Women’s Premier League Round 2 Review
Illawarra continues to sit on top, followed closely by NWS Koalas. A few teams see their first win of the season, proof that this season is just starting to light up.
Blacktown Spartans VS Central Coast Mariners Academy
On the pristine, almost emerald green pitch of Blacktown Sports Ground, it almost seemed the perfect day for a game of soccer, the sun was bright and the breeze was cool. Dark clouds loomed on the horizon though, and as if in theme with the day, the menacing darkness taunted players and spectators a like with the constant threat of rain. Luckily for all involved, the rain held off until the final minutes of the game.
Shortly after the start a promising move down the central coast left hand side, finished with a good cross by Lily Bardsley, but no forwards were in position to head home. In the 6th min of play, Lily Bardsley was set free down the left, once again, this time her cross smacked against the far upright and rebounded into play and immediately finished with a expert dispatch into the corner of the net by Joanna Thornley to give central coast a one goal advantage.
Central Coast was starting to take control of the game with B.Holcombe and Lily Bardsley up front, ably supported by Oriana Keane and Tamara Myers.
In the 10th minute, Monnique Kofoed for Blacktown Spartans picked up a ball in midfield and charged into the penalty area and was brought down but shouts for a penalty were denied by the referee.
Central Coast, were mounting more pressure on the Spartans goal and a dangerous corner from the right by Lily Bardsley was cleared and landed back in her path and she hit her shot from 25meters over the bar.
Central Coast was now starting to control the game completely, which resulted in a succession of corners which were scrambled clear by the Spartans defense. This was followed by a good combination play, by Tamara Myers Joanna Thornley, but was saved well by the Spartans Goal Keeper Tani Rosekelly, who was quickly off her line to quell the danger.
After a drinks break, Lily Bardsley, again delivered a dangerous cross from the left, once again though no one was in position to head home.
Spartans tried to apply some pressure to get back into the game, and a dangerous cross into the Central Coast goal mouth, was comfortably taken by Central Coast Custodian R.Davis.
The breeze had started to die down towards the end of the first half and it appeared that Spartans had as well, as they struggled to hold possession and were finding it hard to control the Central Coast midfield and forward line, who were proving dangerous at every opportunity.
Right on half time B.Holcombe for central coast, following an individual run, was tackled from behind by Spartan defenders, leaving the referee no alternative but to point to the spot. The penalty was converted, very calm by defender K. Pearce, who placed the ball into the left hand corner of the netting.
Half Time, Central Coast 2 Spartans 0
Straight after half time, Spartans went on the attack and Monnique Kofoed shot just wide from twenty meters. Joanna Thornley, after good lead up work from midfield beat two players in the box, put her shot was well saved by goalkeeper Tani Rosekelly. Central Coast were now dominating position and possession all over the pitch but could not add to their score through ineffectual finishing.
In the 55th minute, R.Potts from Central Coast, from right fullback made a great overlapping run down the right-hand side which resulted in yet another mariner?s corner, with no result. Shortly afterwards a long speculative shot by Oriana Keane was dropped by the Spartans goalkeeper, K.Wynne was on the spot to the make most of the error.
Spartans were trying hard to rally and a ball through the Coast defence was nearly pounced upon by Monnique Kofoed, but was beaten to the ball by the quick reaction of Central Coast goal Keeper R.Davis.
Both sides had chances late in the game, Central Coast were unlucky not to go further ahead when a long range drive by R.Potts was parried by the goal keeper onto the cross bar. From a quick counter, again, Spartans most dangerous player Monnique Kofoed had her goal bound shot well blocked by R.Davis the Central Coast keeper.
Overall, Central Coast was good value for the three points, with their excellent possession play from defence through to forwards and the movement and mobility of the midfield. Blacktown Spartans found it very hard to get into the match as they turned over what possession they had to Central Coast who then utilised it too their advantage.
Blacktown Spartans Coach, Neil Ross, was naturally disappointed with the outcome of the game, but reflected that missing core players from the midfield certainly did not help. With Monnique Fofoed taking much of the attacking role upon her-self, ?She was going one out, her taking people on, she is very good, and she got into numerous scoring opportunities, but couldn?t get there. She certainly needed some support there?.
Central Coast Coach, Steve Roach was quite happy with his team?s performance on the field, ?Yeah, very happy. [We] Kept the ball, [which] enabled us to construct some good play going forward, getting to the top third and constructing some good chances?. With the first win of the season, moving them up the ladder, ?All in all, [they did] pretty well, to come back from three demoralising loses with lots of goals flying past you?.
Match Stats
Blacktown Spartans 0 Central Coast Mariners 3 (J Thornley 6m K Pearce 45m pen K Wynne 55m)
Sunday 1st April 2012
At Blacktown Sports Park
Blacktown Spartans: T. Rosekelly, 2. D.Lusic, 3. L.Kelly, 4. B.Slaughter 5. N.Lopez 6. T.Eddy 7. Z.Kalas 11. C.Pearson 12. S.Collins 14. M.Kofoed 15. K.Mladineo
Subs Not used: 9. I.Pacifici, 10. T.Whitney, 13. M.Roberts, 8. M.Bertenshaw 17. B.Jarvis
Coach: Neil Ross
Central Coast Mariners Academy: 16. R.Davis, 2. R.Potts, 3. E.Markwick, 4. K.Pearce, 7. J.Thornley 8.R.Wynne, 10. B.Holcombe (6. S.Bozanic, 48?), 11. L.Bardsley, 15. O.Keane, 13.T Myers, 25. K.Spencer
Subs Not used: 1. S.Butler, 9. M. Wallcer, 17. S.Ball, 19. R.Johnson
Yellow Card(s): 8. R.Wynne(62?)
Coach: Steve Roach
Sutherland Sharks 3 (K Pryer 36/75m K Glisic 72m) Manly United FC 1 (G O?Toole 15m)
Sutherland Sharks provided the upset of the round with a convincing 3-1 victory over the talented manly side. Manly got it self ahead 1-0 in the first 15min, with a goal by Gemma O?Toole, however, just before half time Pryer saw to it that Sutherland would end the first half on Equal terms, from there on it, it was even game, until the last twenty minutes, where Pryer put away a second and Glisic netting on for herself, which saw the game end 3-1 in Sutherlands favor.
Macarthur Rams Sydney University – Postponed
Marconi Stallions 1 (S Muscat 6m) NWS Koalas 1 (R Perrins 51m)
Two of the top five teams, Marconi and NWS Koalas played out a hard fought draw at Marconi Stadium to maintain their positions on the table. Although Marconi scored very early in the game, a quick goal in the first ten minutes by Muscat, the Koalas came from behind to level the scores in the 51st minute, with Perrins putting one away, and the game remained at a stalemate to the end.
Northbridge FC 0 Inter Lions 4 (H Makrillos 33/43m B Anderson 45m S Uzunlar 57m)
Inter lions continuing on the form that their coach expected from last week, have proved him right, with a convincing 4-0 win over newcomers Northbridge. Heidi Makrillos, made her season scoring debut, with two in a span of ten minutes, followed shortly after by Brooke Anderson, who netted a goal in the 45th minute. Servet Uzunlar finished the game, putting away the fourth goal in the 57th minute.
Gladesville Ravens 2 (C Atallah 18m F Agar 76m) Illawarra Stingrays 5 (Z Redman 1m E Halloway 31m M Carney 66m K Bonilla 78/82m).
Illawarra Stingrays maintained their position as competition favorites, with an explicit victory over Gladesville. Redman was quick on the mark, slotting away a goal in the first minute. Halloway and Carney kept the pressure on, putting two away, as the game lingered on. In her first game of the season, Bonilla made her mark by putting two away in the closing minutes of the game, showing she will definitely have to be watched out for. Gladesville did well to keep up the fight; not letting the opening minute goal put them off their game, Georgena Attalah managed to strike back at the 18th minute. Fatma Agar put away a consolation goal in the 76th minute.
So, that ends another exciting round of the Women?s Premier League. No doubt teams will be using the upcoming week off some extra training to gain the edge on their opponents in what is shaping up to be a competitive season. Enjoy your long weekend, and be ready to jump right back into the thick of things when the league recommenced on the 15th of April.
NSWIS 7 (N Bolger x 2 N Tobin x 2 A Kennedy x 3) Central Coast Mariners 0,
NSWIS 5 (A Kennedy x 1 N Tobin x 1 B Whitfield x 3) Gladesville Ravens 0.
Reserve Grade
The third round of Reserve grade sees Marconi and Illawarra still tied at first place on the ladder, with both teams winning their respective matches. Inter Lions have moved up to the third spot, with Manly tied with them on 6 points. NWS Koalas have slipped down the fifth position after coming up short against Marconi. Macarthur drew against Sydney University, scoring them a point, which seems them climb the ladder.
Results
Blacktown Spartans 0 Central Coast Mariners 0,
Sutherland Sharks 0 Manly United FC 3,
Macarthur Rams 0 Sydney University 0,
Marconi Stallions 3 NWS Koalas 1,
Northbridge FC 0 Inter Lions 4,
Gladesville Ravens 0 Illawarra Stingrays 2
-By Tyler Corry
