The Macarthur Rams lifted the Premiership trophy on Sunday night after a well deserved 2-1 victory over rivals APIA Leichhardt at a packed Lambert Park.
A game with everything on the line saw the visitors do what they needed to in front of over 600 spectators, securing the trophy that Stephen Peters was desperate to lift.
With Peters heading to Liberty A-League side Perth Glory, he now has the opportunity to do the double in 2024, along with lifting the Championship trophy for the third straight year.
The Rams took the lead mid-way through the first half courtesy of Kelli Brown, before the striker did it again in the second half to have the visitors on their way.
Ash Crofts returned from a long lay off to score a consolation for APIA in stoppage time.
The first big change of the game fell the way of the home side as Gisella Pipino delivered an excellent ball to the far post, Charlotte Lancaster finding herself in a great position with the goal gaping, the winger unable to control her right footed effort that sailed over the bar.
On 20 minutes, the Rams had the lead with their first real chance of the game.
Beth Gordon picked the ball up in an attacking position, before slipping through Brown who took the ball into the box and buried it beyond Sally James.
The Rams went close again soon after, Miku Sunaga with acres of space in the six-yard box, unable to direct her header on target as the ball sailed well over the bar.
Again, the visitors continued the pressure, Brown through in on goal again, this time James making an excellent save low to her right.
Five minutes into the second period, the Rams almost doubled the advantage.
A back pass saw the referee award the Rams a indirect free kick, Brown letting fly, only for the APIA defence to react well to block.
APIA were almost level as time started to get away from them, a sweeping team move saw Lancaster with an opportunity, only for Maya Lobo to make a great recovery to block the winger’s effort.
Substitute Bronte Trew then came close for the Rams but Lancaster made an excellent challenge to block her shot.
With less than 15 minutes to go, the points and Premiership were settled for the Rams.
The magician Mel Caceres played through Brown who beat the offside trap and for the second time in the game, beat James with a well-placed shot.
Trew had another opportunity to put the icing on the cake but Paige Hayward did enough to put the attacker off.
With the game approaching the end of regulation time, Crofts popped up to head a looping header toward goal, Teresa Morrissey tipping the effort onto the bar and out for a corner.
The home side had their consolation in the 93rd minute.
Tanya Borazio delivered a cross to the far post which Lancaster squared up for Crofts who had the easy job of tapping the ball home.
Once the final whistle sounded, there was a large cheer from the Rams faithful as the visitors were presented with the Premiership trophy and Premiers medals.
Match Stats
APIA Leichhardt 1 (Crofts 90+3’)
Macarthur Rams 2 (Brown 20’, 77’)
Lambert Park,
Leichhardt
Sunday, 25 August, 2024
APIA Leichhardt: 90. James, 3. Borazio, 5. Kilbride (4. Prior), 6. Walker, 7. Lancaster, 15. Pipino (19. Lane), 16. Fragale, 17. Hristodoulou (21. Kiparizov), 18. Hoban (11. Crofts), 24. Young, 25. Hayward.
Subs Not Used: 9. Gentle, 40. Vidakovic.
Macarthur Rams: 46. Morrissey, 3. McComasky, 10. Caceres (7. C. Gordon), 14. Sunaga, 16. Lobo, 17. Breier (11. Trew), 19. Sloan (24. Sossai), 25. Malone, 32. B. Gordon, 35. Hay (26. Barton), 44. Brown.
Subs Not Used: 1. Rochaix, 4. Morris.
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By – Nikola Pozder
