Khamis the hero as Rangers down Manly

One goal was enough for the Mt Druitt Town Rangers to secure all three points at Popondetta Park on Sunday evening against Manly United.

It was veteran Leena Khamis whose goal was the difference early in the second half and all that there was between the two.

Manly did finish the game with a player less after Grace Arnold was sent off for a last-player challenge on Khamis.

It was the home team with the first chance of the game, Roukayah Al Fararjeh found space on the left after a Khamis pass, the wingers shot deflected just wide of the target.

Chloe O’Brien was everywhere for the visitors and almost caught Renee Krstanovska out with a long distance strike, the Rangers keeper retrieving and holding the ball well.

The Rangers then almost took advantage of a couple Manly errors.

First Khamis found space just outside the area but rushed her lob attempt which went wide.

Next, O’Brien gave away a sloppy pass in midfield straight to Khamis, who nut megged Arnold before playing in Al Fararjeh who should have done better.

Nicole Stuart then had an attempt for Manly 10 minutes from half time, Krstanovska again saving.

The home side opened the second half well, the lively Adelaide Wyrzynski shooting toward goal, Nicole Simonsen saving.

Mt Druitt were in front shortly after.

Ena Harada played a delightful ball through for Al Fararjeh, the pacey winger squaring up a pass for the oncoming Khamis who made no mistake with the finish.

With about 25 minutes remaining on the clock, the job got even harder for the visitors.

Khamis was played through, get on the wrong side of Arnold who brought down the striker just as she approached the box, Isabella Mossin given no other choice than to send the central defender off.

It was almost double trouble for Manly as Harada’s strike from the ensuing free kick was tipped over the bar by an excellent Simonsen.

From this point though, Manly seemed to life.

Mt Druitt sat deeper, allowing the visitors to hold possession and try to create an opportunity.

Daisy Arrowsmith had a chance almost straight after the red card, her shot going just over the bar from an area where she should have hit the target.

Khamis was definitely in the mood and causing Manly problems, this time trying to catch Simonsen out at the near post, only for the United keeper to get down well and save.

Manly pushed hard for an equaliser but could only muster a shot from distance from Sienna Dale as the Rangers held on for the victory.

Match Stats

Mt Druitt Town Rangers 1 (Khamis 59’)

Manly United 0

Sunday, 22 June

Popondetta Park

Mt Druitt Town Rangers: 20. Krstanovska, 2. Williams, 3. K. Buchanan, 18. Tavares (8. Casha), 19. Khamis ((25. Boateng)36. Gao), 23. Flavin (28. Tanaka), 24. Robinson, 30. Al Fararjeh, 31. E. Buchanan (6. Pender), 32. Harada, 38. Wyrzynski.

Substitutes Not Used: 1. Treddinick.

Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Cards: Nil

Manly United: 1. Simonsen, 3. Arnold, 4. Burton (10. Forner), 5. Stuart, 6. Jackson, 9. Minett, 15. Schmelzer, 16. Richards, 18. Arrowsmith, 20. Kerr (7. Dale), 37. O’Brien.

Substitutes Not Used: 12. Bozanic, 13, Adams, 14. Drever, 19. Starner.

Yellow Cards: Minett.

Red Cards: Arnold

-By Nikola Pozder