The Macarthur Rams made it 11 straight wins in Round 21 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s competition, while the finals battle just continues to intensify week after week.
Sydney University 1-0 Manly United
Sydney University recorded win number five of the campaign as they dispatched of Manly United late on.
The home team had the first real chance of the game through Tayla Cvetkovski but the striker could not get enough on her shot to trouble Nicole Simonsen.
Kahli Johnson was most dangerous for United, causing the Uni defence many problems.
With the game headed for a draw, Uni thought they stole with 10 to go as a spilt Holly Caspers shot was tucked home by Cushla Rue, only for the offside flag to bring celebrations to a halt.
Uni’s late pressure would tell as they were awarded a penalty in the dying minutes, Annabel Martin stepping up and dispatching her spot kick.
Bankstown City Lions 0-0 Sydney Olympic
In a game with potential massive finals implications, Bankstown City Lions and Sydney Olympic could not be separated after 90 minutes.
The first half was a real close fought battle with neither side able to create a clear-cut opportunity to break the other down.
In the second half, Lucy Johnson almost scored a spectacular long-range goal, only for Brianna Edwards to pull off a magnificent save.
With 20 minutes remaining, Bankstown are still probably wondering how they didn’t go in front after a goal mouth scramble following a corner.
Late on Steph Ambrose had a chance but the ball fell to her weaker right foot, not troubling the Olympic keeper with her volley from just inside the area.
In the end, a fair share of the spoils in a 0-0 draw.
Emerging Jets 0-4 Macarthur Rams
Macarthur Rams recorded that famous 11th straight victory on Sunday night with a convincing 4-0 win over the Emerging Jets.
The Rams had the lead after 14 minutes following a Beth Gordon cross which came off an Chloe Walandouw and crossing the line.
It was 2-0 moments later and Tegan Bertolissio will tell you she meant it all day as her driven cross from the right found the top corner.
The job was complete just before the break as Kelli Brown showed great strength and composure to make it 3-0.
Brown secured her brace in the second half, nice combination play was topped off with the striker arriving at the far post to tap home.
Northern Tigers 1-2 Bulls FC Academy
Another one of those games between finals hopefuls went the way of Bulls FC Academy as they came from behind to keep their finals hopes alive.
It was a fine football match with chances at both ends throughout the whole game.
The home side opened the scoring with minutes remaining in the first half as Lily McMahon cut onto the left before curling an effort into the far top corner, giving Trudy Simmons no chance in goals.
With their finals chances hanging by a thread, the experienced Tamires Souza popped up in the box to curl home an equaliser and make for a grandstand finish.
In the final minute, Jaime Gomez’s team would take the spoils and complete the turn around.
Avaani Prakash showed some magic, slipping in Souza who expertly poked the ball beyond Jodie Drever for the victory and her second of the game.
APIA Leichhardt 2-1 Blacktown Spartans
Looking at this one on paper and statistically throughout the game, it should have been a routine APIA Leichhardt victory, instead, the Blacktown Spartans put up a brave performance, not enough to come away with any points.
As mentioned earlier, it was a barrage of attacks on the Spartans and Sally James’ goal, the home side unable to nudge in front before the break.
The second half started the same way, except, the Spartans went in front.
Five minutes had elapsed when Amber Luchtmeijer used her explosive pace to beat Charlotte Young before finishing in style beyond Sophie Magus for shocking scenes at Lambert Park.
The lead wouldn’t last very long though as Annie Daczko would come back to bite her former employers.
Young rose highest to head goalward from a corner, only for James to save, before the former Spartan bundled the ball home.
APIA’s attacks continued as Bella Habuda came alive.
Bursting down the right she delivered a strong low ball into the box, only for Chantelle Maniti to unfortunately play the ball passed Sally James.
From there, James was called up to make a host of saves as the home side looked to add more goals.
Spencer Prior’s team got it done in the end and now turn their attention to the big one next week against the Macarthur Rams.