Round 8 Review: NSW Womens Premier League
It was a weekend of hat tricks and braces with 36 goals scored across the six games.
Marconi Stallions were the big winners of the weekend whilst Northbridge FC almost got the better of the NWS Koalas infront of a home support. Manly United let their football do the talking in Spartans territory whilst the Stingrays continued form at home with a win over the Mariners.
MATCH OF THE ROUND: Inter Lions 2 – 1 Sydney University SFC
Playing at the colourful and historic Concord Oval were two sides who both have finals football in the back of their minds. It was the taking of chances, which won this fixture with the home side claiming the win in the final kick of the afternoon.
Sydney University got the ball moving as they lined up in their usual 4-3-3 formation which saw a formidable attack of Maree Patikas, Samatha Spackman and Jessica Martinez paired up against Inter Lion’s more conventional 4-4-2. Catherine Cannuli was handed the captain’s armband and was positioned at the base of the diamond midfield but was also given the luxury of moving almost anywhere on the field she considered herself to be most effective.
10 minutes in and the visitors had their first real chance on goal. The left back Mary Vlachos crossing the ball into the goalmouth with pin point accuracy. Meegan Shepherd looked destined to open the scoring but it wasn’t to be. Hitting the ball high over the goal scoring a conversion through the rugby posts rather than hitting the back of the net.
A quarter of an hour into the game and Sydney University got the goal they had been searching for so desperately. Meegan Shepherd getting on the end of another Mary Vlachos cross and celebrating in style. The girls in yellow looked to be getting into a rhythm at Concord Oval which most spectators thought they would continue and run away with the result.
Midway though the first half, Sydney University were unlucky to not get their second goal of the afternoon as Jessica Martinez played Samantha Spackman into space. Her shot beating the keeper but also beating the post to skip away for a goal kick.
The frustration started to show on the faces of the Inter Lions girls soon enough and 28 minutes into the game Erica Toscano got her name in the referee’s book for a series of reckless challenges.
Just when nothing seemed to be working for the Lions, Heidi Makrillos was left unmarked at the back post and given the time and space to line up a goal. The scores were level one more at 1-1 just before the break.
Sydney University were left scratching their heads a number of times with all three of their strikers unable to get another goal in the first half of the game despite a number of fantastic opportunities. Striking the ball directly at the Inter Lions goalkeeper, Isabelle Bucher didn’t help though especially with the recent form Isabelle has been in.
For the majority of the second half the ball was moved around calmly in the midfield. Both sides unable to break their opposition’s defensive unit until a massive save in the 85th minute was followed up by a goal in the 89th.
With five minutes left to play, Sydney University’s Ilana Kristein pulled off the save of the season with a perfect punch of the ball wide of the goal off an Inter Lion’s strike. Paige Hayward linking up with Maria Kalogeropoulos on the edge of the area before Maria fired in her shot towards the top corner of the goal. A sign of things to come for Inter.
In the 89th minute with just seconds left to play, Sydney University were caught out with too many players up field. Inter Lions played their usual long ball over the top of the Uni defence sending Maria Kalogeropoulos one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Maria slotting the ball into the bottom corner of the goal to secure the win.
Perhaps a draw would have been a fair result for both sides but Sydney University only have themselves to blame for falling asleep when it most counted.
Next weekend Inter Lions take the trip up to Pluim Park to take on the Central Coast Mariners Academy whilst Sydney University play host to Manly United at Wilson Park.
Illawarra Stingrays 8 – 0 Central Coast Mariners Academy
The Stingsrays continue to dominate in front of their home crowd and this game was no different. A 3-0 lead at the break was stretched to 8-0 before the final whistle with the Central Coast Mariners faced a long drive home empty handed.
Michelle Carney got her name on the scoresheet four times moving her to the top of the goal-scoring chart with 13 goals this season. Jordan Baker also deserved applause for her two goals whilst Erica Halloway and Caitlin Cooper both got themselves a lone goal.
Blacktown Spartans FC 0 – 2 Manly United FC
It is never easy when you lose your first team coach just two days before a big game but that was the situation for Manly United. With Grant Lee leaving the side, Chris Williams took control of the side with his Manly girls getting a strong win over the Spartans.
Tiarn Powell added yet another goal next to her name as the striker looks to stay within reaching distance of the golden boot award but it was Ella Farley who will make the headlines this weekend making her first grade debut and scoring the winning goal for the visitors. The Spartans weren’t without their chances though and will be disappointed that they didn’t hit the back of the net at least once during the 90 minutes.
Marconi Stallions FC 11 – 0 Sutherland Shire Football Association
It was yet another day to forget for Sutherland Shire Football as the Marconi Stallions proved to be too strong at home yet again. Goal of the match goes to Kate McPherson who came on with 20 minutes remaining on the clock, smashing a perfect volley into the top corner of the net.
Helen Petinos got herself a hat trick for a stand out performance whilst Nicola Bolger continued her rich run of form with a double. Amy Harrison, Renee Tomkins, Alanna Kennedy, Teigan Allen and Alexandra Huynh all got goals of their own as the Stallions continued to fight for a top three finish on the ladder.
Northbridge FC 2 – 2 NWS Koalas
In what was one of the closest matches of the season, Northbridge FC were seconds away from getting a win before a penalty changed the game.
Tara Andrews got herself two goals to add to her ever-growing tally at Northbridge but it wasn’t enough as the points were shared against NWS Koalas. A penalty in the final minute of the game was slotted home by Dalia-Tais Borg in what was her second goal of the afternoon. The home side might feel hard done by but the Koalas will be happy to get the point.
Northern Tigers 0 – 8 Macarthur Rams
Kicking off at Parklands Oval was going to be a real test for the Tigers. Their reserve grade claimed a shock win and the home side thought that they might be able to hold a result. Four goals in each half for the visitors proof of why the Rams are the best side in the competition.
Emily van Egmond was the happiest of the Rams girls as she got herself a trio of goals whilst Renee Rollason and Chrystal Duggan has to settle with brace. Brooke Starrett secured the result with a goal of her own before the final whistle.
Reserve Grade
It was a day to remember for Sydney University SFC when they put seven goals past Inter Lions at Concord Oval. Monique Andreatta and Elizabeth Doherty both saw their names on the scoresheet twice whilst Stephanie Ambrose, Tamara Myers and Stephanie Holmes all got a goal of their own.
At Blacktown Football Park, Manly United claimed all three points with a convincing 3-1 win over the Spartans whilst Northbridge FC got the better of NWS Koalas at Northbridge Oval in a 3-1 win. Marconi Stallions secured a 5-0 win over Sutherland Shire Football Association with Joanna Martino getting a double.
In what was the shock result of the weekend, Northern Tigers managed to pull of a 4-2 win over Macarthur Rams at Parklands Oval. Megan Tomasich got a double for the visitors whilst for the home side Gemma Crowson, Emma Dias got goals of their own to match Claudia Cholakian’s brace.
-By Pete Nowakowski
