PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 1 Round 1 Review
The PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 1 competition got underway over the weekend with some surprise results on Sunday afternoon.
Twenty goals were scored over the five games with the teams keen to show their attacking prowess as early as the first round.
MATCH OF THE ROUND
Sydney University 0-2 North Shore Mariners
The North Shore Mariners started the 2015 PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 1 competition in fantastic fashion, coming away from Sydney Olympic Athletic Centre with an impressive 2-0 victory over Sydney University.
Tara Andrews was the star of the show, helping her side with a brace as they caused the first shock result of the new season.
It was the Mariners who started the brighter, somewhat surprising Uni with their high press, creating various half chances as a result, one of the better falling to Tara Andrews but she was blocked.
Evelyn Chronis then broke through the defence for Uni, creating something from nothing but a poor final touch made it easy pickings for the Mariners keeper.
The Mariners well structured back line, marshalled by captain Hannah Bromley, closed up well and cut out all Uni forays forward.
It was the away side who found the lead in the 23rd minute through Tara Andrews. Andrews latched onto to a defence splitting pass from Ariella Cabezas to skilfully round Trudy Burke and place the ball into an empty net.
It should’ve been two for the away side in the 27th minute but Cabezas could only manage a shot straight at the keeper.
It was the same combination for the first goal that led to the second as another great ball from Cabezas found Andrews. The Mariners striker took a touch, turned and slammed the ball into the corner for a 2-0 lead.
An excellent ball from Mel Caceres put through Stephanie Ambrose but some great defensive work and smart goalkeeping by Erin Herd meant the score stayed at 2-0 for the away side.
Caceres looked to be the one that would make something happen for the girls in yellow and it was her through ball that put Chronis through. Chronis rushed her effort though and could only get her shot off straight at the Mariners custodian.
A certain spray from coach Heather Garriock and a half time substitution saw a more hungry Uni team come out for the second half.
Rachel Soutar moved to the right side of a front three and it showed immediate effect. Her cross come shot just missing the top left corner.
Natasha Prior then thought she had halved the deficit but her header from a corner just missed in the 57th minute.
Uni continued to press as each attack became more threatening. The Mariners defence was holding firm though, repelling everything.
Anika Clayton then burst through from midfield but her shot sailed over the bar from the right.
Garriock then introduced the experienced Meegan Shepherd just after the hour mark in hope she could make a difference.
Uni then attempted shots from distance through Prior and Shepherd but neither could find the target with their efforts as the Mariners secured a well deserved an unlikely three points.
Manly United 2-1 Emerging Jets
On Sunday afternoon at Cromer Park, Manly United took on new team Emerging Jets.
United got off to the best possible start in the new year, holding their 2-1 lead at half time until the final whistle to record the three points.
Kristie Crawford and Emma Stanbury scored for the home team while Jemma House scored for the Jets.
Illawarra Stingrays 1-3 North West Sydney Koalas
At JJ Kelly Park, in the repeat of the Preseason Cup Final, the Illawarra Stingrays welcomed the North West Sydney Koalas down the South Coast.
The Koalas completely overturned their Cup disappointment loss to come away with the spoils from Illawarra. The 3-1 result saw them register three points and start the season on the front foot.
Ex-Marconi Stallions team mates were the difference for the Koalas as Helen Petinos scored a brace and Amy Dahdah scoring one. Stingrays captain Michele Carney scored the home sides lone goal.
Macarthur Rams 3-0 Blacktown Spartans
The Macarthur Rams took on the Blacktown Spartans in round one at Lynwood Park on Sunday afternoon.
It was a dream return to the states top tier for Kylie Ledbrook as she scored a double for the Rams with club stalwart Laura Donnely scoring the other in a comfortable 3-0 win.
Norm Boardman’s team showed they’ll be a massive force again this season, sending a real warning across the competition.
Football NSW Institute 7-1 Central Coast
Current Champions Football NSW Institute took on the newly promoted Central Coast at Valentine Sports Park on Sunday.
It was the Institute that continued where they stopped last season, scoring goals like crazy, as they gave the Coast the worst possible return to the top flight, smashing them 7-1.
It was that girl again, obviously not changing the scoring boots from 2014 as Princess Ibini-Isei scored a hat-trick, with Panayiota Petratos, Demi Koulizakis, Georgia Plessas and Jacqualine Anyon-Smith joining in on the party.
– by Nikola Pozder, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s 1 Reporter
