NWS Spirit FC got back on track with a comfortable 3-1 victory over the Gladesville Ravens at Christie Park on what was a beautiful Sunday of football action.
In the local derby, it was the nominal visitors, Spirit who took the lead via Ella Abdul Massih.
The home team responded shortly after from the penalty spot as Lexie Moreno made no mistake with the finish.
Spirit came out in the second half with a quick fire double, first through captain Erin Pridmore and then Abdul Massih with her second of the game to round off the scoring.
Not everyone had taken their seats yet when Spirit hit the front after three minutes.
Rola Badawiya flicked a pass beyond the Ravens defence for Abdul Massih to run on to, first winning a brave challenge against keeper Romina Parraguirre, before composing herself to loft the ball into the back of the net.
Badawiya should have double the advantage moments later, her effort from a good position straight into the hands of Parraguirre.
On 18 minutes the home side were level.
Liz Gilbane made a fine run down the right and into the box where she was brought down, there referee given no option but to point to the spot.
Lexie Moreno stepped up and slotted the ball home to find the equaliser.
Spirit almost responded immediately, Abdul Massih again making a nuisance, twisting and turning in the box before Parraguirre dived at her feet to save.
With 30 minutes gone, Badawiya delivered another fine ball into the box, Mary Stanic-Floody shooting first time, only for her effort to rebound off the post.
The chances kept coming in the game, this time the Ravens threatened through Keiko Tanaka who volleyed over from a good position.
In the final moments of the first half Spirit were almost in front again, Abdul Massih slipped in a ball for Sarah Morgan which evaded both her and Parraguirre, fortunately for the Ravens keeper, going wide of the goal.
Spirit re-took the lead only seven minutes into the second half.
The Ravens didn’t deal with a corner into the area as captain Erin Pridmore reacted quickest to poke the ball home.
Two minutes later and it was 3-1 to the visitors.
Again, Badawiya was the provider, playing an incredible ball through for Abdul-Massih as she rounded Parraguire and slid the ball home for her second of the afternoon.
The onslaught continued and it was almost four for Spirit as Pridmore sent a direct ball over the top for Morgan Roberts who put her volley wide of the target.
Badawiya was everywhere and had two chances of her own, both saved by Parraguirre.
With 15 minutes remaining, the Ravens should’ve been back in the game.
Renee Pountney burst into the box with Katie Offer coming out fast and making the save.
From the resulting corner, again the Ravens went close.
A ball wasn’t cleared and fell to Keisha Allen who hit a half volley, forcing Offer into another save.
Tiana Gauci’s team stood firm though and held out for all three points.
Match Stats
Gladesville Ravens 1 (Moreno 18’)
NWS Spirit FC 3 (Abdul Massih 3’, 56’, Pridmore 54’)
Sunday, 30 July, 2023
Christie Park
Gladesville Ravens: 22. Parraguirre, 3. Lidbetter, 4. O’Brien (23. Allen), 5. Tanaka, 6. Davey, 8. Vlangos (36. Edwards), 9. Moreno, 10. Wootton (35. Pountney), 15. Gilbane (33. Zaczek), 26. Tims, 27. Halls.
Substitutes: 1. Coleman.
NWS Spirit: 1. Offer, 2. Perrins, 3. Pridmore, 4. Morgan, 7. K. Buchanan, 10. Badawiya (32. Halmarick), 11. Abdul Massih (27. T. Buchanan), 12. Tavares (8. Schembri), 13. Roberts, 17. Stanic-Floody (5. Martin), 18. Casha (19. Holder).
Substitutes: 40. Gilbert.
By – Nikola Pozder