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Macarthur Rams crowned 2023 Champions

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The Macarthur Rams made it back-to-back Grand Final victories on Sunday night at Valentine Sports Park as the legendary Leena Khamis stole the show late on against Bulls FC Academy. 

Khamis came on as a second half substitute and scored a late brace to secure the second straight Championship for the Rams.

It was the Rams that came out of the blocks hungry by putting the pressure on the Bulls.

They almost had the lead on 11 minutes after some neat passing, Mel Caceres threading the ball for Beth Gordon who forced Trudy Simmons into a save.

It was the Rams again threatening, this time a cross coming in from Olivia Sloan from the left, Kelli Brown the target but unable to steer her header goalwards.

India Breier then found space on the edge of the area 10 minutes from half time but she got the shot all wrong.

Things started heating up on the pitch as the Rams saw three players booked in the final five minutes of the half.

Deep in first half stoppage time, Simmons was alert again as Caceres blasted an effort toward the top corner, the veteran keeper somehow tipping the ball out.

The resulting corner saw Madison McComasky rise highest in the area, only for the ball to be cleared off the line.

The second half started very even with neither side creating a clear cut chance until we hit the hour mark.

A Beth Gordon deflected pass bounced into the path of Brown as the prolific striker drove a low shot toward the far corner, the ball going inches wide.

Shortly after, Khamis entered the fray with 25 minutes left on the clock.

Finally, the Bulls had an opportunity with 15 minutes to go as Tamires Souza showed fantastic technique to beat her defender but unable to trouble Khamis who saved comfortably.

With 8 minutes to go, the Rams hit the front as the crowd exploded.

Tenealle Hay showed why she earnt her way back to the top tier, chasing down Claudia Valetta before delivering an inch perfect cross into the box for Khamis who showed fine composure to bury her effort.

Not long after and Khamis turned provider, feeding in Brown who was stopped by Simmons who again made a good save.

As the Bulls pushed for an equaliser, the Rams extinguished any hope with a second goal.

As she has for many years, Khamis had another with a fantastic header, rising highest in the box to head home a delightful Brown delivery.

A Ram through and through, it was a fairytale finish to the game as one of the greatest strikers to ply their trade in the top flight showed she isn’t ready for retirement yet.

Khamis almost made it a hat trick late on but wasn’t able to find the back of the net on that occasion.

It was also a special moment for Stephen Peters who not only made it two straight grand final wins but also helped the Rams break Sydney University’s record of 18 undefeated games, taking their streak to 19 now.

Match Stats     

Bulls FC Academy 0

Macarthur Rams 2 (Khamis 82’, 87’)

Sunday, 17, September, 2023

Valentine Sports Park

Bulls FC Academy: 1. Simmons, 3. Grey, 4. Seaman, 5. Lancaster (8. Rutstein), 7. Prakash, 9. Chessari, 10. Souza, 11. Valletta, 13. Di Sciascio, 17. Volkanovski (12. Corry), 19. Cheeseman (Gyzen).

Substitutes Not Used: 21. Segavcic, 22. Popovic.

Macarthur Rams: 1. S. Khamis, 3. McComasky, 10. Caceres (20. Duggan), 14. Sunaga (9. L. Khamis), 17. Breier (28. M. Malone),19. Sloan (Barton), 22. Huynh, 25.  D. Malone, 32. Gordon, 35. Hay, 44. Brown (8. Dipple).

Substitutes Not Used: 21. Clarke.

Match Officials

Referee: Mikayla Ryan

Assistant Referees: Alexis Johnson and Lara Hogan

Fourth Official: Isabella Mossin

By Nikola Pozder   

Rams book 2023 NPL NSW Women’s Grand Final ticket

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A late flurry from the Macarthur Rams booked their spot in the National Premier Leagues Grand Final as they overcame NWS Spirit at Valentine Sports Park on Sunday. 

Stephen Peters’ side left it late but got the job done in the final 10 minutes of regulation time as Bethany Gordon, Alex Huynh and Leena Khamis all got themselves on the scoresheet.

The Rams will now face Bulls FC Academy in this Sunday’s Grand Final at Valentine Sports Park in hope of making it back-to-back championship victories.

Despite both teams missing a number of players, Tiana Gauci’s team perhaps hurting more with their absentees, it was an excellent tactical display from both sides.

The first test for Mio Nemoto in the Spirit goal came after a long distance strike by Kelli Brown which was comfortably held.

Sham Kamis’ first call to action came late in the first half as Skye Halmarick tried getting on to a long ball but the Rams keeper reacted well.

With five minutes to go in the first period, again Nemoto was tested, this time by India Breier but the keeper dealt with it comfortably.

Brown, who has become somewhat a free kick specialist this campaign, then had an opportunity from a set piece but again Nemoto came on top, palming the effort wide.

The Rams were on the front foot immediately in the second period, putting the Spirit defence under pressure and calling Nemoto into action with another good save.

But it was Spirit that almost went in front with maybe the best chance of the game so far, Erin Pridmore picking up a lose ball and placing it wide of Khamis’ goal.

The Rams were the dominant side from here but were unable to create anything that would really trouble Nemoto.

But with 10 minutes to go the Rams were awarded a penalty.

Spirit were slow to react to a short corner which Beth Gordon and Mel Caceres took advantage of, the latter bought down in the area.

Gordon stepped up to the spot and sent her effort right but the fantastic Spirit keeper read the penalty and saved, the rebounding falling back into the path of a fortunate Gordon who blasted it into the back of the net.

With minutes remaining in the 90, the Rams doubled their advantage.

Alex Huynh took a free kick from some way out, it avoided everyone and bounced into the side netting away from a fully outstretched Nemoto.

With Gauci’s team throwing no caution to the wind and with nothing to lose, the Rams added a third.

Short in numbers at the back, Khamis picked up the ball and hit it first time after a blocked Brown show to find the top corner and seal their place in the big dance next week.

Match Stats     

Macarthur Rams 3 (Gordon 81’, Huynh 88’, Khamis 90+1’)

NWS Spirit FC 0

Sunday, 10, September, 2023

Valentine Sports Park

Macarthur Rams: 1. S. Khamis, 3. McComasky, 10. Caceres (19. Sloan), 14. Sunaga (9. Khamis), 17. Breier (20. Duggan), 22. Huynh, 25. Malone, 26. Barton (8. Dipple), 32. Gordon, 35. Hay, 44. Brown.

Substitutes Not Used: 21. Clarke, 28. M. Malone.

NWS Spirit FC: 21. Nemoto, 2. Perrins, 3. Pridmore, 7. K. Buchanan, 12. Tavares, 13. Roberts, 15. Thomas (8. Schembri), 16. E. Buchanan, 18. Casha, 32. Halmarick, 97. Sullivan (23. Holder).

Substitutes Not Used: 1. Offer, 5. Martin, 45. Osborn, 98. Fazzari.

By Nikola Pozder

 

Bulls FC Academy book ticket to the big dance

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Bulls FC Academy booked their place in the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s Grand Final with a 2-1 victory over the newly crowned Premiers APIA Leichhardt on Wednesday night. 

In an intense game, the fourth placed Bulls overcame APIA in an intense match up, the home side falling at the same stage for the second consecutive year with another late goal.

Charlotte Lancaster opened the scoring for the Bulls just before half time.

League top scorer Ash Crofts then equalised with 10 minutes remaining, before Lancaster won it late from the spot.

Jaime Gomez’s side pushed hard from the beginning and tried to put APIA under pressure from the kick off.

Their first chance came inside the first 10 minutes as the home side failed to clear a corner, the ball falling into the path of Avaani Prakash who side footed her effort over the crossbar.

With both Sophie Magus and Morgan Aquino unavailable, youngster Emilija Vidakovic stepped up in goals and was soon called into action, making an excellent finger tip save from an Isabella Volkanovski pile-driver.

The APIA attack was too cut off from midfield with Rhianna Pollicina missing and the likes of Ash Crofts and Bella Habuda could not get involved.

It would be the visitors that would go close again next, Tamires Souza breaking into the box, rounded Vidakovic before Claudia Cicco cleared the effort off the line.

As the game approached half time, the Bulls scored a well-deserved goal.

Daisy Cheeseman found space on the left, delivering a fine ball into the box to find Lancaster who held off two defenders, turned in the area and buried the ball with a powerful effort into the bottom corner.

The second half saw two tiring teams with APIA improving somewhat.

Spencer Prior’s tactical change pushing Claudia Cicco higher to the right wing almost led to immediate success, her dangerous ball in the area only just cleared.

APIA went down the same flank again, this time finding the equaliser in the 77th minute.

Cicco’s delivery to the edge of the area found an on coming Ash Crofts who let fly with a first time volley, burying it beyond Trudy Simmons in the Bulls goal.

The game opened up from here with both teams pushing forward to try and steal the win and book a grand final ticket.

The best chance in that period fell the way of the Bulls who reacted well, some fine combination play between Amy Chessari, Cheeseman and Prakash had the latter popping up in front of Vidakovic, only for Tanya Borazio to make a phenomenal last ditch challenge.

With the match destined for extra time, Souza went down in the box following a challenge from the APIA keeper, the referee with no choice but to point to the spot.

Lancaster stepped up and once more found the bottom corner to secure her brace and the lead for the Bulls.

APIA pushed hard for another equaliser but the Bulls managed the match expertly and secured their place in the big dance next week where they face the winner of the Macarthur Rams and NWS Spirit match.

Match Stats     

APIA Leichhardt 1 (Crofts 77’)

Bulls FC Academy 2 (Lancaster 42’, 88’)

Wednesday, 6, September, 2023

Lambert Park

APIA Leichhardt: 40. Vidakovic, 2. Cicco, 3. Borazio (22. Jasnos), 4. Prior, 7. Habuda (14. Coco-Di Sipio, 11. Crofts, 15. Pipino (17. Bozanic), 16. Fragale (21. Kiparizov), 18. Hoban, 24. Young, 32. Daczko.

Substitutes Not Used: 99. Halpin.

Bulls FC Academy: 1. Simmons, 3. Grey, 4. Seaman, 5. Lancaster, 7. Prakash, 9. Chessari, 10. Souza (8. Rutstein), 11. Valletta, 13. Di Sciascio, 17. Volkanovski, 19. Cheeseman.

Substitutes Not Used: 12. Corry, 18. Clout, 21. Segavcic, 22. Popovic.

By Nikola Pozder   

 

 

APIA Leichhardt FC crowned 2023 NPL NSW Women’s Premiers

By

APIA Leichhardt have been crowned National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s Premiers after a resounding 7-1 victory over the Emerging Jets at Lambert Park on Sunday night. 

Ash Crofts also claimed the individual accolade of the league’s Golden Boot with a hat-trick against the Jets, captain Rhianna Pollicina had a brace while Sophie Hoban and Isabella Coco-Di Sipio had a goal each.

APIA raced off to a three-goal lead after only 13 minutes, going into half time 4-1 up.

They added another three in the second period which signalled the start of wild celebrations in Sydney’s inner-west.

A large crowd crammed into the stands of Lambert Park with APIA’s SAP and youth girls were in full voice.

It didn’t take long for the home side to open the scoring as Crofts got on the end of a Pollicina pass to place the ball beyond Tegan Harvey.

They doubled the lead not long after as Bella Habuda did well down the right before delivering into the box, finding Hoban who dispatched her volley into the bottom corner of the goal.

Two became three as Crofts returned the favour for her captain Pollicina who took a touch before placing the ball passed Harvey from the edge of the area.

The visitors gave themselves some hope after 20 minutes when the ball fell to Milan Hammond who placed her side foot volley into Morgan Aquino’s bottom corner, a fine finish by the youngster.

The Jets grew in confidence and created a few half opportunities but couldn’t really test Aquino.

With 10 minutes to go, APIA restored their three-goal advantage with their best goal of the afternoon.

An excellent combination between Pollicina and Holly McNamara saw the latter unselfishly square the ball for Crofts who had her second of the evening, finishing into an empty net.

It was Déjà vu at the start of the second as APIA scored another early goal.

Captain Pollicina found space just outside the box and took full advantage, driving a powerful effort into Harvey’s goal, with the Jets keeper rooted to the spot.

Five minutes later it was six, Pollicina again involved.

APIA’s number 10 delivered a great corner into the box, finding the head of Crofts who powered her header into the back of the net, rounding out her hat-trick.

Both teams made a number of changes which saw the game go into a quieter period.

The seventh came inside the final 10 minutes of the game, substitute Isabella Coco-Di Sipio got onto the end of a long ball, beat her defender before lifting the ball over Harvey to Crofts.

Crofts tapped the ball back to Di Sipio who made no mistake with the finish to round off the scoring.

Premiership winning coach Spencer Prior was proud of his squad who lead the competition from the first round to the last.

“Madness! The conclusion of a really good season, we finished the way we started, we lead right from the first game,” said Prior.

“It’s been a really tip op season for everyone.”

A massive congratulations to APIA who have risen through the ranks and placed themselves amongst the leaders of women’s football in NSW.

Match Stats     

APIA Leichhardt 7 (Crofts 4’, 36’, 54’, Hoban 10’, Pollicina 14’, 49’, Coco-Di Sipio 82’)

Emerging Jets 1 (Hammond 23’)

Sunday, 3, September, 2023

Lambert Park

APIA Leichhardt: 90. Aquino (40. Vidakovic), 3. Borazio, 7. Habuda (22. Jasnos), 9. McNamara (14. Coco-Di Sipio), 10. Pollicina (4. Prior), 11. Crofts, 16. Fragale (15. Pipino), 18. Hoban, 21. Kiparizov, 24. Young, 32. Daczko.

Substitutes Not Used: N/A.

Emerging Jets: 49. Harvey, 5. Walandouw, 6. Grass, 7. Adams (24. O’Brien), 9. Gentle (40. O’Driscoll), 10. Allan, 15. Hammond (14. Murray), 16. Salvador, 22. Wilde (8. Dundas), 28. Ingrey (47. Knipe), 29. Karpidis.

Substitutes Not Used: 64. Convery.

By Nikola Pozder   

Sep 03: Match action in the NPLNSW Women’s between APIA Leichhardt and Newcastle Jets at Lambert Park (Photos: Damian Briggs/Speedmedia)

Bulls FC Academy put Spartans to the sword

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Bulls FC Academy have put finals football in their own hands after a 4-0 win over the Blacktown Spartans at Blacktown Football Park. 

After a tight first half where neither team could find a goal, the second period exploded.

Two goals from the fantastic Charlotte Lancaster and a goal each for Amy Chessari and Avaani Prakash were enough for a convincing victory.

It was the visitors with the first chance of the game as Charlotte Lancaster’s cross found its way to the far post, but Peta Trimis couldn’t direct her header goalwards.

Makayla Kent was called into action for the first time on 16 minutes as Prakash let fly with a volley, her effort well saved by the Spartans keeper.

The home team threatened on the counter through young speedster Amber Luchtmeijer but she wasn’t able to test Trudy Simmons.

As the half got on, the Bulls began to assert their dominance.

Just before the break the visitors thought they were in front.

Isabella Volkanovski had the ball outside the area, on the turn she let fly toward the goal as Kent seemed to tip the ball onto the crossbar.

Volkanovski had another opportunity from a free kick in a good position but this time it was an effort to forget moments before half time.

Blacktown came out in the second period much better with Hannah Lowry moving into a more advanced position.

They threatened through a couple corners and started to grow in confidence.

15 minutes into the second half all their good work was undone.

Lancaster had her first of the evening as her cross beat Kent, came off the post and went over the line in fortunate circumstances.

It didn’t take long for the next to fall after some excellent work between Chessari and Prakash.

Prakash combined with her midfield team mate twice before Chessari placed the ball beyond Kent into the bottom corner.

The floodgates opened then as Lancaster scored an excellent individual goal.

On the edge of the area, the left winger cut onto her left, beating her marker before finding the bottom far corner to extend the lead to three.

With just over 10 minutes remaining, the visitors rounded off the scoring in style.

Peta Trimis who was a threat all game picked up a pass from Prakash before returning the ball back to the latter who blasted the ball into the back of the net.

Credit to the Spartans, they kept pushing to find a consolation as Jaime Gomez brought on reserve keeper Keely Segavcic.

The substitute keeper was called into action moments after coming on, making a great save from Alyssa Ng-Saad.

Segavcic had to be on her toes as Charlotte Owen sent a rocket toward the Bulls goal, again the keeper saving well.

It was an important victory for the Bulls as they move into fourth position while Blacktown have a mammoth task next week to secure their spot in the NPL competition.

Match Stats    

Blacktown Spartans 0

Bulls FC Academy 4 (Lancaster 60’ 72’, Chessari 65’, Prakash 79’)

Sunday, 27, August, 2023

Blacktown Football Park

Blacktown Spartans: 40. Kent, 2. Maniti, 6. Lowry (9. Moore), 7. Oliva, 13. Buccini, 17. Duggan, 18. Murphy (27. Ng-Saad), 19. Roach, 23. Owen, 30. Luchtmeijer, 34. Mkali.

Substitutes Not Used: 8. Smyth, 12. Fressard, 14. Vine, 43. Ewe.

Bulls FC Academy: 1. Simmons (21. Segavcic), 2. Trimis (8. Rutstein), 3. Grey, 4. Seaman, 5. Lancaster, 7. Prakash (18. Clout), 9. Chessari, 11. Valletta, 12. Corry (22. Popovic), 13. Di Sciascio, 17. Volkanovski (19. Cheesman).

Substitutes Not Used: N/A.

By Nikola Pozder