Women’s Premier League Round 11 Review

We’ve finally reached the half-way point of the Women’s Premier League season and in round 11 there were some shock results while the ladder is starting to take shape now.
Our match of the round takes us to Lynwood Park where the Macarthur Rams entertained Manly United.
MATCH OF THE ROUND – MACARTHUR RAMS 2-1 MANLY UNITED
On Sunday afternoon at 3pm the 5^th placed Macarthur Rams took on 7^th placed Many United FC at Lynwood Park. Manly looked to continue their unbeaten run and stretch it on for a fourth game while the Rams didn’t play last week due to wet weather.
In the opening exchanges of the game Macarthur held possession and was in control of the flow of the game as they dictated play. Even though the Rams were in control, the first half chance fell to Manly as Tiarn Powell had a couple shots in quick succession just inside the 10 minute mark.
Macarthur then opened up the Manly defence as Kylie Ledbrook’s neat flick found Renee Rollason who beat her marker and shot straight across goal. A sublime touch from the Manly keeper saw the ball flash wide of the post and out for a corner.
Rollason was in again on the quarter hour mark but her effort was easily held by Alyssa Harris.
Manly slowly started working into the game around the 20 minute mark as their play picked up.
Then, a ball was played over the top from the Macarthur midfield for Laura Donelly to run onto. Donelly took the shot early but Harris was up to the task again as she got her finger tips to the ball to tap it wide for a corner.
Ledbrook and Rollason were causing the Manly defence all sorts of problems with their effective and dangerous attacking.
Ledbrook then received the ball just outside the area and expertly played in Lucy Chapman. Chapman took a sublime touch to set herself up one on one with Harris. Harris came out to meet her and saved well as she stood her ground.
Macarthur set up a high defensive line which was giving the Manly attack little chance as they caught them offside on a few occasions.
Harris was at it again as her dual with Rollason continued. Rollason picked up a rebound on the edge of the area, took on a defender and shot but it was easy takings for the Manly keeper.
Minutes before half time Rochelle Davis delivered a free kick from the left corner for Manly. The inswinger caught the Macarthur defence off guard as Rachel Parsons rose highest to head home. Jada Mathyssen-Whyman in the Rams goal managed to get a touch to the ball but it wasn’t enough to keep the ball from crossing the goal line.
Manly almost made it 2-0 when a poor clearance from Mathyssen-Whyman found the chest of Manly’s pocket rocket Ellen Wheatley. Wheatley controlled the ball and unleashed a looping volley that just sailed over the bar. That was the final play of the first half as the referee blew the whistle.
Manly came out firing in the second half and four minutes in, the ever dangerous Chloe O’brien whipped in a testing ball for the Rams defence. Powell was first to react and connected with a volley that sprayed just wide of the left upright. Powell went at it again as a ball over the top saw her and the Rams keeper go for a 50/50 ball. Good pressure from Mathyssen-Whyman saw Powell shoot just wide again.
As the game progressed, United kept getting better and more threatening, pushing up higher and higher up the park. Alice Wilson had the tough job of containing Ledbrook and she did just that as her man on man defending proved effective.
At the hour mark of the game, Ledbrook played a ball in toward Rollason who coolly brought the ball down on her chest and played in Donelly in the penalty area. Harris came out and collected the ball when the referee’s whistle sounded calling a penalty. The contentious call was met by dismay from the Manly players as Rollason stepped up to take her penalty. On fire Harris was given no chance as Rollason blasted the ball home for the equaliser against the run of play.
The United girls picked themselves up from the disappointment and went straight back to their football. First Jessie Wharepouri picked up the ball about 30 metres out and unleashed a venomous shot that just sprayed wide of the right post. This was followed by Kristie Crawfords headed effort that just missed the top left corner.
With only 15 minutes to go on the clock the Rams had a free kick near half way on the right side. Harris came out to punch the high ball but didn’t get enough purchase on it as the ball landed at Ledbrook’s feet. Ledbrook made no mistake with the finish as she volleyed the ball home into an empty goal for the turnaround. 2-1 for the Rams with less than 15 minutes to go.
Then with 10 minutes to go there was more drama. O’brien had the ball down the right after some great build up play from her team mates. Her cross found Powell whose effort was blocked. A scramble ensued within the Rams 6 yard box and an indirect free kick was awarded for a home team player playing on the ground. Powell then stepped up to take the indirect as the whole Macarthur team lined up on the goal line. She blasted her effort from 6 yards out only for the ball to hit the bar and go over.
Mathyssen-Whyman kicked a high ball up field toward Ledbrook and as the Manly Players went for the ball it bounced over them. This allowed the Rams striker to nip in and run straight for goal. She took her shot early but once again Harris was up to the task and saved the shot to her bottom right.
Ledbrook was then lucky to still be on the pitch with only minutes remaining as she lunged in with studs showing on a Manly defender.
The Rams had the opportunity to settle the game but neither Donelly nor Matilda-Lee Potter could find the back of the net.
Fortunately for them, there was not enough time for Manly to change the score as the Rams ran out 2-1 winners. With this win the Rams move into 3^rd while Manly United’s chances of playing finals football took a massive blow. They were unlucky to not get more from this match and now sit in 8^th position on the ladder.
Northbridge FC 2-1 Illawarra Stingrays
Top of the table Illawarra Stingrays were left shell shocked at Northbridge oval on Sunday afternoon as Northbridge came away with a surprise 2-1 victory.
With Matildas coach Hesterine de Reus at the game the girls put on some footballing feast to please all those that came to watch.
Bronte Bates gave Northbridge the lead mid-way through the first half for a slender advantage heading into the break. Northbridge centre back Hannah Bromley nailed the ball into the top left corner of the net to double their advantage in the second half.
Michelle Carney then pulled one back for the Stingrays but it was a case of too little too late for the away side as Northbridge came away with a famous victory.
Northbridge now give themselves a glimmer of hope to make the finals with this confidence boosting victory over one of the best teams in the competition.
Central Coast Mariners Academy 0-6 Marconi Stallions
In the early game on Sunday afternoon at Pluim Park, the Central Coast Mariners Academy welcomed the Marconi Stallions to their home ground.
 Marconi continued their fine form in the season and moved back to the top of the ladder with a 6-0 away victory.
Marconi move into pole position on the competition ladder while the Central Coast Mariners stay in 10^th position.
North West Sydney Koalas 2-1 Inter Lions
In the top of the table clash at ELS Hall Park, the North West Sydney Koalas came away with a tight 2-1 win over the Inter Lions.
This victory places the Koalas in equal first position with the Marconi Stallions a top the competition ladder while the Inter Lions slip down to fifth.
Sutherland Sharks Football Association 4-1 Northern Tigers
In the derby for the teams at the bottom of the table at Harrie Denning Centre it was the Sutherland Sharks Football Association against the Northern Tigers.
Both sides were yet to register a win this season but that all changed on Sunday afternoon as the Sharks came away with a comprehensive 4-1 victory.
A brace to Faith Atkins and goals to Kristina Glisic and Freya Hickey were enough for Sutherland to celebrate their first win of the season to move off the bottom of the ladder. Gabriella Dal Pozzo grabbed the only goal for the Tigers as they moved into bottom position on the ladder.
Sydney University SFC 1-1 Blacktown Spartans
At Wilson Park on Sunday afternoon, Sydney University SFC took on the Blacktown Spartans. In a match between 6^th place and 9^th place the spoils were shared as the match finished 1-1.
The Spartans chances of making finals football are all but over while Sydney University will continue fighting for that elusive 5^th spot.
Erin Wilson grabbed the goal for Sydney University, while Logana Garard scored the only goal for the Blacktown Spartans.
RESERVE GRADE
On Saturday, the Marconi Stallions stayed on top of the reserve grade ladder as they collected a victory against FNSW Institute 3-2 at Marconi Stadium.
On Sunday, the North West Sydney Koalas belted the Inter Lions 5-0 at ELS Hall Park. The Sutherland Sharks Football Association played out a 2-2 draw with the Northern Tigers at Harrie Denning Centre. Manly United jumped into second place with their 3-0 victory over the Macarthur Rams at Lynwood Park.
Northbridge FC and the Illawarra Stingrays shared the spoils at Northbridge Oval as the game finished 0-0. The Blacktown Spartans went down 3-1 away to the Sydney University SFC who lie in 4^th place on the ladder.
-By Nikola Pozder