Womens Premier League – Round 1 Review
As with every season of football, there are two rounds, which everyone remembers no matter what – round one which sets the tone for the rest of the competition and the final round of the season, confirming the final series and what each team needs to work on in the off-season.
The 2013 Womens Premier League Round 1 saw plenty of action, some outstanding pieces of individual skill and 27 goals scored across six fixtures. Football has finally returned and it is beautiful.
MATCH OF THE ROUND: Marconi Stallions 2 – 3 Macarthur Rams
Kicking off at Marconi Field 2 was the opening Womens Premier League Match of the Round as Marconi Stallions played host to the 2012 Champions, Macarthur Rams.
Marconi Stallions looked the stronger of the two sides from the starting whistle with Linda O’Neill coming within inches of scoring the first goal of the competition with just 30 seconds on the clock. Alanna Kennedy was deployed as a holding midfielder in a 4-1-4-1 formation and the tactical move was working wonders in the opening 10 minutes with Kennedy playing the box-to-box role.
20 minutes in though, Macarthur found themselves in front through a stunning free kick from Renee Rollason just outside the box after Kylie Ledbrook was pulled down by Alanna Kennedy. With the perfect mixture between power and accuracy, there was nothing the Marconi keeper, Bianca Alchi, could have done to deny the goal scoring opportunity.
Eight minutes later, Marconi’s Nicola Bolger tested out the reach of Macarthur’s Trudy Burke with a long-range effort. The ball bouncing off the crossbar, a half shout from the Marconi players that the ball that crossed the line but the referee waved play on. This appeared to be the start of a Marconi resurgence in the match.
At half time, Macarthur Rams were 1-0 in front.
Marconi Stallions supporters didn’t have to wait long before they found their own piece of joy with Alanna Kennedy walking the ball around Trudy Burke before calmly slotting the ball into the back of the net. A well-worked goal for a player who had been looking threating all afternoon.
The scores weren’t locked at 1-1 for long and in the 55th minute, Renee Rollason doubled her tally with an even better goal than her first. Marconi’s Bianca Alchi failing to clear a ball properly left Rollason free 40 yards out from goal. Spotting the keeper off her line, Renee lobbing the ball into the back of the net to make it 2-1 in favour of Macarthur.
Just before the drinks break in the second half, Macarthur extended their lead after a scramble in the box. Marconi’s defence unable to clear the ball effectively. Stephanie Haim on hand to toe poke the ball into the back of the net. Marconi Stallions were clearly frustrated at their lack of dominance in the back third of the pitch.
With 15 minutes to play, Marconi’s Helen Petinos started to steal the limelight. First with a shot that sailed just over the goal, then with a goal of her own. A gorgeous strike from the edge of the 18 yard box almost ripping a hole in the goal.
Marconi’s Nicola Bolger had her chance to level the scoring in the 82nd minute with yet another long range shot. Trudy Burke making a world class save to deny Marconi a chance of sharing the points.
An opening day win for Macarthur Rams was exactly what first team coach Shane Duffy was after. For Marconi Stallions though, with more Sham Khamis and Teigan Allen set to join their squads next week, the squad will be hoping to get back to winning ways.
Blacktown Spartans 5 – 1 Central Coast Mariners Academy
Five goals scored and three points for Blacktown Spartans. The perfect start for the girls in orange who welcomed Central Coast Mariners Academy to the magnificent location that is Blacktown Football Park.
Spartans’ Reagan Mitchell got her name on the score sheet twice across the 90 minutes whilst Patricia Charalambous, Panagiota Petratos and Logan Garard all added the tally with goals of their own. The lone goal coming from Central Coast Mariners Academy’s Tegan Boden.
Inter Lions 1 – 0 Northbridge FC
Inter Lions will have Paige Hayward to thank for their victory at home over Northbridge FC. Inter Lions proving that it is the taking of chances that wins games after they were forced into playing counter-attacking football for the best part of the 90 minutes.
Northbridge came close to scoring on numerous occasions but thanks to some great defensive work by Inter Lions. The travelling side did get a fright with Hannah Brewer forced off due to injury towards the end of the match but ultimately, Inter Lions were the happier of the two sides claiming the win at home.
Manly United 1 – 3 NWS Koalas
A win in the opening round of the competition for the NWS Koalas is exactly what the side were hoping for as they prepared to take on Manly United at Cromer Park.
Manly United’s Ellen Wheatley scoring a well worked goal however it wasn’t enough to get a result against a much stronger NWS Koalas side. Chloe Logarzo, Shayna Killey and Dalia-Tais Borg all getting their names on the scoresheet as Gerry Gomez’s side looks to only get stronger and stronger this season.
Illawarra Stingrays 7 – 0 Northern Tigers
It is never easy making the step up from Womens State League to the Womens Premier League. It is even tougher when your first game is contains two of the most daunting words in women’s football, Stingrays away.
Michelle Carney shot straight to the top in the hunt for the Golden Boot with 4 goals next to her name whilst Erica Hollaway, Caitlin Cooper and Emma Cobb all added goals of their own. Northern Tigers should not be disheartened after a result such as this away from home with the club still finding their feet in the top flight.
Sydney University SFC 4 – 0 Sutherland Shire Football Association
Sydney University were the better of the two sides leading from start to finish at Wilson Park as they played host to Sutherland Shire Football Association. A goal just before the break was enough to put a smile on the faces of the Sydney University players before the floodgates were opened.
Sutherland Shire put on a valiant display in the second half but it was too little, too late with Sydney University running away with four goals and all three points. For Sutherland Shire, it is back to the training to work on where things went wrong ahead of their April 7th clash against the mighty Illawarra Stingrays.
Reserve Grade
Marconi Stallions played host to Macarthur Rams during the hottest part of the day at Marconi Field 2 in what was an entertaining 90 minutes. Dominating from start to finish, there was only ever going to be one winner and that was Marconi Stallions running away 4-1 winners.
Blacktown Spartans claimed a 4-0 win over Central Coast Mariners Academy at Blacktown Football Park. Northbridge FC were the happier of the two sides at Concord Oval with a 2-1 win away from home over Inter Lions. Manly United looked the hungrier side when in possession of the ball as they ran away 3-1 winners over NWS Koalas. The Illawarra Stingrays had a comfortable 6-2 win over Northern Tigers at JJ Kelly Park and finally Sydney University claimed all three points with a 4-1 win at home against Sutherland Shire Football Association.
– Words and photos by Pete Nowakowski
