The Macarthur Rams continued their pursuit of top spot with a convincing 2-0 victory over the Northern Tigers at Lynwood Park in Round 16 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s competition.
A goal either side of the break for Stephen Peters’ side was enough to overcome their 2022 Grand Final foes who were considerably weakened for this clash.
Jake Stephenson’s team had a number of key players out including Te Reremoana Walker, Shay Evans and even Ash Brodigan who all failed a late fitness test.
With the Tigers depleted, Macarthur stepped up and took the ascendency, showing no mercy.
Attack after attack came and went without really testing Sarah Willacy in the Tigers goal.
Crosses from Miku Sunaga, Tegan Bertolissio and Amalia Plummer flashed across goal without a final touch.
The Tigers almost hit the front however completely against the run of play.
Ariella Cabezas powered down the left after both Lily McMahon and Caitlin Doeglas got involved in the build-up.
The left back delivered a cross into the box, finding Hannah McNulty with the Tigers captain toe-poking her effort toward the far post, only for Brianna Clarke to react and save well.
The warning sign snapped the home team back into action and they hit the front shortly after.
Plummer delivered a ball from the left into the box which Sunaga attacked, only for a brave Willacy to punch away.
The loose ball fell to the feet of Mel Caceres who took full advantage and blasted the ball into the back of the net for a one-goal lead.
Moments later it was almost two through the league’s in form striker Kelli Brown after a delightful cross from Bertolissio, only for Willacy to save well.
India Breier and Brown threatened late in the half but could not add to the scoreline.
It was much the same as the first in the second half with the Rams straight on the front foot.
Breier was in the thick of it yet again, this time forcing Willacy into a fantastic save to keep the score at 1-0.
It wouldn’t stay like that for too long though as from the resulting corner, the Rams made it 2-0.
A fine cross into the box found the head of captain Alex Huynh who powered her effort beyond Willacy, who could only get a finger tip to the ball on it’s way into the back of the net.
The Tigers tried to respond but could not beat Clarke after an opportunity from a corner.
From there, the Rams controlled the game and managed the final 30 minutes well.
Brown had a couple efforts but the Rams striker wasn’t having her best day in front of goal as the game finished 2-0.
Match Stats
Macarthur Rams 2 (Caceres 24’, Huynh 50’)
Northern Tigers 0
Sunday, 25 June, 2023
Lynwood Park
Macarthur Rams: 21. Clarke, 2 Bertolissio, 3. McComasky, 10. Caceres (20. Duggan), 14. Sunaga, 17. Breier (35. Hay), 18. Plummer (16. Lobo), 22. Huynh, 25. Malone, 32. Gordon, 44. Brown (48. Sarkis).
Substitutes: 19. Sloan, 46. Morrissey.
Northern Tigers: 1. Willacy, 2. Wilson (53. Watson), 3. Kilbride, 7. McNulty, 10. Cholakian, 13. Tonkin, 14. Bernardi, 15. McMahon, 20. Cabezas, 21. Doeglas, 63. Cartwright.
Substitutes: 16. Fraser, 43. Drever, 57. Meli, 60. Brewster.
By – Nikola Pozder