Futsal Premier League Open Women’s Round 12 and 13 Reviews
As we enter the month of December, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and the Futsal Premier League Open Women competition had plenty to give across round 12 and 13 action. With races for both the top four and survival in the club championship going down to the last weekend, there’s plenty to cover in this review. Round 12 Feature Match: Macarthur Quake Futsal 4-3 Boomerangs FS.
Macarthur Quake put together a confident performance against Boomerangs FS to walk away with an important 4-3 victory at home, Saturday night.
The three points important for Mel Keith’s side as they push for a finals position as well as club championship points. Alvina Khoshaba the standout for them before Brianna Clarke made some important stops in the final minute.
While Boomerangs faint finals were extinguished, they fought hard to come from behind in this one. Club championship points will be important in their two remaining games however as they look to chase Eastern Suburbs Hakoah and Macarthur Quake down.
It was the hosts who came out the strongest though controlling proceedings and looking dangerous in attack, rewarded with two set piece goals in the early stages.
The first coming through Maddie Malone from a kick in on the left wing, Eliza Pereira with the assist to make it 1-0. Before Sophie Brokenshire doubled their advantage in similar fashion, this time from a corner, Brokenshire making a late run into the area to slot home.
Chances continuing to flow for the hosts who threatened to make it three through Tia Mucenski after she won the ball on halfway and took it forward into the area, denied by a good Save from Jessica Giovinazzo.
While Elke Aitolu was the most threatening player for the Boomerangs in the opening ten minutes of the game.
The half finishing with the Boomerangs building some momentum going into the second half of the contest. A second half which saw five more goals added to the scoreline.
Boomerangs scoring the first of which two minutes into the second half, Elke Aitolu receiving the ball in a central position before taking it around the keeper and finishing into the now open net. This coming seconds after a shot earlier was deflected wide.
Ella-Rose Brown and Stefanie Lejins nearly scoring an equaliser in the next few minutes.
However, it was Quake to extend their advantage through Alvina Khoshaba. Khoshaba scoring on her second effort after the initial free kick came back to her finding the left side of the target to make it 3-1 on 25 minutes.
The Boomerangs weren’t going to go away though with their second goal coming after the half hour. Elke Aitolu scoring her second goal from a drilled effort after Stefanie Lejins laid the ball off to her.
It’s at this point we should mention the performance of Brianna Clarke who was crucial in goal for the Quake particularly in the final ten minutes, more on that later.
Quake adding their fourth to make it 4-2 on 35 minutes. Alvina Khoshaba finishing in composed fashion for what would prove a decisive goal.
Boomerangs seeing a shot cleared off the line before that goal, going on to add their third in the 39th minute. Dianne Wilson making things interesting, Aitolu this time providing the assist with a ball across the face.
Quake having Brianna Clarke to thank in the final thirty seconds with two huge saves to deny Elke Aitolu cutting in from the left wing twice. Saves which could proved decisive in the club championship come seasons end.
Eastern Suburbs Hakoah Futsal Club 3-9 Mascot Vipers
Mascot Vipers were at their ruthless best as they ran away with a 9-3 victory over Eastern Suburbs Hakoah at the Heffron Centre.
It was pretty much a must win game for the visitors against a side below them on the competition standings. And it featured a memorable performance from Maryam Mostaghimi who scored six of her side’s goals, three in each half.
She opened the scoring in this one before Trudy Camilleri doubled their advantage inside ten minutes. Eastern Suburbs Hakoah responding with two goals of their own to bring things level, Gisella Pipino opening their account before Claudia Valletta equalised in the 18th minute.
However, the decisive blow soon followed, Mostaghimi scoring twice in the final two minutes to make it 4-2 to the Vipers at the break.
The Vipers killing the game off halfway through the second half, Mostaghimi scoring another in between goals to Trudy Camilleri and Jess Frampton. Mostaghimi adding two more goals after Claudia Valletta scored Hakoah’s third. The match finishing 9-3 to the “visitors”.
Dural Warriors 2-2 Mountain Majik Futsal Club
Dural Warriors were held to a draw for the third time in five games against Mountain Majik at the Centre in round 12 action.
Setting up an important game to come 24 hours later, the Warriors equalised twice in a competitive fixture. An even first half, Kayla Osborn equalising for the first time in the 6th minute for the Warriors
And things were looking good for the Warriors when Emma Hurley scored their second equaliser in the first minute of the second half. However, there was a touch of wastefulness in the second half when they were in control.
Controlling possession for portions of the game, Majik were also good value in this one, they couldn’t hold on to their lead on two occasions, but coach Julian Lam was proud of the team’s performance.
Pene Bonovas scoring the first on five minutes, before Savannah Murray scored their second goal two minutes later.
UTS Northside Futsal Club 2-1 Enfield Allstars
UTS Northside took the competition lead with a 2-1 victory over Enfield Allstars on their return home to PCYC Dee Why.
Against an Enfield Allstars side who have figured out how to keep things tight recently, a goal either side of halftime secured the victory for the hosts to send them top on goal difference ahead of round thirteen. Emily Bastow scoring their first goal ten minutes in. Their lead doubled in the second half by an own goal.
The final few minutes weren’t comfortable for the hosts however with a 37th minute goal to Llara Llronte ensuring the pressure was on them.
Post game, Grant Lynch praised the performance of Leah Burton and Samantha Fulwood in his sides victory who later booked their position for semi-finals ahead of round 14 action next weekend.
Round 13
Mountain Majik Futsal Club 3-2 Boomerangs FS
Mountain Majik returned to the top of the Open Women competition with 3-2 victory over Boomerangs FS at Valentine Sports Park.
Having been overtaken the night before, they retook the lead and booked a semi-finals spot in the process with a hard fought 3-2 win over the Boomerangs.
Next weekend is a big one for the Boomerangs as they look to survive, it’s tight at the bottom of the club championship with single digits separating three sides.
In this one however, they were always chasing the game, Majik taking the lead through Clare Holder before the Boomerangs equalised. A goal for Alyssa Mckenzie playing up from the under 15’s separating the sides at the break.
Clare Holder adding to that advantage once again in the second half taking her top of the golden boot standings before she was sent off late. Boomerangs converting a late penalty to make things interesting as the minutes ticked down. Majik holding on to emerge victorious 3-2.
UTS Northside Futsal Club 3-3 Eastern Suburbs Hakoah Futsal Club
UTS Northside came from behind twice to take a point from their fixture with Eastern Suburbs Hakoah at PCYC Dee Why.
And the point should be enough for them to have secured finals football (if my maths are right) with the best goal difference in the league by far. Indeed, keeper Samantha Fulwood once again was impressive in this one and their round 12 game earlier in the weekend.
Although it could have been more, the point could prove vital for Eastern Suburbs Hakoah in the club championship. They led in this one at the break however couldn’t hold on late.
As mentioned above, Gisella Pipino and Tamires Souza gave the visitors the 2-0 lead before the quarter hour.
However, Madeleine Caspers was able to score a response before the break to keep the hosts in it.
Claudia Valletta capping off a good individual weekend with another goal on 23 minutes. However, the hosts came back into it and scored twice in the final ten minutes. Leah Burton with their second before Daisy Arrowsmith scored a dramatic equaliser in the 2nd last minute.
Macarthur Quake Futsal 2-2 Dural Warriors
Macarthur Quake and Dural Warriors couldn’t be separated in their 2-2 draw at Minto Indoor Sports Centre.
With both sides looking to secure a place in the finals, Quake staged a second half comeback to walk away with a point condemning the visitors to their sixth draw of the season as they potentially drop out of the four.
The Warriors took a two-nil lead into the break with goals to Charlotte-Paige Jonsson and Kayla Osborn. Jonsson in the third minute with Rachel Perrins setting her up. Before Kayla Osborn doubled the advantage just before half time, a high press leading to that goal.
Being the second game of the weekend for both sides, it seemed to hit Dural more and the Quake were good enough to come back in the second half. Alvina Khoshaba scoring their first in the 23rd minute with a second bite of the cherry from a free kick. Before she doubled her tally after the half hour, interchanging passes with Linda Dudek on three occasions before finishing.
Sarah Easthope denying them a winner with a triple save late on with both sides sharing the points.
Mascot Vipers 6-1 Enfield Allstars after 28 minutes. Game was abandoned due to a serious injury. Wishing Jordan Janos the best in her recovery.
By Justin Smith
