Ravens put a dent to Tigers Finals hopes

The Gladesville Ravens shattered the Northern Tigers finals hopes with a late 1-0 win at North Turramurra Rec Area on Saturday night.

With minutes remaining, Alyssa Ng Saad scored her 13th goal of the season and extended Lauren Phelps’ teams unbeaten run to six games.

After a cagey start to the game, the visitors had the first chance.

A long ball by Poppy Channing found Ng Saad in the box who squared the ball up for Morgan Roberts, only for the winger’s goal bound effort to be blocked.

The Ravens kept possession well without really threatening until Bianca Galic had an effort with 23 minutes on the clock, easily held by Jasmine Black.

Just after the half hour mark the Ravens threatened again, Ng Saad curling an effort just wide of the goal.

Taren King then made a fine challenge in midfield before threading the needle with an excellent pass for Roberts who dragged her effort just wide of the target after being unleashed one on  one with Black.

The visitors defence and dominance was evident at the break with the Tigers unable to test Shame Khamis with an effort on goal.

15 minutes into the second period and the Ravens were almost in front.

Ng Saad the architect again, a neat turn in midfield and through ball for Roberts whose inside of the foot shot from just outside the area went agonisingly wide of the target.

The Ravens continued their push forward, this time Patty Charalambous showing fine skill to beat her defender before finding an unmarked Roberts at the back post who saw her volley hit the bar and go over.

It took 72 minutes but the Tigers almost had the lead with their first shot on goal, Lily McMahon forcing Khamis into a fingertip save with a shot from outside of the box.

From the ensuing corner, the Tigers threatened again, Savannah Murray’s effort saved by comfortably by Khamis.

Back came the Ravens though and with 15 to go, Keisha Allen took things into her own hands from left back dribbling in firing from some way out, her shot inches away from the top corner.

The Tigers began throwing their own jabs as the game went on, Charlotte Mortlock picking the ball up inside the box, cutting in the box but unable to beat Khamis.

With the home side pushing hard and ramping up the pressure on the Ravens defence and backline, it was the visitors that would find what would prove to be the winner.

Pure brilliance and individual quality had the Ravens in front on 86 minutes, a just reward for their dominance throughout the game.

Picking the ball up on the left, inside the area, Ng Saad cut onto her right, beat her marker and then curled one into the top corner of Jasmine Blacks goal.

A fabulous goal by the Ravens’ young super star, worthy of a winner.

The Tigers pushed hard for an equaliser in stoppage time and almost had one after a scramble in the area, Haley Johnson volleying over the bar.

Match Stats

Northern Tigers 0

Gladesville Ravens 1 (Ng Saad 86’)

Saturday, 19 July

North Turramurra Rec Area

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

Substitutes Not Used: 28. Clement, 31. Glastonbury, 35. Harris,44. Witham, 63. Paz..

Yellow Cards: Anderson.

Red Cards: Nil

Gladesville Ravens: 88. Khamis, 8. Halls, 10. Moreno (51. Habuda), 11. Charalambous, 21. Roberts (25. Familton), 23. Allen, 24. Channing, 27. Ng Saad (5.Carroll), 32. Galic, 39. Sunaga, 81. King.

Substitutes Not Used: 1. Coleman, 19. Sproule, 42. Johnson.

Yellow Cards: Moreno.

Red Cards: Nil

-By Nikola Pozder