Women’s Premier League Round 8 Review

The middle of the table is now seeing some congestion and the games to come will certainly be interesting to see as each team will be fighting in order to break through the point ceiling and join those at the top.
Gladesville vs. Sutherland
In stark contrast to the spring like weather Sydney had been experiencing this week, winter was out in full force at Peel Park with a punishing wind making time on the field a harrowing experience for even the most seasoned player. Both Gladesville and Sutherland came out well in games that the deck was stacked against them last round, and both teams were out to prove who was the better side and begin their climb out of the bottom of the ladder.
Gladesville kicked off running against the wind at Peel Park and immediately Sutherland showed their intentions by pressuring the home side into turning the ball over to allow them to keep possession in the opposition half.
Sutherland attempted to bring the opposition goal keeper into the game early but the attempts at goal were hit well over the bar and the goal keeper was first tested in the 7^th minute by a speculative shot from Paloma Oliveira.
Both teams were finding it very hard to maintain any rhythm and cohesion, which was not helped by the compact, bumpy pitch and also the swirling breeze which added to the difficulty. Both teams gave away possession very cheaply and even though both sides managed to win it back, they could not gain any advantage when in possession.
Sutherland had the better of the game territorially and in the 20^th minute, Paloma Oliveira split the defence with a neat pass for Christina Palumbo to run on to, but her control was poor and the ball ran away from her to miss a one on one chance with the keeper.
In the 20^th minute a rare Gladesville foray into Sutherland territory gained them a free kick from 40 metres out and the speculative long shot at goal was well held by Georgia Rowntree the Sutherland keeper.
Gladesville?s best chance came to get onto the scoreboard while Sutherland were playing with only ten on the field, a cross from the left found F. Agar alone with only the keeper confronting her whom she beat to the ball but then completely mistimed her action and the ball bounced over her outstretched leg and went safely over the line.
As Sutherland was still controlling the game territorially, Gladesville after 35 minutes won their first corner on the right. As was the pattern of play, they could not take advantage of the opportunity, Sutherland then replied with a corner of their own which was floated well into the six yards box and finally the ball was scrambled away by the Gladesville defence.
The whistle halted a very dull and uninspiring first half by both sides with Sutherland having most of the possession, but it was not effective and Gladesville tried hard through some counter attacks, but their front runners could not match the Sutherland defenders for speed.
Score at Half Time 0-0.
The second half began as a mirror image of the first half. With the first attacking movement a cross from Kathleen Franklin from Sutherland whipped a dangerous cross into the path of Paloma Oliveira, but her first time shot from 8 metres out was high and wide.
Sutherland were threatening more when in possession, but seemed devoid of ideas when entering their opponents defensive third. In the 55^th minute a free kick by J.Dominello was directed in behind Suterlands defence, who managed to scramble the ball away for a corner and the resulting ball was volleyed just wide by M.Sale probably the best chance so far of the match.
Sutherland immediately hit back, with a passing movement out of defence to find Kathleen Franklin who beat two Gladesville defenders and her well hit shot from 25 metres out whistled past the left upright. Both sides were now showing more urgency and striving to break the deadlock, and Claire Arnold ran onto a through ball only to be denied by the advancing C.Borg the Gladesville goal keeper.
After 75 minutes the match again slipped back to a patchy performance with both sides striving hard but continually giving away possession and any movement to threaten either goal was nullified by the defences of both sides coming out on top.
A chance fell to Sutherland when Paloma Oliveira found herself on a run to the Gladesville goal with many players in support but ignored them and blazed away with a poor shot when her team mates were in great position to break the dead lock.
As the game seemed to winding down into a stalemate a disastrous slip N.Waddell from Gladesville after she had gained supremacy over Paloma Oliveira allowed her to recover the ball and send a cross to the far post where it was met by Christina Palumbo and a neat header from close range found the back of the net.
Immediately Gladesville pushed forward to try for the equaliser and a great cross from Hannah Vousden eluded the defense and also the out stretched right foot of F.Hickey with the goal open and any contact may have levelled the score.
Sutherland were probably relieved as the final whistle sounded as possession and territory wise they controlled the major part of the match but could not finish the movements to put the opposition away.
Sutherland Coach Michael Michael was pleased with his teams result ?I think it?s a young side and in the last couple of weeks they have shown they can compete. It?s probably the first time in the last two weeks that we have been able to get our proper side on the park?.
David Ivicevich had this to say about his team?s performance on the park today, ?we were lacklustre in our performance but I think so was both sides, this is now the fourth game in a row that we have conceded in the 80^th minute. We need to realise to tighten up and the games not over?
?I don?t think we created enough chances in the final third today, I thought due to the conditions it was hard to play football for both squads, but we have to realise as well if we get an opportunity at this level we have to take it. I thought we did well for about 80min to keep Sutherland out?
Gladesville vs Sutherland
Sunday 13^th of May
At Peel Park
Gladesville Ravens: 41. C.Borg 2. A.Crobie 3.H.Vousden 5. M.Sale 7. A.Clayton 8. F. Agar (9. A.Hardie 55?) 10. A.Smith 12. J.Dominello (6. A.Wawn 63?) 13. L.Bryant 14. F.Hickey 22. N.Waddell
Subs: 27. M.Paslis 36. H.Green 21. L.Scarramuzza
Coach: David Ivicevich
Sutherland Sharks: 2. C.Arnold 4. C.Palumbo (32. S.Hancock 85?) 6. L.Danaskos (24. T.Feggans77?) 7. K.Pryer 10. S.Joannidis 11. A.Pticher 21. G.Rowntree 22. P.Oliveira 23. A.Chuter 25. J.Todd 33. K.Franklin
Subs: 15. M.Kelly 16. M.Maxwell
Coach: Michael Michael
Blacktown Spartans 0 Manly United 1 (S Roger 75m)
Manly United gained a valuable three points in their climb up the table in a hard fought match away from home against the Blacktown Spartans. It was only in the 75^th minute through Sarah Roger that Manly took the lead and held the Spartans at bay for the remainder of the game to move into equal third on the table.
Illawarra Stingrays 3 (M Carney 11m K Clarke 17m E Cobb 80m) Inter Lions 1 (H Makrillos 75m)
The Stingrays have bounced back from two draws in a row to get back into the winning vein against Inter Lions at J.J. Kelly Park. Goals by Michelle Carney and Karen Clark in the early part of the game set them on the right track for the win. In the 75^th Minute Heidei Makrillos pulled one back for the Lions and in the 80^th minute E Cobb sealed the Victory for the Stingrays.
Macarthur Rams 11 (R Rollason 14/21/34/60m S Haim 26/87m K Ledbrook 47/57/71m L Kohet 54m L Garard 83m) Northbridge FC 0
Northbridge felt the brunt of Macarthur?s power, who were unexpectedly held to a draw last week by Gladesville, found their mojo in the goal scoring department to the disappointment of the luckless Northbridge. Hat tricks are rare in most games but two of Macarthur?s strike force Renee Rollason and Kylie Ledbrook both picked up one each and a brace to Stephanie Haim helped round off the goal fest for Macarthur.
Sydney University 3 (T Kingsley 16/17/90m) NWS Koalas 1 (D Borg 73m pen)
The Students bounced back from a loss last week with a resounding win over the favored NWS Koalas to show that they have earned their position on the table; they are sitting fourth in a great position with two games in hand. Once again another Hat trick was performed by T Kingsley to enable the students to run out three goals to one and victor over their fancied opponents.
Central Coast Mariners Marconi Stallions
Postponed
RESERVE GRADE:
Marconi once again remains in the top spot of the ladder and the Illawarra Stingray sit in second with equal points. Macarthur?s dominating win against Northbridge has moved them up to the 4^th position, Central Coast Mariners though are now sitting on 5^th just below Manly United.
Blacktown Spartans 1 Manly United 3,
Illawarra Stingrays 5 Inter Lions 1,
 Macarthur Rams 6 Northbridge FC 0,
 Gladesville Ravens 1 Sutherland Shire 5,
Central Coast Mariners 0 Marconi Stallions 4,
 Sydney University 2 NWS Koalas 2.
-By Tyler Corry