PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 2 Round 1 Review
The PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 2 competition got back under way this weekend when Sydney Olympic took on UNSW Lions, promoted Nepean FC travelled to Sutherland, Marconi Stallions hosted Southern Branch and Inter Lions faced last season strugglers Northern Tigers.
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Last season’s runners-up Sydney Olympic got their season off to the best of starts, surviving some early scares to beat UNSW Lions 6-0 at Peter Moore Park. It was a comprehensive score line, and could have included more Olympic goals, but it was UNSW who started the match better, dominating the opening 20 minutes.
After weeks of preparation, UNSW kicked off the new season confidently, dominating early possession with their new back five shape and so nearly took an early lead when Makenzie Russell broke in behind Sydney Olympic’s backline. Olympic’s goalkeeper was forced to the edge of her box to clear the danger but UNSW again had a half chance minutes later when Yvonne Ilioglou sloppily gave possession away. Passing straight to Russell at the top of the box under no pressure, Ilioglou was saved by Madeleine Mirkovic who quickly recovered the ball to prevent Olympic from conceding an early goal.
But after surviving the early UNSW pressure, Sydney Olympic asserted their dominance by applying pressure high up the pitch and their opening goal – a stunning strike by Kayla Steeden in the 20th minute – came as a result. Danielle Calvi chased down a back pass, forcing UNSW’s goalkeeper into a rushed clearance, but before she could recover her position in the goals, Steeden’s half volley had soared past her into the top right corner.
UNSW continued to attempt to play the ball out from the back, but Olympic’s defensive structure and concentration was superior and a turnover in midfield proved costly as Calvi made it two-nil five minutes later. A straight pass from the back into midfield was pounced on by Ilioglou who played in Calvi to toe-poke beyond the onrushing goalkeeper.
The agony didn’t end for UNSW, who conceded another soon after Calvi showed some flair in the box to beat two players and square the ball to Kristi Kunovski for a tap in on the six-yard box. Olympic’s ruthless attack was again on display when Calvi and Kunovski combined again a minute before half time. Flicking the ball over her opponent’s head, Calvi raced into the box and crossed for Kunovski to head home free in front of goal.
Despite the first half score line and their opponent’s desire to apply pressure high up the park, UNSW continued to attempt to play out from the back and just minutes into the second half Kunovski intercepted Rashna Krishnan’s pass on the right edge of the box before attempting a one-two which went out for another goalkick.
It was a warning sign not adhered to and from the very next goal kick the exact same thing happened – Kunovski intercepted possession and crossed immediately to Calvi who flicked the ball to free teammate Gillian Bartlett at the back post. With the goal beckoning her shot from the penalty spot went agonisingly past the far post. But Bartlett soon added her name to the scorers list with a well-placed shot into the bottom left corner after 60 minutes.
UNSW nearly pulled a goal back when Emma Aston’s curling snapshot rebounded off the crossbar but they would be again left to rue simple errors at the back when Sophie Scott blasted a free header in from a corner to the middle of the box.
It was an emphatic start to the new season for Sydney Olympic who will be looking to go one better than last year. Pressing well, last season’s runners up made UNSW Lions pay for their errors at the back, particularly errors coming from their new possession-based system.
Elsewhere, relegated Marconi Stallions got life in the PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 2 competition underway with a comfortable 3-0 win over Southern Branch at Marconi Stadium. Boasting the likes of Caitlin Jarvie and Chloe Logarzo in their squad, Marconi will be a force to be reckoned with this season.
Last season’s strugglers Northern Tigers and Sutherland Shire both began their season with a point, drawing 3-3 with Inter Lions and 2-2 with Nepean FC respectively. New recruit Jessie Wharepouri got on the score sheet for Northern Tigers, who will be hoping to get a win under their belt early this season to avoid the same struggles as last. Promoted side Nepean FC will also be hoping for a strong start to the competition and Nicola Bonaventura and Desiree Vassalla got on the scoresheet as they secured their first point.
Reserve Grade Results
There were wins for Inter Lions, Sutherland Shire and Marconi Stallions in the Reserve Grade, with Rhonda Succar scoring a double for Inter as they saw off Northern Tigers 3-2. Sharai Behrens, Charlotte Ibbotson and Jade Melrose scored for Sutherland in a comfortable 3-0 win over newly promoted Nepean FC and Marconi had a similarly comfortable score line against Southern Branch.
-By Kate Cohen
