FNSW Ross Anderson Reviews Round 21
The Manly United FC v Sutherland Shire match also looked like going by the wayside until the sun broke through, causing the match officials to have a sensible change of heart.
Elsewhere the action took place unhindered with plenty of goals, lots of drama and a few upsets.
The big clash of the day was down south where the Illawarra Stingrays met the Marconi Stallions.
This was always going to be an emotional day with the two sides pausing to remember their former team mate Ashleigh Connor; so tragically killed in a motor accident a couple of weeks back. The players turned on a classic encounter that whet the appetite of all for the upcoming finals series.
The home side took the lead in the 31st minute of a very competitive first half when Caitlin Cooper scored. Within a minute though The Stallions had drawn level with a fine goal from young striker Helen Petinos.
There hadn’t been much between the two teams in the first period with a 1-1 half time scoreline being a fitting reward for both sides.
Within a minute of the resumption disaster struck for Marconi when Michelle Heyman bobbed up to score for The Stingrays, giving the Premiers the lead for the second time in the match.
The game see sawed from here as The Stingrays sought a killer blow whilst Marconi worked hard to fashion an equalizer.
As the game drew into the final ten minutes Illawarra looked as if they may have done enough to get the points before a sensational Helen Petinos strike in the 82nd minute suddenly brought the visitors level.
As the match went frenetic in the closing moments Coaches Rob Pearce and Brett Wallin had probably chewed their finger nails to the third knuckle joint. However, there was still a twist in the tail of this exciting match.
In the 90th minute, with honours apparently shared, the brilliant Trudy Camilleri decided to stamp her mark on the game with a sizzling winner which doomed her former team to defeat. What a game, what a win for The Stallions!
The Stingrays were gallant in defeat but Marconi proved their title mettle with another splendid win. These two sides will certainly be prime contenders come finals time in a fortnight.
ILLAWARRA STINGRAYS 2 (C.Cooper 31m, M.Heyman 46m)
MARCONI STALLIONS 3 (H.Petinos 32m/82m, T.Camilleri 90m)
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