Womens Premier League Round 20 Review

Round 20 of the NSW Womens Premier League saw us come two rounds closer to the end of the regular competition.
The fight for finals football and the minor premiership has never been closer.
37 goals were scored in Round 20, an average of six goals a game!
Marconi Stallions 4-1 Blacktown Spartans
At Marconi Stadium on a warm and sunny Sunday afternoon, the Marconi Stallions, who had dropped off 1^st place mid week after the Illawarra Stingrays registered a win, entertained the 9^th placed Blacktown Spartans.
The Stallions knew that any slip-ups could cost them dear in the run in to the end of the regular season. With a game in hand on the Stingrays they knew that their destiny was in their own hands.
The last time these two met, the Stallions comfortably accounted for the Spartans as they beat them by a comprehensive 7-0 victory. The fired up Spartans wouldn’t be easy beats though and were looking to build for next year and of course, disrupt the premiership race as much as possible.
The Stallions were in almost within the first minute, Trudy Camilleri played in Helen Petinos down the left who cut in and shot. Her shot went just wide of the bottom right post and into the side netting.
The Spartans looked to surprise the Stallions with some high press football and it worked all up until the 9^th minute. Heather Garriock expertly played in Nicola Bolger who neatly finished past the keeper for 1-0.
A barrage of opportunities followed as Sarah Easthope somehow kept the score at 1-0. First Teigen Allen had a powerful effort from 25 yards out well saved. Petinos was next to try her luck but Easthope this time used her feet to keep the ball out. Finally, Garriock had an opportunity saved also as Easthope made three consecutive saves within a frantic two-minute period.
The Spartans defence, who played so well within the first 10 minutes, simply went missing along with their midfield as they struggled to contain the rampant Stallions.
Linda O’neill then stole the ball down the right side, took on her defender and cut the ball across the goalmouth. The ball came to Petinos who had the whole goal open, but her effort went over the bar.
The first yellow card of the game went the way of the Spartans as Samantha Collins lost the ball on the edge of the area and fouled her opponent. The resulting free kick was blasted toward goal by Camilleri but the wall stood firm as the ball rebounded off it.
Shamiran Khamis put the Stallions under a bit of pressure as she miss kicked a few clearances. Reagan Mitchel was almost in off a deflected pass but Khamis was quick off her line to thwart any danger.
Trudy Camilleri seemed to be everywhere in this one, constantly trying to get onto the ball, playing in her teammates, attempting shots and closing down her opponents.
Around the 35 minute mark the Stallions seemed to switch off for a short period. First Morgan Roberts had an opportunity to cross a ball in, but her cross had a little to much purchase on it. Then Mitchel had an opportunity on the edge of the area but she rushed her shot which was easy pickings for Khamis.
Petinos was having no luck in this one as Easthope came up trumps again in a one on one opportunity. The Spartans keeper was proving to be a massive difference in this fixture as she kept her side in the game.
The rest of the half was much of a midfield tussle as neither side could create a clear cut opportunity. The Spartans improved as the half came to a close but couldn’t capitalise on a few half chances. Thus, with some great goal keeping by Sarah Easthope, Marconi went into the break only 1-0 up.
The Spartans got the action underway in the second half as the shadows began creeping over Marconi Stadium as the sun started to slowly set.
Petinos almost turned provider for the Stallions as her deep cross to the far post found Evelyn Chronis. Chronis connected well with her header but steered it wide of the goal.
On 51 minutes it was 2-0. Alana Kennedy reacted best on a poor clearance from the Spartans defence and drove into the box, her powerful ball across goal found Linda O’neill who slid in to find the back of the net.
With Kennedy moving up higher into midfield, she was proving to be a real nuisance for the Spartans midfield and defence.
Fortunes finally changed for Petinos on 57 minutes as she made it 3-0. Great work by Chronis down the right saw her take on her marker and whip in a dangerous ball into the box. This time Petinos didn’t miss from a few yards out as her effort went passed the brilliant Easthope and into the back of the net off the cross bar.
Great work by Allen and Chronis down the right almost saw Camilleri in but her effort was blocked and deflected out for a corner.
Spartans left back Daniele Francis was really struggling with Marconi’s right sided attack as Allen and Chronis continually overlapped each other causing continuous problems for the Spartans.
The introduction of Breanna Sampson for the Spartans was a breath of fresh air for them as the Spartans looked slightly more dangerous. Her speedy runs and constant pressure created problems for the Stallions defence.
Sampson almost got the Spartans on the board on the 70 minute mark as her powerful effort forced Khmais into a great save as the ball headed for the top corner.
With just under 10 minutes to go, Sampson should’ve cut the deficit after some miscommunication at the back for the Stallions. Her rushed shot at the open goal went over the bar from 20 yards out.
Sampson then had another opportunity but this time Khamis made a brilliant save to deny her. A great ball in from the right by Robers found Sampson whose shot was expertly saved by Khamis. The rebound fell to Sampson again but her shot could only hit the side netting after pressure from Khamis.
In the 89^th minute Garriock sealed the deal with a fantastic finish. Showing all her years of experience, she received the ball 25 yards out, had a look toward goal and had a shot. Her placed effort flew toward the top corner as it came off the underside of the bar and hit the back of the net, giving Easthope no chance.
The Spartans then had a consolation goal in stoppage time as Isabella Pacifici’s deep cross found Logan Garard at the far post who layed the ball off for Breanna Sampson who finally got her goal after all her hard work.
That was all she wrote as the Stallions completed a routine 4-1 victory and continued their march toward the minor premiership. That Spartans showed great improvement from the earlier game in the season and played well in patches.
Inter Lions 4-2 Central Coast Mariners Academy
In the early game on Sunday afternoon at Concord Oval at 1pm, the Inter Lions hosted the Central Coast Mariners Academy.
In what was a must win game for the Lions after their mid week defeat to the Illawarra Stingrays, they had an improving Mariners side as opponents. With the mariners in 10^th and little but pride to play for, they were another side hoping to disrupt the look of the league table in the last few games.
The last time these two met at Pluim Park, the Lions won comfortably with a 8-2 score line. It was tighter this time out as the Lions came out 4-2 victors.
The scorers for the Lions were Maria Kalogeropoulos, Catherine Cannuli, Stephanie Ascone and Alexandra Smith. For the Mariners, the two scorers were Tahlor Thackray and Kayla Alexander.
This result leaves the Lions with some hope of finals football with a game in hand on most of their rivals for that final 5^th spot.
Illawarra Stingrays 2-1 Macarthur Rams
At JJ Kelly Park, the Illawarra Stingrays looked to stay a top the NSW Premier League as they welcomed the 3^rd placed Macarthur Rams.
The Stringrays hit the summit of the Premier League with a win mid week against the Inter Lions and looked to stay in that position with a victory against the Macarthur Rams.
The Rams would not be pushovers and still had their own aspirations of taking the minor premiership as the dark horse in the race for the title.
The Stingrays won the early fixture between the two at Lynwood Park in a tight one 2-1. 
Michelle Carney gave the Stingray’s a first half lead in this one. She grabbed another in the second for a brace and it was enough for an identical win to the round 9 fixture, 2-1.
The result means that the Stingrays stay on top of the ladder, with a game more than the Marconi Stallions. The Rams title hopes are now over and will be fighting for as high as possible league position.
Northern Tigers 0-6 North West Sydney Koalas
At Parklands Oval, the Northern Tigers in 12^th position welcomed the 4^th placed North West Sydney Koalas.
The Tigers were still searching for their first league win of the season and the Koalas are one of the toughest teams in the competition to get that win against. The Koalas are desperate to get their title challenge back on track with only two games remaining after their derby loss last week.
The Koala’s comfortably came away from Parklands Oval with a 6-0 victory. Katarina Kraft scoring an amazing four goals with Shayna Killey scoring a brace.
This win puts the Koalas in 3^rd place, 5 points behind the leading Stingrays. They still have a mathematical chance of the minor premiership but it is looking a very difficult task.
For the Tigers, they’re still searching for that maiden victory with two rounds of football remaining.
Northbridge FC 15-0 Sutherland Shire Football Association
At Northbridge Oval, Northbridge FC played host to the Sutherland Shire Football Association.
In what was a must win game for Northbridge if they were to have any chance of playing finals football, they couldn’t afford to drop any points against the 11^th placed Sharks.
The first game between these two went the way of Northbridge 5-1. This time, Northbridge won with an emphatic 15-0. Tara Andrews scored five, Hannah Brewer scored four, Siahn Bozanic scored a hat trick, while Dominique Carruthers, Teegan Courtney and Leah Giuffre all got one.
The win leaves Northbridge in 5^th place and they know that the only way they can play finals football is if they win all their games and results go their way. An interesting finish lies ahead of us.
Manly United 1-1 Sydney University SFC
In a direct clash for finals football, Manly United FC welcomed Sydney University SFC to Cromer Park.
Lying in 5^th and 6^th, both sides were desperate for the three points in the fight for 5^th place. The first game between the two finished 1-1 in May when the teams played at Wilson Park.
This time, the spoils were shared again with an identical score line. 1-1 was the score at Cromer Park, Kelton McFadden scoring Manly’s goal while University’s came courtesy of an own goal.
The score did neither side any favours as they each dropped down one place on the competition ladder. An extremely stimulating end of the season lies ahead with the final two rounds and catch ups still ahead.
Rescheduled Round 14 –
Illawarra Stingrays 1-0 Inter Lions
The Inter Lions travelled down the coast on Wednesday night to take on the highflying Illawarra Stingrays.
For both teams, victory was imperative as the Stingrays aimed to continue their charge for the minor premiership, while the Lions needed a win to get closer to that final finals spot.
It was the midfield maestro Michelle Carney who was the difference again as she has been many times this season. Her goal was the only goal of the match and enough to send the Stingrays to the top of the table.
The Lions chances of finals football have been dealt a huge blow with the loss and it will be an extreme fight for them to sneak into the top 5. The Stingrays though have hit the summit of the Premier League and will look to make sure they stay there by winning all there final games.
-By Nikola Pozder