Manly United beat Tigers as Finals march continues

Manly United took a major step toward finals football in the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition defeating the Northern Tigers at North Turramurra Rec Area on Saturday night.

Ruby Jackson opened the scoring for Manly United, a lead the visitors held until the break.

The Northern Tigers equalised with just over 15 minutes left, but their lead would only last four minutes as Emily Minett scored what would be the winner for Manly United.

Haley Johnson had the first attempt of the game for the Tigers, shooting on the turn in the box but Jodie Drever saved comfortably.

Johnson was in the mood, again finding space in the box, this time forcing Drever into a fantastic save.

The home side continued the early pressure, this time Savanah Murray stepping up from left back, shooting wide of the target.

It took 15 minutes for the visitors to have their first shot, Minett blasting an effort just wide of the goal.

Manly suffered a major loss five minutes later, Daisy Arrowsmith substituted after an injury.

Moments later though, Manly was in front.

A long free kick was allowed to bounce in the area, Manly’s captain Jackson reacting first and tapping the ball into the back of the net.

On the half hour mark, the Tigers went close again, this time Isabel Gomez flashing a powerful effort just wide of the goal.

Next it was Manly to try their luck, Ellie Kerr with a classy turn outside the box before shooting toward goal, only to have her effort blocked.

The visitors started to turn the screw and five minutes from half time, Anita Zoran going just wide of Jasmine Black’s goal.

With the game heading toward half time, Nicola Dominikovich delivered a perfect ball for Johnson which was tapped home, only for the assistant referees flag to stop celebrations.

The exciting Sienna Dale was the first to get into the action in the second half, shooting over the bar and not testing Black.

Dale again in the thick of it just before the hour mark, this time forcing Black into an excellent low save.

With Manly pushing to double their lead, Drever was called into action at the other end, pulling off a finger tip save after an excellent effort by Lili McMahon.

With less than 20 to go, the Tigers were awarded a penalty as Mckaela Schmelzer handballed in the box.

Johnson stepped up to the spot and delivered, sending Drever the wrong way.

The teams weren’t level for long though as Manly re-took the lead on 78 minutes on the clock.

Lucy Richard delivered a ball toward Minett in the box who controlled well before putting her body on the line and poking the ball beyond Black.

The Tigers pushed hard late on to find another equaliser but it wasn’t to be, some excellent defending denying them from Tom Hopley’s side.

Match Stats

Northern Tigers 1 (Johnson 73’)

Manly United 2 (Jackson 21’, Minett 77’)

Saturday, 5 July, 2025

North Turramurra Rec Area

Northern Tigers: 91. Black, 3. Kraszula, 5. Murray (16. Cartwright), 6. Gomez, 9. Johnson, 11. McMahon, 12. Grass (18. Burton), 14. Bernardi (10. Mortlock), 21. Dominikovich, 23. Anderson, 29. Ewin.

Substitutes Not Used: 31. Glastonbury, 35. Harris, 42. Taylor.

Yellow Cards: Murray, Gomez, Dominikovich.

Red Cards: Nil

Manly United: 14. Drever, 2. Gilbane, 6. Jackson, 7. Dale (10. Forner), 9. Minett, 12. Bozanic, 15. Schmelzer, 16. Richards, 18. Arrowsmith (8. Zordan), 20. Kerr, 23. Sweetnam.

Substitutes Not Used: 4. Burton, 19. Starner, 22. Roberts, 41. Brown.

Yellow Cards: Richards.

Red Cards: Nil

-By Nikola Pozder