Stingrays undone by clinical Manly
Manly United kept their finals hopes alive with an important win at Cromer Park on Sunday night, defeating the Illawarra Stingrays 2-0.
After a scoreless first half, Manly scored two goals in the second period that were enough to secure the points.
Sienna Dale scored shortly after the restart, while Tegan Biasi came off the bench to score the second of the game with only minutes remaining.
The visitors had the first chance five minutes in, Siobhan Edwards playing in Lucy Baggio who found space in the box, only to shoot wide of the target.
It was the Stingrays who would threaten next, this time through Edwards who sent her effort from the edge of the area over the bar after a cut back from Caitlin Cooper.
Manly were threatening but not able to hit the target on numerous occasions in the first 30 minutes, going closest through Anita Zoran after a nice team move, her effort well over the bar.
Sienna Dale then found herself with the ball inside the box, creating just enough space for herself to strike at goal, again, the ball raising over the bar.
Eight minutes into the second half, Manly were in front with their first proper attempt at goal.
A free kick from the right was delivered into the box expertly by Alexia Forner, finding Dale who sent her bullet header beyond Edwards and into the back of the net.
It was an impressive finish from the young star who is more renowned for her fantastic footwork than her ability in the air.
Shortly after, Emily Minett had a chance to double Manly’s lead, the striker not connecting well with her effort.
On the hour mark, Dale went close to scoring a brace, beating her defender and getting into the area, only to send her shot into the side netting.
Phoebe Gilbane wanted to get her name in the headlines, shooting from over 30 metres out and seeing her strike go just wide of the top corner.
Edwards tried to claw the Stingrays back into the game with 20 left on the clock, only to pull her volley wide of the goal.
Jodie Drever then showed her quality in the Manly goal as Chloe Middleton had thought she scored a screamer from distance, only for the Manly keeper to pull off a phenomenal save.
As the home side soaked up the pressure, they went the other way and secured the points.
A delightful through ball from the architect Forner found Biasi who took her touch forward and placed the ball beyond Edwards.
It was the perfect finish and send off for the Manly star who heads overseas for an opportunity.
Manly then managed the final moments well to secure a massive three points in the fight for finals football.
Match Stats
Manly United 2 (Dale 53’, Biasi 85’)
Illawarra Stingrays 0
Sunday, 17 August
Cromer Park
Manly United: 14. Drever, 2. Gilbane, 3. Arnold, 5. Stuart, 6. Jackson, 7. Dale, 8. Zordan(12. Bozanic), 9. Minett (16. Richards), 10. Forner, 20. Kerr (11. Biasi), 37. O’Brien.
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Simonsen, 4. Burton, 22. Roberts.
Yellow Cards: Zordan.
Red Cards: Nil.
Illawarra Stingrays: 1. B. Edwards, 2. Cannon (17. Thompson), 3. McKenie, 4. Hooks, 7. Middleton, 8. S. Edwards, 12. Keep, 15. Cooper, 20. Giles, 34. Hudson (13. Austin), 56. Baggio 16. Nisbet).
Substitutes Not Used: 22. Masters, 23. McPherson, 27. Halios-Lewis, 31. Rochaix, 70. Rowley..
Yellow Cards: Nil.
Red Cards: Nil.
-By Nikola Pozder
