Women?s Premier League Semi Final Review

The Qualifying Final between NWS Koalas and Marconi Stallions had been moved to Wetherill Parl at Primbee. The two teams would have been stunned to not e a playing surface covered in some sort of green vegetation known as ?grass?. It was hoped that this would only add to what promised to be quite a spectacle.
Both teams sought to move the ball around in the opening minutes with Marconi looking slightly more dangerous. Jo Saliba managed the first shot of the game, albeit a long distance bomb that sailed well wide of goal.
Katerina Kraft fashioned her side?s first opportunity in the seventh minute after Marconi struggled to clear from a corner However, Kraft?s first strike of the day didn?t trouble Marconi keeper Courtney Halpin.
Samantha Muscat was proving a thorn in the side of the Koalas defence, almost managing to get in behind players on a number of occasions. Koalas keeper Lizzie Durack however was showing no fear in getting off her line to close down Marconi attacks  
Marconi appeared to be getting on top though. In the 13^th minute a promising Marconi attach saw another Saliba shot at goal; this one brilliantly saved by a diving Lizzie Durack.
Durack was called upon to do some more work soon after when an attempted clearance from one of her defenders went high in the air. Durack tangled with Samantha Muscat but managed to eventually get control of the ball.
The Koalas seemed intent to put themselves under pressure with some ponderous play at the back but produced some magic of their own in the 18^th minute when Chloe Logarzo?s shot from the right of goal caused Stallions keeper Halpin to stretch high above her head to prevent a goal.
Marconi won a corner in the 22^nd minute and the ball was drilled into the face of goal. Defender Sophie Svinos rose above the pack to head towards goal only to see the ball go wide.
The Koalas passing game was starting to come to the fore as they attempted to stretch the Marconi defence. Marconi?s game seemed more direct. This was portrayed in a moment where a quick turnover of possession saw Trudy Camilleri send Helen Petinos away down the left flank. Petinos?s cross found Sam Muscat in front of goal but the striker couldn?t get enough on the ball to beat the Koalas keeper.
The Koalas former Matilda, Jo Burgess, looked dangerous but couldn?t quite get into position to finish off a couple of half chances she created.
Youngster Rachel Perrins was doing a fine job for The Koalas in defence, winning many a scrap with her Marconi opponents.
This had looked a close tussle on paper and was certainly proving to be that way on the field. Marconi had come up with the better chances in the first half but The Koalas had gradually worked their way into the game after a slow start.
In the 40^th minute Jo Burgess almost put The Koalas in front; her shot going just wide of the post with Marconi keeper Halpin seemingly beaten.
The half time whistle blew with the scoreboard attendant sleeping peacefully as the teams shared a scoreless first half.
The second half commenced with both teams unchanged. This promised to be a very competitive half of football in a game that looked as if it may be decided by one moment of individual magic.
An early Koalas corner was wasted with the ball travelling out well before goal.
Trudy Camilleri fired the first shot of the half, sprinting through a hesitant defence before firing over the cross bar.
In the eighth minute it was Marconi?s turn to win a corner. A high, looping ball into the box by Helen Petinos was defended comfortably by NWS who then sought to transfer the pressure upfield.
Trudy Camilleri was starting to take ownership of midfield with her trademark sidestepping runs and deft touches. Camilleri came very close to launching both Petinos and Muscat on attacking runs but The Koalas scrambled well in defence.
The second stanza was starting to resemble the first; Marconi had found the better of play in the first 15 minutes of the half but The Koalas were now lifting.
In the 63^rd minute both coaches went to their benches with Stallions Coach Rob Pearce replacing Jo Saliba with Jessica Coates whilst Gerry Gomez subbed Kimberley Davey in for Rachel Jones. Moments later Gomez took off Chloe Logarzo to bring in Maree Patikas.
A fine long ball by Anna McLean saw Maree Patikas flying after the ball but Sophie Svinos kept her nerve to cut off the ball before Patikas could race to goal.
Marconi had successive corners, one of which created havoc in the face of the Koalas goal but the North West girls survived. Suddenly Marconi had entered a period of dominance in which they seemed the most likely to score.
Then fate stepped in Jo Burgess burst through on a Rachel Perrins ball to race towards goal. Burgess used all her experience to slot the ball past the advancing keeper Halpin and put her side in the lead 1-0.
Marconi raced straight back to the other end in an effort to get an immediate reply but again the Koalas defence held, but only just!
The goal had given The Koalas confidence though and now Marconi were forced to chase. The Stallions were under real pressure.
In the 82^nd minute Koalas defender Jessica Seaman came off second best after a clash with Renee Tomkins. After some period being tended on the ground Seaman hobbled to the sideline. The Koalas battled on one down but, rather than succumb The Koalas forced a defensive error from Marconi which saw Jo Burgess once again to the fore, scoring her second goal with a fine finish.
At this point Coach Gomez decided not to risk Jess Seaman any further, replacing her with Michelle Brown.
With minutes remaining Marconi were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box only to see Renee Tomkins strike fly wide. Marconi then snared a disputed corner but Koalas keeper Durack leapt high to safely take the ball.
Marconi made one more break through Sam Muscat but Rachel Perrins saved the day again, reading the play perfectly to cut off the ball.
The final whistle blew with The Koalas running out 2-0 winners.
This game was what semi final football is all about; uncompromising, tough and not an inch given either way. Both teams are to be congratulated on an entertaining match.
Marconi Coach Rob Pearce described NWS Koalas as his side?s ?bogey? team. Pearce was disappointed but now focuses on preparing his team for next weekend?s semi final against Sydney University.
Koalas Coach Gerry Gomez was very pleased with a strong team performance. His girls now ready themselves to face Illawarra Stingrays in next weekend?s major semi final, squaring up for a place in the Grand Final.
NWS KOALAS 2 (J.Burgess 76m/88m)
MARCONI STALLIONS 0
An exciting Elimination Final at J.J.Kelly Park saw Sydney University win through to next week with a heart stopping 3-2 win over Macarthur Rams.
Sydney University had started strongly, with Samantha Spackman giving them the lead in the 22^nd minute. Stephanie Haim equalised for Macarthur in the 33^rd minute with the two sides going to the break at 1-1.
In the 69^th minute Jenna Kingsley put Sydney University back in front; a lead they looked destined to hold until full time. But, just as the champagne corks were about to pop in the University dressing room, Rams defender Claire Walsh bobbed up in the 92^nd minute to send the match into extra time.
In the 110^th minute Kingsley was on the spot again to put University back in front; a lead they managed maintain this time until the final whistle.
University once again lost defender Alesha Clifford after she received a second yellow card in the second half.
Macarthur had a host of chances, giving the post and cross bar a thorough testing. However, where they failed to take their opportunities their opponents didn?t. University move into another elimination final next weekend against Marconi Stallions.
Macarthur?s season, which promised so much at various stages, ends in disappointment. Many teams will breathe easier with their demise.
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY 3 (S.Spackman 22m, J.Kingsley 69m/110m)
MACARTHUR RAMS 2 (S.Haim 33m, C.Walsh 92m)
An excellent weekend of finals football that has everyone looking forward to week two next weekend. This competition is far from a one horse race.
-By Ross Anderson