NPL NSW Womens 1 Round 17 Review

The Macarthur Rams now need the Football NSW Institute to drop only a point to secure the NPL NSW Womens 1 2014 Premiership seeing off Manly this weekend. It has been a stellar season for the Rams, who can only be equalled on points at the top of the ladder. A huge goal difference (+33) however looks insurmountable. 
The Stingrays finals hopes took a blow, going down to the Koalas. The Stallions and Spartans shared the spoils at Marconi Stadium. While Sydney University threw themselves right back into finals contention, beating Northbridge FC.

Manly United 1-2 Macarthur Rams
Macarthur all but sealed the NPL NSW Womens 1 premiership with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Manly United at Cromer Park.
Rams were made to work for all three points but goals to Kate Hensman and Hayley Crawford either side of Tiarn Powell’s equaliser sent the league leaders home victorious.
Manly looked determined to avoid a repeat of the 7-0 defeat they suffered last time these two faced off and began the match on the front foot and setting the tempo early.
Their first chance on goal came just six minutes in, with Caitlin Campbell’s deep free kick over the Rams defence finding Gemma O’Toole, the skipper directing her header into the arms of Trudy Burke.
Manly’s offensive mindset almost paid dividends on the ten minute mark as Caitlin Campbell’s corner ricocheted off the near post and into the path of Tiarn Powell, whose shot deflected off a teammate for a goalkick.
Powell had another sniff of goal moments later as Ellen Wheatley’s pass deflected towards goal for the onrushing striker, who was denied a shot by a brilliant cover tackle from Hayley Crawford.
But the hosts’ good work was undone after 13 minutes as Kate Hensman handed Rams a 1-0 lead. Amy Harrison intercepted Jessie Wharepouri’s light-weighted back pass and crossed into the middle for an unmarked Hensman, who made no mistake to bury past Alyssa Harris from close range.
That seemed to spark Macarthur into life and Hensman almost turned provider as her through ball found Leah Blayney, forcing an assured sliding tackle from Manly’s  Tess Olsen to force the ball out for a corner.
United restored parity 17 minutes in via stalwart Powell. A poor clearing header allowed the ball to bounce at Powell’s feet and she needed no invitation to shoot, burying her effort on the half volley to level things up at 1-1.
It didn’t take long for the Cromer Park crowd to be provided some more entertainment as Rams restored their lead just two minutes later. Georgia Yeoman-Dale sprung the offside trap and was put through one on one with Alyssa Harris, who produced a brilliant save to turn the ball away for a corner.
But from the resulting set piece, Amy Harrison picked out Hayley Crawford and the centre back rose well to send her powerful header past a helpless Harris.
The match was well and truly brought to life at that stage and Manly fought vigorously for the remainder of the first half to pull another goal back.
The pick of the chances came after 26 minutes when Campbell’s free kick found Claudia Cholakian at the back stick, her first time shot skewing back across goal and drawing a desperate clearance from Crawford.
Rams had also found their groove and were a regular presence in front of the Manly goal. Hensman was again put through down the right and unleashed a shot which was parried away by Harris.
The Manly keeper was forced into action a number of times during the first 45′ and stood up to the task on each occasion.
That included a well-worked Rams move when Harrison and Blayney played a neat one-two on the edge of the box before Harrison prodded through for Gema Simon who rounded Harris but saw her shot flash across the empty goal.
Despite a few half chances on both ends of the pitch, Rams held onto their 2-1 advantage heading into the sheds.
Rams emerged for the break with no signs of complacency and had their fair share of opportunities to extend the lead, Blayney and Harrison each forcing good saves out of Alyssa Harris.
There was an obvious lift in intensity from the home side from there, aided by the introduction of right-back Kim Griffin, who proved adept at pushing the ball forward down her side.
And Manly went agonisingly close to levelling it up in the 73rd minute when Tiarn Powell flicked on Harris’ goalkick to put CLaudia Cholakian through in open space.
The midfielder spotted Trudy Burke off her line and attempted an audacious chip from range and watched the ball bounce inches wide of the far post.
Georgia Yeoman-Dale was a regular with her barnstorming runs down the right for Macarthur and Teresa Polias provided immense solidity in her holding role, distributing well and remaining solid in defence.
Amy Harrison had a chance to get her name on the scoresheet when Nicola Bolger delivered a trademark through ball, but she sprayed her shot wide of the mark.
It was Manly who finished with significant momentum and they looked good value to nab a point late. With five minutes left on the clock, Powell played a short ball to Ellen Wheatley who had her shot turned away by a strong palm from Burke.
Despite their rapid finish, Manly left empty handed as Rams ensured their lead atop the Womens 1 ladder is all but insurmountable.
Manly United 1 (Tiarn Powell 17′)
Macarthur Rams 2 (Kate Hensman 13′, Hayley Crawford 19′)
Manly United: 32. Caitlin Campbell (18. Kim Griffin 58′), 28. Claudia Cholakian, 14. Jordan Evans (12. Lisa-Marie Meduri 86′), 1. Alyssa Harris, 2. Gemma O’Toole (C), 7. Tess Olsen, 17. Tiarn Powell, 19. Jessica Sekulich, 13. Isabella Walker, 4. Jessie Wharepouri, 5. Ellen Wheatley
Subs not used: 10. Harley Johnston, 71. Nicole Simonsen, 6. Anne Nakao
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil
Macarthur Rams: 8. Nicola Bolger, 1. Trudy Burke (C), 4. Hayley Crawford, 6. Kate Hensman, 11. Teresa Polias, 20. Elizabeth Ralston, 5. Gema Simon, 3. Claire Walsh, 12. Georgia Yeoman-Dale, 16. Leah Blayney, 13. Amy Harrison
Subs not used: 15. Leila Braimah-Mahamah, 28. Kiralea Lowther, 30. Willow Shorrocks, 7. Elisha Williams, 18. Amy Ward
Yellow cards: Leah Blayney
Red cards: Nil

Marconi Stallions 2-2 Blacktown Spartans
At Marconi Stadium on Sunday afternoon, the Marconi Stallions welcomed the Blacktown Spartans in a must win game for both teams.
The Stallions were heading to victory and an important three points when a stoppage time goal from the Spartans saw the game finish with a 2-2 draw.
Amy Dahdah scored a brace for the Stallions while Michelle Foscarini and Alix Roberts scored the away sides goals.

Sydney University 5-3 Northbridge FC
At Wilson Park, Sydney University and Northbridge FC both needed three points in this one as they tried to catch the last train for finals football.
University held a comfortable 3-0 lead at half time and seemed to be cruising to a new three points but they took their foot off the peddle and almost allowed the away side back in. Fortunately for Uni, they regrouped and held on for a 5-3 win.
A Jessica Martinez brace, as well as goals for Stephanie Davis, Elizabeth Grey and Erin Wilson. Siahn Bozanic also scored two goals for the ‘Bridge’ with Ariella Cabezas scoring the other.

North West Sydney Koalas 4-1 Illawarra Stingrays
At ELS Hall Park, the North West Sydney Koalas entertained the Illawarra Stingrays as the away side looked to get back into finals contention.
The Koalas had already completed the job before half time, going into the break three goals to the good. In the second half, each side scored a goal a piece for a final score of 4-1 to the Koalas.
In form Heidi Makrillos scored two, while Emma Stanbury and Hannah Beard scored one each. The explosive Jordan Baker scored the Stingrays consolation.
– by Nikola Pozder