U18s Women: Ravens nerves prevail in Shootout glory

In the battle between Manly/Warringah districts’ Seaforth FC and Gladesville Ravens, the girls had to take on more than just the pressure of a Grand Final.

There was the heat. There were the vocal supporters on the sidelines. There was pride. And as always, there can only be one winner.

Kicking off at midday, the game was played at a much slower pace than expected. Both teams seemed content to play a short passing game interweaved with a kick and chase brand of football in the hope of getting an early goal.

Gladesville’s Clarie Fameli might claim she had the first chance on goal but it was Seaforth’s Ciara Harding who filled the spectators with jubilation when the pacey forward walked the ball around Gladesville’s goalkeeper but was unable to capitalise on her good shooting position.

The majority of the opening passage of play was in Seaforth’s half. Their defence providing time after time difficult to break down as each of Gladesville’s attacks were met with a sea of red jerseys.

Despite the scores locked at 0-0 at the break, there were a number of stand out players who looked as though they had the ability to change the game given any opportunity. For Gladesville it was Georgia Brown, Rosie Bisset and Jessica Weston who looked most likely to swing the match in favour of the black and white Ravens.

The second half brought even more half chances and missed opportunities as first a glancing header sailing wide of the goal for Seaforth followed by Gladesville Raven’s Matilda Vaughan missing an open goal after a piece of magic from Rosie Bisset down the right flank.

Despite Seaforth’s and Gladesville Raven’s best counter attacking efforts, the two teams were unable to get a goal in the dying moments of the game. Extra time and Golden Goal seemed inevitable.

Seven minutes into the first period of extra time and it was Gladesville Ravens who looked to have secured the win after Ellen Schiffler scored a header off a corner. The assistant referee on the sideline correctly deeming the goal offside meant it was game on at Valentine Sports Park.

Seaforth looked the have won the game in midway through the second period of extra time as Phoebe Layden played a lovely one-two with Ciara Harding. An outstanding save from Deniz Yuzguo the only thing stopping the team in red from claiming the win.

With the full time whistle blown, the match finished 0-0. Penalties were next. Almost every spectator had moved to the edge of their seat in anticipation of what would happen next. Some saying “Penalties are a horrible way to win” others were just proud of their daughters who had made it this far in the competition.

Galdesville Ravens took the first penalty. Jessica Weston coolly slotting the ball home to get the first goal of the game. Unfortunately for Seaforth, their goalkeeper who decided to take her side’s first penalty performed a recreation of David Beckham’s penalty and hit the ball high over the goal. Rachel Shore and Matilda Vaughan also claimed goals for Gladesville Ravens whilst for Seaforth FC it was Simone Shearsby, Alexandra Miller and Sarah Hopkinson who made sure the girls in red stayed within reaching distance of the Championship.

With both sides having scored three times, the game moved into sudden death penalty shoot out. With the electric atmosphere and the nerves higher than they had been all game, Gladesville Ravens’ Kathryn Morgan stepped up and scored a brilliant penalty.

Seaforth needed to score if they wanted to stay in this game. Hannah Griffiths taking the long walk up to the penalty spot. Time slowed down as Hannah lined up her shot. Hannah’s kick missing the goal completely meant Gladesville were crowned the Champions of Champions for 2012.

Match Stats

Seaforth FC 0

Gladesville Ravens 0

Saturday 20th October, 2012

Valentine Sports Park, Glenwood

Referee: James Tesoriero

Assistant Referees: Rod McDonald and Paul Elson

Seaforth FC: 2. Ciara MARDING, 3. Phoebe LAYDEN, 4. Tess GRUETER, 5. Taylan JONES, 6. Hannah Griffiths, 7. Madeleine KILPATRICK, 8. Rory TREDINNICK, 9. Sarah HOPKINSON, 10. Tahnee DEVINE, 11. Jane MACHART, 12. Rochelle SHARPE.

Substitutions: 1. Kate GEDDES, 14. Kate CHISWELL, 15. Simone SHEARSBY, 16. Alexandra MILLER.

Yellow Cards: Nil.

Red Cards: Nil.

Gladesville Ravens: 9. Rosie BISSET, 5. Alexandra FALZON, 2. Claire FAMELI, 8. Celeste LOYZAGA, 3. Madeleine MORGAN, 10. Kathryn RAMSAY, 6. Ellen SCHIFFLER, 11. Stephanie SEAMAN, 15. Rachel SHORE, 12. Jessica WESTON, 7. Caitlin WOOD.

Substitutions: 1. Deniz YUZGUC, 21. Georgia BROWN, 20. Matilda VAUGHAN, 13. Winona ENRIGHT.

Yellow Cards: Nil.

Red Cards: Nil.

- By Pete Nowakowski

 

Under 21 Women: Wanderers edge out Southern Districts

Following a scoreless first-half, Katie Higgins slotted home the eventual winner late in the second-half to clinch back to back Under 21 Women EA Sports Champion of Champions for Hurlstone Park Wanderers.

Hurlestone Park Wanderers almost took the lead from a near post corner early on, but Southern Districts goalkeeper Sharee Ryan was alert and equal to it.

Both sides kept their shapes well in order during the opening exchanges, with neither side able to craft out any real clear cut chances it what was proving a real arm-wrestle affair.

Southern Districts sprung to life on 22’ minutes as Tania Baban received a neat through ball to go one on one with Wanderers custodian Romy Maguire, but Maguire made sure the score remain locked at 0-0 after rushing out  to thwart the danger with an excellent save.

Wanderers midfield anchor Tess Noble let fly a shot from the edge of the area in the 35’ minute that failed to trouble Ryan in goal as both sides defensively remained resolute.

Following the break, Liana Babic struck a venomous shot from a free kick that Romy Maguire fumbled out for a corner. The resultant corner, again by Babic almost found its way into the back of the net but instead trickled out for a goal kick as both sides battled on in the hot conditions.

Katie Higgins finally broke the deadlock on 71’ minutes for Hurlstone Park Wanderers with some individual brilliance, catching Ryan off guard with a beautiful long range shot that pummelled into the back of the net to make it 1-0.

Despite Southern Districts late flurry of corners and attacking raids, Hurlstone Park Wanderers stood firm to ensure they secured the victory with Higgins goal proving to be the separator between two very closely contested sides.

Match Stats:

Southern Districts 0

Hurlstone Park Wanderers 1 (K Higgins 71’)

Saturday October 20th, 2012

Valentine Park, Glenwood

Southern Districts: GK.S.Ryan; 2.R.Williams, 3.L.Wotton, 4.L.Babic, 5.R.Dotti, 6.L.Carnevale, 7.T.Baban, 8.H.McPherson, 9.E.Miller, 10.A.Danielson, 11.A.Harpas, 12.J.Olarte, 14.J.Carnevale, 15.L.Schwizler, 16.T.Fuchs, 17.G.Rodriguez 

Hurlstone Park Wanderers: GK.R.Maguire; 2.E.Fox, 3.R.Cox, 4.T.Noble, 5.I.Adolpe, 6.K.Higgins, 7.H.Moffat, 8.S.Ismen, 9.E.Parker, 10.L.Paddon, 11.M.Paradisis, 12.C.Armitage, 13.I.Coultan, 14.E.Poole, 15.G.Brackenbury-Soldenhoff, 16.B.Wonders

-By Dean Southern

 

AA Women: Manly Vale FC too strong for Epping YMCA

Manly Vale FC clinched the All Age Women Champion of Champions trophy with a near flawless 90’ minutes of football to steamroll Epping YMCA 3-0.

The Manly Warringah Football Association side had all the running in the early stages with Joanne Greco pulling the strings in midfield with some great touches on the ball.

In only the 3’ minute, Greco made a neat run inside the penalty-area to meet Amanda Thomspon’s cross, though her header finished wide of goal.

Epping YMCA struggled to play out of their own half with Mel Corringham and Giulia Casson the most lively for the side; however front pairing Alex Thompson and Emma Clarence did not receive the required supply in the front-third.

Manly Vale deservedly opened the scoring on 13’ minutes via Greco. The midfield maestro pushed forward to drive home a loose ball inside the penalty-area following some fine build-up play by Eliza Ashcroft and Anna Granberg.

Epping responded immediately with defender Lisa Collins getting forward following the re-start. The Epping number 12 played a neat through ball over the Manly Vale defence, though goalkeeper Surrey Hodges was quick off her line to thwart the attempt.

Hodges was forced into a routine save 1’ minute late when claiming a long-range attempt from Alex Thompson.

Manly Vale had chances to double its lead on multiple occasions as Granberg’s lunging effort on 31’ minutes only just failed to divert Monique Sheehan’s cross from the right into the back of the net.

Philippa Robinson, another standout performer for Manly Vale, then saw her long-range drive, only just, float over the crossbar following some more suspect defending at the back by Epping YMCA.

Manly Vale did find a second goal only moments before the break and it arrived via Amanda Thompson. The energetic midfielder rose highest inside the penalty-area to send her glancing header into the back of the net.

Following the interval, Epping started the half on the front foot with some good possession, however the final pass in the final third was lacking. Kristy Bown tried her luck from distance on 51’ minutes to no avail – shot finished well off target – before being forced from the field with injury.

Manly Vale resumed its dominance of possession across the park with the Philippa Robinson show taking centre stage. The skillful number 10 played a sensational turn on the edge of the penalty-area on 65’ minutes, ridding herself of three markers before blasting wide of goal. The attacking midfielder’s class and composure deserved a goal for her effort, and the supporters present were appreciative of the playmaker’s showing.

Manly Vale put the result beyond Epping’s reach in the 67’ minute when Monique Sheehan’s persistence down the right saw her win Manly Vale a penalty. Granberg took the spot-kick responsibility, blasting the ball into the top right-hand corner and securing Manly Vale FC a much deserved grand final triumph.

Match Stats

Epping YMCA 0

Manly Vale FC 3 (Joanne Greco 13’, Amanda Thompson 43’, Anna Granberg 67’)

Epping YMCA: 1.Rebecca Barton; 2.Kylie Johnson, 3.Nicole Ridley, 4.Lauren Moore, 5.Mel Corringham, 6.Kathryn D’Amore, 7.Amy Scott, 8.Sara Coco, 9.Kim Waterhouse, 10.Bronwyn Kiceec, 11.Alex Thompson, 12.Lisa Collins, 13.Michelle Reed, 15.Emma Clarence, 17.Kate Fabro, 22.Giulia Casson, 15.Felicity Cox, 31. Kristy Bown

Coach:  David Smith

Manly Vale FC: 1.Surrey Hodges; 2.Eliza Ashcroft, 3.Alana Wallis, 4.Erin Colwell, 5.Alisha Wells, 7.Joanne Greco, 8.Amanda Thompson, 9.Michelle Garnett, 10.Philippa Robinson, 11.Anna Granberg, 12.Jacquelyn Bohm, 14.Melanie Clancy, 15.Lauren Turner, 16.Lucinda Clay, 18.Chloe Le Moy, 21.Vanja Tcherneva, Monique Sheehan

Coach: Tony Bruzzano

Manager: David Hodges

-By Joseph Carlucci

 

U30s Women: Riverstone Schofields grab Golden Goal glory over Marton FC

Heading into this fixture both sides were fired up and on the hunt for glory.

A win today would deem one side the Champions of all Champions whilst for the losing side, tears would follow.

With most spectators having just found their seats, Marton FC got the ball moving to get this fixture under way. It took just a handful of seconds before Riverstone Schofields took hold of a loose ball and went on the attack. Maria Dyson getting the better of Marton FC’s keeper with just 22 seconds on the clock. A fine way to start the match and an even better goal to give the Riverstone Schofields supporters something to cheer about.

12 minutes later and Riverstone Schofields found themselves extending their domination over the game. A free kick fired into the goalmouth was pushed into the back of the net by midfield maestro Kim Norris. A two-goal lead for Riverstone Schofields and the team in red were looking confident of going on and winning the game strongly.

The following 15 minutes was filled half chances and missed opportunities for both sides. Marton FC coming closest to getting a goal in the 25th minute after Katrina Faulkner played Elisa Stewart into space who will claim the ball took a bounce before striking the ball high over the goal.

After hour an hour of play, Marton FC finally found themselves a way back into the game with Leah Spelta hitting the back of the net off a corner. Katrina Faulkner fired the ball into the goalmouth hoping that one of her attackers would get a head to it. Marton FC’s midfielder Leah Spelta out jumping her defender to get her name on the score sheet and giving her side a way back into tis final.

With just a handful of minutes of play remaining, Marton FC found themselves an equaliser. A hopeful long ball fired up field was met by Marton FC’s striker Elisa Stewart who thanks to her lightning quick pace was able to beat her defender and beat the keeper to slot the ball into the bottom corner of the net. The scores were level at 2-2 heading into the break.

To kick off the second half, Riverstone Schofields went for the audacious move of playing three strikers in the hope of finding a winning goal in the remaining 40 minutes of play. Cindy Metcalfe, Michelle DeBeus and Kim Norris was left in charge of finding a goal and beating the Marton FC’s sturdy defensive unit.

Although the second half remained goalless, there were plenty of opportunities for both sides with Marton FC’s Elisa Stewart looking the most likely to make a difference for Marton FC thanks to her pace up front and willingness to take on any defender in her path.

Just before full time, Riverstone Schofields did have the opportunity to seal the win after Kim Norris continued to cause havoc in the final third. A deep cross to the back post was meet only by Marton FC’s centre back Kylie Gandy who cleared the danger away.

The referee blew for full time with the scores still level at 2-2. This meant that extra time and the dreaded golden goal was inevitable.

Riverstone Schofields looked the hungrier of the two sides in the opening 10 minutes of play with Michelle DeBeus controlling play in the final third thanks to her ability to hold up the ball and bring other players into the game.

In the 86th minute though there was finally a winner. A low pass across the face of the goal by Michelle DeBeus was met by the foot of Kim Gibbs who will surely now insure her foot for at least a million dollars. That goal meant that Riverstone Schofields would be crowned Champions at the 2012 EA Sports Champions of Champions tournament.

For Marton FC though, this loss might have been their first all season but with the squad’s experience and quick thinking, there is no doubt we will see this team back in 2013 in the finals.

Match Stats:

Riverstone Schofields 3

Marton FC 2

Sunday 21st October, 2012

Valentine Sports Park, Glenwood

Referee: Andrew Passons

Assistant Referees: Dane Johnson and Jack Casey

Riverstone Schofields: 1. Deanne STAPLES, 10. Leanne BLOOM, 9. Sharon BROWN, 6. Michelle DEBEUS, 15. Jadene DeHANGE, 3. Kristine DEBONO, 11. Maria DYSON, 8. Kristy FOSTER, 13. Kim GIBBS, 4. Kristy HORTON, 14. Felicity HUNTINGTON, 2. Cindy METCALFE, 7. Kim NORRIS, 12. Hayley PHILLIPS, 5. Jeanette WARD, 19. Charmian WHITEHURST.

Yellow Cards: Nil.

Red Cards: Nil.

Marton FC: 1. Melissa Newell, 2. Kylie GANDY, 5. Christine DEACON, 6. Megan LAVENDER, 7. Amanda DUNCAN, 9. Katrina FAULKNER, 10. Jennifer DOSSETTO, 11. Simone COTTERAL-DORMER, 13. Rhonda SMITH, 15. Debbie KEMP, 16. Leisa ELLIOTT, 17. Joanne ROGERS, 18. Elisa STEWART, 19. Jill DANES, 20. Leah SPELTA, 21. Louise VANDERGRAAF.

Yellow Cards: Nil.

Red Cards: Nil.

- By Pete Nowakowski