The Macarthur Rams put on a clinic in the second half as they defeated Bulls FC Academy 5-0 at Lynwood Park on Sunday night.
After a tense opening 45 minutes, it was all the home team in the second period, scoring five unanswered goals to set up a blockbuster clash next weekend against APIA Leichhardt at Lambert Park for the Premiership.
Bronte Trew opened the scoring in spectacular fashion, before Kelli Brown and India Breier both scored a brace each to round out the scoring.
The Bulls started the better of the two, putting the Rams under pressure with consecutive corners, unable to capitalise on them.
When the home team went down the other end with the first proper chance, they should have hit the front.
Mel Caceres played in Breier with the winger bearing down on Issabella Coelho, only to send her effort inches wide of the far post.
Moments later Breier was in a similar position, this time squaring the ball up for Brown, only to be denied by some brave goalkeeping from Coelho.
Brown then went close again, this time placing the ball passed Coelho, the ball rebounding off the post and going out.
It was then the visitors turn to turn up the pressure, peppering the Rams goal with a number of shots at Morrissey’s goal, the Rams keeper comfortable with every attempt.
The second half saw the home team start rapidly, opening the scoring early on.
Beth Gordon led a counter attack before playing the ball wide right to Trew, the pacey winger taking a touch before blasting the ball into the far top corner fom just outside the area.
It kick started the home side as they soon added another, Kelli Brown taking advantage of a loose ball on the edge of the area, calmly placing the ball beyond Coelho.
The pick of the bunch followed, Breier picking up the ball on the left, letting fly with a delightful effort from outside the box, as the ball cannoned off the post and into the back of the net.
The home side wasn’t done though, Brown picking up her second with another calm finish beyond the Bulls goal keeper.
Breier also picked up her second and the Rams’ fifth, a lovely team move which saw some fine combination play that started off from Teresa Morrissey, all the way to the other end of the park, the left winger slotting the ball at the near post beyond Coelho.
Brown almost had a hat-trick soon after, striking the ball well with her left, beating Coelho but not the near post.
The Bulls almost had a consolation late on, Briana Woodall’s effort saved onto the bar by Kiara Rochaix.
Match Stats
Macarthur Rams 5 (Trew 51’, Brown 59’, 72’, Breier 64’, 73’)
Bulls FC Academy 0
Lynwood Park,
St Helens Park
Sunday, 18 August, 2024
Macarthur Rams: 46. Morrissey (1. Rochaix), 3. McComasky, 10. Caceres (6. Brainmah-Mahamah), 11. Trew, 14. Sunaga (4. Morris), 16. Lobo, 17. Breier, 19. Sloan, 32. B. Gordon (7. C. Gordon), 35. Hay (25. Malone), 44. Brown.
Subs Not Used: 18. Halios-Lewis.
Bulls FC Academy: 51. Coelho, 3. Grey, 4. Seaman, 6. Chessari, 8. Naemi, 9. Ferris, 10. Souza (5. Surjan), 11. Valletta, 12. Woodall, 13. Di Sciascio, 17. Phillips (18. Corry).
Subs Not Used: 19. Burrough, 20. Hay, 31. Vidal, 97. Meli.
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By – Nikola Pozder
