WEEK ELEVEN 2020: STINGRAYS vs. SYDNEY UNIVERSITY
Stingrays had a solid hit out for the final game of the 2021 season.
Opponents Sydney Uni were already champions after a very strong season with just 2 goals conceded. One of our targets was to add to that tally and during a tense first half Stingrays were pushed back playing into a strong breeze. Molly Lawless battled hard in midfield, trying to feed the front three who were up against a resolute Uni defence.
A couple of half chances and missed opportunities saw the squad enter the sheds down 0-2.
The second half was a very different affair with Stingrays forcing Uni to play out long balls. The pressure eventually was rewarded with Olivia Price stepping over a neat pass from Danika Matos for Michelle Carney to receive on the edge of the box. A first time angle pass to Olivia who had continued her run was drilled into the far corner.
Nothing more than Stingrays deserved after a spirited performance on a bumpy pitch.
Sally James made some great saves under plenty of pressure and the introduction of Jasmine Limon was another highlight showcasing the fantastic talent coming through the Stingrays production line.
Sarah Johnstone was playing her final game for Stingrays and it was a typical gritty performance balancing short passing with spirited defence.
The final result summed up our campaign. Some highlights and good passages of play mixed with a little naivety and lack of experience.
Hopefully 2021 will back to the normal season of consistent training and game day. I would like to thank Carl for the great effort with the Reserve grade squad. They showed tenacity to work as a squad and with a little more luck could have been semi-final material.
WEEK TEN 2020: STINGRAYS vs. KOALAS
It was a glorious day for football as Fernhill FC opened the doors of Ray Robinson Field for the Stingrays clash with Koalas.
The grass surface suited Stingrays and from the opening whistle they pegged Koalas back. Koalas needed to win this game to have any chance of making the top 4 and opened the scoring on their first forward attack. A long range freekick eluded Sally James to find the net.
Unperturbed Stingrays kept throwing players forward with Danika Matos going close and several goalmouth scrambles failing to beat the Koalas keeper. After halftime it was more of the same.
Chloe Middleton, Olivia Price and Caitlin Cooper opened up the Koalas
defence time and again. Leia Varley, Margaux Chauvet and Lauren Kier comfortably kept the Koalas forwards in check.
Finally Michelle Carney came to the rescue with what is now a trade mark free kick specialty. Over the wall and into the top corner giving the goalkeeper no chance.
This was followed soon after by another Carney free kick that took a remarkable fingertip save to deny Stingrays the lead. Koalas were struggling with the warmer temperature and an enthusiastic Stingrays team looking for a winner.
When the goal came, it was magical. Sarah Johnston worked the ball to Caitlin Cooper who replied in kind slipping the ball behind the defence for Sarah to run into the penalty area.A thunderous shot left the Koalas keeper clutch thin air.
With a 2-1 lead Stingrays controlled the game till the final whistle. Next week Stingrays take on competition leaders Sydney Uni which is brewing as an epic encounter.
WEEK NINE 2020: STINGRAYS vs. NORTHERN TIGERS
Travelling to the northern suburbs of Sydney is a task within itself but the Stingrays arrived in a buoyant mood to take on Northern Tigers.
It was a game Stingrays had to win if they were to make a last dash for the top 4 in this shortened season. Leia Varley and Beth Whitaker made their starting debuts while Caitlin Cooper moved further forward to add some extra punch in the attacking third of the field.
The game started brightly with Stingrays surging forward in numbers. Olivia Price had an early shot pushed around the post and Chloe Middleton looked dangerous on the wing. There were many good passing sequences but as can happen in these games Stingrays failed to capitalise on possession and were hit on the counter.
Michelle Carney scored from an acute angle after a delicate through ball from Beth Whitaker gave the Stingrays a spark just before halftime.
The second half became a copy of the first with good lead in play allowing Eden Stoddard to get a couple of half chances and Kaelah Austin and Danika Matos providing width down the right. Eden finally got on the scoresheet from a free kick but a couple of late goals to Tigers sealed the match.
With just two games to go there is Stingrays pride on the line. We need to be more composed at the back and take a few more of the many half chances that come our way.
Join the girls live on NPL.TV as they play their last home game for the season this Sunday at JJ Kelly Park against a strong North West Sydney Koalas side.
WEEK EIGHT 2020: STINGRAYS vs. MANLY UNITED
In a lot of ways this was a disappointing result considering the Stingrays have been on a role of consistently good performances over several weeks. A win would have put the team into the mix for a place in the finals series.
The opening period was all Stingrays as they took the game to Manly and created several half chances. Sarah Johnson and Olivia Price were supporting the front runners and the customary Stingrays wide play through Blaize Kendis and Danika Matos was looking dangerous. Olivia Price had a shout for a penalty after being bundled over in the box.
From the ensuing play, Manly went on the counter attack and were rewarded with a couple of quick fire goals. The usually reliable defence was exposed and credit to Manly to take the advantage.
Halftime came and soon after a couple of tactical changes blunting the Manly forward play. Margaux Chauvet was the Stingrays player of the match with an energetic performance continually winning possession and setting the next attack. Kealah Austin was having a solid game on the left with Chantelle Symes steady in goals. Molly Lawless, Beth Whitaker and Bronte Trew were introduced to add more spark to the attack.
Although the Stingrays enjoyed more possession they could not convert into goals.Overall Manly deserved their win with clinical finishing while the Stingrays were left wanting. With 3 games to go there is plenty of points up for grabs.
Join the girls live on NPL.TV this week in an away match, as they come up against a strong Northern Tigers side.
WEEK SEVEN 2020: STINGRAYS vs. NEWCASTLE JETS
Illawarra Stingrays continued on their winning ways with a steady team performance against an enthusiastic Newcastle Jets.
The Jets were quickest out of the blocks to gain some field position but Lauren Kier and Caitlin Cooper stood firm in the defensive block. As it turned out, a goal in each half was enough to subdue the Jets supporters.
Michelle Carney opening up the defence with a reverse pass for Chloe Middleton to burst into the penalty area and gave the keeper no chance.
A slight tactical change at half time kept the momentum going forward and Stingrays looked certain to add to their account except from some top class goalkeeping.
Chloe Middleton was on target with the keeper touching the shot around the post. Michelle Carney, Olivia Price, Kaelah Austin and Bronte Trew all had chances to increase the lead. Finally it was Molly Lawlesstoputtheresulttobedwithalongrangeeffortfromtheright wing.
Satisfying to get the result but plenty of work to be done in the front third to finish off the great build ups.
WEEK SIX 2020: STINGRAYS vs. BANKSTOWN
Not all games go the way of the brave. Stingrays totally dominated the game from start to finish but still went into halftime 0-0.
Chloe Middleton and Bronte Trew were causing havoc down the flanks with Eden Stoddard getting into the penalty on various occasions for no goals.
After a week’s rest, Caitlin Cooper came back in the squad and although playing in an unusual central defence role came forward at every opportunity. Sally James had a quiet game in goals while Michelle Carney was always chaperoned by two defenders trying to keep her out of the action.
After the break the game kept on the same schedule with wave after wave of Stingrays attacks. Finally Olivia Price jinked her way into the penalty area only to be fouled and scoring herself from the spot.
Stingrays kept pushing forward and the game winner came from Eden Stoddard slipping the ball behind the defence. Olivia Price timed her run to then square the ball back for Kaelah Austen to finish.
Bankstown never gave up and with so much possession Stingrays will be disappointed not to have scored more. The three points is welcome as the Stingrays slowly edge up the ladder.
WEEK FOUR 2020: STINGRAYS vs. MACARTHUR RAMS
Stingrays travelled to Macarthur in a buoyant mood only to be met with a blustery wind and energetic opposition.
Stingrays opened their account in just the 2nd minute of the game with a wonderful free kick from Michelle Carney. To prove it was all class, Michelle stepped up again just six minutes later and did it all again to put the Stingrays in the driving seat with an early 2-0 lead.
The players were full of confidence and put together some swift forward play. Lauren Kier was steady at the back and Bronte Trew looked to get involved at every
opportunity.
Late in the first half Macarthur caught a glimmer of hope, stealing the ball in a 1v1 to get back to 2-1. The second half was in the balance with Macarthur playing counter attack football and the Stingrays mounting wave after wave into the Macarthur defensive zone.
Finally Michelle Carney teed up Eden Stoddard in the box for a well taken goal and secured the 3 points. Stingrays can be happy with their performance as a strong team effort. Sarah Johnston playing in a new midfield role was outstanding.
Join our girls again this week as they come up against Bankstown in a home game fixture at JJ Kelly Park, kick-off 3pm.
WEEK THREE 2020: STINGRAYS vs. FNSW INSTITUTE
Illawarra Stingrays first grade had to not only battle in the wind and rain but a very determined and well drill NSWIS team.
There is not a lot of difference in the two teams but
wayward passes were the order of the day as Stingrays struggled to find their rhythm.
Both sides had limited chances with NSWIS taking their options late in the first half to have Stingrays in a too familiar position of trying to chase the game.
The commitment and drive of the team is there to see but too often some of the good work is lost with unnecessary turnover of possession.
Danika Matos down the right was combining well with Chloe Middleton who always looked dangerous. Lauren Kier has settled into the central defence and Sally James stood tall in goals.
Join our girls this Sunday as they take on Macarthur Rams in another away match at Lynwood Park.
WEEK THREE 2020: STINGRAYS vs. SYDNEY OLYMPIC
Sydney Olympic FC proved to be as tough as the team sheet read. A couple of scrappy goals in the first half gave them momentum. Stingrays created some chances of their own but the Olympic defence was quick to pounce. Olympic grabbed a third just after the resumption and it looked sullen for the Stingrays.
Eden Stoddard entered the fray at half time and once she got in the groove the game turned. Her physical presence created space for the runners around her.
First it was Blaize Kendis to hit the base of the post before Michelle Carney opened the scoring putting away a rebound after a Caitlin Cooper shot. The comeback continued with Olivia Price slotting from an acute angle and then Eden Stoddard making it 3-3 after a hectic 11 minute spell.
Both wingers were tormenting Olympic with Chloe Middleton on the right side a constant thorn. Kaelah Austin was having a great game and unlucky to hit the crossbar with the ball bouncing on the goal line.
Olympic had no answers to stop the surging Stingrays as they went looking for a winner. With the clock ticking down, Olympic won a corner and the resulted header gave them victory.
Stingrays were left to lament what could have been but the reality is you cannot sit back & let teams dictate in this competition.
FNSW Institute will be another tough assignment as the Stingrays look to get a winning run.
WEEK TWO 2020: STINGRAYS vs. BLACKTOWN
This week we are on the road to Peter Moore Oval for a clash of the titans with Sydney Olympic FC. Sydney Olympic will deserve plenty of respect with a host of experienced players in their line up.
There were plenty of positives to come out of the tussle with Blacktown Spartans last week.
A steady drenching didn’t damper the enthusiasm of the Stingrays with Michelle Carney teeing up Caitlin Cooper to open the scoring with a screamer from 25 metres. Blacktown tied things up just before half time capitalizing on a Stingrays error.
In the early part of the second half Stingrays seem to have the better of play. Chloe Middleton was causing angst to the Blacktown defence and Lauren Keir enjoying her first start in Stingrays colours.
Margaux Chauvet was outstanding in the middle of the park with debutant keeper Sally James rising to the occasion.
To their credit Blacktown wouldn’t yield and even created a couple of half chances in the latter stages of the game.
A draw was probably a fair result considering the non stop rain and slippery condition.