Macarthur Rams, the reigning National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW premiers, have started the new season with a 2-0 defeat at the hands of arch rivals Apia Leichhardt on Sunday night.
In a 2024 Grand Final rematch at Lambert Park, two first half goals to Ash Crofts secured the points – and bragging rights – for the home side.
The Rams came into this one with only Lola Sossai surviving from last season’s championship winning side.
But Vitoria Guzman’s side were anything but a pushover.
The Rams made it difficult for their more fancied opponents and even dominated at various stages of the match.
The opening 15 minutes were tight with neither team really creating a clear cut opportunity.
With their first chance though, Apia struck the lead.
A long ball from central defender Christina Kiceec toward Crofts saw the experienced striker use her body to turn Chantelle Maniti before sprinting through and placing the ball beyond Rams goalkeeper Issabella Coelho.
Minutes late, Apia went close again, this time Charlotte Lancaster forcing Coelho into an excellent save.
Just as the home side began dictating play, the Rams had their best chance of the first half fall to captain Sossai.
Operating down the right wing, Sossai sprung through and blasted an effort toward goal, the ball sailing wide of the top corner by centimetres.
With Mel Caceres swapping Macarthur’s maroon for Apia’s, the silky number 10 almost made it 2-0 with a well struck volley against her former club, only for Coelho once more to save, the rebound falling to Crofts who missed from only a couple yards out.
Sossai was finding good attacking positions and once again was played through, this time hitting a weak shot toward Sophie Magus at full stretch.
Apia doubled their advantage just before the half time break.
Charlotte Lancaster split the Rams defence to link with Crofts, who rounded Coelho before pushing the ball into the back of the net for her second of the day.
At the break Rams coach Guzman brought on Claire Corbett who made an immediate impact, the 15-year-old getting on the ball straight away and creating havoc.
The Rams had the first chance of the second half as well as Mya Yaghi’s effort after a corner was struck just wide of the goal.
With the Rams looking to get into the game, the home side almost added a third with a header, a one handed save from the Rams goalie keeping thm in the game.
Macarthur almost made for a nervy finish when Tea Mecenski lifted a free kick from the edge of the area over the wall, only for Sophie Magus to save well.
Match report by Nikola Pozder
