Marconi Stallions crowned Womens Premier League Champions
Premiers Marconi Stallions were crowned 2013 Womens Premier League Champions after a convincing 5-1 victory over the Illawarra Stingrays who fought till the end in what were perfect conditions for football at Blacktown Football Park on Sunday.
A decent crowd gathered for this one creating a festive atmosphere as they impatiently waited for kick-off.
Kick-off was delayed as the reserve grade went all the way down to the wire where a dramatic penalty-shootout went the way of Manly United FC.
Before the match got underway, a minute silence was held as Marconi Stallions goalkeeper, Shamiran Khamis’ grandfather unfortunately passed away on the morning of the final. (Football NSW would also like to pass its deepest condolences to the Khamis family.)
The opening few minutes saw the two sides pepper each other with no real clear-cut chances.
The Stallions were looking to catch the Stingrays defence out early by sending over long diagonal balls, while most of the Stingrays early attacks went down the right through Erica Halloway.
The first half chance fell to the Stallions on nine minutes. Helen Petinos sent a flat cross in to the far post. Evelyn Chronis rose to meet the ball but Stingrays keeper Sarah Gollop dealt with the danger.
Another ball came in from the left, Petinos the provider again, but it seemed as though the ball was easy pickings for Gollop. Gollop spilled the ball but recovered just in time before Linda O’Neil could pounce.
On 12 minutes Heather Garriock found herself in space inside the box. Her powerful left footed effort was heading toward the bottom corner but Gollop did well to hold the ball.
On 18 minutes Petinos was fouled by Jessica Cooper in dangerous territory, 20 yards out. Alanna Kennedy stepped up to take the free kick but her effort deflected off the wall and out for a corner.
The first goal came on 21 minutes after a beautifully flowing move. O’Neil and Nicola Bolger connected well at half way as the ball was sprayed out to Chronis down the right. Chronis whipped in a delightful low cross for the on rushing O’Neil who couldn’t miss from a few metres out giving Marconi the lead.
On 27 minutes we had an equaliser and it was game on. Great work my Erica Halloway down the right saw her cross the ball toward the middle of the box. Khamis opted to punch the ball but it ended up at the feet of Jordan Baker. Baker then volleyed the ball into an empty net that sent the Stingrays fans into raptures.
Only minutes later and the Stallions almost hit the lead again. A neat one two between Garriock and Bolger gave Bolger just enough space to muster a shot. Her effort beat Gollop in goal but not the woodwork as the ball slammed against the bar. The rebound fell to Petinos but her rushed effort sailed over the bar.
Forty one minutes in and the Stallions had the lead again. Great work by Petinos down the left saw her beat her marker and cross a low dangerous ball into the box. The ball was too far for Gollop as Chronis came in from the right to tap the ball into an empty net.
On 45 minutes and practically the last kick of the half it could have been 2-2. Michele Carney, the Stingrays most influential player, worked her magic inside the box with her resulting shot going close but that was to be the last play of the first half.
The referee blew the end to an exciting first half where the Stallions went into the break a goal ahead and slightly on top.
Marconi got the second half started and went on the offensive immediately, Petinos shooting toward goal and was clearly on a mission to rack up more goals on the day.
The Stingrays returned fire immediately as the ever-dangerous Halloway went on another telling run down the right flank. Her cross into the box was dealt with by Marconi captain Jodie Bain, as the danger was cleared.
The Stingrays seemed to ‘up the ante’ in this end-to-end start to the second half. Renee Tomkins held firm in the Stallions defence as the danger was cleared again.
It should’ve been 3-1 to the Stallions after fifty-five minutes. Great work by Bolger and substitute Trudy Camilleri saw the ball come out to Chronis on the right. Chronis’s side foot effort went just wide of the goal.
Again the Stallions came close to extending their lead as Kennedy played in the dangerous Bolger. Bolger attempted to be provider again but the Stingrays defence reacted well to clear the ball out for a corner.
On 64 minutes, the Stallions had their third. Nicola Bolger was again involved as a quality ball into the box found the experienced Garriock who slotted home.
Only three minutes later and it was 4-1. Wonderful work by Kennedy in the middle saw her beat a defender and play an incredible ball through for Chronis. Chronis then cut the ball back for the outstanding Bolger who was rewarded for her hard work putting the ball into the back of the net.
The Stingrays wouldn’t lie down as Jessica Cooper went on a run from the back. She played in Baker who was in a two on one situation but Tomkins was up to the task again, clearing any possible danger with a great challenge.
Cooper was proving most dangerous for the Stingrays as again she left off on another run from centre back. This time she decided to finish the move on her own as her rasping effort was well held by Khamis in goal.
In the 81st minute the Stallions had their fifth. Heather Garriock whipped in a testing ball toward the far post. Chronis was there to meet the ball and volley it into the back of the net off the underside of the cross bar.
Michelle Carney almost scored a consolation for the Stingrays with five minutes remaining but Khamis wouldn’t be beaten again today making a great save to tip the ball on to the bar.
In the first minute of stoppage the Stallions went close to making it 6-1. Camilleri, who livened up the Stallions after coming on as a substitute, hit a shot that was travelling toward the top corner. The ball struck the post and rolled across goal and out.
With that came the final whistle and the end of the Women’s Premier League for this season.
The Marconi Stallions managed to do the double, winning both the Premiership and Grand Final in what really was an outstanding year for the club.
Credit to the Stingrays, they fought till the very end and had a great season but it was to be the Stallions year in 2013.
-By Nikola Pozder
