Ravens register maiden win taking down Spirit
The Gladesville Ravens recorded their first win of the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW season with a 2-1 victory over NWS Spirit in the local derby at Christie Park on Sunday night.
A huge relief for coach Lauren Phelps in what was a very tight and testing game in excellent football conditions.
The home side hit the front in the 17th minute through Patty Charalambous and only five minutes later doubled their lead courtesy of Isabella Edwards.
Spirit scored at the perfect time to get themselves back into the game, Ariana Stoltzfus scoring with practically the last kick of the first half.
The second period saw both teams have opportunities, neither able to find the back of the net which was enough for the Ravens celebrations to kick off.
It was the away team though that had the first chance, Skye Halmarick doing well to get her head to the ball from a corner, forcing Eliza Coleman into a fine save after only five minutes.
12 minutes later though, the Ravens would hit the front, after a better start to the game from Spirit.
Lexie Moreno, starting for the first time in the season after injury, played in Edwards who delivered an excellent cross to the back post, finding Charalambous who headed the ball back in the direction it came from, giving Katie Offer no chance.
From there the home side took charge, giving Spirit serious problems with the high press.
It would take five minutes for the Ravens to punish the visitors again.
This time Charalambous playing the ball through for Edwards who showed fine feet to first beat her defender before showing composure to calmly slot the ball beyond Offer.
As Spirit tried to claw their way back into the game, they were awarded a free kick some 20 metres or so out.
Mikaela Gavranic stepped up and with everyone expecting a cross, the left footed winger went direct, seeing her well struck free kick cannon back off the bar.
It was a clear warning sign for the Ravens and shortly after Spirit managed to halve the deficit in fortuitous circumstances on the stroke of half time.
Ariana Stoltzfus found herself in possession of the ball on the left as she crossed into the box, as the ball left her foot, it was obvious it was creeping toward the goal, coming off the far post and into the back of the net.
In the second half, Spirit had to get Halmarick more involved and early in the second half she did exactly that.
The striker showed great feet to beat a couple defenders before seeing her deflected shot go agonisingly wide of the target.
The home side responded, Charalambous popping up outside the box after a corner, sending a well struck volley just wide of the target.
Again the Ravens threatened, Claudia Cholakian who had just entered off the bench, won the ball in midfield, slotted in Edwards but Offer this time came out on top.
Another substitute, this time Kaylie Shannon, showed off her pace before cutting the ball back for Edwards, the striker shot toward goal but once more Offer came out on top.
Spirit pushed for an equaliser but the Ravens showed great game management to secure all three points.
Match Stats
Gladesville Ravens 2 (Charalambous 17’, Edwards 22’)
NWS Spirit 1 (Stoltzfus 45’)
Sunday, 6 April
Christie Park
Gladesville Ravens: 1. Coleman, 3. Daczko, 5. Wilford Carroll, 6. Davey, 10. Moreno (17. Shannon), 11. Charalambous, 13. Buccini, 23. Allen, 25. Bonora, 27. Ng Saad (9. Cholakian), 51. Edwards (35. Passafaro).
Substitutes Not Used: 18. Kent, 19. Sproule, 26. Thomas.
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
NWS Spirit: 1. Offer, 4. Cooney-Cross (18. Hawkins), 5. Martin (29. Wynne), 7. Osborn, 9. Halmarick, 17. Stoltzfus, 19. Calusic, 25. Gavranic, 26. Kelleher (66. Gabila), 27. Fuccenecco (22. Finnerty), 32. Pell.
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Burns, 31. Smith.
Yellow Cards: Halmarick.
Red Cards: Nil
-By Nikola Pozder
