The semi-finals got off and running on Saturday night in the #NPLWNSW competition as Lambert Park played host to a classic between APIA Leichhardt and the Macarthur Rams.
It took 120 minutes for a winner to emerge after APIA and Macarthur couldn’t be separated in regulation time, heading into extra time locked at 1-1 before Beth Gordon scored a contender for goal of the season to secure the Rams’ Grand Final place.
The game kicked off with both teams moving the ball exceptionally well but unable to create a clear-cut chance.
Nerves were visibly high when it took 45 minutes for the first shot on target after Leena Khamis hit one toward Sarah Langman.
It was obvious the second half would be different from the whistle.
Khamis was at the thick of it again, hitting a volley toward goal. The ball looked to be going in before bouncing agonisingly wide of the target.
APIA would return fire almost immediately after some fine work by Shea Connors down the left, cutting back for Princess Ibini who’s volley went over the bar from the edge of the area.
Again Khamis went close for the Rams 10 minutes into the second period, this time getting onto the end of a Patty Charalambous corner which was cleared away by the APIA defence.
As the Rams asserted their control on the second half, they got their just reward.
High press for the visitors saw them win the ball as Charalambous fed in Leena Khamis. The veteran striker spotted a run from Laura Murtagh at the far post and on the turn slipped in her winger with a delightful first time pass, allowing Murtagh to slide the ball beyond Langman and into the back of the net.
Spencer Prior needed a reaction and brought on Estelle Fragalle for Princess Ibini which turned out being a fantastic substitution, allowing Rhianna Pollicina to move further up the park and relieving Sarah Hunter of some defensive work.
But the Rams would go close next, Miku Sunaga sending a shot just wide of the upright.
With the home team starting to take over the initiative, they would soon find an equaliser.
15 minutes remained on the clock when a Deborah Anne De La Harpe free kick found its way to Shea Connors who finished expertly at the far post with an inside of the foot volley beyond Sham Khamis.
Beth Gordon almost had the Rams back in front after being afforded some space, her shot going just over the bar.
The Rams perhaps should have won it in the 90th minute as again Khamis was the provider, this time for Mel Caceres but Langman was off her line quickly to save the situation.
As the match moved to extra time, APIA looked the more likely and went inches wide through their top scorer Connors after some fine work on the right.
Moving into the second half of extra time and inching closer to a penalty shoot-out, Nikki Flannery thought she had scored, only for her effort to take a slight nick off a Rams defender and send it wide of the target.
The moment of the match came 10 minutes from full time. Beth Gordon with a sensational finish worthy of winning the match. The Rams midfielder picked up the ball just outside the area, spotted Langman off her line and with a sly lob, lifted the ball over the APIA keeper and into the top corner.
APIA pushed for an equaliser to send the game into penalties but Stephen Peters’ side held on and expertly managed to finish the game off.
The Rams now progress to next Sunday’s Grand Final at Valentine Sports Park while it is the end for APIA after an excellent season which they will mostly definitely build on in 2023.
Match Stats
APIA Leichhardt 1 (Connors 76’)
Macarthur Rams 2 (Murtagh 61’, B. Gordon 110’)
Saturday, 10 September, 2022
Lampert Park, Leichhardt
APIA Leichhardt: 20. Sarah Langman, 2. Deborah Anne De La Harpe, 3. Claudia Cicco, 4. Liz Ralston (36. Isabella Coco-Di Sipio 110’), 7. Sarah Hunter, 8. Kaitlyn Torpey, 9. She Connors, 10. Rhianna Pollicina, 11. Princess Ibini (16. Estelle Fragale 64’), 18. Sophie Hoban, 19. Nikki Flannery.
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Sophie Magus, 17. Kaitlin Kiparizov, 26. Alex Tims, 32. Madeleine Mirkovic.
Yellow Cards: Cicco 76’
Red Cards: Nil
APIA Leichhardt: 1. Sham Khamis, 9. Leena Khamis (27. Jasmine Limon 117’), 11. Patty Charalambous, 12. Laura Murtagh, 14. Miku Sunaga (20. Chrystal Duggan 73’), 22 Alex Huynh, 25. Darcey Malone, 26. Mel Caceres (7. Chloe Gordon 115’), 32. Bethany Gordon, 36. Isabella Foletta (2. Holly Williams 90’), Madison McComasky.
Substitutes Not Used: 41. Brianna Clarke, 30. Danielle Bishop.
Yellow Cards: Huynh 84’, Murtagh 116’
Red Cards: Nil
-By NPL NSW Women’s Chief Writer and Commentator Nikola Pozder