Rams secure three-peat after penalty shootout
The Macarthur Rams secured an incredible third consecutive Championship in dramatic fashion, defeating APIA Leichhardt on penalties after being pushed to 2-2 through regular and extra time.
The finals series was certainly an entertaining one, with APIA defeating the Illawarra Stingrays in a closely-fought 1-0 win at Lambert Park to reach their first-ever Grand Final. In contrast, the Rams reached their third consecutive Grand Final after beating Sydney Olympic.
A lively first half saw the Rams secure an early lead in the 2nd minute, before APIA found an equaliser in the 8th minute. The Rams were then able to regain their lead in the 17th minute through their captain, Madison McComasky.
APIA looked the stronger side in the second half and generated several opportunities, with an early goal to Natasha Prior bringing them back into the match. Both sides held strong through extra time before the Rams defeated APIA in the penalty shootout.
The first half began brilliantly for the Rams, with Bronte Trew racing down the right wing to fire a low cross that was briefly intercepted by an APIA defender, leaving Kelli Brown with plenty of room to bury the deflection into the bottom right corner of the net in just the 2nd minute of the match.
However, the Rams had little time to savour the goal as APIA earned a free-kick on the right wing which Charlotte Lancaster stepped up to take, the No. 7 for APIA sailing her free-kick beyond defenders and attackers alike to plant the ball into the bottom left corner in the 8th minute.
It was a chaotic opening to the match, with neither team able to get a hold of possession and succumbing to giveaways galore.
Melissa Caceres almost doubled Macarthur’s lead in the 10th minute, however she was unable to convert home after the ball was squared to her, leaving APIA with time to clear.
The momentum was with the Rams despite APIA’s equaliser, as the South-West Sydney side crafted a flurry of opportunities and capitalised on APIA’s mistakes.
In a moment of spectacular skill, Captain McComasky stepped up to recover her side’s lead, chipping the ball into the bottom right corner over a crowded penalty area to make it 2-1 to the Rams.
Following the third goal of the day, both teams were fighting to retain possession and to keep control of the game. Though having delivered an early onslaught in the first half, the Rams understandably began to tire, giving APIA space to breathe to see out the first half in a stronger fashion than how they started it.
A golden opportunity in the 45th minute for Ashlie Crofts saw the APIA No. 11 face Rams goalkeeper Teresa Morrissey one-on-one, with the latter winning out in the end to keep a hold of the low strike.
APIA appeared rejuvenated following the break, with Hoban earning the first opportunity of the second period as she made space for herself in the box before seeing her shot collected.
An APIA set play unlocked the Rams defence in the 50th minute, as Lancaster played a one-two from a corner before planting the ball onto the head of Natasha Prior, who made no mistake in guiding her header over the outrushing Teresa Morrissey to make it 2-2.
Rams substitute Chloe Gordon made an instant impact soon after with a slaloming run on the right wing, however her subsequent cross was unable to be met by Sunaga at the back post.
An abundance of opportunities fell to APIA star Crofts, though she was largely kept to speculative efforts and quality saves from Morrissey.
Both teams were consigned to capitalising with speed on the counterattack, however neither side’s defence gave an inch, leading to the match heading to extra time.
In the 98th minute, Trew unleashed her speed on the counterattack and came close to putting Brown through, however her chance was cleared for a corner by the APIA defence.
APIA remained intent on building up and utilising their wingers, with the Rams alternatively content to create through opportunities on the counter.
Trew then gave her side an advantage at the first stage of extra time came to a close, putting on the afterburners to race past Hayward before being dragged down by the APIA left-back on the edge of the box, with Hayward receiving a red card for her actions.
Penalties appeared the likely destination for these two sides as the second period of extra time carried on, with chances limited by the incredible defensive efforts of both teams.
A match this even was always destined for penalties, and it began in a positive fashion for the Rams as Caceres rifled her spot kick into the top left corner to make it 1-0.
Lancaster, who was APIA’s sole substitute in their semi-final victory over the Stingrays last weekend, stepped up to bury her penalty and make it 1-1.
Captain McComasky, goal scorer in regular time, then eased her penalty into the bottom right corner for 2-1.
Morrissey stood strong and stepped well to save Fragale’s strike. Fragale would have then been delighted to see Sally James save from Chelsea Barton.
APIA Captain Charlotte Young smashed the ball into the bottom left corner, giving her side a way back in at 2-2.
Next up was Brown, who was unfortunate not to score in regular and extra time, however she was able to notch her penalty with aplomb.
Morrissey then made an important save to deny Pipino, making it 3-2 in favour of the Rams.
Finally, substitute Libby Morris took the decisive spot kick, giving Macarthur their third Championship in a row with a lethal penalty.
It was a brilliant day of football, and a fantastic way to cap off what was a closely-fought NPL Women’s season all the way to the very end, with Rams coach Stephen Peters heading to Perth Glory with a three-peat under his belt.
Match Stats
Macarthur Rams 2 (Brown 2’, McComasky 17’)
APIA Leichhardt 2 (Lancaster 8’, Prior 50’)
Macarthur win 4-2 on penalties
CommBank Stadium,
Parramatta
Saturday, 7 September, 2024
Macarthur Rams: 46. Morrissey, 3. McComasky, 10. Caceres, 11. Trew (4. Morris), 14. Sunaga (26. Barton), 16. Lobo, 17. Breier (7. Gordon), 19. Sloan (24. Sossai), 25. Malone, 35. Hay, 44. Brown
APIA Leichhardt: 90. James, 3. Borazio (5. Kilbride), 4. Prior, 6. Walker (15. Pipino), 7. Lancaster, 11. Crofts, 16. Fragale, 17. Hristodoulou (9. Gentle), 18. Hoban, 24. Young, 25. Hayward
Words by Matthew Badrov
