Womens Premier League Finals Series Round 2 Review
The second week of finals has arrived, we have four teams fighting for the ultimate prize in the season.
In the elimination final the Macarthur Rams took on Sydney University SFC at Valentine Sports Park, while in the major semi final the Marconi Stallions versed the Illawarra Stingrays.
Macarthur Rams (3) VS Sydney University SFC (5)
On a warm spring afternoon at Valentine Sports Park, we had an elimination final match up between the Macarthur Rams and Sydney University SFC. After this match, one teams finals aspirations would be over while the winner will have an opportunity to play off next week for that elusive grand final spot.
Sydney University SFC managed to knock off the North West Sydney Koalas last week in a solid display with goalkeeper Sian Mclaren in blistering form.
On the other hand, Macarthur suffered a demoralising 6-0 defeat at the hands of the Illawarra Stingrays down the coast. They’ve used up their ‘chance’ in the finals series and with a loss today would be eliminated. They came into this one though with Kylie Ledbrook and Renee Rollasson out, their two most important players.
The Rams kicked proceedings off at Valentine Sports Park as they looked to assert themselves early.
It was University though who seemed to settle better, forcing the Rams into errors and an early corner within the first five minutes.
The first chance of the game saw the first goal. There were eight minutes on the clock when the Rams one a free kick on the left side of the penalty area. Stephanie Haim whipped in the resulting free kick into the box which University struggled to deal with as the ball fell inside the 6 yard box allowing Kim Carroll to come in and poke the ball home for a Macarthur lead.
University recovered from the shock early goal as they continued with their game, holding possession of the ball and knocking it around waiting for their opportunity.
17 minutes in and it was 1-1. An excellent flowing attack from Uni saw the ball move from left to right. Maree Patikas played in Meegan Shepherd who was left unmarked and allowed enough space to turn on the edge of the area. She played in Patikas for the return pass who dribbled her way into the box and placed the ball expertly passed the keeper into the bottom left corner.
University then lifted another gear, continuously peppering the Rams goal, not allowing them to even get out of their own half.
On 22 minutes University should’ve completed the turn around. A delightful ball was played in through by Carmel-Ann Dimarco for Liana Danaskos. Danaskos went in one on one with Rams keeper Karrinda Moodley but Moodley did well, getting down and saving the ball.
The Rams then returned fire immediately. Brooke Duffy’s shot turned cross took a deflection and ended up at the feet of Haim who made no mistake from a couple feet out, putting the Rams back in front. It must be noted that it was the Rams only second endeavour into Universities half resulting in a second goal.
Alesha Clifford then had an effort from distance which seemed to be heading into the back of the net. A flying Moodley did extremely well to get to the ball and hold it.
Uni were almost in as Patikas played a through ball for Erin Wilson. It seemed as though a certain goal would come from the attack but a wonderful challenge by Claire Walsh saved the day for the Rams.
On 37 minutes the Rams had a penalty! Chrystal Duggan made her way into the box where she was pushed to the ground, the referee had no dilemmas in pointing to the spot. Haim stepped to score her brace and extend the Rams lead but as she did last week, Sian Mclaren was up to the task again, saving the initial penalty to her right and then keeping the rebound out as well. Mclaren seemed to be the hero so far for University.
Walsh was working overtime for the Rams, cutting out another great ball played through by the University midfield.
The referee soon called time on an intriguing first half where University had more of the ball and opportunities but the Rams were the ones in front.
With only 45 minutes left to save their season, Sydney University got the second half up and running.
The second half started slightly slower than the first, the hot weather obviously taking its toll on the players. Haim had the first shot of the half but her left footed effort sailed over the bar.
In the 51st minute the Rams could’ve extended their lead. Haim, the centre of all Macarthur attacks, played a quality ball across goal to Duffy. Duffy had the whole goal to aim for but somehow completely miss kicked the ball as it ended up almost at the left corner flag.
Erin Wilson then crossed in a wonderful ball into the box but no one could get enough purchase on the header for University to force Moodley into a serious save.
Walsh was outstanding at the back for the Rams, repelling any possible University threat.
67 minutes in and it was Haim at it again. A deflected ball ended up at her feet as she unleashed a half volley first time. The ball beat Mclaren in goals but flew wide of the post.
With only 15 left on the clock, University should’ve equalised. Meegan Shepherd did well in the box as she beat her marker and then cut the ball back on the edge of the area for the on rushing Kathryn Ward. Ward couldn’t replicate her heroics from last week as her placed shot flashed wide of the upright, inches away.
Erin Wilsons persistence and hard work down the right won University a corner. The resulting corner was whipped in by Patikas and a goal mouth scramble couldn’t be put away by University.
In the last five minutes University threw all they had forward as their coach pushed another player into attack. Unfortunately they couldn’t manage a more serious attack in the dying stages.
With that the referee called full time on a tight elimination semi final. University will feel hard done by playing good football but sometimes lacking that final pass or shot through.
As for the Rams, they live to fight another day and if they have any plans of playing in the grand final, they will need to improve their play by a large margin.
Marconi Stallions (1) VS Illawarra Stingrays (2)
Cromer Park was the venue for the major semi final on a cool Sunday afternoon between the minor premiers the Marconi Stallions and second placed Illawarra Stingrays.
The Stallions had the first week of finals off as they finished minor premiers. It was a welcome break for the stallions who were nursing players through injury and fatigue.
The Stingrays on the other hand enjoyed a somewhat surprise and comfortable victory over the Macarthur Rams. Michelle Carney scoring a hat-trick in a six goal rout.
Many see this fixture as the more than likely grand final in what will be a prelim for that match up. The last time these two met we were treated to an exciting 2-2 draw.
The Stallions got the action underway at the picturesque Cromer Park. Both sides have their key players, their number 10’s in Heather Garriock for the Stallions and Michelle Carney for the Stingrays.
The opening few minutes to this one were played at a fast pace as both sides pushed forward trying to score a goal. Defences stood firm though as they repelled any possible opportunities. Central defenders Jessica Cooper and Jodie Bain commanding their respective defences.
The Stingrays were the first to crack though on 11 minutes. Linda O’Neill put pressure on the Stingrays defender Kriten Lee as she stole the ball from her. She then expertly cut the ball back for the on rushing Nicola Bolger who left the Stingrays keeper with no chance for an early lead.
A couple minutes later and it was midfield maestro Garriock who played in Evelyn Chronis. Chronis shrugged off her marker Rhiannon Fensom but her resulting shot went just wide.
Marconi really stepped it after the goal and a great cross in by Helen Petinos found Allana Kennedy. Kennedy was always stretching though and she couldn’t make a beter connection with the ball to really trouble the keeper.
On 16 minutes the Stingrays had an equaliser. A long ball played into the box wasn’t properly cleared by the Stallions and Jordan Baker reacted first. She got to the bouncing ball and volleyed it into the bottom right corner of the goal giving Shamiran Khamis no chance.
Only minutes later and the Stingrays almost had the lead. First Caitlin Cooper did extremely well to make her way into the box but her shot flew just wide of the upright. Then, Carney had an effort from a free kick from the left. Her curling effort looked to be dipping in the right time but the ball sailed just over the bar.
The Stingrays were forced into an early substitution as Caitlin Cooper hobbled off following a challenge from Kennedy.
There was a titanic battle then in midfield until the 30th minute, Bolger played O’Neill through in a two on one situation. O’Neill rushed her effort as the ball flew over the bar.
On 34 minutes, Bolger had her brace. A well delivered corner by Petinos deflected off Alenn’s head to the feet of Bolger. Bolger calmly controlled the ball and shot toward goal but her first effort was cleared off the line. The rebound fell to her again, she volleyed the ball into an empty net as Marconi re-took the lead.
On 38 minutes O’Neill was in the thick of it again, getting fouled 20 yards out. Garriock stepped up to take the free-kick and her powerfull effort flew over the wall and beat the stranded Sarah Gollop in goal. Unfortunately for Garriock, the ball smacked against the bar and back into play.
Only minutes later and the Stallions struck the bar again. This time a O’Neill played in a delightful ball from the left to the in coming Chronis. Chronis opened herself up well as her inside volley struck the bar and went over.
Jordan Baker then almost had her second a minute before half time. Some persistent work up front saw her slide in and tap the ball passed Khamis. The ball slid agonizingly close to the right hand post and out for a corner as Khamis got a slight touch to the ball.
An exciting first half came to a close as Marconi held a slender advantage heading into the break. The Stallions closed up the dangerous Carney and kept her quite for most parts of the first half.
The girls came back from half time with all supporters at the ground hoping for a repeat of the first half. The Stingrays opened the proceedings in the second half as the shadows began engulfing Cromer Park.
Five minutes into the second half and the Stallions had the first opportunity. Garriock led a swift counter as she played in Chronis down the right. Chronis played in a early sharp cross toward O’Neill but Gollop reacted well to thwart the danger.
Marconi then had another opportunity. Chronis was busy down the right and with some slick trickery she beat her marker and played the ball into the box. The ball came out to Kennedy but her effort went high over the goal.
Chronis was causing Fensom all sorts of problems and beat her again down the right. She played the ball in toward Petinos who beat her marker and shot toward goal. Gollop made a great save and recovered well to regather the ball.
The Stingrays were forced into another substitution just after half time as Caitlin Denyi aslo had to come off injured.
With 67 minutes on the clock, a beautiful flowing Marconi move almost saw them extend their lead. Bolger played Chronis down the right who crossed for O’Neill. O’Neill hit the ball first time from the 6 yard box but her effort smacked the post and went out.
Allana Kennedy then made her way into the box, dribbling through the Stingrays defence. A she went to shoot she was brought down by Kristen Lee inside the box. The referee had no hesitation pointing to the spot and sending off Lee.
Kennedy brushed herself off to take the spot kick and she made no mistake, sending Gollop the wrong way for a 3-1 lead.
From this point on it was just a formality as the Stallions held most of the ball and created the more menacing chances.
Petinos then made it 4-1 in the 82nd minute. Garriock received a short pass from chronis on the right as she crossed the ball in toward the near post. Petinos made her near post run and flicked the ball with her head passed the on rushing Gollop.
With 5 minutes of normal time remaining, Petinos almost had her second. She did some great work down the left, creating enough space for herself to hit the ball toward the top corner. Gollop was composed and did well to beat the ball away.
Petinos didn’t have to wait long for her brace as she scored Marcnoi’s fifth with three minutes left on the clock. Bolger took the ball on the right and crossed the ball toward Petinos at the far side. Petinos smacked her volley on the turn into the bottom right corner giving Gollop absolutely no chance in goals.
In the final minute of normal time, Teigen Allen should’ve had Marconi’s sixth. A smooth one-two pass with Kennedy saw her break through one on one with Gollop. Allen cleared the whole goal as she tried to power the ball into the back of the net from 10 yards out.
The Stingrays will be short staffed next week with injuries and suspensions and will need to bounce back fast if they wish to play in the grand final. In saying this, they still have enough firepower to scare anyone with baker and carney in the ranks.
The Stallions get another week off and will look to utilise it as much as they can in order to be prepared for the final. Their whole team performed well in this one, from the keeper to the attack and a similar performance could see them lift the title and do the double.
-By Nikola Pozder
