Rams dismantled by hungry Tigers

The Northern Tigers snapped a four-game losing streak in style with a commanding 5-1 over the Macarthur Rams at Lynwood Park on Sunday night in the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW match of the round.

Charlotte Mortlock opened the scoring with a lovely goal before Savannah Murray doubled the visitors advantage with a thunderbolt.

The Rams got back into the game moments before the break through Tea Mucenski, only for a rampant Tigers to add three more in the second half, via Nicola Dominikovich, Olivia Cartwright and Lily McMahon.

It was the home team that started the game the better and on the front foot, early pressure from Bronte Trew and Tea Mucenski putting the Tigers under the cosh.

The best chance of the opening stanza then went the way of the Rams, some fine link up play ended with a one-two between Maya Lobo and Mucenski, Lobo’s shot comfortably held by Jasmine Black.

On 22 minutes the Tigers had the lead.

A poor clearance fell to the feet of Mortlock who first beat her defender with a fine touch before getting her head up and blasting the ball into the top corner, Tahlia Franco with no chance.

Confidence grew for the visitors as they won a free kick on the edge of the area on the half hour mark.

Savannah Murray stepped up and rather than placing the ball, let fly with an absolute rocket, the ball clipping the wall on it’s way into the back of the net.

With the Tigers heading for the break well in control, the Rams were gifted a lifeline from the spot.

A blatant push by Murray on Trew saw the referee point to the spot, Mucenski stepping up but having her ferocious penalty saved by Jasmine Black onto the cross bar, but th striker quickest to react to tap the rebound home.

It only took five minutes in the second half for the Tigers to restore their two-goal advantage.

A Murray delivery into the area wasn’t dealt with by the Rams defence, Tigers captain Dominikovich reacting quickest and placing the ball into the far bottom corner of the goal.

The visitors continued to press but found most joy from set pieces with Murray creating serious issues for Franco.

Her first effort from some 35 metres out whistled passed the post while her second went even closer, dipping late and clipping the top of the bar.

Izzy Gomez, who was excellent throughout the whole game, picked up a loose ball in midfield, drove forward and saw her well struck effort go just wide of the target.

It was then the Rams turn to create their own chances, Trew looking most lively with some dangerous balls into the area from the right.

Their best chance fell to Sakura Nojima, the Rams number 10 finding space in the area, blasting an effort at goal, the ball cannoning off the cross bar.

The match was settled in the 82nd minute as substitute Cartwright found the back of the net on her birthday.

Haley Johnson drove forward, Chantelle Maniti sticking a toe in but the ball falling into the path of the winger who let fly first time, finding the far top corner and once more leaving Franco hapless in goals.

The icing on the cake came in the 90th minute via another substitute, Lily McMahon.

Receiving the ball on the far left side, McMahon took a touch, had a look up and curled the ball into the top corner, Franco only able to help the ball on its way into the back of the net.

Special mention also to Johnson who worked tirelessly throughout the evening.

This win puts the Tigers back in finals contention and with seven games to go, it’s all to play for.

Match Stats

Macarthur Rams 1 (Mucenski 43’)

Northern Tigers 5 (Mortlock 22’, Murray 34’, Dominikovich 50’, Cartwright 82’, McMahon 90’)

Saturday, 5 July, 2025

North Turramurra Rec Area

Northern Tigers: 91. Black, 3. Kraszula, 5. Murray (11. McMahon), 6. Gomez, 9. Johnson (7. Evans), 10. Mortlock (16. Cartwright), 14. Bernardi (35. Harris), 18. Burton, 21. Dominikovich (12. Grass), 23. Anderson, 29. Ewin.

Substitutes Not Used: 31. Glastonbury.

Yellow Cards: Murray, Johnson.

Red Cards: Nil

Macarthur Rams: 1. Franco, 2. Bertolissio, 3. Maniti, 5. Sossai, 6. Malone, 7. Trew, 9. Mucenski (22. Callow), 10. Nojima, 16. Lobo, 17. Breier, 26. Plummer (25. Corbett).

Substitutes Not Used: 11. Silva, 20. Coelho, 23. Thomas, 27. Hampshire.

Yellow Cards: Maniti.

Red Cards: Nil

-By Nikola Pozder