Women’s Premier League Round 2 Review

The second round of the Women?s Premier league saw two teams who missed out due to wash out finally get their chance to show the competition what they are made of.
Big winners from round one clashed resulting in some unexpected results, and some of the younger teams went head to head so they could truly test their mettle.
Inter Lions Vs Gladesville Ravens @ Concord Oval
In a hard fought game at concord oval, Inter Lions ran out winners, one goal to nil.
The match opened like a boxing match, both sides sparring for an opening. Servet Uznunlar was controlling the midfield for inter and was ably supported by Amy Dahdah and Cath Cannuli, combing with Heidi Makrillos to threaten the Gladesville defence.
A foul against Annika Clayton on the right, ensuring a free kick for Gladesville fell to Lauren Bryant but her shot was directed straight at the keeper, resulting in an easy save for Inter?s Keeper Amanda Horafics.
Again a few minutes later, a free kick from Inter?s Heidi Makrillos on the right was dropped by the Goalkeeper and the follow in shot from eighteen meters by Uznunlar soared over the cross bar.
The match continued with Inter Lions having the greater share of possession, with the combination of Uznunlar, Makrillos and Cannuli always being on the attack, a constant danger for Gladesville.
Against the run of Play, Lauren Bryant from Gladesville, from a throw in shot wide of the post from twenty meters.
Again, Uznunlar shone by robbing the Gladsville midfield and was fouled when breaking clear. The free kick, by Canulli was blasted over the bar from twelve meters by Makrillos in the 25^th minute. Gladesville made a quick break down the right by Annika Clayton whose cross was deflected, resulting in a corner and a second in quick succession was cleared by the Inter defense.
Gladesville were slowly coming back into the game catching Inter on the break and were rewarded with a corner which was played short and the first time cross was headed to the Inter goal, but was well held by Horafics, in the goal.
In the 30^th Minute, a great run by Cannuli and a dangerous crossed was missed, finally dropping to Anderson who sliced her shot over the goal from six meters out.
In the 35^th minute, a measured chip over Gladesville?s defense from Inter?s midfield found Cannulli in space, but once again the left foot volley whistled over the crossbar. The first half ended as it began, with neither side managing the most of their opportunities.
Early in the second half, a Gladesville corner by Jessica Dominello was placed in the path of Freya Hickey but once again the space over the crossbar was where it finished.
Fifty-three minutes into the game, Inter broke the deadlock, with a well taken goal by Uzunlar, following a combination pass with Makrillos, from fourteen meters out and driving it into the corner of the net.
As the game wore on, Gladesville were proving dangerous on the break, as Inter Lions where slow in transition from attack to defense. Inter had more chances as the game went on, two of which were saved by the Gladesville Goalkeeper, Charlene Borg.
Another fast break by Gladesville down the right wing in the 80^th minute, saw a pass too Lauren Bryant in front of Inter?s goal, but with pressure from the defenders, wasted the chance.
One last foray from Inter with good interchange passing found Kristy Rohrer on the right with a cross into the six yard area was wasted by Mel Parlato as she pushed the ball wide of the post.
In the final stages of the game, Gladesville continued to press for the equaliser, but could not find the target and the Inter defence held firm for the final minutes of the game.
Inter Lions Coach, Joe Baldacci, was quite happy with the performance of his girls, ?Very happy with the performance, great things to come?? he said. He was mindful that the team could have achieved more, ???The Opportunities were there, but we were just not able to finish.?  
Aware that the offensive style has its fault, as seen in today?s game, Joe stands firmly behind the teams strategy ?We base our whole game on attack?, if we are not quick enough a team can turn it around and make us pay for that, but we believe in a strong attacking game?.
Despite the loss, David Ivicevich, Gladesville?s coach was quite proud of his side, with a strong turn around in the short few weeks since trials, ?I think we did really well to hold off inter lions who we played in a trial and went down 5-0? he said. ?We made decisions quite well today, our game plan was to counter them [Inter Lions] and I thought we did that quite well and were unlucky not to score?.
Inter Lions 1 (Servet Uzunlar 54?) v Gladesville Ravens Sunday 25th March 2012
At Concord Oval
Inter Lions: 1.Amanda Horafics 2.Servet Uzunlar 5. Brooke Anderson 6. Alex Smith 7.Angela Mohktar (3. Nadia Hamson 80?) 8. Maria Kalogecopoulous (14. Sam Nagy 81?) 9. Amy Dahdah (2. Mel Parlatc 65?) 10. Heidi Makrillos 11. Kristy Rohrer 13. Cath Cannuli Kristi Pavlicevic
Subs not used: 12. Kyrra Rawnsley 16. Georgie Klapos
Coach: Joe Baldacci
Gladesville Ravens: 41. Charlene Borg 2. Alison Crosbie 3. Hannah Vousden 5. Melissa Sale 6. Aleisha Wawn 7. Annika Clayton 10. Ashleigh Smith 12. Jessica Dominello (15. Gerogena Attalah 54?) 13. Lauren Bryant (8. Fatma Agar 75?) 14. Freya Hickey (9. Alyssa Hardie  88?)22. Natalie Waddell (11. Najla Eid 88?)
Subs not used: 21. Lauren Scarramvzza
Coach: David Ivicevich
Sydney University 7 Central Coast Mariners 1
Sydney University came out victorious against the Central Coast Mariners, with J. Kingsley and Olivia Kennedy both scoring a hat-trick an unusual feat in any game of football. S. Bozanic managed to put one away in the final minutes of the game.
Manly United FC 2 Marconi Stallions 2
Manly came from behind to score and equalizer in the 90^th minute in what must have been a hard thought game at Cromer Park. Both Muscast and Petinos, scorers from the last round proved to be a continued threat with each putting one away in the opening 1^st quarter of the game.
Illawarra Stingrays 3 Macarthur Rams 0,
The Illawarra Stingrays came out on top against the Macarthur Rams. The Rams must have put up a valiant effort, as goals at the 35^th, 73^rd and 88^th minutes game showed that Illawarra had to keep fighting to ensure they stayed on top.
Northbridge FC 0 NWS Koalas 6
NSW Koalas have dominated the ground in their second round game against Northbridge FC. E. Stanbury slotted one away in the opening minutes of the game and E. Stewart saw to keep the pressure on until the very end, netting her-self two in the 64^th and 86^th minute.
Sutherland Shire 1 Blacktown Spartans 2
Blacktown Spartans went up against the Sutherland Shire scoring their first win of the season thanks to goals from N Lopez and Z Kalos which sealed the deal for the away side. The Shire scored a consolation goal via T Feggans but it was all too little too late as the mighty Spartans roared home capturing the three precious points.
-By Tyler Corry