Six-goal thriller as Ravens and APIA share the points
A six-goal thriller at Christie Park on Sunday evening in the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition saw the Gladesville Ravens and APIA Leichhardt share the spoils in an epic 3-3 draw.
With kick off delayed for over an hour due to lightning, the two teams put on quite a show for those who remained and braved the cold.
The Ravens hit the front through Morgan Roberts but were pegged back late in the first half through Sophie Hoban.
After soaking up some serious pressure, the Ravens scored two in two minutes thanks to Bianca Galic and Alyssa Ng Saad.
But the visitors didn’t lay down, Mona Walker and Charlotte Lancaster scoring to make it 3-3.
The visitors started the game well, the ball flowing from left to right and back with ease, looking for the perfect opportunity to create problems for the Ravens backline.
They came close around the 10 minute mark, a ball was played through for Charlotte Lancaster who used her pace and strength to beat the Ravens defender, her shot taking a touch and going inches wide of the far post.
From the resulting corner, APIA went close again, this time through Ash Crofts whose looping header hit the top of the cross bar.
Not long after it was the home sides turn to create a chance.
Alyssa Ng Saad was fouled well outside the area, the distance not deterring Bianca Galic who let fly with a free kick, forcing Sophie Magus to tip the powerful effort onto the bar.
Ng Saad was feeling it and went on a mazy run shortly after, this time thwarted by some desperate APIA defending.
But the dead lock would be broken on 26 minutes.
Miku Sunaga playing a delightful outside of the foot through ball for Ng Saad who beat an on rushing Magus to the ball, composed herself and squared a pass for Roberts who buried in the ball into the back of the net.
Jordan Jasnos slowly came into the game and was creating problems down the left wing, delivering a number of dangerous ball into the area which weren’t taken advantage of.
As half time approached though, APIA was level.
Lancaster crossing a perfect ball to the far post, Ash Crofts rising highest with her header heading into the far post, before Sophie Hoban made sure of the goal by tapping the ball over the line.
Much like the first half, APIA came out strong in the second, Lancaster straight into the action, forcing Coleman into a good save.
10 minutes into the second half, APIA had a golden chance to go in front from the spot after Sophie Hoban was brought down in the area.
Ash Crofts stepped up but the poorly struck penalty was read and comfortably saved by the Ravens goalkeeper.
APIA continued the pressure on the Ravens. Lancaster again played through but once more Coleman coming out on top with another excellent save.
As the Ravens soaked up the pressure, it was their chance to throw their own jab on the hour mark.
Miku Sunaga found Galic on the left, took a touch and blasted the ball beyond a hapless Magus into the top corner.
The Ravens bench was still celebrating Galic’s goal when they were in raptures once more.
Again, Sunaga the architect, this time finding Ng Saad who got to the ball before Magus before placing the ball into the back of the net.
Despite the score, you could feel there were more goals in the air.
Five minutes later, Alyssa Rose delivered an excellent corner into the area, Walker rose highest and with a beautiful header found the back of the net to half the deficit.
Moments later Fragale would have been thinking how the score was still 3-2.
Picking up the ball on the left, Fragale curled a shot toward the far top corner, the ball looked set to find the spider webs, only for Coleman to make an incredible fingertip save onto the bar.
With just over 10 minutes to go, APIA were level.
Fine work by Crofts saw the APIA captain deliver a low ball across goal, finding Lancaster at the far post who passed the ball into the back of the net.
Both teams pushed for a winner as the home side came closest.
Ng Saad lead a counter, played in Charalambous and with Magus and Jasnos getting in each others way, the Ravens winger couldn’t direct her effort on target.
From the resulting goal kick, the Ravens should have one it.
Bella Edwards, who had just come on, pinched the ball off Christina Kiceec and moved in one on one with Magus, the APIA keeper saving well, the rebound falling to Lexie Moreno, but again Magus saved and APIA survived.
Match Stats
Gladesville Ravens 3 (Roberts 26’, Galic 60’, Ng Saad 62’)
APIA Leichhardt 3 (Hoban 44’, Walker 67’, Lancaster 78’)
Sunday, 15 June
Christie Park
Gladesville Ravens: 1. Coleman, 8. Halls (7. Villa), 11. Charalambous, 13. Buccini, 19. Sproule (42. Levy), 21. Roberts (51. Habuda), 23. Allen, 24. Channing, 27. Ng Saad, 32. Galic, 39. Sunaga (10. Moreno).
Substitutes Not Used: 18. Kent, 25. Familton.
Yellow Cards: Charalambous
Red Cards: Nil
APIA Leichhardt: 1. Magus, 4. Seaman, 6. Walker, 7. Lancaster (8. McNulty, 11. Crofts (15. Pipino), 13. Jasnos, 14. Golding, 16. Fragale (20. Panagopoulos), 18. Hoban, 24. Kiceec, 38. Rose.
Substitutes Not Used: 5. Kilbride, 21. Kiparizov, 30. Cuthill.
Yellow Cards: Seaman.
Red Cards: Nil
-By Nikola Pozder
