Women’s Super League Round 10 Review

Just 12 goals were scored this round with five of those goals coming from Ison Park as Southern Branch were in complete control. The points were shared between the Mariners and Northern Tigers whilst Nepean claimed a strong win over Southern Districts.
With APIA Tigers v Sydney Olympic washed out, this weeks Match of the Round took place at David Phillips Field as top of the table side took on the Parramatta Lady Hawks.
MATCH OF THE ROUND: Eastern UNSW Lions 0 ? 1 Parramatta Lady Hawks
David Phillips Field?s all weather pitch became the place of battle as the two titans Eastern UNSW Lions and Parramatta Lady Hawks went head to head in an entertaining fixture.
The Lady Hawks got the ball moving and were instantly on the attack through striker Alix Roberts. Her darting run through the midfield and perfect one-two with her striking partner almost paying off, however thanks to the torrential rain the pitch the ball skipped wide of the goal. A sigh of relief coming from UNSW Lions? keeper Amanda Watson.
It become obvious that if anyone was to score from the Lady Hawks, it was to be the tall centre forward Roberts who had the killer combination of pace and physical strength, which kept UNSW?s defensive partnership, busy all game.
20 minutes into the game and the travelling side had already secured four shots on goal, all of which were skidding just wide of the intended target. UNSW Lions? ability to counter quickly in numbers meant that the travelling side always needed to be prepared for this transition between attacking formation and defence.
As the rain cleared up, UNSW started to hit some form with first Ashley Rabie hitting the post after being set up by Michelle Reilly-Brown. Following that close call, Michelle had a chance of her own hitting the wrong side of the net whilst Lisa Mitchell failed to slot the ball past the menacing Lady Hawks goalkeeper, Kim Doohan.
Despite having not seen a goal in the opening 45 minutes, both sides remained upbeat about their chances so far and knew that a goal had been brewing and it was only a matter of time before one team opened the scoring.
10 minutes after the restart, the Lady Hawks were struggling to contain UNSW?s attack up until the ball was cleared out and over an advanced defensive line. Alix Roberts collected the ball and with a perfect strike of the right boot, the ball was sitting in the back of the net.
UNSW Lions pushed hard for an equaliser however getting past the Lady Hawks? centre back Jessica Elliott was proving to be rather difficult. Producing a player of the match display, Jessica?s efforts to deny UNSW?s strikers again and again was worthy of most Premier League clubs.
Before the full time whistle, UNSW had one more chance to get an equaliser from a corner however Leyla Beiglari?s volley had the correct level of power but was aimed too high over the goal.
As the referee blew for full time there was a cheer from the Lady Hawks bench who knew that this win was a massive result and will provide a big boost for the rest of the second half of the season.
UNSW Lions will be happy to see key figure and top goal scorer Ayse Adalis return to the starting side next week after sitting out with an injury.
Both clubs have tough fixtures in Round 11 with UNSW Lions taking on St. George away from home and the Lady Hawks play host to Western NSW Mariners.
Western NSW Mariners 2 ? 2 Northern Tigers
The points were shared in a thrilling four-goal fixture as Northern Tigers made the trip out to Alec Lamberton Park taking on Western NSW Mariners.  Grace Ha and Ellana Balicki were the goal scorers for the Tigers with K. Collingride and A. Morris putting away a goal each for the home team. The trip to Bathurst is never an easy fixture and so for Northern Tigers to get a point this weekend and a win way back in Round 1, the club can be pleased with two successful performances.
Nepean FC 1 ? 0 Southern Districts
Southern Districts travelled to Cook Park on Sunday afternoon hoping to get at least a point against Nepean FC. Starting the better of the two sides, Districts looked more like a side from the top half of the ladder than a side who currently occupy eighth. Nepean drew first (and only) blood as S. Trovato scored the lone goal of the game seeing the home side climb up to sixth spot. There was a blemish on this fixture with Districts? club captain Willow Shorrock sent off for talking back to the referee.
Southern Branch 5 ? 0 St. George FC
Ison Park played host to mid-tabled St. George FC in what was a one sided affair. Southern Branch started and finished the game strongly with no reply from the travelling side. With goals from a variety of outlets, Branch have proven once again why they are more than a one player team and deserve to be equal top of the ladder. It wasn?t all doom and gloom for St. George who fought hard for the 90 minutes and were unlucky to not put away at least one of their opportunities.
APIA Leichhardt Tigers v Sydney Olympic FC ? WASHED OUT
Reserve Grade
In the pouring rain, UNSW Lions took on Parramatta Lady Hawks on the all weather pitch at David Phillips Field. The away side found themselves two goals in front after just 15 minutes and looked to be in complete control approaching half time. After the restart, UNSW found a lifeline as striker Jessica Woo?s header snuck into the back of the net. With an instant reply, the Lady Hawks extended their lead to 3-1. Despite hitting the post twice, UNSW Lions were unable to level the scoring. Full time score: UNSW Lions 2 ? 3 Parramatta Lady Hawks.
St. George faced the trek to Nowra knowing that Southern Branch would be difficult to beat at home, however ended up winning 2-1 after a dominating display. Northern Tigers also were clocking the miles as they drove out to Bathurst were they beat Western NSW Mariners 1-0. Southern Districts were solid despite having a player sent off, beating Nepean FC 3-1 at Cook Park. APIA Leichhardt Tigers v Sydney Olympic was washed out.  
-By Peter Nowakowski