Women’s Premier League – Finals Week One
It’s crunch time in the NSW Women’s Premiers League as week one of the finals series kicked off this weekend.
Two surprise results were the outcome of this weekends scores as we move into an interesting second week of finals.
North West Sydney Koalas 0-2 Sydney University SFC
At Valentine Sports Park on Saturday afternoon at 3:30pm, the fourth placed North West Sydney Koala’s took on the in form fifth placed Sydney University SFC as they opened finals weekend in the elimination semi final..
The Koala’s were almost in within the first couple minutes as a poor back pass by Uni defender Amy Sarandopoulos was almost pounced on by Shayna Killey for the Koalas but some scrambled defence and good goal keeping by Sian Mclaren kept the scores level.
From the outset it seemed as though one error would decide this one as neither side could really create a clear-cut opportunity within the first 15 minutes or so. The Koala’s seemed to have more of the play but Sarandopoulos seemed to have recovered well from her earlier error as her fellow centre back Alesha Clifford and her both repelled any Koala’s foray forward.
On the 18-minute mark a long ball over the top saw Liana Danaskos in for University. She seemed to take to long and her moment of indecisiveness cost her dear as she had to rush shot which was comfortable for the Koala’s keeper.
Another defensive mix up almost saw the Koalas in again but fortunately for Uni they managed to clear the ball.
On 25-minutes we should’ve had the first goal of the match. A wonderfully worked move by University saw Maree Patikas play in Meegan Shepherd who sprung the offside trap. Shepherd had only Katarina Kraft to beat in goals but she made a great save down to her left and recovered well to save again from Shepherd on the rebound.
With half an hour gone, Emma Stanbury stole the ball from the University defence at half way, she played in a delightful through ball for Killey who was one on one with Mclaren. Somehow Danaskos came back and seemed to make a great challenge to save the day but the referee had other ideas pointing to the spot. Daila-Tais Borg stepped up to take the spot kick but Mclaren was up to the task, diving well to her right to tip the ball out for a corner and to keep the scores level.
Minutes later and University had their own shout for a penalty waved away. Erin Wilson unleashed a volley from just inside the box and her goal bound effort seemed to be blocked by a Koala’s arm inside the box. To the dismay of the University players and supporters, the referee waved play on this time.
Inside the first minute of stoppage time we had the opener. A deep cross by Shepherd couldn’t be cleared by the Koala’s defence and Kathryn Ward picked up the loose ball to tuck the ball home for a University lead. The Koala’s were playing with only 10 girls at this stage as Samantha Mackay was off injured.
The Koalas didn’t appear to be having much luck as they were forced into two substitutions by half time, first Britt Stimmons went off wish a suspected broken wrist and then Samantha Mackay went down unfortunately with a torn hamstring. We wish the girls a quick and speedy recovery.
That was all we had time for in the first half as University took a slender one-goal advantage into the break of this sudden death elimination final.
University got the action underway in the second half as the Koala’s looked to save their season in what could be the final 45 minutes of 2013 for them.
Only minutes in and we almost had an equaliser. Killey broke the offside trap for the Koalas and her quick snap shot was well saved by the on rushing Mclaren. The rebound fell again to Killey as she opted to lob Mclaren this time. The ball sailed over Mclaren and was on its way in was it not for the trusty boot of Alesha Clifford who cleared the ball off the line. An intriguing second half was ahead of us.
Borg then looked to make a mense for her missed penalty as she lined up a free kick from about 30 yards out. Her well struck effort was dipping but did not get down quick enough as it sailed just over the bar.
The Koalas stepped up the pace as Borg whipped in a wonderful cross into the box. Killey met the ball on the half volley but her great shot was well blocked for a corner.
Erin Wilson then returned fire for University as she crossed in a delightful ball toward the far post. Danaskos tried to meet the ball but she could only strike the ball wide of the post with her outstretched foot.
Shepherd then played in an expert chip for the on rushing Wilson who beat keeper Kraft to the ball. Unfortunately for her, her touch was too heavy and it took her wide of the goal.
Wilson again crossed in a dangerous ball after a short corner and it eluded everyone as it was sneaking into the far post. Rachel Perrins was at the right place at the right time as she cleared the ball out off the line.
On 67 minutes University had their second and some strike it was. Maree Patikas received the ball from 20 yards out and unleashed a thunderbolt toward goal. Kraft in goal had no chance as the ball rippled the back of the net.
With 10 minutes to go the Koalas coached decided to push Kraft upfront in pursuit of a goal to get the back into the match. The side that challenged for the minor premiership for most of the season wouldn’t lie down just like that and they almost got one back through substitute Georgia Stewart but Mclaren was up to the task again.
Killey was almost rewarded for her persistency as she went one on one with Mclaren again. Her effort beat Mclaren but went millimetres wide of the right hand post with only 5 minutes left on the clock.
The Koalas threw all they could forward in the dying minutes in search of a goal to create an uneasy finish but University held firm as they could just not find that desired goal.
This is the end of 2013 for the Koala’s as they’re eliminated from the finals series.
As for University, they showed they won’t be pushovers and they live to fight another day. With the likes of Wilson, Shepherd and great goal keeping of Mclaren they await the loser of the qualifying final in next weeks elimination final.
Illawarra Stingrays 6-0 Macarthur Rams
At JJ Kelly Park on Sunday afternoon at 3:30pm, the Illawarra Stingrays who lost first place on goal difference hosted the third placed Macarthur Rams.
When these two met earlier in the season, the Stingrays came through both games by the barest of margins. Both times the scores went the way of the Stingrays by the identical 2-1 score line, Michelle Carney proving to be the thorn in the side for the Rams.
A tight affair was expected this time again between the two but what we were treated to was far from what the players and fans could even imagine by the longest stretch.
The Stingrays took a comfortable 3-0 lead into half time, looking to make a statement after losing first place on goal difference. They continued with their furious pace in the second half as well, adding another three goals for a convincing and well deserved 6-0.
Michelle Carney doubled her season tally against the Rams for this season, scoring a marvellous hat-trick. The two Coopers got the other three goals, Caitlin grabbing a brace and Jessica adding the other.
This result is a real warning sign to the awaiting Marconi Stallions ahead of next weekends major semi final clash. The Stingrays have proven through this fixture that they are genuine contenders to take the grand final and next weeks clash could be a prelim to the possible grand final.
The Macarthur Rams will look to put this humiliating result behind them straight away as they bounce back next week to take on the high flying Sydney University who knocked out the fancied Koalas on Saturday.
