The Macarthur Rams made it two wins on the bounce as they defeated the Bankstown City Lions at Jensen Park in a five-goal thriller.
Laura Murtagh gave the visitors the lead midway through the first half before being pegged back almost immediately by Siobahn Edwards.
Macarthur managed to restore their advantage just before the break through Kelli Brown and head into the sheds ahead.
They then added a third as veteran striker Leena Khamis made it 3-1.
Alexia Karrys-Stahl struck back with a free kick but it was all the Lions could do.
It was the home team that started the better with a big crowd in attendance.
First Liana Gullo’s effort was tipped over the bar by Breanna Clarke before the Rams some how survived four straight corners.
It would come against the run of play then when the Rams went in front.
A corner whipped in by Kelli Brown found an unmarked Murtagh who buried her header into the back of the net.
Bankstown’s response was immediate as Edwards let fly with a spectacular effort just outside the area, finding nothing but the top corner and giving Clarke no chance.
The home side was once again in the ascendency when the visitors struck.
This time Murtagh turned provider, finding Brown in the box with a delightful early cross, allowing the attacker to slot the ball home.
Macarthur almost added another in first half injury time as Khamis broke though, only to be denied by a fine save by the out-rushing Stephanie Grimbilos.
It took only eight minutes in the second half for Khamis and the Rams to find their third goal as the veteran reacted quickest in the six-yard box following a corner to poke the ball home.
Karrys-Stahl bought the score back to 3-2 with a well struck free kick from just outside the area, finding the side setting with her strike.
The Rams defended well to close out the game, again the central defensive duo of Tenealle Hay and Maya Lobo putting in a fine display.
Match Stats –
Bankstown City Lions 2 (Edwards 21’, Karrys-Stahl)
Macarthur Rams 3 (Murtagh 20’, Brown 40’, Khamis 52’)
Monday 10 April, 2023
Jensen Park, Sefton
Bankstown City Lions: 24. Grimbilos, 3. Ambrose, 4. Karrys-Stahl, 6. Gullo, 8. Cassachia, 17. Borromeo (38. Harris), 18. Thew (16. Mostaghimi), 19. Edwards, 22. Frampton, 26. Fallah (56. Wood), 33. Al Fararjeh (54. Scamardella)
Subs Not Used: 14. Montenegro, 21. Purcell.
Macarthur Rams: 21. Clarke, 2. Bertolissio (17. Breier) 9. Khamis (13. Pereira) 12. Murtagh,14. Sunaga, 16. Lobo, 18. Plummer, 27. Limon, 28. Malone (26. Barton), 35. Hay, 44. Brown.
Subs Not Used: 4. Nicholas, 19. Sloan, 41. Spannenberg.