NPL NSW Womens 2 Round 6 Review
A first versus last contest between Central Coast Mariners Academy and Northern Tigers was the Match of the Round in the NPL NSW Womens 2 competition.
A first half Jayme Fressard master class proved to be the difference between first placed Central Coast Mariners Academy and last placed Northern Tigers, with the Mariners winning 4-1.
Three Fressard goals in the space of 16 minutes was enough for Central Coast to forget their shock 6-2 loss at the hands of Southern Branch last week, with Tahlor Thackray adding a fourth late in the second half.
Central Coast were the better side from the outset and their lightening pace in behind would cause problems for any defence in the league.
Comfortable with possession, their players were able to find spaces in midfield and pick out dangerous killer passes for their front three, whilst their energetic fullbacks burst forward to cause more problems out wide.
Fressard was able to score a quick-fire double, the first coming in the 10th minute and a second, nearly identical finish made it 2-0 a minute later.
A pass played in behind from right fullback Kelly Spencer bisected the two Northern Tigers centre backs and Fressard sprinted in behind. When charging down on goal, she intelligently stepped across the retreating defender, making it impossible for a challenge to be made, before slotting her left foot finish into the bottom right corner of the net.
Almost immediately from the kick off Central Coast were able to regain possession and double their lead.
Spencer again played an important role, overlapping to latch onto a through ball before squaring the ball to Fressard on the penalty spot. Wiggling past the first challenge in the box, Fressard opened up space for herself and again placed her left footed shot into the bottom right corner.
Fressard’s pace was causing all sorts of problems and she twice had an opportunity to complete her hat trick. An 18th minute one-on-one opportunity resulted in her shot being blasted straight at the goalkeeper, but a minute later she again found herself one-on-one and attempted a more composed finish. Placing the shot, aiming for the right bottom corner again, Fressard left the keeper stranded but the woodwork prevented her from making it 3-0.
Her constantly menacing play would soon be rewarded and Fressard completed her hat trick in the 23rd minute. A one-two in midfield between Jessica Dominello and Beth Le Gay Brereton left the Northern Tigers’ defence completely out of shape and the ball was played in behind to right winger Kayla Alexander whose cross found Fressard. Again, some neat skill allowed her to beat the first defender and open up space for the shot, finishing past the goalkeeper.
Northern Tigers thought they had found a way back into the match in the 26th minute, with Nicole Ransom’s long range free kick looping over the Central Coast goalkeeper and into the back of the net. But the joy was short lived, as the referee awarded a goal kick – the free kick was indirect and had not touched any player before going in.
Central Coast were noticeably less rampant in the second half, with Northern Tigers looking calmer in possession. With their build-up play pushing Central Coast deeper into their own half, Northern Tigers got one goal back via the penalty spot.
A cross in from the left found Hannah Taylor who, when trying to turn and shoot had her shirt pulled. Taylor was able to get away a tame shot, which went straight at the Mariners’ goalkeeper and the referee pulled it back for a penalty which was slotted home by Ella Gibson to give Tigers a lifeline.
After being ineffective for much of the second half, Central Coast Mariners Academy awoke from their slumber to add a fourth in the 39th minute. Thackray, after finding space on the edge of the box was able to loft a shot into the top corner of the net to end any chances of a Northern Tigers comeback.
Southern Branch FC vs Inter Lions SC, at South Nowra Football Complex
Southern Branch defeated Inter Lions 2-0 thanks to goals from Samara Wehmeyer and Madelaine Costanzo. The win sees Southern Branch overtake Inter on goal difference.
Sutherland Shire FA vs UNSW Lions, at Harrie Denning Centre
Sutherland Shire FA added to UNSW Lions’ poor start to the season by inflicting on them a 1-0 loss. Freya Hickey scored the all-important goal for Sutherland.
Western NSW Mariners vs Sydney Olympic FC, at Proctor Park
Sydney Olympic recovered from a midweek loss against Inter Lions by defeating Western NSW Mariners 3-1. A double from Dani Calvi and Kalista Tsoupis cancelled out Jessica Salomoni’s goal.
Reserve Grade Results:
It took Central Coast until late to break down Northern Tigers, but three late goals sealed the win. Elsewhere, UNSW Lions defeated Sutherland Shire FA 1-0, Western NSW Mariners and Sydney Olympic played out a 0-0 draw and Inter Lions overcame Southern Branch 3-2.<xml></xml>
