Manly United were back in the NPL Women’s NSW winner’s circle after a strong home performance on Mother’s Day, defeating Gladesville Ravens 3-1 with goals from Nicole Stuart, Chloe O’Brien and Ellie Kerr.
After seven minutes, Tegan Biasi was the first to threaten for the hosts with a shot that flashed wide of the Ravens goal. Then on the quarter hour mark, Anita Zordan’s clever cutback found O’Brien in space, but the ball was blazed over the crossbar. O’Brien didn’t let her head drop after that miss, and less than 60 seconds later, she played a 1-2 with Biasi and went on a mazy run before forcing a good save from Ravens shot stopper Eliza Coleman.
Midway through the first half, Ravens had a good chance when former United player Pat Charalambous got on the end of Lexie Moreno’s cross, but hesitation allowed Phoebe Gilbane to block the shot. Less than a minute later, Ravens tried again and Isabella Edwards played Charalambous through on goal, with Manly shot stopper Nicole Simonsen making a brilliant reflex save.
In the 36th minute, Manly took the lead when Grace Arnold ran the ball out from the back and found Biasi, who in turn dinked a sensational pass over the Ravens backline. Stuart raced onto the ball and finished confidently to put the hosts in front.
Four minutes later, Manly doubled their advantage and Arnold was involved once again. Her corner kick found Gilbane, who outjumped her opponents to head towards goal, with O’Brien applying the finishing touch from point blank range.
Ravens responded and on 42 minutes Moreno tried her luck from 40 yards out, with Simonsen scrambling to claw the ball to safety.
Seven minutes after the restart, Breanna Buccini won the ball in a promising position and started a Ravens counter. Morgan Roberts cut the ball back to Buccini, and Simonsen was on hand once again to keep the Ravens out.
Five minutes later at the other end, Biasi outmuscled the Ravens defence to reach Stuart’s long pass and raced into the penalty area, only to be denied by Coleman.
In the 68th minute, Ravens pulled a goal back when Moreno scored direct from a corner kick, and for a while Manly’s lead looked less than comfortable.
However, Ravens substitute Kiara Bonora picked up a second yellow card in the 86th minute, hurting their chances of a comeback.
Kerr put the cherry on the sundae for Manly in stoppage time, curling the ball over Coleman after good work in the buildup from Stuart and Alexia Forner. Manly stay in second on the table.
