The synthetic pitch at Henley Athletic Field was the scene for the top of the table clash between Sydney University and Illawarra Stingrays. The team sheet listed an array of talented footballers in what promised to be an exciting fixture.

The game started briskly with both teams committed to attack. In the 5^th minute, disaster struck for Illawarra when Talitha Kramer was injured. She was replaced by Laura Donnelly.

Sydney University had held the territorial advantage in the opening minutes. Whilst they hadn’t conjured up a shot at goal they did look decidedly dangerous. However, it was Illawarra who got the best opportunity when in the 8^th minute the referee ruled a pass back by the University defence to goalkeeper Michelle Grigg. University were able to clear the danger but Illawarra pressed forward; the ball eventually bouncing to Ash Connor who put in a stunning shot to open the scoring.

Sydney University regrouped quickly with some good lead up work seeing Olivia Kennedy attack the line. When she was felled by an Illawarra defender University were awarded a free kick. The sweetly hit spot kick was brilliantly saved by a diving Dimi Poulos.

The ball then moved to the other end of the park where an Illawarra attacking movement forced a hand ball from a Sydney University defender. The referee pointed to the penalty spot from which Kim Bonilla converted to give Illawarra Stingrays a 2-0 lead inside the first 15 minutes.

This chain of events may have been enough to crush the spirit of many a side but, to Sydney University’s credit, they kept coming. Good combination by Sam Spackman and Erin Wilson saw University camped on the edge of the Illawarra box. The University girls couldn’t convert, however, soon finding themselves under pressure at their own end of the field.

Illawarra’s defending wasn’t totally convincing with hurried clearances that only resulted in a turnover of possession to the Sydney University side. Carlie Ikonomou did release a bomb from the edge of the semi circle but the ball flew straight to Stingrays keeper Poulos. Unfortunately the Sydney University shots were coming from distance as they struggled to get through the Illawarra defence. The Stingrays looked lethal whenever they moved forward; a Kim Bonilla strike bringing a diving save from University keeper Michelle Grigg who then held on to the resulting corner as it came high into the goalmouth.

Sydney University were not playing poorly. There was plenty of effort in their work, with their attack showing promise. But they lacked the quality of Illawarra, especially in the final third.

In the 35^th minute a high ball into the Sydney University goal mouth saw a mass of bodies leaping to the ball. Just as Kim Bonilla looked likely to score keeper Michelle Grigg managed to get enough on the ball to send it wide of goal.

Kennedy and Kimber combined soon after to spring University into attack. As Kimber went through on Kennedy’s pass she turned back inside and attempted a shot. The ball skewed across the box before being cleared by the Illawarra defence.

However, Sydney University were vulnerable to Illawarra’s quick transition. In the 38^th minute Stingrays keeper Poulos leapt high to take a University cross before sending the ball upfield. Hesitancy in the University defence saw Kim Bonilla win the ball before slotting a classy finish past University keeper Grigg. At 3-0 to The Stingrays it looked like this match was all over.

University almost pulled one back soon after when the ball fell to Jenna Kingsley in front of the Illawarra goal but Poulos was once again equal to the task, pulling off a magnificent save.

In the 43^rd minute Illawarra won a corner which was met at the back post by a Michelle Carney header. Somehow the ball stayed out but nearly ended up in the goal anyway after a goalmouth melee. Michelle Grigg eventually dived on the ball inches from the line to save the day.

Right on half time Illawarra’s Ash Connor was yellow carded after a foul.

The half time score saw Illawarra leading 3-0.

At the break Sydney University substituted Caitlin Jarvie with Lauren Mahoney.

The change nearly brought immediate dividends as Mahoney was involved in the lead up to an opportunity for Jenna Kingsley. The ball was centred from the right with Kingsley trying to head the ball past Dimi Poulos. Whilst the chance was missed a hint of handball against an Illawarra defender went unheeded by the referee.

Sydney University had come out fired up for the second half, throwing everything at Illawarra as the home side tried to find a way back into the match.

Moments later Michelle Heyman received a yellow card.

Jenna Kingsley and Olivia Kennedy both had shots for University, Kingsley being blocked by Caitlin Danyi and Kennedy’s going wide of goal.

In the 57^th minute Michelle Heyman made a long run out of defence. The W League star saw Michelle Grigg off her line in the Sydney University goal and launched a chip shot from about 30 metres out of goal. The shot looked destined for the back of the net but hit the cross bar before bouncing away.

In the 64^th minute Sydney University replaced Hannah Kimber with Heidi Van Weeren.

Michelle Carney and Michelle Heyman combined well to release Heyman into space inside the 18 yard box. Heyman had only University keeper Grigg to beat but a great diving save by the keeper saved the day. Grigg couldn’t hold the ball though and Heyman tried to tap away the rebound only to see the ball cleared off the line by a Sydney University defender.

Sydney University had done most of the attacking in this half but had nothing to show for their hard work. University advanced on goal again but both Kennedy and Kingsley seemed reluctant to shoot until Kingsley timid strike rolled harmlessly to keeper Poulos.

In the 72nd minute Sydney University’s persistence finally paid off when Aleisha Clifford received the ball just outside the Illawarra penalty area. Clifford’s clean, whirling shot beat a leaping Dimi Poulos to find the top right hand corner of the net. The score was now 3-1 to Illawarra and Sydney University were surging.

Lauren Mahoney was proving a thorn in the side of The Stingrays with some incisive runs. Unfortunately her good work was not being capitalised on in front of goal. A Jenna Kingsley shot brought a diving save from Poulos who almost bobbled the ball back into her own goal.

The crowd were certainly getting into the match with the University contingent encouraging their girls at every opportunity. However, against the run of play Illawarra replied with Ash Connor scoring her second goal with a fine strike to make the score 4-1.

Connor went down heavily soon after, then being replaced by Zoeie Redman.

The fourth goal, not surprisingly, appeared to take the sting out of the University side. Illawarra settled themselves, forcing Sydney University to take their chances from distance. Olivia Kennedy continued to look dangerous but was unable to find that elusive goal. Dimi Poulos was dominant in goal for Illawarra, using all her experience to keep University at bay.

As the floodlights came on for the final minutes of the match Caitlin Cooper blasted a shot from 20 metres only to be high and wide of target.

The final whistle blew with Illawarra Stingrays maintaining their competition lead after a 4-1 win.

Illawarra Captain Michelle Carney commented that she was very happy to see her side go through the first round of the competition undefeated.

Sydney University Captain Emma Schiller was disappointed but stated that her side were looking forward to their next game against the defending champions.

This was a good game of football. Illawarra blew the match open in the first 45 minutes. It was a long way back for the home side from 3-0 down but they didn’t lie down; giving The Stingrays plenty to think about with a sterling second half effort. The question still remains; is there any team in the competition who can beat Illawarra Stingrays?

SYDNEY UNIVERSITY 1 (A.Clifford 72m)

ILLAWARRA STINGRAYS 4 (A.Connor 10m/81m, K.Bonilla 15m/35m)