Late Khamis strike breaks Rams hearts

The Mt Druitt Town Rangers remained on top of the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition with a hard fought 2-1 win over a brave Macarthur Rams on Sunday night at Lynwood Park.

It took a stoppage time winner from former Rams legend Leena Khamis to secure the points, after Phoebe Gordon had cancelled out Rangers’ first half goal from Rita Boateng.

It was the home side with the first chance of the game 10 minutes in as Jayla Li On Wing’s effort was blocked, hints of handball waved away by the referee.

At the other end, Rosie Galea went down after pressure from Amalia Plummer having seemingly been in one on one with Isabella Coelho, once again no whistle came.

Coelho was called into action shortly after, Khamis breaking into the box, forcing a one handed save from the Rams keeper.

A minute later though and the Rams were ahead.

Kaiya Buchanan did well to dispossess Plummer, finding Khamis who turned her defender before finding Boateng who held her run well, before placing beyond Coelho.

As the half wore on, there were half chances for either side.

Sakura Nojima with two shots from distance that didn’t trouble Renee Krstanovska, before Galea herself had a couple chances, not able to find the back of the net for the Rangers.

The start of the second half saw the veteran Khamis in the thick of things, having a few consecutive chances, Coelho coming out on top in a couple, the other an unsuccesful lob over the bar.

But the best of those chances came 15 minutes out from half time, a craning header that came out off the underside of the crossbar.

Despite the Rams at this point coming into the game, it was again the Rangers who should have settled the points.

Holly Dalrymple used her pace to burst into the box, bearing in on Coelho she shot, only to have her shot well saved.

The rebound fell to Erin Tavares who headed toward goal, only for the second time in a matter of minutes for the ball to come off the bar.

But with 10 minutes to go the home team found an equaliser.

Janaya Baroudi found a perfect pass through for fellow substitute Phoebe Gordon who dribbled passed Krstanovska before placing the ball into an empty net.

Tea Mucenski then turned it on in stoppage time, showing fine skill to nutmeg Buchanan before sending a shot toward goal, the ball inches over the bar.

Almost immediately from the next attack, the Rangers struck through their most experienced player.

Khamis saw the ball fortuitously fall into her path on the edge of the area, took on her defender and blasted from a tough angle on the right, finding nothing but side netting in spectacular fashion to secure all three points for Ben Gough’s side.

Match Stats

Macarthur Rams 1 (Gordon 80’)

Mt Druitt Town Rangers 2 (Boateng 17’, Khamis 90+2’)

Sunday, 27 April

Lynwood Park

Macarthur Rams: 20. Coelho, 3. Maniti (62. Gordon), 9. Mucenski, 10. Nojima, 13. Morris, 14. Li On Wing (32. Bagiante (49. Smith)), 19. Swatridge, 22. Callow, 26. Plummer, 27. Hampshire, 38. White (30. Baroudi).

Substitutes Not Used: 41. Inman, 54. Dobbie.

Yellow Cards: Bagiante, Callow.

Red Cards: Nil

Mt Druitt Town Rangers: 88. Krstanovska, 2. Williams, 3. Buchanan, 5. Kos, 14. Dalrymple, 15. Galea (10. Holder), 17. Sloan, 19. Khamis, 23. Flavin (24. Robinson), 25. Boateng (18. Tavares), 28. Tanaka.

Substitutes Not Used: 1. Tredinnick, 4. Crye, 35. Gao.

Yellow Cards: Galea, Khamis.

Red Cards: Nil

-By Nikola Pozder