Women?s Super League Finals Series Round 1 Review

Major Semi Final: APIA Leichardt Tigers vs Gladesville Ravens
A dramatic Aysha Adalis goal deep into injury time booked APIA Leichardt Tigers a place in the Super League Grand Final.
As the shivering fans began to brace themselves for extra time, Adalis sped onto a desperate through ball to make it 1-0 with barely seconds remaining, breaking Gladesville hearts.
The Tigers get a week off and go straight through to the Grand Final, while Gladesville regroup to face Parramatta Lady Hawks in the Preliminary Final.
The match started rather belatedly, having been relocated to Valentine Sports Park at the last minute due to a lack of light at Wilson Park.  Under lights on a questionable surface, Gladesville took control of the opening stages.
Aside from the scoreline, the match played out very similarly to the previous two encounters between these fierce rivals – Gladesville starting the game strongly and controlling possession, while APIA gradually wrestled back the ascendancy and created more chances.
Gladesville settled into their usual rhythm, favoring slower, patient buildups with the ball on the ground. APIA seemed intent on testing Ravens keeper Rebecca Colechin at every opportunity, while their forwards dropped into midfield in attempt to nullify Gladesville?s dominance there.
Liz Talarico was at her energetic best for the Ravens while APIA under 16 striker Paige Haywood caught the eye with a series of nice touches.  APIA had the better of the chances in the first period, the best a scorching shot from Adalis that was palmed away excellently by Colechin.
The second half was more open than the first, with both sides spurning chances to win the game. Gladesville?s buildup play deteriorated at the players tired and APIA pressed enthusiastically.
Colechin put in a best-on-ground performance in the Gladesville goal, denying Adalis on more than one occasion. After diving full length to tip a low drive past the post, she smothered an unmissable point blank opportunity that left the Tigers striker punching the ground in exasperation.
Despite her heroics, APIA were not to be denied, and they were given just reward for a strong second half performance when Adalis popped up right at the end to snatch a spot in the Grand Final.
Victorious APIA coach Tarek Madani was understandably elated to have finally beaten this strong Ravens side.
?We were probably the better side. We dominated the game and controlled possession,? he said.
?Their goalkeeper was absolutely amazing today, she was an absolute freak.?
?After all the dramas we?ve had today, it was a great game of football.?
Gladesville coach Paul Wade heaped equal praise onto both the opposition and his own outstanding goalkeeper.
?I admit it – we were beaten by a better side on the night. I thought they could have had a couple,? he said.
?I thought that Bec [Colechin] was really good tonight. She made some unbelievable saves and it was because of her that we were still in the game.?
?I give all the credit to APIA.  They chased us all over the park – they are a very, very good side.?
APIA Leichardt Tigers 1 (Adalis ?90+4)
Gladesville Ravens 0
at Valentine Sports Park
Minor Semi Final:  Parramatta Lady Hawks vs Eastern UNSW Lions
An 88^th minute Parramatta Lady Hawks goal ended the finals hopes of valiant Eastern UNSW Lions side at Melita Stadium on Saturday night.
Battling with 10 players for the best part of an hour, the Lions could consider themselves unlucky not to have forced extra time, having outplayed Parramatta for large periods in the 2-1 loss.
After a tense, evenly contested start to the game, Lady Hawks broke deadlock in the 17^th minute with a cracking goal from Alicia Dudman.  A nice lay back on the edge of the area was hit with venom on the half volley past the outstretched fingertips of Lions keeper Amanda Watson.
It was to be one of only a few real chances created in the first half, though Lady Hawks had more of the ball throughout. The Parramatta defence was typically steadfast, stifling almost everything the Lions threw at them.
The Lions were dealt a major blow in the 39^th minute when they had a player sent off for dissent, forcing a reshuffle of their formation to an unorthodox 4-3-2 shape.
Surprisingly, this system seemed to work very well for the away side in the second period.  The Lions looked much more lively going forward and on the whole probably had the better of their opponents.
Lady Hawks missed the chance to make it 2-0 when they hit the crossbar in the 56^th minute, while the game continued to produce some very robust challenges.
On the hour, Lions under 16 striker Kristy Kunovski was played into space and hit an absolutely cracking drive from the corner of the box to bring her side level.  Even more impressive was the cartwheeling celebration before she was swamped by excited teammates.
Down a player, the UNSW midfield was working extremely hard. Shani Lauf in particular put in a heroic shift in the center of the park, while the quick feet of Ashley Rabie troubled the Lady Hawks defence on more than one occasion.
Their industry went cruelly unrewarded though as another under 16?s striker, Bonaventura, came off the bench and showed excellent composure to score a sensational winner in the final minutes.
After some wild celebrations on and off the pitch, the home side held on to book a place in the Preliminary Final next week against Gladesville Ravens. It?s the least Lady Hawks deserve after the great season that they?ve had so far. UNSW bow out with their pride intact, remaining well and truly in the contest until the final whistle. 
Reserve Grade Results:
Minor Semi: Eastern UNSW Lions 0 def Parramatta Lady Hawks 0 (Eastern UNSW Lions win on penalties)
Major Semi: APIA Leichardt Tigers 2 def Gladesville Ravens 1
Next week: Gladesville Ravens vs Parramatta Lady Hawks
Venue: TBA
-By Ryan Cropp ? twitter: @ryancropp