Ravens and Manly play out entertaining draw

The Gladesville Ravens recorded their second successive draw on Sunday evening as they drew 1-1 with Manly United at Christie Park in Round 3 of NPL NSW Women’s competition. 

The opening goal didn’t arrive until 10 minutes into the second half when Georgia Vlangos found the back of the net for the Ravens.

United responded only seven minutes later through Nicole Stuart but neither side could find a winner in the time remaining.

It was the visitors that started on the front foot, holding possession and waiting for their opportunity to break through the deep block deployed by the Ravens.

The first big chance of the game came on 13 minutes as Nicole Stuart burst through on goal for Manly. The winger shot toward goal and forced Romina Parraguire into her first of many big saves throughout the match.

Ten minutes later and the visitors were in again. This time Emliy Minett turned Kim Davey in the box, found some space but not the power required in her shot to beat Parraguirre.

Tegan Biasi was next to try her luck, taking the ball in from the left and letting fly from outside the box, forcing the Chilean International goalkeeper into another fantastic save.

The home side weren’t without their chances, capitalising on defensive errors by United but unable to find a goal, the best chances falling to Jess Wootton.

Minett had another opportunity before the break but Parraguirre was looking unbeatable in the Ravens goal.

Manly made a substitution at the break as the injured Biasi was replaced by Sienna Dale who was looking to make an instant impact down the left.

But it would be the home team to strike first.

Manly lost possession in midfield with right back Natalie Sproule finding herself with the ball, before crossing it into the box where Vlangos was waiting. Vlangos used her body well to turn her defender and place the ball under Nicola Simmons and into the back of the net.

The visitors looked to respond immediately as Alexia Forner cut back for Minett but again the league’s top scorer was foiled by Parraguirre.

Tom Hopley’s team did not need to wait to long for the equaliser, as substitute Dale stepped up. Having already added some spark to the Manly attack, the winger showed incredible speed to beat her defenders before delivering the perfect ball for Stuart to tap home.

Manly almost turned the result on it’s head as Minett broke into the Ravens half and box, twisting and turning before letting fly, only for Parraguirre to save again.

As time was running out, Dale was creating problems again, this time down the right, getting into the box and cutting back for two waiting blue shirts, only for Parraguirre to read the pass and collect the ball.

The Ravens almost stole the points with the last kick of the game as Vlangos’ cross come shot was well held by Nicola Simmons.

It was the second consecutive week the Ravens had to settle for a point after leading but there are many encouraging signs for Andrew Galbraith and his team.

For Manly, they finally get to host their first home game of the season next week after three straight away games to open the season.

Match Stats 

Gladesville Ravens 1 (Vlangos 55’)

Manly United 1 (Stuart 62’)  

Sunday 26 March, 2023  

Christie Park 

Gladesville Ravens: 22. Parraguirre, 3. Lidbetter(12. Denby), 4. O’Brien, 5. Tanaka (14. Braun), 6. Davey, 8. Vlangos, 10. Wootton, 19. Sproule, 23. Allen, 26. Timms, 33. Zaczek.

Subs Not Used: 1. Coleman, 20. Stevens, 21. Milroy, 25. Hansen.  

Manly United: 21. Simmons, 2. Stuart, 5. Arnold, 6. Jackson, 8. Kingston-Hogg, 9. Minett, 12. Gilbane, 13. Jarvie, 15. Biasi (30. Dale), 17. Forner (18. Clarke), 19. Collins (11. Bales). 

Subs Not Used: 23. Sweetnam, 31. Burton. 

-By Nikola Pozder