The Macarthur Rams secured their place in their third straight NPL Women’s NSW Grand Final, defeating Sydney Olympic on Sunday night at Lynwood Park.
Miku Sunaga scored the opening goal in the final moments of the first half, while the veteran Tenealle Hay settled it all late in the game.
In his last match as head coach of the Rams at Lynwood Park, Stephen Peters’ team didn’t play their best game of the season.
Olympic came out firing and created some early opportunities where they should have at least taken the lead.
Their first chance came on nine minutes, Gabrielle Peak delivering an excellent cross for Maine Peak, the latter not connecting with the ball from a good position.
10 minutes later, Maxine Peak became the provider, slicing a pass through the Rams defence for Gabrille Peak, Teresa Morrissey off her line in a flash to save well.
Morrissey was called into action again, the quick ball movement by Olympic was making it difficult for the Rams, Rochelle Borromeo playing in Maxine Peak, the striker’s effort saved well once more by the Rams keepers.
Olympic continued to push, A Taylor Ray free kick causing issues in the box, Aya Yamahata blasting an effort toward goal only to have it blocked at the final moment.
Against the run of play, the home side took the lead.
Kelli Brown delivered a corner in toward the near post, Sunaga getting to the ball first and heading home to put the Rams in front.
The first chance of the second period went the way of the Rams, India Breier delivering an excellent cross into the area, Bronte Trew unable to tap it home.
Brown, the in form striker, went close next, unable to find the back of the net.
The Rams weren’t resting on their one-goal lead, almost catching Olympic out with a short corner after Breier deadly left footed cross found Trew, only for the wingers effort to be blocked.
In quick succession, the Rams saw two great opportunities almost identically get away from them.
First Trew showed fine skill to beat her defender before rolling the ball across goal, no one getting onto it.
Moment later, Brown delivered the same cross, again no one able to capitalise.
It was all the home side when Mel Caceres went close, her touch and shot blasted against the underside of the bar, staying out of the goal.
The score was settled late on as Tenealle Hay picked up the ball on the edge of the area, powering an effort into the bottom left corner to double the home sides lead.
The victory sent the home side to the Grand Final where APIA Leichhardt lie waiting for the Rams at Commbank Stadium on Saturday at 2pm.
Match Stats
Macarthur Rams 2 (Sunaga 45 +3’, Hay 85’)
Sydney Olympic 0
Lynwood Park, St Helens Park
Sunday, 1 September, 2024
Macarthur Rams: 46. Morrissey, 3. McComasky, 10. Caceres (7. C. Gordon), 14. Sunaga, 16. Lobo, 17. Breier (4. Morris), 19. Sloan (24. Sossai), 25. Malone, 32. Gordon (11. Trew), 35. Hay, 44. Brown (26. Barton).
Subs Not Used: 1. Rochaix.
Sydney Olympic: 40. Langman, 2. G. Peak, 3. McCue-Shore, 4. Yamahata, 8. Oliverio (25. Sciuriaga), 9. Koulizakis, 11. Borromeo (6. Bowling), 12. Jaber, 13. Baudana, 17. M. Peak (29. Malesci), 27. Ray.
Subs Not Used: 20. Ivanovic, 16. Grew, 23. Woods.
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By – Nikola Pozder
