A highly-anticipated matchup between league stalwarts Manly United and newly-promoted Mt Druitt Town Rangers concluded in a 0-0 draw at Cromer Park on Sunday evening.
Rangers have started life as an NPL Women’s NSW outfit with a win, a draw and two clean sheets from their opening two games. They visited the Northern Beaches and faced a team with a 100% winning record, which made for a fascinating early season clash on the Northern Beaches.
Both sides were kept quiet throughout the first half, with attacking opportunities restricted by both backlines. The Rangers have started 2025 by demonstrating how adept they are at frustrating their opponents, and were intent on doing the same to Manly.
Indeed, Mt Druitt midfielder Rosie Galea’s speculative long range strike on 32 minutes was one of the rare moments in the opening period when either team threatened, with Manly shotstopper Jodie Drever untroubled by the looping effort.
The second half would continue the trend of the first 45, and the urgency shown by both defences was remarkable. Not only did it show Manly’s growth as a defensive outfit, it also showed Mt Druitt’s quality and sent a message to the league that the competition newcomers must be taken seriously.
Galea was once again the person to threaten on the hour mark, and her curling free kick was saved by Drever at the second attempt. Not long afterwards, Manly substitute Ellie Kerr played a neat reverse pass to Anita Zordan, and the shot from a narrow angle was easily held by Renee Krstanovska.
With just under 10 minutes left, Grace Arnold was red carded for denial of a goal scoring opportunity after illegally impeding a run from Leena Khamis. However, Mt Druitt were unable to capitalise on the extra player in the time remaining, and no goals after 90 minutes of play meant both teams stayed undefeated in 2025.
