NPL NSW Womens 1 Round 12 Review
The NPL NSW Womens 1 competition moved into Round 12 over the weekend with a tight round of results. Marconi Stallions, Manly, Spartans and the Koalas all had to settle for draws throughout this round. The Stingrays meanwhile continued their rich run of form and subsequent rise up the ladder, scoring their third straight win. Finally, Northbridge recovered from a disappointing loss last week to defeat the league leaders Macarthur for their second consecutive defeat.
Marconi Stallions 1-1 Manly United
A cold afternoon welcomed Manly United at Marconi Stadium as they travelled to take on the Marconi Stallions.
The spoils were shared in this one though as Ellen Wheatley scored a first half goal for Manly and an unfortunate own goal saw the Stallions equalise.
There was a passive opening few minutes from both sides as it looked as though neither team was ready to take a strangle hold on the game.
In the 7th minute, the away sides first foray forward almost turned into a goal. Kristie Crawford played in a superb ball for Tiarn Powell who beat the offside trap and shot toward goal. Jessica Urquhart in goal for the Stallions thought the ball was going wide but Powell’s swerving effort smacked against the woodwork.
Alex Huynh then got caught in possession near the edge of the area, allowing the busy Crawford to steal the ball and bear down on goal. She took her shot early but it went just wide of the post.
Both sides looked to play football and hold the ball, spreading it from left to right and looking to exploit any openings.
Just passed the quarter hour mark, it should’ve been 1-0 for United. Powell crossed in a ball from the right flank which Urquhart spilled, allowing Anna Nakao to get to the loose ball. Nakao couldn’t keep her effort down as she skied the ball over the bar.
Confusion in the Marconi defence allowed Powell to have another chance but Urquhart managed to palm the ball out for a corner.
From the ensuing corner though, the away side had the lead. Urquhart again fumbled the ball and Ellen Wheatley was on the spot to put the ball away in the 25th minute.
Helen Petinos had the first opportunity for the Stallions on the half hour mark. Alanna Kennedy danced her way through the United defence as she played the ball to Petinos who leaned to far back, sending the ball over the bar.
Minutes before the break, the Stallions should’ve had the equaliser. An excellent team move saw the ball spread out to the right for Logan Garard who whipped in a teasing ball in to the box. Petinos flicked the ball on to the on rushing Kennedy who volleyed toward goal but her effort went straight at Alyssa Harris in goal.
Kennedy seemed to create herself space in various situations but just wouldn’t pull the trigger.
The introduction of Trudy Camilleri in the second half almost saw instant impact for the Stallions but her shot from the edge of the area went just over.
In the 65th minute the Stallions had their equaliser. Great build up play by the Stallions most influential forwards Kennedy and Camilleri put pressure on the United backline as Isabella Walker was the unfortunate player to send the ball into the back of the net after a Kennedy shot.
Powell then had an opportunity to get the lead back for the away side but Kirilee Cook made a goal saving challenge, sliding in to block the Manly attackers effort. The rebound fell to Powell again but her shot went straight into the hands of Urquhart with only 10 minutes to go.
Both sides pushed for the winner in the dying stages, with opportunities at either end.
In the 91st minute, with practically the last kick of the game, the Stallions thought they had the winner. Kennedy dribbled through the United defence and blasted an effort toward goal. Her shot looked destined for the net but the ball hit the bar and went out.
Blacktown Spartans 1-1 North West Sydney Koalas
At Blacktown Football Park on Sunday afternoon, the Blacktown Spartans took on the North West Sydney Koalas.
The spoils were shared in this one as both teams had to settle for a 1-1 draw in this one.
Morgan Roberts picked up the goal for the Spartans.
The Spartans stay in bottom place on the ladder with this result while the Koalas move into outright third place.
Sydney University 0-1 Illawarra Stingrays
Wilson Park was the venue for the round 12 fixture between Sydney University and the Illawarra Stingrays.
The Stingrays made it three wins on the bounce as they defeated University 1-0. Consistency has been an issue for University as they’ve struggled to get back to back wins over the passed month.
Jordan Baker continued her rich goal scoring form this week as she scored the only goal in this one.
The Stingrays stayed in sixth place on the ladder but they’re gaining on a finals place with their recent good form. Uni dropped one place on the ladder to fourth place.
Northbridge FC 1-0 Macarthur Rams
At Northbridge Oval on Sunday afternoon, Northbridge welcomed league leaders Macarthur Rams.
Both sides were coming off defeats from the last round, the Rams losing their first match of the season while the ‘Bridge’ came down heavily.
The ‘Bridge’ recovered from their defeat last week, coming away with a tight 1-0 victory.
Northbridge moved into seventh place while the Rams are still safe on top of the ladder.
– Nikola Pozdar
