Heidelberg United have kept in touch with the finals football in the Women’s Premier League, overcoming Senior NTC 2-1 in chilly conditions at the Olympic Village on Saturday afternoon.
The home side took the lead in the first half through Elise Mamanu-Gray, before NTC levelled through a Whitney Knight penalty. Import Christy Zwolski converted from the spot herself to seal the three points for the Bergers.
The first half started with a bang, both teams eager to get a jump on their opponents. However, it was the visitors who would create the best early chance, with Melindaj Barbieri being denied well by Christine Fonua – who stepped in for the injured Kelsey Quinn – in goal.
The home side took the lead soon after, through Elise Mamanu-Gray, in controversial circumstances after 16 minutes.
After Teresa Morrissey had done well to deny a shot from the Bergers’ forward, a goalmouth scramble ensured, with NTC looking to have cleared the ball off the line. The linesman didn’t flag for a goal, but the referee went with her own judgement, awarding the goal.
Mamanu-Gray went close to her second just three minutes later as she again found herself in on goal, but was denied by a Morrissey save and a goalmouth clearance from NTC captain Annabel Martin.
Heidelberg continued to dominate possession for the remainder of the half, but were unable to breakthrough as NTC remained stoic in defence, and dangerous on the counter attack.
The two outfits went into the break at 1-0, but it didn’t remain that way for long as within five second half minutes, NTC had drawn level.
A foul in the box saw the visitors awarded a penalty, and Whitney Knight stepped up, finishing with aplomb past the outstretched Fonua into the bottom left corner to equalise.
Five minutes after this, Bonnie Barnes looked to have scored for the Warriors, but her celebrations were short-live as the goal was flagged offside.
On 57 minutes, Morrissey was again called into action, forced to deny Julia Nicolaci at close range, but it was in vain as Heidelberg retook the lead three minutes later.
NTC captain Annabel Martin was adjudged to have fouled Christy Zwolski in the box, who then duly stepped up to convert the penalty, leaving Morrissey rooted to the spot as she side footed home from 12 yards.
The game was then paused momentarily, as NTC’s Coby McInerny was involved in a big head clash with a Heidelberg player.
She stayed down for over two minutes, before bravely getting up and walking off the pitch, with some assistance, although she would play no further part in the game.
With a quarter of an hour remaining, Knight was denied well by Fonua, as NTC pushed numbers forward to help open the game up.
Holly Tsalikidis then saw a shot saved by Morrissey, before Joey Cartwright was denied by Fonua for NTC.
Cartwright’s would be the last chance of the game, as the Heidelberg somewhat fortunately held on for what could be a valuable three points.
Photos: Amanda Williams/Backline Photography
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Heidelberg United 2 (Mamanu-Gray 16’, Zwolski 60’) defeated Senior NTC 1 (Knight 50’) at Olympic Village [HT: 1-0]
Heidelberg United: 21. Christine FONUA (GK), 5. Elly TORRE, 6. Laura PHILLIPS, 8. Emma GUNN, 9. Belinda PANELLA, 10. Julia NICOLACI, 12. Bonnie BARNES, 13. Adelyn AYTON, 14. Holly TSALIKIDIS, 15. Lisa FONUA, 18. Sadie MURPHY, 22. Ellie GAVALAS, 36. Anisa GUAJARDO, 38. Christy ZWOLSKI, 45. Elise MAMANU-GRAY
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Senior NTC: 16. Teresa MORRISSEY (GK), 9. Joey CARTWRIGHT, 3. Natasha DAKIC, 14. Edith FORDYCE-CROKER, 11. Whitney KNIGHT, 33. Ashleigh LEFEVRE, 13. Annabel MARTIN (C), 31. Coby MCINERNEY, 17. Hayley RICHMOND, 6. Adriana TARANTO, 25. Melindaj BARBIERI, 8. Melissa TARANTO, 2. Jaimee WILLIAMS, 30. Celia KELSALL, 15. Akeisha SANDHU
Yellow Cards: Martin 60′
Red Cards: Nil