Women?s Super League Round 17 Review
APIA Leichardt confirmed they will be Minor Premiers, while Gladesville slumped to their second consecutive loss just two weeks out from the finals.
Feature Match: St George FC vs Springwood United
Springwood United have snatched their second win of the season in a 5-2 romp over St George at St George Stadium.
Playing to avoid the wooden spoon, both sides flexed their attacking muscle in a seven goal contest played in wet conditions. The squalling rain couldn?t stop Springwood from running away with the game in the second half and all but assuring they will avoid the wooden spoon this year.
Both sides struggled to maintain possession in a scrappy game, with goals often coming from turnovers and counterattacks.
St George almost had the lead inside the first minute as Jess Carosi found herself clear through on goal but was denied by Springwood?s Bridget Brien.
In an all action first twenty minutes, both sides had plenty of chances to break the deadlock. St George rattled the woodwork twice while Springwood put numerous shots wide from good positions.
The stalemate was broken in the 27th minute when Waddel negotiated a crowded penalty area to glance home a corner and make it 1-0 to the away side, though there was a hint of an own goal.
There was a feeling that the scrappy nature of the content would manifest itself in a barrage of goals, and that it did, though once again from a corner. A clean header from Suzy Gallagher leveled the scores at 1-1 and forced St George right back into the contest.
Unfortunately the home side were unable to capitalize on the momentum and found themselves two goals down at the halftime break. Waddel struck a nice shot across the keeper from a considerable distance in the 40th minute, then Danielle Wacher got her name on the scoresheet with a cracking right foot volley that left St George keeper Rani Hayman helpless.
Neither side looked willing to play lateral or backward passes, instead going direct and thus turning the ball over quite often. Indeed just five minutes after halftime, Springwood capitalized on yet another turnover in midfield, playing in Stef Trovato who drove the ball across goal to make it 4-1.
Springwood were once again dogged and energetic across the park, continually winning back the ball in dangerous areas and creating plenty of chances. St George, playing without four regular first graders, cleared off the goal line twice in 30 seconds as the away side kept coming at them.
Ten minutes later, Springwood made it five when Stef Trovato rounded the keeper and slid the ball home after she was beautifully played through on goal. Goals were falling from the sky along with the rain, and the pre-match expectation of a large scoreline looked spot on the money.
St George did manage a consolation in the final few minutes when Suzy Gallagher scored probably the best goal of the match and her second of the day. Running onto a defence splitting pass, the energetic striker feinted the first shot, then slotted inside the near post with the keeper off balance.
A brutal collision in the dying moments left Chantelle Kemp gasping for air, but there was no denying Springwood who look to have avoided the wooden spoon this season.
St George will be disappointed to have conceded so many goals, but like many teams have struggled with the absence of key personnel for large portions of their season.
St George FC 2 (Gallagher x 2)
Springwood United 5 (Waddel x 2, Trovato x 2, Wacher)
at St George Stadium
APIA Leichardt have taken out the 2011 Women?s Super League Minor Premiership with a 4-0 defeat of Sydney Olympic at Blick Oval. After an evenly matched first period, APIA ran over the top of their hosts, with another hattrick to Aysha Adalis supported by a goal to Danielle Pringle.
With late-season injuries and absences taking their toll, APIA fielded two under 16 players, Chyna Mogan and Paige Haywood, as well as 13 year old Ebony Fraser, who all had great games. The away side will now cruise into the major semi final, with a matchup against Gladesville confirmed.
Sydney Olympic 0
APIA Leichardt Tigers 4 (Adalis x 3, Pringle)
at Blick Oval
Parramatta Lady Hawks have consigned Gladesville Ravens to their second loss in a week, with a single goal to Zoe Kalos in the 40th minute the difference. In a tight match, the young midfielder?s goal was all it took to give Lady Hawks their biggest scalp of the season and some great momentum going into the finals.
The two losses, while worrying for Gladesville, are inconsequential in the makeup of the finals series. They will play APIA in week one of the finals, a team they have already beaten twice this year. Lady Hawks, though they cannot catch the Ravens, are well and truly the dark horse for the Women?s Super League title.
Gladesville Ravens 0
Parramatta Lady Hawks 1 (Kalos ?40)
at Magdala Park
Northbridge have kept alive their slim finals hopes with a thrilling 4-3 win over ladder rivals Nepean FC at Northbridge Oval. The only home team to win in Round 17, Northbridge are coming home like a steam train. A brace from Northbridge?s Robinson and one each from Gestier and Zantos cancelled out goals from Lopez, Wood and Conroy.
Midweek, Northbridge became the first team to beat Gladesville this year, as goals to Ruth Bartos and Rachel Lewis ensured the biggest upset of the season in a 2-1 win. While it may be not quite enough to get them into the finals, Northbridge?s late season form bodes well for next year and their second season in the Super League.
Northbridge 4 (Robinson x 2, Gestier, Zantos)
Nepean FC 3 (Lopez, Wood, Conroy)
at Northbridge Oval
Eastern UNSW Lions vs Northern Tigers WASHED OUT
-By Ryan Cropp ? twitter: @ryancropp
