NPL NSW Womens 2 Round 16 Review
Central Coast Mariners Academy sealed the NPL NSW Womens 2 premiership with a 5-2 win over Western NSW Mariners. Southern Branch’s 2-0 win over second placed Sydney Olympic meant the title was officially sealed, although there was little doubt of the outcome from early on in the season. In the other matches for Round 16, Inter Lions were shocked by Sutherland Shire and UNSW Lions defeated Northern Tigers.
Match of the Round – UNSW Lions vs Northern Tigers
In a match that failed to live up to the quality of their last meeting, UNSW Lions ran out 4-1 winners over last placed Northern Tigers at David Phillips Field. A double from Alexandra Smith, who could have scored more, added to Rachelle Godman’s first half strike before Monica Kavanagh sealed the win with a late goal.
The match got off to a slow start, with both teams struggling to string passes together on a bobbly pitch. An early chance fell to Smith in the 15th minute when right winger Godman’s cross found her free in the box but Smith’s shot looped up over the bar.
UNSW began to assert themselves on the match, with Northern Tigers struggling to get out of their own half and after a short break in play for an injury, UNSW Lions took the lead in the 28th minute with Godman dispossessing Emily Usherwood on the edge of the box before lobbing the goalkeeper who was slightly off her line.
But just minutes after going behind, Northern Tigers created their first opening of the match, equalising through Rashna Krishnan in the 32nd minute. Anticipating a pass to the left winger, right fullback Krishnan stepped in front and intercepted the pass before playing Hannah Taylor in behind, racing into the box and taping home the resulting cross into an empty net.
Tigers looked to be gaining a foothold in the match and soon after the equaliser Usherwood’s well struck long range shot whistled over the crossbar but a lapse in concentration meant they would go into the break 2-1 down with Smith scoring on the stroke of halftime. With Usherwood fouled on halfway, the referee waved play on and UNSW broke quickly, with the ball finding its way to Smith on the edge of the box who calmly lifted the ball over advancing goalkeeper Matilda Eder.
Emily Diaz, who is one of Northern Tigers’ most potent attacking weapons, scoring a hat trick last time the two sides met, struggled to work her way into the game. In the 60th minute, Diaz created a half opening for herself, using her pace to burst in behind and into the box but her shot from a difficult angle was sliced wide and went out harmlessly for a goal kick.
Just as a Diaz chance missed came back to haunt Tigers in the 3-3 draw – when she had a glorious opportunity to make it 4-2 moments before UNSW equalised to make it 3-3 – Northern Tigers were made to pay just moments after the latest missed opportunity, with UNSW scoring their third of the match. After switching off during a set piece, Smith was able to find herself free inside the centre of the six yard box from a corner and made no mistake in taping home the opportunity.
With the match all but wrapped up, UNSW’s goalkeeper Danielle Bartels was forced into two saves to keep the score line at 3-1 before Kavanagh stuck in the 79th minute to seal the victory. Smith who had missed two second half opportunities to seal her hat trick flicked a pass around the corner for the left winger to burst in behind and finish beyond Eder in goals.
UNSW’s win sees them maintain a four point lead over the chasing pack outside the top four whilst Northern Tigers continue at the bottom of the ladder, where they have been continuously since Round 1 of the competition.
Inter Lions vs Sutherland Shire FA, at Concord Oval
Sutherland Shire pulled off a shock 5-1 win over Inter Lions, who have now slumped to their fifth loss in four matches. Having seen off Sutherland Shire 3-1 and 2-0 the last time the two sides met, Inter Lions’ loss means they fall to fourth on the ladder, while Sutherland move further away from Northern Tigers at the bottom.
Western NSW Mariners vs Central Coast Mariners Academy, at Glen Willow Stadium
Going into halftime with the scores level at 1-1 and a player down, runaway leaders Central Coast Mariners Academy came out with purpose in the second half against Western NSW Mariners to win 5-2. The win, in difficult circumstances, means Central Coast have now sealed the premiership title with five rounds to go.
Southern Branch vs Sydney Olympic, at South Nowra Football Complex
Goals from Madelaine Costanzo and Melanie Leedham sealed a 2-0 win for Southern Branch over second placed Sydney Olympic. With Inter Lions’ form nosediving, the three points are timely for Southern Branch, who now move within one point of fourth spot.
Reserve Grade Results:
A double for Sarah Hickling enabled UNSW Lions to defeated Northern Tigers 2-0 in Reserve Grade. Elsewhere, Inter Lions continued to dominate their competition, winning 3-1 over Sutherland Shire and Sydney Olympic saw off Southern Branch 1-0.
– by Kate Cohen
