One goal was enough for Mt Druitt Town Rangers to secure all three points at Popondetta Park in their Sunday evening NPL Women’s NSW clash with Manly United.
It was veteran Leena Khamis whose goal was the difference early in the second half, and that’s all there was between the two teams at the end.
Manly finished the game with one player less after Grace Arnold was sent off for denial of a clear goal scoring opportunity, after a foul on Khamis.
It was the home team who had the first chance of the game. Roukayah Al Fararjeh found space on the left after a Khamis pass, and the winger’s shot deflected just wide of the target.
Chloe O’Brien was everywhere for the visitors and almost caught Renee Krstanovska out with a long distance strike, the Rangers keeper retrieving and holding the ball well.
The Rangers then almost took advantage of a couple of Manly errors. First, Khamis found space just outside the area, but rushed her lobbed attempt and it went wide. Next, O’Brien gave a sloppy pass in midfield straight to Khamis, who nutmegged Arnold before playing in Al Fararjeh, and the flying winger should have done better.
Nicole Stuart then had an attempt for Manly 10 minutes from half time, Krstanovska saving again.
The home side opened the second half well, the lively Adelaide Wyrzynski shooting towards goal and Nicole Simonsen saving.
Mt Druitt were in front shortly afterwards. Ena Harada played a delightful ball through for Al Fararjeh, then the speedster squared for the oncoming Khamis, who made no mistake with the finish.
With about 25 minutes remaining on the clock, the job got even harder for the visitors. Khamis was played through and got goalside of Arnold, who then brought down the striker just as she approached the box. Referee Isabella Mossin had no choice and sent the central defender from the field.
It was almost double trouble for Manly as Harada’s strike from the ensuing free kick was tipped over the bar by an excellent Simonsen save.
From this point however, Manly seemed to come to life. Mt Druitt sat deeper, allowing the visitors to hold possession and try to create opportunities. Daisy Arrowsmith had a chance almost straight after the red card, her shot going just over the bar from an area where she should have hit the target.
Khamis was definitely in the mood and causing Manly problems, this time trying to catch Simonsen out at the near post, only for the United keeper to get down well and save.
Manly pushed hard for an equaliser but could only muster a long range effort from Sienna Dale as the Rangers held on for the victory.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 1 (Khamis 59’)
Manly United 0
Match Stats
Sunday 22 June
Popondetta Park
Mt Druitt Town Rangers: 20. Krstanovska, 2. Williams, 3. K. Buchanan, 18. Tavares (8. Casha), 19. Khamis ((25. Boateng)36. Gao), 23. Flavin (28. Tanaka), 24. Robinson, 30. Al Fararjeh, 31. E. Buchanan (6. Pender), 32. Harada, 38. Wyrzynski.
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Treddinick.
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Manly United: 1. Simonsen, 3. Arnold, 4. Burton (10. Forner), 5. Stuart, 6. Jackson, 9. Minett, 15. Schmelzer, 16. Richards, 18. Arrowsmith, 20. Kerr (7. Dale), 37. O’Brien.
Substitutes Not Used: 12. Bozanic, 13, Adams, 14. Drever, 19. Starner.
Yellow Cards: Minett.
Red Cards: Arnold
-By Nikola Pozder for Football NSW
