Two massive matches took shape across the first finals series weekend in the PlayStation4 National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s competition as Sydney University took on the Illawarra Stingrays in their do or die Minor Semi-Final while the Macarthur Rams battled it out with Manly United for a chance to win a place at this year’s Grand Final.
Minor Semi Final
It was an intense, end-to-end Minor Semi Final at Cromer Park as Sydney University ran rampant against the Illawarra Stingrays.
By no means was it a result that anyone expected as Uni sent a message to both Macarthur and Manly.
A fired up University came out and finished the job more or less in the first 45 minutes, going into half time 3-0 to the good.
The Stingrays pulled a goal back from the spot before Uni added to their tally to run out convincing 6-1 winners.
And it was Heather Garriock’s team who had the perfect start, taking the lead after only eight minutes on the clock.
Georgia Yeoman-Dale crossed in a low ball toward Evelyn Chronis as the persistent winger popped up with it in the six-yard box after a Stingrays mix-up, putting the ball into the back of the net.
Michelle Heyman showed her quality, tucking in a beautiful through ball for Erica Halloway inside the box but Georgia Boric saved well.
Yeoman-Dale doubled Uni’s advantage with 24 minutes played.
The striker’s skill was too much for the Stingrays defence as she easily got passed her marker and with a bit of luck, got the ball beyond Kya Stewart.
It was 3-0 five minutes before the break.
Stephanie Ambrose lined up a free kick from the side of the box and curled it into the top left corner to have Uni well in control.
In the first minute of injury time it should’ve been four for Uni.
Yeoman-Dale led a break and moved into the box, squaring the ball up for Julie-Ann Russel who couldn’t get the ball beyond Stewart.
Uni had the first chance of the second period in the 55th minute as they were awarded an indirect free kick in the box.
Rachel Soutar tried her luck, blasting the ball toward goal, only for it to be blocked by the Stingrays wall.
Yeoman-Dale was in the mood and came close in the 60th minute with a powerful effort, forcing Stewart to tip the ball over the bar.
In the 65th minute, confusion in the Uni defence saw Caitlin Cooper brought down in the box.
The ever-reliable captain Michelle Carney stepped up to the spot and shot to Boric’s right.
Despite the Uni keeper getting a hand to the shot, she couldn’t keep it out as the ball rolled over the line.
On 69 minutes Yeoman-Dale was odds on to score but Stewart stuck out a leg to save before the striker sent the rebound way over the bar.
Only two minutes later and Uni was in.
Substitutes Georgia Plessas and Nikki Flannery combined well with the later arriving late to tuck the ball into and empty net and make it 4-1.
Straight from kick off the Stingrays tried to catch Uni out and what seemed a routine save had Boric sprawling back, stopping the ball on the line.
Any Stingrays hopes of a comeback were quashed with nine minutes remaining after a fine flowing team move saw another substitute, Bethany Gordon, slide the ball beyond Stewart.
Garriock’s substitutions seemed to work a treat as another found the back of the net in the 88th minute.
Some poor goalkeeping from Stewart saw the ball fall at the feet of Mel Caceres who lobbed the ball into the back of the net.
Match Stats
Illawarra Stingrays 1 (Carney 65’)
Sydney University 6 (Chronis 8’, Yeoman-Dale 24’, Ambrose 41’, Flannery 71’, Gordon 81’, Caceres 88’)
Cromer Park, Cromer
Saturday, August 12, 2017
Illawarra Stingrays: 1. Stewart, 2. Brown, 4. Jordan, 6. Kendis, 8. Halloway, 10. Carney, 13. Kramer, 14. Rolston, 15. Cooper, 19. Garard, 23. Heyman.
Substitutes: 3. Johnston, 5. Beard, 20. Dinh, 25. Siskoska, 27. Moffat.
Sydney University: 1. Boric, 2. Soutar, 5. King, 6. Danaskos, 7. Yeoman-Dale, 8. Chronis, 11. Ambrose, 12. Russel, 14. Fletcher, 20. Wheeler, 40. Sayer.
Substitutes: 3. Guzman, 10. Caceres, 13. Plessas, 15. Flannery, 38. Gordon
Major Semi Final
Manly United bag Grand Final spot
At Lynwood Park, a grand final spot was up for grabs as the Premiers MacarthurRams hosted Manly United.
It was the Rams that started the better of the two sides taking a 1-0 lead through Amy Harrison before Sarah Yatim equalised.
It didn’t take the home side long to hit the front again as Kristina Maksuti sent the Rams into the break 2-1 up.
But United wouldn’t lie down and they soon found an equaliser through Ally Green to set up a tense finale.
It would be Natasha Prior that would complete the full turn around for Chris Williams’ side, scoring late to secure a 3-2 win and the all-important grand final spot.
The Rams will now take on Sydney Uni for the other grand final spot next week.
Macarthur Rams 2 (Harrison, Maksuti)
Manly United 3 (Yatim, Green, Prior)
-By Nikola Pozder