Women’s Premier League Round 10 Review

As Macarthur usurps Illawarra?s position just below NSWSIS, the blood in the water will churn the top 5 into frenzy as they will all be looking to take control of the competition.
Macarthur Rams VS Manly United FC
On a magnificent sunny autumn day at Lynwood Park, Macarthur and Manly kicked off what was to be the perfect advertisement for the Women?s Premier League. An exciting, and intriguing, match with twists and turns from start to finish was on offer for those present at the venue.
Macarthur were the first to show tenacity in attack with good lead up play, but the final ball by Renee Rollason was too strong, eluding her front runners to cross the line for a goal kick. This was followed by a good run by Brooke Starrett which forced a corner that was cleared only into the path Hayley Todd who hit her shot straight at the goalkeeper.
Macarthur continued to press and a long switch of play by Rollason found Kylie Ledbrooke in space. Her pass into the path of Starrett once again was directed straight at the goalkeeper.
Macarthur were pressing hard to open the score, however in the 16? minute a quick break by Manly found Alex Kent in a good scoring position, but her shot was skyed well over the crossbar from 20-metres.
Manly tried to force their way into the game and Tiarn Powell tested the Macathur goalkeeper Kate Anthonisz, but she was equal to the task diving to her right to make the save.
Gemma O?Toole then had her chance as she found herself on the end of a well floated free-kick, though her header was directed just wide.
The match at this stage was very evenly contested and Manly was closing down Macarthur?s space.
Manly were also having their moments in the match through Sarah Roger, Alex Kent, Jessie Wharepouri and Tiarn Powell. However, the chances in the front third that fell to either team were nullified by some good defending.
Macarthur should have gone ahead with two good opportunities to Stephanie Haim, one with a header from six-metres and also a volley when she only had the goalkeeper to beat, but failed to hit the target.
Finally the goal game for Macarthur when Elisha Williams took advantage of a defensive error and made no mistake with her effort against the advancing goalkeeper, finding the back of the net with a neat finish to put her side in front.
When it appeared that Macathur would go into the break with a lead, Manly countered with a pin-point ball from Tiarn Powell to Ellen Wheatley who shot on target. The ball was fumbled by Kate Anthonisz and trickled behind her over the goal line for the equaliser.
At the start of the second-half Macarthur applied pressure and had the Manly defence scrambling until Alyssa Harris gratefully grabbed a header from Brooke Starrett, and on the counter hit back and only a great save by Kate Anthonisz stopped Manly from going in front.
Macathur came close again when Kylie Ledbooke, after an individual run, shot over the crossbar from 25-metres out. Again they looked dangerous through Ledbrooke and Rollason, but could not manage the breakthrough to take the lead.
Manly on the counter were proving dangerous through Alex Kent and the diminutive Sarah Rogers ? the latter proving a thorn in the side of the Macarthur defence.
One wondered when the winning goal would arrive as both teams had further chances, Macarthur through Starrett and Rollason but could not find the net.
The best chance of the match then fell to Ledbrooke when she faced Alyssa Harris only to see her shot blocked by the goalkeeper with a great save.
Manly then had a chance through Ellen Wheatley after great lead up play, but her shot went straight to Anthonisz who held her ground well.
The game was almost at an end when Macarthur received a free-kick from 25-metres out. Rollason strode up to direct a ball to the top right hand corner only to see the ball turned away with a great save by Harris in the Manly goal.
Again Manly had the chance, minutes from the end, to gain the points as Ellen Wheatley, who lobbed the advancing goalkeeper, saw her shot drift wide.
Macarthur made Manly pay with a goal in the last 30?? seconds to Ledbrooke to seal a hard fought victory.
Manly would no doubt feel disappointed as they played well, but came out of the game with no points. The side?s display however, against an experienced side sprinkled with Matildas players? both past and present, was promising.
The Macarthur Coach, Matt Turvey commented after the final whistle:
“We are happy with the three points, as it was a very hard fought game and I felt that we deserved a win as we created a great number of chances.
?Our finishing however was not as good as it could be, and credit to Manly as they made it very hard for us.?
Manly Coach Grant Lee praised his team for their effort and the way they played, however he was disappointed that inexperience and a lack of discipline in the last minutes of the game contributed to the loss.
FIRST GRADE:
Blacktown Spartans 5 (L Mahony 15/19/60m D Lusic 29m M Hansen-Kofoed 87m) Inter Lions 7 (H Makrillos 23/35/50/89m C Cannuli 24/70/75m)
Blacktown Spartans and Inter Lions certainly would not have left the spectators wanting for more as they would have been happy to watch the number of goals scored in this encounter. Three hat tricks were completed in the one game, as both goalkeepers had a very difficult afternoon.
Inter Lions in every game they play threaten to score goals and today they certainly provided that aspect of the game to take the three points against Blacktown Spartans who would feel unlucky that they could score five goals and still lose the match.
Gladesville Ravens 1 (F Agar 40m) Marconi Stallions 4 (S Muscat 3/22m T Camilleri 71/84m)
Marconi would be hoping that the three goal win against Gladesville could be the first step in a climb to be a major player in the competition this season. Marconi started well and took an early lead via a brace for S Muscat, until Gladesville Ravens pulled one back to give them some hope in the 40? minute. Marconi however, put the result beyond reach with another brace to T Camilleri in the latter stages of the match.
Central Coast Mariners 1 (J Thornley 40m) NWS Koalas 3 (D Stewart 49m D Borg 72m R Doyle 91m)
Central Coast went down at home despite taking the lead against the NWS Koalas in the 40? minute with a goal by J Thornley. The Koalas soon turned the match around with a goal to D Stewart early in the second-half before D Borg in the 72? minute and t R Doyle late on secured the points with a 3-1 win.
Sutherland Sharks 1 (C Palumbo 72m) Northbridge FC 1 (C Sullivan 4m)
Sutherland and Northbridge both picked up a valuable point in the game at Seymour Shaw Park. Sutherland came from behind to equalise in the 72? minute after Northbridge had taken an early lead through C Sullivan in the 4? minute. The visitors are still searching for their first win of the season.
Sydney University 1 (J Kingsley 70m) Illawarra Stingrays 0
The students pulled off their biggest win of the season to date by defeating the competition favorite Illawarra Stingrays at home with a goal by J Kingsley in the 70? minute. The Stingrays, despite their efforts to equalise, were held scoreless when the final whistle blew, allowing the students to join them on the competition table with a game in hand. This result condenses the five teams chasing the tear-away leader NWSIS.
RESERVE GRADE:
Wins to Marconi and Manly consolidated their positions in the top two of the reserve grade competition, with Marconi now sitting with a five-point lead over their closest rival Manly. Inter Lions, Sydney University and the Koalas with good wins have consolidated their places in the top six sides of the competition.
Blacktown Spartans 2 Inter Lions 3
Macarthur Rams 0 Manly United 1
Gladesville Ravens 0 Marconi Stallions 2
Central Coast Mariners 0 NWS Koalas 3
Sutherland Sharks 4 Northbridge FC 0
Sydney University 3 Illawarra Stingrays 2
-By Tyler Corry