Women?s Super League Round 18 Review
UNSW Lions have been crowned Premiers after their win over Western NSW Mariners whilst Northern Tigers are named Club Champions.
In previous seasons, there have been plenty of nail biting moments. In 2012, we?ve had more edge-of-the-seat moments of entertainment that seating has become an optional action by those on the sidelines with preference going towards standing in preparation for entertainment.
335 goals were scored in total this season with just under a third of those coming from the strikers at Eastern UNSW Lions and Southern Branch. With the finals series kicking off next weekend, there has never been a better time to get along and watch some women?s football.
MATCH OF THE ROUND: Southern Districts 2 ? 0 Northern Tigers
At ten minutes past three on a cool Sunday afternoon in Moorebank, the underdogs Southern Districts took on dark horses of the competition, Northern Tigers in what was to become a warm up for next weekend?s semi-finals meeting.
Southern Districts were the first to go on the attack launching balls left, right and centre in the direction of Tigers? defensive line. It was their quick passing and physical strength, which set them apart from the Tigers in the opening 15 minutes.
There were moments of glory where Sheree Bryant stole the limelight away from her side with some very flashy Mario Ballotelli-esque attempts on goal. First being a cheeky back heel shot which was well read by Tigers? keeper Jess Golledge in the fifth minute followed just four moments later with an audacious lob which may have beaten the keeper but also beat the post.
In the 20th minute, this fixture really started to take shape with Willow Shorrocks getting her name on the scoresheet. After some less than convincing defending, the captain and wearer of the number 11 jersey weaved some magic to give the defender-come-midfielder yet another goal to add to her ever growing tally for the season.
The goal was a wake up call for the Tigers who looked lethargic and distracted knowing that they had secured the prestigious Club Championship earlier on in the day.
Despite there being plenty of edge of the seat moments during the remainder of the first half, there was one key development in the game, which got almost everyone off their seats cheering. In the 33rd minute of play, Sheree Bryant got the goal she had been fighting so desperately to get.
After some outstanding build up play and determination by the first goal scorer Willow Shorrocks to get past Tigers? defender Amanda Skellern, Willow?s shot was cleared only as far as Sheree Bryant who had the simplest of tap-ins.
As the referee blew for half time, Districts walked into the change rooms the happier of the two sides knowing that if they maintained this lead, fourth spot on the ladder and a place in the finals series was up for grabs.
The second half saw the Tigers return to some of their better football with Gab Dal Pozzo and Ellana Balicki leading the attack and Tarni ?black tea? Black being the link between midfield and the front line.
Unfortunately for Ellana Balicki, her goal drought continued during this fixture, however that did not deter the Tigers striker from piling the pressure on Southern Districts? defensive partnership. Her two attempts on goal on the hour mark narrowly skipping wide of the target. One thing is for sure though, a goal is brewing and when it does eventually come, it will be near impossible to stop Balicki from scoring two or three in a game for the Tigers.
With 20 minutes left in the game, Sheree Bryant went in search of her second goal of the game to make it three-nil but could only find the crossbar. A sigh of relief from the Tigers bench while the Districts coaches were left clueless of how their side didn?t stretch their lead.
The Northern Tigers did manage one final shot on target, which came from the left back Kim Skellern. Her left foot strike from 30 yards out from goal surprising almost everyone at the ground except for the Districts? keeper who was perfectly positioned to collect the ball.
The full time whistle blew, Southern Districts the victors on this occasion.
Make sure to write down in your calendar next Saturday at Mills Park where these two sides will meet again this time for the opportunity to play off for a spot in the 2012 Women?s Super League Grand Final.
Western NSW Mariners 2 ? 3 Eastern UNSW Lions
A win was exactly what Eastern UNSW Lions needed to secure the minor premiership and a win is exactly what they got. This season we?ve seen the side from Bathurst become an almost indestructible force and in Round 18, things were no different. For the home side, J. Hanrahan and K. Collingridge got their names on the scoresheet getting a goal each but it was Ayse Adalis who stole the show again with a hat trick to make sure she was in the best possible goal scoring form ahead of the finals series.
UNSW Lions not only making the long trek back to Sydney with three points but also bragging rights of being the top side in the 2012 Super League across the regular season. With the final series kicking off next weekend, UNSW Lions are looking sharp and ready to do battle against Southern Branch at a yet to be determined location.
Sydney Olympic 5 ? 2 Nepean FC
Occupying fifth spot on the ladder and just two points behind Southern Districts, Sydney Olympic were keeping a watchful eye over proceedings at Ernie Smith Reserve. Goals to Tracey Ibanez, Kalista Tsoupis as well as a hat trick to star centre forward Kate Halaska was enough to secure maximum points in front of a home support at Blick Oval. Nepean weren?t without their moments of glory as B. Conroy scored a brace to level the scoring at 2-2 just after the half time break. Despite both Olympic and Nepean missing out on a place in the top four, the two sides can be very proud of their performances this season.
Southern Branch 1 ? 2 Parramatta Lady Hawks
The Lady Hawks were the outside chance to make the finals series heading into this game knowing that if both Sydney Olympic and Southern Districts dropped points, they could sneak into the top four. Across the 90 minutes, the Lady Hawks looked hungrier in their challenges despite Branch the stronger side in front of goal. Goals from A. Dudman and K. Potts were enough to get the win that the Lady Hawks were looking for with M. Costanzo?s being nothing more than a consolation goal for the home side.
St. George FC 1 ? 1 APIA Leichhardt Tigers
To use the clich? of ?a game of two halves? would be appropriate for this fixture at St. George Stadium. Despite neither side making the top half of the ladder, this was nothing less than a battle of pride with just two goals scored across the full 90 minutes. The Saints drew first blood in the 14th minute through a terrific goal from S. Gallagher however that goal was cancelled out with eight minutes left in the first half by P. Hayward. If both sides are able to maintain the bulk of their squad as well as work on ensuring fewer injuries in 2013, there is no doubt that both of these two sides should be in the top four next season.
RESERVE GRADE:
Kick off at Ernie Smith Reserve a few minutes past one, Southern Districts took on a Northern Tigers squad who knew that a win today would confirm the club championship they had been fighting so hard for all season. A five goal game with the travelling side seeing all the glory was enough to give Northern Tigers the boost they need ahead of next weekend?s finals series. Goals from Amy Clarke, Laura Murray, and a brace to Sam Greentree definitely put a smile on the faces of the girls in purple.
A hat trick to UNSW?s main striker Lisa Mitchell helped her side run away 5-1 winners over Western NSW Mariners on a chilly Sunday afternoon in Bathurst. Southern Branch achieved a 2-1 win over Parramatta Lady Hawks at Ison Park. St. George FC narrowly missed out on getting a point when they took on APIA Leichhard Tigers, the travelling side running away 3-2 winners across the 90 minutes. Finally, Nepean FC claimed a 2-0 win over Sydney Olympic in the final round of the competition.
-By Peter Nowakowski
