition leaders some time to get things rolling but, in the 20th minute, Talitha Kramer scored to put the visitor?s in front. Michelle Heyman increased Illawarra?s lead to two in the 36th minute before, surprisingly; Costanzo snatched one back for the home team just one minute later.
Michelle Carney scored her 100th goal for The Stingrays in the 45th minute; a cause for great celebration amongst the Illawarra faithful.
Two minutes after half time Carney was in again and, suddenly, it was 4-1 to The Stingrays.
The USA?s finest import to the Illawarra region, Kim Bonilla, made it 5-1 three minutes later before Michelle Heyman completed a hat trick with goals in the 55th and 59th minutes.
Illawarra dropped back a gear in the final thirty minutes as Southern Branch battled hard to keep the scoreline respectable.
Another comfortable Illawarra Stingrays win; one that may dispel any lingering doubts about them retaining their Premiers title heading into the semi finals.
Southern Branch gave it their best shot but can?t compete with the sort of firepower Illawarra can muster.
SOUTHERN BRANCH 1 (J.Costanzo 37m)
ILLAWARRA STINGRAYS 7 (T.Kramer 20m, M.Carney 45m/47m, M.Heyman 36m/55m/59m, K.Bonilla 50m)
The scene at the Harrie Dening Centre was one of joy as the Sutherland Sharks bounced back into the winner?s list with a hard fought win over Central Coast FC.
The Sutherland side took the lead in the 27th minute through a goal to Daila Borg. This 1-0 advantage was maintained into the half time break but it wasn?t until prodigal daughter Maggie Elhusseini scored in the 79th minute that The Shire girls had wrapped up the three points.
There wasn?t a lot in this but Central Coast FC, backing up from mid week exertions against the Marconi Stallions, weren?t able to hold Sutherland at bay.
So it?s five wins for Sutherland; quite a difference to their 2010 tally. Well done to Coach Michael Michael and his band of merry young ladies.
SUTHERLAND SHIRE 2 (D.Borg 27m, M.Elhusseini 79m)
CENTRAL COAST FC 0
Marconi Stallions eased their finals jitters with their second win in five days as they easily accounted for Inter Lions at Concord Oval.
Whereas The Stallions had tasted mid week success over Central Coast FC, The Lions had fallen to a shock loss against Blacktown Spartans. The Stallions had much more to play for and, after some early palpitations caused by a 12th minute goal to Inter?s Emma Stanbury, Marconi set about stamping their authority on the game.
In the 19th minute Renee Tomkins grabbed her third goal in three games to put Marconi back on level terms. It?s great to see the lanky midfielder/striker back in goalscoring form.
Six minutes later Evelyn Chronis put Marconi in the lead before Helen Petinos, fresh from a mid week brace against Central Coast, made it 3-1 in the 30th minute. Within two minutes it was 4-1 when Chronis scored again. Twelve minutes of hell was completed for Inter Coach Joe Baldacci and his girls when Kate McPherson added a fifth in the 37th minute to leave the visitors in a serene comfort zone.
Neither side troubled the scorers again before half time, nor in fact during the second stanza. Whilst Inter Lions regrouped the damage had been done. Marconi went home with the points, rebounding from their poor recent form to snare six points in two games and leapfrog into fourth place on the competition table.
Inter Lions were disappointing. It was bad couple of days for Inter and they now drop back to ninth on the ladder.
INTER LIONS 1 (E.Stanbury 12m)
MARCONI STALLIONS 5 (R.Tomkins 19m, E.Chronis 25m/32m, H.Petinos 30m, K.McPherson 37m)
If Blacktown Spartan?s were buoyed by their second win of the season on Thursday evening against Inter Lions they were brought back down to Earth with a thud by their visit to tropical Bathurst on Sunday afternoon.
The only thing hot about Alec Lamberton Reserve on Sunday was the form of Western NSW Panthers star Sammie Wood as her sizzling hat trick ensured a win for the home side.
Wood scored twice in the first half for The Panthers; once in the 20th minute before giving her side a 2-0 half time lead with another successful strike in the 30th minute.
After oranges Wood was on the spot once more at the 60th minute mark before Kira Churchland added the coup de grace in the 80th minute.
The injury ravaged Spartans gave their usual honest performance but the legs were heavy, the opposition had a spring in their step and the result reflected The Panthers dominance.
Western NSW Panthers now sit seventh and may be left thinking what might have been in they?d turned around a couple of those tight losses earlier in the campaign. The Bathurst girls have done themselves proud with their 2011 performances.
WESTERN NSW PANTHERS 4 (S.Wood 20m/30m/60m, K.Churchland 80m)
BLACKTOWN SPARTANS 0
Finally, at ELS Hall Park, two of the top five battled to a stalemate when NWS Koalas and Macarthur Rams shared the points in their encounter.
Despite The Koalas strong form this season the high flying Rams were expected by most to carry too much attacking power for the home side. Someone forgot to read The Koalas the script.
When Renee Rollason opened the scoring for Macarthur in the 9th minute the pre match predictions looked like ringing true. However The Koalas dug deep, stalling Macarthur?s challenge and mounting a comeback. Their persistence was rewarded in the 36th minute when Katarina Kraft equalised to set up what looked to be an exciting final 45 minutes.
Both sides had their chances after the break but neither side could find a winner. The 1-1 half time scoreline remained intact; a result that didn?t necessarily help either team, though Koalas Coach Gerry Gomez would have been thrilled to see his side derailing the runaway express that had been the Macarthur Rams in recent weeks.
The result leaves Macarthur now third behind Illawarra Stingrays and Sydney University; albeit on goal difference to the latter. The NWS Koalas drop to fifth though the pressure of that position has eased somewhat with Manly?s loss this weekend.
A good, competitive match between two genuine finals contenders.
NWS KOALAS 1 (K.Kraft 36m)
MACARTHUR RAMS 1 (R.Rollason 9m)
So, whilst the content of the top five remains unchanged the teams have shuffled their order at the end of Round 17.
The Illawarra Stingrays remain on top with a nine point break over Sydney University and Macarthur Rams who both have a game in hand. Sydney University hold second place this week courtesy of their superior goal difference. The Marconi Stallions prove that a week is a long time in football with their two wins in seven days pushing them back into fourth place, four points further adrift and one point ahead of fifth placed NWS Koalas. Manly United FC, whilst having two games in hand, are now seven points outside the top five.
This coming weekend sees more top five action with Marconi Stallions hosting Sydney University and the Illawarra Stingrays travelling to ELS Hall Park to play NWS Koalas; both very important fixtures for The Stallions and Koalas in particular.
I trust that you enjoyed your weekend of football. There?s plenty more to come as we near the semi final of the Football NSW Women?s Premier League.
See you at the game next weekend.
-By Ross Anderson
