Women?s Premier League 2012 Grand Final Review
Their reports on the two senior matches and scores from the Girls Grand Finals follow.
Football NSW WPL Reserve Grade Grand Final Match Report
Heading into the Grand Final, there was just 90 minutes of football to be played before either Sydney University FC or the Marconi Stallions would be crowned Champions of the NSW Women?s Premier League Reserve Grade.
Taking place at the outstanding location that is Blacktown Football Park, the two teams were welcomed onto the battlefield with the FIFA anthem echoing across the ground ensuring the hairs on the back of necks started the stand up, goose bumps appearing on the arms of the players and supporters started their war cry chanting.
There was just one thing on the mind of each and every player. Glory. Failure was not an option and from the moment the referee blew her whistle, Sydney University and Marconi Stallions both knew that a lone goal could be enough to secure victory.
The Marconi Stallions started off the better of the two sides with their midfielder Joey Martino stealing the show. First delivering a pinpoint accurate corner into the box, which saw her side, put the ball narrowly over the post, followed up by a free kick from 25 yards out forcing the goalkeeper to come off her line to collect the ball with just five minutes on the clock.
It took some time for both sides though to really settle into the game, struggling to get used to the narrow pitch, encouraging a short, quick style of play. Neither side were really looking comfortable until the later stages of the first half.
Another bright spark for the Marconi Stallions was Christi Ferreyra who continued to terrorise the defensive unit of Sydney University FC. Her ability to hold up the ball and bring the secondary striker, Clare Woods, into play was a joy to watch from the sidelines.
Half way through the first half, Marconi almost slipped up after N. Di Francesco misread a ball allowing Sydney University?s A. Lynn to stretch her legs and have a chance on goal amounting to a weak shot which the Marconi keeper saved with ease.
Before half time, Marconi had the one and only chance on goal all game with Christi Ferreyra header beating the Sydney University keeper but also beating the post. The scores were locked at 0-0 and it didn?t look like that score was going to chance any time soon.
The girls in blue got the ball moving for the start of the second period of 45 and again looked the more likely of the two sides to get a goal. Sydney University, looking stronger and stronger in the middle of the park, were ready to deny their opposition at any given moment.
By the 50th minute, frustration started settling in and it was Sarah Reay-Young who was first to get a warning from the referee. An unwarranted push in the back was enough to earn her a yellow card.
With half an hour left to play, both sides turned to their benches in the hope of spicing things up. Marconi swapping the physically strong Christi Ferreyra with the pacey Ina Miloseska whilst Sydney University replaced both T. Hawkins and J. Bennett with E. Doherty and V. Tropea.
The 63rd minute, Marconi had their chance to open the scoring and take the lead. Midfield maestro Joey Martino, weaving through the Sydney University side, before firing in a shot into the top of the goal. Out of nowhere, Sydney University?s Ilana Krigstein pulled off what looked to be the save of the season, tipping the ball over the goal for a corner. A chance missed by Marconi and a sigh of relief by Sydney University.
Just a handful of minutes later and the ball was back up in the final third for the Marconi Stallions. A scramble in the box and some desperate defending leaving the spectators ?ooo?ing and ?ahhh?ing with every half chance on show. Perhaps the girls in blue were too casual when approaching the goal, perhaps it was a sign of the strength and determination of Sydney University to keep a clean sheet. Either way, the score lines remained goalless after 70 minutes of football played.
Five minutes from time, there was finally a goal. The Marconi Stallions getting the goal they had been fighting for all game. A perfect through ball from the number six, Clare Woods gave the substitute Ina Miloseska an opportunity to run towards goal. Sydney University?s goalkeeper came off her line in an attempt to make the save but the damage was done. Miloseska knocking the ball into the back of the net sending the Marconi fans across the ground into a frenzy.
A lone goal proving enough for the Marconi Stallions to be crowned Champions of the 2012 NSW Women?s Premier League Reserve Grade. The cheers from the Marconi supporters could be heard from miles away.
For Sydney University, the side put up a valiant fight however were unlucky to not finish any of their chances. The end of a long season means the girls will have the chance to regroup and rethink how they will challenge for the championship in 2013.
With the season now over, there is just the night of nights to look forward to with the Platinum Medal Dinner expecting to be a big night. As always, Football NSW will keep you up to date with all the latest news and views of the competition and so until we meet again on a patch of grass with a goal at each end, keep on kicking and once again congratulations to Marconi Stallions.
– By Pete Nowakowski
Football NSW Women?s Premier League First Grade Grand Final
This was the match we?d all been waiting for; a Grand Final between the two most talented football teams in the Women?s Premier League. The mighty Illawarra Stingrays looking to make it four Grand Final wins in a row; their opponents the Macarthur Rams, chasing the 2012 double after already capturing the Premiers title.
The opening minutes saw The Stingrays trying to sustain the attacking momentum of their last clash with The Rams. The early corners came Illawarra?s way though neither created any real panic in the Macarthur defence. Stingrays midfielder Ann Mayo did have a strike as a ball dropped to her feet at the edge of the box but the Macarthur defenders were able to smother the ball.
At the other end of the park Stephanie Haim and Renee Cartwright were busy for Macarthur without looking overly threatening.
The two sides appeared to be trying to assess each other?s resolve in the first fifteen minutes with Illawarra certainly having a more settled appearance.
Macarthur?s first corner of the game came in the 20th minute. Renee Cartwright flew high above the pack in AFL style to try and head the ball to goal but her effort lacked venom, eventually being cleared by the Illawarra defence.
In the 22nd minute Jessica Cooper and Erica Holloway combined brilliantly for The Stingrays, breaking open the Rams defence down the right flank. Holloway came at goal on an angle, her shot the firing across the face of goal as two trailing Illawarra players failed to get the all important touch that would propel the ball into the net.
Rollason, Williams and Haim then combined to orchestrate a Macarthur attacking raid only to see Haim?s shot fall harmlessly across goal.
Macarthur were slowly finding some attacking rhythm but hadn?t yet managed to stretch the Illawarra defence. A long Illawarra throw in was cleared from the back post by Kirilee Cook of Macarthur before Rams worked the ball back upfield.
As the clock ticked past the 35 minute mark neither side had created a bona fide scoring opportunity. Both keepers had enjoyed a peaceful first half.
Then, in the 39th minute, Macarthur struck. After winning a corner Renee Rollason?s kick found the head of Hayley Todd who put the ball past Illawarra keeper Dimi Poulos for the opening goal of the Grand Final.
With a 1-0 lead Macarthur now sparked into life with Kylie Ledbrook nearly making it 2-0 within sixty seconds with a sizzling shot from 25 metres which sailed just over the cross bar.
An Illawarra corner fell to Kim Bonilla but her deflection was saved at the back post by a desperate Macarthur defence. The follow up corner saw Rams keeper Trudy Burke fumble a headed ball before Michelle Carney?s attempt to pop the ball over her head into goal went over the cross bar.
Macarthur had grown in confidence after scoring. They now looked much more comfortable as the match edged towards half time. As the whistle blew The Rams went to drinks with a narrow advantage. Would it be enough?
The second half commenced with clouds starting to replace sunshine. The Stingrays were the first to attack with Michelle Carney causing problems for the Macarthur defence. Her cross to goal saw an attempted volley home by Anne Mayo but the ball deflected back to Jess Cooper who blasted the ball over the Rams goal.
The first half of the match had seen some similarities to the semi final played between the two teams at Lynwood Park. Now though Macarthur were looking much more up to the task; soaking up everything The Stingrays were throwing at them.
The two teams were sharing opportunities but neither able to find that final, telling pass or shot. Michelle Carney was trying all the tricks in her ample magic book to get her side back in the game but Claire Walsh and Temika Wearing were keeping her on a tight leash.
Successive corners were easily defused by The Rams but Illawarra appeared to be building plenty of momentum. Ah, but momentum can change suddenly in a Grand Final. And so it did. In the 64th minute Elisha Williams was released down the right wing. As Williams cut in towards goal Illawarra keeper Dimi Poulos came forward to try and snuff out the danger. Poulos was a fraction too late in arriving with Williams shooting around Poulos?s body to score Macarthur?s second goal.
It was a long way back now for Illawarra. They attempted to press forward, winning a free kick after Macarthur?s Renee Cartwright was yellow carded for a clumsy tackle. But again The Stingrays were wasteful, a weak place kick bouncing off the Macarthur wall before being cleared.
Talitha Kramer now came into the game for Illawarra, replacing Courtney Danyi as Illawarra Coach Steve Marsh went looking for attacking options.
Soon after an Illawarra free kick zeroed in on goal the Macarthur goal mouth. The deflection went to Jess Cooper but her shot was off target. Illawarra were creating chances but seemed unable to take advantage.
At the 75 minute mark Macarthur went to their bench, subbing Lauren Ralston into the game for Kirilee Cook.
Three minutes later Ledbrook and Haim worked some neat play, leading to a 20 metre blast from Haim which, unfortunately, flew about thirty metres over the Illawarra goal.
More Rams replacements followed with Renee Cartwright making way for Leila Braimah-Mahamah. Cartwright made sure that Coach Matt Turvey was well aware that she was less than happy to be subbed.
Macarthur created another solid opportunity Williams, Ledbrook and Haim involved; requiring Illawarra?s Jess Cooper to use all her defensive guile to close down the movement. Illawarra were pushing more bodies forward in attack but their accuracy on goal left much to be desired.
Blake Miller was next to fire over the cross bar, with the frustration evident on the American?s face. That frustration was also showing in Illawarra?s tackling as they went in hard in search of the ball.
Macarthur?s attacks were coming mainly on the break, with one such raid finding Kylie Ledbrook striding into open space. As she crossed the edge of the penalty area Ledbrook was brought down from behind, causing cries of ?Penalty? to echo from the Rams bench. Referee Peta McCallum would have none of it though, quickly waving play on. Ledbrook didn?t get up though; the former Matilda requiring attention before being able to continue.
Soon after Illawarra?s Caitlin Cooper made a searching run downfield. Her sliding cross towards goal eventually fell to Talitha Kramer but the young Stingray put the ball wide of the post.
Coach Matt Turvey made his final subs for Rams, bringing Brooke Starrett on for Elisha Williams and Matilda Potter for Stephanie Haim.
A Rams corner was cleared by a solid Jess Cooper header before the ball was returned with a powerful but wayward shot by Renee Rollason. Cooper received a yellow card not long afterwards as the final seconds ticked away.
When the referee blew the full time whistle it brought plenty of joy for an elated Macarthur Rams side. The Stingrays were bowed but not disgraced as their three season stint as the league?s benchmark team came to an end.
Statistically, one would be surprised to see an Illawarra loss. When it came to territorial advantage, possession and shots on goal the Stingrays had the figures. But there?s more to it than all of that; no-one could deny Macarthur Rams their win as they kept their third clean sheet of the finals series whilst grabbing with open arms the two best scoring chances that came their way. This was a tight, tough Grand Final won by the side which executed best on the day.
The defensive pair of Temika Wearing and Claire Walsh did a wonderful job for their side. Renee Rollason played a fine distributing role whilst Stephanie Haim worked tirelessly at the front. Elisha Williams?s goal was a just dessert for her effort and goalkeeper Trudy Burke threw herself in front of any danger that presented itself.
Illawarra were led in the usual inspiring style by Michelle Carney. Erica Halloway always presented danger to the Macarthur defence. The Cooper sisters, Caitlin and Jessica, both took on a massive workload and Blake Miller also played strongly.
Both coaches would be proud of their charges; the smile on Matt Turvey?s face after the match said it all.
An absorbing Grand Final between two wonderful teams.
MACARTHUR RAMS 2 (Hayley Todd 35m, Elisha Williams 64m)
ILLAWARRA STINGRAYS 0
The results from the junior Premier League Grand Finals earlier in the day were as follows;
UNDER 12 GIRLS
Marconi Stallions 1 (Tatiana Gonzales) Sydney University 0
UNDER 14 GIRLS
Illawarra Stingrays 2 (Shaeley Aldridge, Katelyn Leadbeatter) Sutherland Shire 0 after extra time (0-0 at full time)
UNDER 16 GIRLS
Manly United FC 1 (Tara Murphy) Illawarra Stingrays 0
So another great season of the Football NSW Women?s Premier League comes to an end. Congratulations to all our participants, especially those who won their way through to Grand Final Day today. Thank you also to the volunteers from Blacktown Spartans football club who worked tirelessly to make today possible by presenting Blacktown Football Park in pristine condition for the biggest day of the season. To all our match officials, team officials and supporters; well done on a big effort. You all contributed to not just a memorable Grand Final day but also a fine 2012 season.
See you at a ground in 2013, I hope!
By Ross Anderson
