Rams and Tigers play out a six-goal thriller

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The spoils were shared in a six-goal thriller at Lynwood Park on Sunday evening as the Macarthur Rams and Northern Tigers drew 3-3.

The Tigers raced off to an early lead thanks to Lily McMahon before the home side responded with two quick goals, Miku Sunaga and Beth Gordon putting the home side in front at half time.

McMahon had her second shortly after half time before again the Rams restored their advantage via Bronte Trew.

Minutes later, Jade McAtamney would equalise in what would prove to be the final goal of the evening.

Macarthur went close early on without getting a proper shot off on target, peppering the Tigers defence.

Then on 14 minutes, the visitors were in front.

McAtamney delivered one of the best assists of the season with an inch perfect cross into the box finding McMahon at the back post who headed the ball home.

The Rams reacted well, their first chance falling to Trew who couldn’t control her effort from a good position.

Mel Caceres went close next, her volley going wide of the target after an excellent India Breier cross from the left.

The pressure told on 28 minutes after Bronte Trew pinched the ball just outside the box, slotting in Sunaga who needed a bit of luck and two attempts to beat Aimee Hall.

Abby Middleton then had the chance to put the Tigers back in front but she couldn’t get enough behind her effort to trouble Morrissey.

The chances kept coming, this time Trew forcing Hall into a very good save to her left.

Not long after the Rams were millimetres away from the lead, Beth Gordon with a well-placed effort from just outside the area saw the ball come off the underside of the bar and bounce just out.

Trew again went close, this time her snap shot went just wide of Hall’s goal.

The Rams were in front on 36 minutes as Mel Caceres showed all her value, riding a challenge inside the box before squaring up the ball for Gordon to poke home.

With the game heading to half time, Nicola Dominikovich thought she was in, only for some fine keeping from Morrissey to keep the home side in front.

Five minutes into the second half and the visitors were level.

Another excellent cross from McAtamney once more found McMahon at the far post as her looping effort some how found it’s way over the goal line.

Unhappy with the decision to award a free kick on the lead up to the goal, Beth Gordon was shown a yellow card for dissent.

Less than 60 seconds later, Gordon was off for lashing out at Isabell Gomez, earning herself a second yellow card and leaving her team down to 10.

The Rams seemed to lift from here though getting on the front foot.

First Caceres saw her effort cannon back off the cross bar, before Sunaga sent her volleyed rebound well off target.

The Rams then hit the front with a lovely goal.

First Trew brought the ball down for Sunaga who fed Breier.

Breier’s first time pass found Trew who exquisitely with the outside of the boot lobbed Hall to put the Rams ahead, 3-2.

But their lead evaporated in less than 90 seconds.

McAtamney this time finding the back of the net herself with a well taken goal, dribbling in from the left before placing the ball beyond an outstretched Morrissey.

Despite being down to 10, the Rams kept coming and Aimee Hall pulled off a wonder save, keeping out Sunaga from point blank range.

At the other end, Shadeene Evans forced Morrissey into a save, again the Rams keeper coming out on top.

McMahon was searching for her hat trick and almost found it, cutting in from the left, forcing Morrissey into a finger tip save.

McAtamney tested Morrissey’s concentration with a late free kick but again the Rams keeper was up to the task.

Match Stats

Macarthur Rams 3 (Sunaga 28’, Gordon 36’, Trew 55’) 

Northern Tigers 3 (McMahon 15’, 50’, McAtamney 57’)

Lynwood Park, St Helens

Sunday, 14 July, 2024

Macarthur Rams: 46. Morrissey, 3. McComasky, 10. Caceres, 11. Trew, 14. Sunaga, 16. Lobo, 17. Breier (7. C. Gordon)19. Sloan (5. E. Gordon), 25. Malone, 32. B. Gordon, 35. Hay.

Subs Not Used: 1. Rochaix, 4. Morris, 15. Mucenski, 26. Barton.

Red Card: B. Gordon 51’.

Northern Tigers: 39. Hall, 2. Wilson, 6. Gomez, 8. McAtamney, 9. Evans (16. Cartwright), 11. McMahon, 12. Grass (44. Hughes), 15. Middleton, 18. Dominikovich (7. McNulty), 22. Kraszula, 71. Huynh.

Subs Not Used: 13. Makunja, 74. Burton, 96. Behne-Smith.

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By – Nikola Pozder