NWS Spirit FC were moments away from recording their first win of the season had it not been for a last gasp Manly United equaliser on Saturday afternoon at Christie Park in the NPL Women’s NSW competition.
It was the visitors who took the lead as Daisy Arrowsmith volleyed home from point blank range.
Withun minutes though, Spirit completely overturned the result via a brace from Morgan Roberts.
Just as Tony Candy and Spirit were about to begin celebrating, Emily Minett had other ideas, finding the far bottom corner to rescue a point for Manly in the 94th minute.
It was the home team that settled into the game better, holding possession and waiting for their opportunity, while also pressing high and forcing the young Spirit team into errors.
Chances fell the way of Tegan Biasi, Gemma Woolley, Daisy Arrowsmith and Emily Minett but none were able to really test Mio Nemoto.
Just before the half hour mark, it was the home team that should have hit the front.
Clare Holder delivered a delightful ball into the area from a corner, Erin Pridmore unable to stick a foot in to push the ball over the goal line.
At the other end, Manly had a corner of their own, this time punishing Spirit.
Caitlin Jarvie delivered the ball into the area, Biasi headed down with Arrowsmith reacting quickest to volley into the roof of the netting inside the six-yard box.
After conceding, Spirit seemed to lift a level and started to create, in particular through Roberts down the right wing.
36 minutes in, the home team were level.
Another Holder corner found the head of Pridmore whose header wasn’t dealt with by Nicole Simonsen, falling into the path of Roberts who buried the ball into the back of the net with an excellent volley.
Moments after losing the lead, Manly should’ve hit the front again, Arrowsmith driving in at Mio Nemoto, only for the Spirit keeper to save well.
As football would have it, Spirit immediately punished Manly for their missed opportunity.
Nikkita Fazzari turned in midfield and played an excellent through ball for Roberts who ran in on goal and placed it beyond Simonsen to give the home team the lead.
The first chance of the second period went the way of Manly, Ariella Cabezas letting fly with an effort outside the box, the ball spraying inches wide of the post.
With 20 minutes to go, Roberts almost had her third and settled the points.
Taking advantage of a missed pass, the speedy winger pinched the ball and drove into the box, forcing Simonsen into a very good save.
From the resulting corner, Spirit went even closer.
Holder’s delivery this time finding substitute Siena Hawkins who rose well, only to see her header come back off the post.
Manly started getting desperate, with Tom Hopley making changes to help get his team back into the game.
With five minutes to go, Minett thought she was in, had it not been for Rubi Sullivan who mad the all important clearance.
The 14-year-old Sullivan was colossal all game for Spirit, playing at right back.
Manly substitute Sienna Dale was a threat from the moment she stepped onto the park and as the game inched to stoppage time, saw a low effort fly just wide of the target.
As the game looked set to go the way of Spirit, Miett had other ideas.
The tall striker used her body well to turn Kaiya Buchanan, before driving into the area and placing the ball into the far corner.
Manly almost found a winner 60 seconds later, Phoebe Gilbane not getting enough on her effort at the far post.
Match Stats
NWS Spirit 2 (Roberts 37’, 38’)
Manly United 2 (Arrowsmith 30’, Minett’)
Christie Park, Macquarie Park
Saturday, 24th March 2024
NWS Spirit: 1. Nemoto, 3. Pridmore, 7. Buchanan, 12. Tavares (34. Hawkins), 13. Roberts (32. Henao), 15. Murray, 16. Osborn, 18. Casha, 23. Holder, 48. Fazzari (20. Bonovas), 53. Sullivan.
Subs Not Used: 41. Offer, 49. Finnerty, 51. Harris.
Manly United: 1. Simonsen, 2. Gilbane, 3. Arnold, 6. Jackson, 7. Woolley (17. Dale), 9. Minett, 11. Biasi (5. Stuart), 12. Cabezas, 13. Jarvie (34. Winkler), 16. Arrowsmith, 20. Bozanic (14. Burton).
Subs Not Used: 40. Kannengiesser.
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By – Nikola Pozder
