Women?s Premier League Preliminary Final Review
RESERVE GRADE PRELIMINARY FINAL REVIEW
With a date with destiny set for next weekend, Marconi Stallions took to the field of battle to take on the mighty NWS Koalas for a place in the 2012 Women?s Premier League Reserve Grade Grand Final against Sydney University FC.
With the afternoon breeze settling in over Lynwood Park, the two sides walked onto the pitch with nervous smiles and cautious optimism. The chance to play in a Grand Final was on the line for the winners. For the losers though, the drive home would be a long and lonely one, filled with disappointment.
Marconi Stallions got the ball moving and looked to be on the attack early on. The target of getting in front early by any means necessary meant that at times in the first half, the football was far from pretty and resembled something more like tennis match with the ball completely skipping the midfield. For the NWS Koalas on the other hand, the less than perfect playing surface forced the side away from their usual high passing game and into a scrappy kick and chase system.
During the opening 15 minutes, the atmosphere on the field was electric with a number of late challenges and choice words said between players. Credit must go towards the official in the centre of the field who maintained control over proceedings and used the cards to maintain authority and calm over the match.
Marconi?s captain and striker, Christi Ferreyra was gifted two chances to give her side the opening goal of the game in the 22nd and 25th minutes but a lack of composure under pressure meant the ball crept past the goalkeeper and past the goal on both occasions.
As unfortunate as the two misses her captain had were, it was Marconi?s supporting striker, Clare Woods who was left kicking herself in disbelief in the 32nd minute when her shot, five yards out from an open goal was hit with too much power and put over the goal. Marconi were close to getting their early goal but didn?t have the push they needed in the final third to get their much desired goal.
The first half also saw plenty of opportunities go begging for the NWS Koalas with winner come strike Jade Booty terrorising Marconi?s defence time after time. Her late runs into the box and lightning quick legs meant that when called upon, the Koalas has the ?x-factor? quality to give her side an edge.
As the referee blew for half time, the match remained scoreless. Filled with half chances, plenty of physicality and a few bright sparks, both sides looked to approach the second half with a spring in their step after a pep talk from their coaches.
The Koalas restarted the game from the kick off and looked to have settled into the game, understanding the way the ball would move around on the field as well as firing in a few testing shots towards the Marconi goalkeeper, Bianca Alchi.
In the 50th minute, Marconi Stallions made their move. A delightful through ball skipping straight past the Koalas defence meant the pacey winger Cayla White was give the freedom to stretch her legs and have a strike on goal. The Koalas keeper, Cassie Nader was caught in ?no man?s land? and the damage was done. It was now 1-0 in favour of the girls in blue.
The Marconi spectators were still celebrating the opening goal when two minutes later the side had doubled their lead. Left winger Ceyda Cambaz made a sneaky run behind the Koalas defence to chip in a goal of her own. The Marconi midfielder struggled to celebrate her goal in sheer disbelief that the she could have scored the winning goal of the Preliminary Final.
Things were looking bad for the Koalas but one of the few girls who never lost doubt of the side?s potential was their midfield commander, Eleanor Rugg. The architect to the majority of the Koalas attacks remained positive and encouraged her side to keep pushing forward until the final whistle. The sign of a true leader.
The 77th minute saw a lifeline for the NWS Koalas with Ariane Demetriou finding a goal out of nowhere at all. A side foot volley into the back of the net enough to give her side a glimmer of hope that they were not out of this final. The scores set at 2-1 and there was one last real chance on goal before the final whistle.
The Koalas were awarded a free kick 30 yard out from goal. Eleanor Rugg stepped up, placing the ball perfectly on the head of right back Leo Carr who was waiting on the penalty spot. Unfortunately the full back?s header gliding just past the post meaning the Koalas were unable to find the equaliser they fought so hard to try and get.
The referee blew full time at Lynwood Park with the Marconi Stallions securing a 2-1 win over a valiant NWS Koalas.
The girls in yellow might have been upset that this was the end of their journey in 2012 but there was no one prouder of their performance than their coaching staff. All of whom were there to console their players and cheer them up.
For Marconi Stallions, the win today means the side will spend the week preparing for the illustrious 2012 Women?s Premier League Reserve Grade Grand Final. When Marconi last met Sydney University, it was the University side who ran away 4-0 winners in the Major Semi Finals. With any luck, we will see a similar number of goals scored in the Grand Final but with a closer score line next weekend.
For more details on the Grand Final, stay tuned for our mid-week Grand Final Preview which will list the location and kick off times for all games.
-By Pete Nowakowski
Football NSW Women?s Premier League First Grade Preliminary Final Review
Two teams came into the Football NSW Women?s Premier League Preliminary Final looking for a spot alongside Illawarra Stingrays in next Sunday?s Grand Final. Only one would leave triumphant; who would it be?
A beautiful spring day greeted the crowd at Lynwood Park as Macarthur Rams and NWS Koalas went to war. The pitch looked somewhat worse for wear with the bumpy surface making it difficult for the teams to play fast, flowing football. That didn?t matter to the Macarthur Rams faithful. Lynwood Park is their fortress.
Macarthur Rams started quickly, establishing an early beachhead in Koalas territory. The return of Kylie Ledbrook had obviously added more direction to the Macarthur midfield but the question was being asked; how long could Ledbrook last given her long break with suspension?
Macarthur were without Danielle Brogan due to Matildas duty but, apart from the return of Ledbrook, also had Renee Cartwright back to bolster their attack.
The Koalas had started warily but had the best chance of the early exchanges after a centre from the right touchline found Katarina Kraft alone in front of goal. An awkward bounce allowed Laura Donnelly to recover the situation for Rams but not before the defence was forced to scramble.
After a steady first fifteen minutes Renee Rollason became the first player booked for the day when a flailing arm caught Koalas Rachel Jones across the face.
The Koalas again used the width of the field when Ellyse Perry drifted wide to the right before delivering a pinpoint pass to the face of goal. Rams keeper Trudy Burke misjudged the ball but, fortunately, no Koalas player was in position to take advantage.
In the 19th minute Macarthur turned over the ball in the middle of the park, allowing Carmel Dimarco to gain possession and charge forward. Dimarco put on a nice ball for Katarina Kraft but her effort, be it an attempted cross or shot, lacked purpose. Moments later Dimarco had another opportunity, receiving the ball at the edge of the box before firing over goal.
The Koalas had now gained the ascendancy, pushing forward at every opportunity with Perry, Dimarco and Kraft prominent.
In the 26th minute, after NWS Koalas had almost unlocked the Macarthur defence again, Elysse Perry was called offside. The multi talented Matilda, frustrated with the missed opportunity, put the ball into the back of the het, only to pick up a needless yellow card
The Koalas were showing a much more creative style and, after Emma Stanbury won a throw in, Emma Stewart let off a thundering shot which flew across the face of goal. Stanbury followed up with a similar effort soon after, bringing off a diving save from keeper Burke.
In the 31st minute, from a fairly innocuous build up, Renee Rollason popped a ball over the top of the Koalas defence. Renee Cartwright raced onto the ball, beating Koalas keeper Durack to the ball and calmly slotting the ball away from the edge of the box. Totally against the run of play Macarthur Rams had found the lead.
The next few minutes saw Macarthur surge. They should have gone 2-0 up after a break down the right by Stephanie Haim resulted in a fine cross which evaded Renee Cartwright with the goal at her mercy. Renee Rollason followed up moments later with a shot from outside the box which was well held by keeper Durack.
The Koalas had been stunned by the Macarthur goal, taking some time to regain their composure. The visitors started to attack strongly again but were held at bay by some great defence from Claire Walsh.
Then, in the 42nd minute, The Koalas lost possession in their attacking third. Rams went forward through Kylie Ledbrook before the ball found its way to Renee Cartwright. With the Koalas keeper off her line Cartwright chipped the ball towards goal, finding the back of the net perfectly. Rams were now up 2-0 with The Koalas girls wondering how all their hard work had come to nothing.
In the closing moment of the half Stephanie Haim broke clear for Rams, rounding the keeper but being forced away from goal. That proved vital as her attempted shot went over the bar, saving The Koalas further embarrassment.
The half time scoreline of 2-0 in favour of Macarthur Rams probably flattered the Premiers but they had taken their opportunities whilst Koalas had wasted theirs.
The first few minutes of the second half saw NWS Koalas laying siege to the Macarthur goal with two near misses in three minutes. The Koalas realised the importance of a quick response if they were any chance of fighting their way back into this match. Ellyse Perry was in everything, lifting her work rate to the next level as her team battled to find a goal.
Macarthur, despite this continuing pressure, had a look of composure about them. The first substitutions of the match came into play with Lauren Ralston replacing goal scorer Renee Cartwright and, for Koalas, Katarina Kraft was replaced by Daila Borg.
In the 58th minute a superb Elysse Perry corner found the head of Anna McLean. However, Rams keeper Trudy Burke pulled off a miraculous save to deny The Koalas. The resulting corner saw the ball cleared to Emma Stanbury on the edge of the penalty but her shot flew well wide of target.
The Koalas charged forward again with Emma Stewart finding the post after a zigzagging run from the right edge of the box before Stanbury again shot wide of goal.
Macarthur made a rare foray forward, ending with a Kylie Ledbrook shot which was spilled by the Koalas keeper before being cleared by her defence.
Koalas went to the bench again, replacing Emma Stanbury with Kimberley Davey. Macarthur were holding down their fort with only ten players as their most influential player of the day, Claire Walsh, was being treated for a lower back injury on the sideline.
The Koalas were winning corners, creating opportunities and building pressure. The only problem was that none of these things had led to NWS finding a way to score that much needed goal.
Koalas were awarded a free kick from 20 metres with free kick specialist Ellyse Perry stepping up eagerly to take her chance. The spot kick was well hit but Rams keeper Trudy Burke made yet another vital save to maintain a clear sheet.
The 74th minute saw Macarthur win a free kick after an awkward Jessica Seaman tackle. Seaman also copped a yellow card for her trouble but Stephanie Haim?s kick hit the wall and bounced away from goal. Kylie Ledbrook took possession in the resulting scramble, crossing to goal where the ball evaded the advancing Elisha Williams.
The 80th minute saw Gerry Gomez go to his bench again, replacing defender Rachel Perrins with youngster Shayna Killey.
Rams broke forward from a turnover with a fine pass seeing Elisha Williams charging to goal. Williams sized up The Koalas keeper but couldn?t beat her; Durack pulling off a comfortable save.
Koalas won yet another free kick after Clare Walsh put her body on the line once more but Perry?s shot, though close, brought no joy for the visitors. Walsh?s tumble saw her forced to end her afternoon, being replaced by Madison Strutt.
The frustration was setting in for Koalas; Emma Stewart receiving a yellow card after a tussle with Strutt.
Macarthur appeared happy to soak up everything Koalas could throw at them. Though stretched at various times The Rams kept finding a way to keep NWS at bay. It seemed evident, as the seconds ticked away, that The Koalas brave season was about to come to an end.
Jemma Crane became Macarthur?s last substitution; coming into the game to replace Kirilee Cook.
Macarthur made successive breaks from defensive positions; the first through Lauren Ralston, the second through Kylie Ledbrook. Whilst neither resulted in a goal both released some of pressure The Rams were under.
In the final moments Koalas won yet another corner but Trudy Burke was equal to the task once more, taking the ball comfortably above the pack.
The final whistle blew with Macarthur Rams rejoicing in a 2-0 win which saw them move into next weekend?s Premier League Grand Final where they will meet their old foes the Illawarra Stingrays. The 2012 Premiers to play the 2009/2010/2011 Champions in what should be a memorable title decider.
Today Claire Walsh was a standout for Macarthur. If anyone thought the loss of Danielle Brogan would leave the Macarthur side vulnerable they needn?t have worried. Walsh was everywhere, defused the Koalas attack whenever they looked threatening and generally played like the ?Little Enforcer?. Trudy Burke did a fine job in goals whilst Renee Cartwright, virtually on one leg, added the finishing touches.
The Koalas did everything but score. They dominated for long periods; they put plenty of sustained pressure on the Macarthur defence. Elysse Perry threw everything at Rams, being well supported by Emma Stewart and Carmel Dimarco. Nobody could say that The Koalas didn?t go down fighting. On another day they may have scored three goals. Today wasn?t that day.
Gerry Gomez, Koalas Coach, was circumspect. He felt that his girls dominated. Looking at the match statistics he wondered how his team could come away without a win but realised ?that?s football?. He gave Macarthur credit for a gutsy performance.
Matt Turvey was a proud Coach. He applauded the efforts of his team but is now looking forward to next weekend. The thing about Finals football is that there always seems to be just one more week before you can put your feet up!
MACARTHUR RAMS 2 (R.Cartwright 31/42m)
NWS KOALAS 0
The results of the junior Preliminary Finals were as follows;
UNDER 12 GIRLS
Sydney University 4 NWS Koalas 0
(Sydney University now meet Marconi Stallions in next Sunday?s Grand Final)
UNDER 14 GIRLS
Illawarra Stingrays 1 Blacktown Spartans FC 0
(Illawarra Stingrays now meet Sutherland Shire in next Sunday?s Grand Final)
UNDER 16 GIRLS
Manly United FC 2 Central Coast Mariners Academy 0 (After extra time; 0-0 at full time)
(Manly United FC now meet Illawarra Stingrays in next Sunday?s Grand Final)
See you at Blacktown Football Park next Sunday for Football NSW Women?s Premier League Grand Final Day.
–By Ross Anderson
