Womens Premier League Round 9 Review

In round 9 of the NSW Women’s Premier League we had all six games played as wet weather almost got the better of us.
There were an astonishing 35 goals scored in this round with the attackers obviously being on form.
Our match of the round took us to Blacktown Football Park as the Blacktown Spartans took on the high flying Marconi Stallions.
MATCH OF THE ROUND: Blacktown Spartans FC 0-7 Marconi Stallions FC
On a perfect and beautiful autumn day at Blacktown Football Park we were treated to quite a goal feast. The Marconi Stallions flexed their muscles as we slowly reach the mid-point of the season and showed the competition that they mean business.
The Stallions showed their intent from the opening minutes of the match as they held possession and pinned the Spartans in their own half. They hit the scoresheet within the first 5 minutes of the match as some sharp passing opened up the Spartans defence allowing Linda O’neil to unselfishly lay the ball across goal to Evelyn Chronis who made no mistake with the finish.
On the quarter hour mark O’neil almost got herself on the scoresheet as her stinging effort from inside the box was parried for a corner by Spartans keeper Monique Jackson. O’neil then had another effort on 25 minutes from long range, only slightly shooting over.
The ever dangerous Helen Petinos found the head Allana Kennedy from a corner, only for the latter to head wide.
The Spartans finally had a chance of their own on 35 minutes as Leila Braimah-Mahamah put through substitute Tara Pender who cut in well but only managed to shoot directly at the Stallions keeper.
Kennedy and Petinos combined again on the stroke of half time as some neat passing saw Petinos through on goal. Petinos was fouled from behind and the referee had no other option but to point to the spot. Petinos then dusted herself off to take the penalty as she made no mistake, placing the ball in the bottom right corner. 0-2 at half time and Marconi was looking comfortable.
O’neil continued to work hard for that elusive goal as she danced passed two defenders making enough space for herself to shoot. Unfortunately, her shot ended up right at the busy Jackson.
O’neil wouldn’t be denied any longer as the Marconi number 9 stole the ball off the Spartans defence, placing the ball in the top right corner from the edge of the box.
Then, a frantic 7 minutes from the Stallions 20 minutes from the end. First, Kennedy found space 25 metres out and gave the goal keeper no chance as her powerful effort found the bottom right corner of the goal.
Petinos was at it again as another dangerous ball was swung in from a corner. This time she found the head of Trudy Camilleri who rattled the back of the net.
Kennedy then done some great work down the right getting to the by-line to cut back for Camilleri who had the easy job of tapping the ball over the line.
With just over 10 minutes to go Petinos made a run down the left, she whipped in a low ball to Camilleri who held off her defender and laid the ball back for Nicola Bolger who smashed the ball passed the hapless Jackson.
The Spartans almost had a consolation goal as Marconi keeper Shamiran Khamis passed the ball straight to Shanaye Kuntze, but Marconi captain Jodie Bain made sure her side would keep a clean sheet.
Total dominance by the Stallions from start to finish and the 0-7 score line underlined that. They now sit on top of the WPL ladder.
Best of the rest:
Central Coast Mariners Academy 2-8 Inter Lions
Inter Lions made it three wins in a row as the defeated the Central Coast Mariners Academy 8-2 at Pluim Park.
An astonishing 4 goals to Heidi Mackrillos, a hat trick for Catherine Canulli and 1 to Paige Hayward made up the Inter Lions 8 goals.
North West Sydney Koalas 7-0 Northern Tigers
The North West Sydney Koalas continued their undefeated run in the 2013 championship as they got back to winning ways after last week’s draw. They accounted for the Northern tigers 7-0 in a one sided affair.
Braces for Daila-Tais Borg, Emma Stanbury, Teresa Polias and a solitary goal for Jade Booty done the damage. With this result, the North West Sydney Koala’s lie in equal first on the competition table along with the Marconi Stallions.
Sutherland Shire Football Association 1-5 Northbridge FC
Northbridge FC moved upto 7^th on the competition ladder after a convincing 5-1 victory over bottom placed Sutherland Shire Football Association.
Goals to Ariella Cabezas, Daisy Arrowsmith and a hat-trick for Stephanie De Francesco were enough for Northbridge to claim the win.
Macarthur Rams 1-2 Illawarra Stingrays
In the shock of round 9, the Illawarra Stingrays inflicted the Macarthur Rams with their first loss of the season. The Stingrays swam away with a 2-1 victory from Lynwood Park knocking the Rams off top place on the ladder.
The stingrays were cruising at half time as goals from Michelle Carney and Erica Holloway had them 2-0 up. The rams grabbed one in the second half but it wasn’t enough as the Stingrays showed they can be a champion team.
With this win, the Stingrays sit just 2 points adrift of first place and will be hot on the heels of those in front of them sending a warning to the rest of the competition.
Sydney University SFC 1-1 Manly United FC
In the only draw of round 9, Sydney University SFC and Manly United FC played out a 1-1 draw at Wilson Park.
A goal to Carmel-Ann Dimarco for Sydney University SFC and Chloe O’Brien for Manly United FC settled this one.
 
RESERVE GRADE:
In the reserve grade, on Saturday, the FNSW Institute defeated Northbridge FC 2-0. The Marconi Stallions continued their great start to the season putting the 5^th placed Blacktown Spartans to the sword with a 4-0 score line.
The North West Sydney Koalas defeated the Northern Tigers 2-1 moving them upto 7^th place on the ladder. Northbridge FC backed up again on Sunday to defeat the Sutherland Shire Football Association 3-1.
The Macarthur Rams got their first win of the season defeating the Illawara Stingrays 3-0 to move into 9^th place while the Stingrays stayed in 7^th. Manly United FC remain in 3^rd position on the ladder defeating 4^th placed Sydney University SFC 2-0.
-By Nikola Pozder