NPL NSW Womens 2 – Round 14 Review
Northern Tigers, Central Coast Mariners and Western NSW Mariners were all winners, while Southern Branch and UNSW Lions shared the points in Round 14 of NPL NSW Women’s 2.
In a top of the table clash, a late goal was the difference between Central Coast Mariners Academy, first, and Sydney Olympic, second.
Central Coast Mariners Academy continued their dominance of the NPL NSW Women’s 2 competition, scoring a late 1-0 victory over second placed Sydney Olympic – although they didn’t have it all their own way.
Sydney Olympic, who were second on the ladder behind Central Coast going into the match put in a rugged defensive display and created many good chances on the counter attack and can feel aggrieved that Central Coast weren’t reduced to 10 players in the second half.
In the niggly match, which had five yellow cards, Central Coast created the first good chance of the match in the eight minute. The pacey Kayla Alexander was a regular threat down the right wing with her pace and when she crossed to fellow speedster Jayme Fressard in the box, the striker was able to shoot straight at the goalkeeper who was well placed on the front post.
Alexander would be Central Coast’s most potent threat in the first half, delivering a deep cross to the back post in the 12th minute only for the left winger, Courtney Smith, to head wide of the mark from close range when under pressure from the Sydney Olympic goalkeeper Sihaem Saade.
But the chances didn’t go all Central Coast’s way, and Sydney Olympic had two talanted attackers up front in Dani Calvi and Kate Halaska who were able to combine dangerously on the counter attack.
The Calvi-Halaska combination worked brilliantly in the 36th minute when Calvi held the ball up before juggling and flicking the ball over her head for the run of Halaska. Halaska, having started her run from inside her own half, brought the ball under control with her head before agonisingly wide of the far post as she shot across the goalkeeper – her shot skimmed the outside of the post on its way wide of the goal.
Halaska again had a good chance in the final moments of the first half, receiving the cut back from Lisa Mitchell and continuing her mazy run in the box despite being clipped numerous times. Off balance, she was unable to poke her shot beyond the goalkeeper from an acute angle on the left edge of the six-yard box.
Central Coast, who have been racing away at the top of the table, were not used to an opponent putting up such a fight but they came out strongly to start the second half, creating good early chances which went without the finishing touches.
Fressard, who had been kept quiet for much of the match, managed to create a chance out of a simple ball over the top in the 50th – with her pace a threat for any defence. However her finishing let her down and her well struck shot was straight at Saade in the 1-on-1 siutation. Just moments later, Central Coast’s composure was again lacking with Tahlor Thackerey blazing over the bar after finding herself free in the centre of the box.
And then came the controversial moment of the match when, in the 63rd minute, Central Coast escaped a red card decision. Calvi and Halaska again were involved for Olympic, as Calvi slid a pass in behind to Halaska who was clipped cynically from behind on the edge of the box by the last defender. The referee saw it only worthy of a yellow card, but Olympic continued to look dangerous on the counter attack with their attackers combining neatly.
The match continued to ebb and flow, with both sides creating chances, until the late breakthrough finally came in the 84th minute. From the second phase of a corner kick, Central Coast substitute Tess Leggett was able to outjump Saade at the back post and head the ball into an empty net.
The late winner was deflating for Sydney Olympic, who had played so competitively throughout the match, but Central Coast’s weight of chances ultimately paid off. Central Coast’s lead over second placed Sydney Olympic has now been extended to 17 points, although Olympic have a game in hand.
Sutherland Shire FA vs Western NSW Mariners, at Harrie Denning Centre
Two first half goals secured a 2-0 for Western NSW Mariners over Sutherland Shire at Harrie Denning Centre. Sutherland, who haven’t won a game since they defeated Northern Tigers, are now only two points clear of bottom spot. Western NSW Mariners are now only four points out of the top four with a game in hand.
Northern Tigers vs Inter Lions, at Mills Park
Northern Tigers again pulled off an upset, defeating Inter Lions for the second time this season. After a long run of losses, Northern Tigers’ Liana Baker scored a hat trick, whilst Molly Woods scored the other in the 4-1 win. Erica Toscano scored the goal for Inter.
Southern Branch vs UNSW Lions, at South Nowra Football Complex
Southern Branch and UNSW Lions played out a 2-2 draw when they faced each other at the South Nowra Football Complex. Southern Branch had the opportunity to reduce the gap between them, in fifth place, and their opponents, in fourth, but remain four points outside the top four.
Reserve Grade Results:
Central Coast Mariners Academy failed to take all three points against the bottom placed Sydney Olympic when they played out a scoreless draw. Elsewhere in Reserve Grade, Sutherland Shire defeated Western NSW Mariners 4-1, as did Inter Lions over Northern Tigers, while Southern Branch won 1-0 over UNSW Lions.
-By Kate Cohen
