Women?s Super League Round 13 Review
With wins for Sydney Olympic and Eastern UNSW Lions, the surprise result of the round came from Nepean FC who destroyed APIA Tigers 5-0 at Cook Park.
The points were shared at Alec Lamberton Field and Mills Park as both grounds held must win clashes for teams searching for glory before the final whistle is blown at the season?s end in five weeks time.
MATCH OF THE ROUND: Southern Districts 2 ? 4 Eastern UNSW Lions
Ernie Smith Reserve come to life on Sunday afternoon as Southern Districts played host to second placed side Eastern UNSW Lions in what turned out to be a fiery and midfield heavy affair between two titans of the competition.
Leading the attack for the home side was Sheree Bryant who wasted no time in making her presence in the final third of the pitch known. The striker weaving her way through the UNSW defensive partnership of Jacqui Feros and Deidre Barham to record her first shot on goal with just four minutes on the clock.
By the 6th minute, UNSW Lions found themselves 1- 0 in front against the run of play. A pin-point accurate cross from Ashley Rabie onto the edge of the 6 yard box meant the Districts? keeper was left in no-mans-land. Michelle Reilly-Brown was on hand to head the ball into the back of the net.
Within seven minutes of UNSW taking the lead, Southern Districts found an equaliser as Sheree Bryant?s hard work finally paid off. Her penetrating run through the heart of the away team?s defence followed by a calm walk around the on-rushing goalkeeper, Aidann Stathis, meant all Bryant had left to do was put the ball into an empty net.
With five minutes left to play of the first half, both sides were on the hunt for that second goal to give them an edge at the break. Sheree Bryant had another one-on-one opportunity, this time failing to get past the UNSW goalkeeper. The travelling side weren?t so wasteful when the opportunity arose.
UNSW?s passionate striker, Lisa Mitchell made a darting run in the dying moments of the first half. In a moment of madness, a Southern Districts? defender brought down the striker inside the box, resulting in a penalty. Lisa Mitchell stepped up and blasted the ball into the bottom left corner of the goal.
At half time, UNSW Lions were sitting 2-1 in front over the home team Sothern Districts.
The pace of the game took a big dip in the second half with both sides attempting to play a more cautious and patience build up brand of football.
10 minutes after the restart, Southern Districts found a way back into this game after Justine McLaughlin scored a wonder goal from outside the 18 yard box. After a corner, UNSW Lions failed to clear their lines properly, leaving the midfielder, McLaughlin, free to volley the ball into the back of the net. There was not a whole lot that UNSW Lions? goalkeeper, A. Stathis could have done to prevent the goal but was clearly frustrated with her defence that McLaughlin was free to take the shot on goal.
In the 72nd minute, UNSW Lions were awarded their second penalty of the afternoon as Lisa Mitchell was again brought down inside the box after being sandwiched between two Districts defenders. The cry from the spectators was simulation, the referee had the final say and pointed to the spot.
Lisa Mitchell scored again in the bottom left corner of the goal to nudge the travelling side in front 3-2 over a Southern Districts who were the physically stronger side on the park.
With five minutes left on the clock, UNSW Lions? striker, fresh from scoring four goals in the reserves game, left her mark on the first team with the winning goal, beating two defenders before blasting the ball into the back of the net. The smile on Ayse?s face said it all, she?s back to her best.
At full time, Southern Districts were upset to not get the desired result but were clearly proud of their performance. For UNSW Lions, this win brings the table closer and closer together as the team in yellow go hunting for top spot on the table.
Western NSW Mariners 1 ? 1 St. George FC
St. George FC faced the long trek out to Alec Lamberton Field in Round 13, a location which hasn?t seen the Mariners drop many points all season. With both teams desperate for a win, goals were scored by K. Collingridge from the home team and P. Perason from the travelling side. Despite many opportunities, neither side could find a winner out in Bathurst.
Sydney Olympic 3 ? 0 Parramatta Lady Hawks
Out of all the games Sydney Olympic wanted to win this season, this fixture against Parramatta Lady Hawks was guaranteed to bring edge of your seat action. A man-of-the-match performance and a hat trick to prove her worth in the final third, Kate Halaska scored once before the break and twice in the second half to push her side into third place on the Super League ladder.
Northern Tigers 1 ? 1 Southern Branch
The points were shared at Mills Park as the Northern Tigers welcomed top of the table side Southern Branch to town. Within 15 minutes, the home side were in front through a fantastic strike on goal from midfield maestro, Tarni Black. Their joy was short lived though with Southern Branch gifted a life-line before the break through a penalty. M. Leedham stepped up and slotted the ball into the back of the net to level the scoring at 1-1.
Nepean FC 5 ? 0 APIA Leichhardt Tigers
For the girls from Nepean FC, they walked away with three things from this game against APIA Leichhardt Tigers. First and arguably most importantly, three points. Secondly, a massive confidence boost ahead of next weekend?s clash against top placed Southern Branch. Finally, a smile on their faces. For APIA Tigers who only have achieved one win this season, it is back to the drawing board before Round 14 kicks off.
RESERVE GRADE:
In an absolute demolition, Eastern UNSW Lions ran away 7-0 winners over Southern Districts at Ernie Smith Reserve. Returning from injury, Ayse Adalis got back into her groove scoring four goals whilst Areti Theodorou managed to knock two balls into the back of the net. Despite putting their best foot forward, Southern Districts were unable to get past their opposition across the 90 minutes.
Western NSW Mariners received a setback when they went down 1-0 to St. George FC at Alec Lamberton Park. The points were shared at Blick Oval as Sydney Olympic held Parramatta Lady Hawks to a 0-0 draw. Northern Tigers got the better of Southern Branch with a 1-0 at Mills Park. Nepean FC and APIA Leichhardt Tigers battled hard but were unable to find a winner with the scores locked at 1-1 when the final whistle was blown.
-By Pete Nowakowski
