PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 2 Round 3 Review
Back from the Easter break, three games took place in Round 3 of the PS4 NPL NSW Womens 2 competition.
With Sydney Olympic’s game against Nepean FC washed out, Marconi Stallions took on Sutherland Shire, Inter Lions travelled to Southern Branch and, in FNSW’s game of the round, Northern Tigers looked to continue their strong start to the season against the struggling UNSW Lions.
Goalkeeping errors proved to be contagious in a high scoring affair between Northern Tigers and UNSW Lions at Mills Park on Sunday. In an eight-goal game, Northern Tigers took full advantage of a few goalkeeping howlers to take a lead at half-time and improved in the second half to finish as 5-3 winners.
Despite starting strongly and nearly scoring within the opening 40 seconds, Tigers fell behind after just four minutes when some incisive UNSW build up saw Makenzie Russell through on goal. Coming in off the right wing, Russell picked up possession in behind Tigers’ backline on the edge of the ‘D’ and shifted the ball onto her left foot before coolly slotting the ball beyond Matilda Eder at the front post.
Tigers looked to hit back immediately with Ester Pannwitz playing a ball over the top for left winger Molly Woods just a minute later. Woods’ pace saw her race past her marker however UNSW goalkeeper Danielle Bartels was quick off her line to clear the danger. It would prove to be a rare bright spot in a tough day for Bartels.
UNSW had looked in control with the 1-0 lead and nearly added a second when Helen Orr made a third-man run from midfield to race after a through ball which was cleared Eder but a simple error proved costly when Tigers equalised in the 20th minute.
With the ball safely under control, Bartels’ kick from her hands was mistimed, bobbling in midfield and falling to Pannwitz 35 metres from goal in central midfield. Attempting to shoot early over the head of the goalkeeper, Pannwitz’s tame shot was fumbled over the line giving Tigers an undeserved equaliser.
A UNSW turnover from the kick off nearly saw Tigers take the lead when chief creator Jessie Wharepouri dribbled her way to the byline on the right edge of the box before cutting the ball back towards Woods on the penalty spot.
Tigers eventually took the lead when, in the 37th minute, another goalkeeping error was pounced on. Coming for a corner kick, Bartels failed to make contact with the ball when attempting to punch clear. Orr rescued her goalkeeper, half clearing the ball of the six-yard box but Tigers crossed the ball straight back into the box. Bartels again failed to deal with the aerial ball, fumbling it under minimal pressure, after which Wharepouri buried the loose ball into the roof of the net.
Things would get even worse six minutes later when Wharepouri added a second, Tigers third, to take a comfortable lead into half-time. Receiving the ball from Eilidh Mackay on the right, Wharepouri cut in on her left foot and shot from the edge of the box. At a comfortable height, Bartels tried to tip the curling shot over the bar but could only flick it over her head and into the back of the net.
Looking to add further misery to Bartels’ day, Northern Tigers’ tactic straight from the kick off was clear – shoot on sight and test out the goalkeeper. Taking three shots from range in the opening 90 seconds, the third proved to be a charm as Mackay’s unstoppable shot from distance rebounded in off the underside of the crossbar.
But just as Tigers moved further ahead, Eder caught the error-prone bug to give UNSW a sniff in the 55th minute. Coming out of her box but under no pressure, Eder’s tame clearance found Rebecca Browning free who put the ball straight back over the goalkeeper’s head and into the back of the net.
Both teams exchanged goals within a minute of each other, with Ella Gibson momentarily giving Tigers back their three goal lead before Rachelle Godman pulled it straight back to leave UNSW in with a late chance. However, a second injury to Browning and another stoppage with a calf problem for Wharepouri saw the high scoring game peter out.
Other First Grade results from across the PS4 NPL NSW Womens 2 competition:
Marconi Stallions vs Sutherland Shire, at Marconi Stadium
A Chloe Logarzo goal for Marconi Stallions was enough to see off Sutherland Shire at Marconi Stadium. The win, which sees Marconi maintain a 100% record, ensures they remain at the top of the table, two points ahead of Northern Tigers.
Sydney Olympic vs Nepean FC, at Peter Moore Park
Washed out.
Southern Branch vs Inter Lions, South Nowra Football Complex
Amanda Carney proved to be the difference between Southern Branch and Inter Lions, scoring four times in a 5-1 win for Southern. In what was their first win of the season, Danielle Wise was the scorer of the other Southern Branch goal as they leapfrog Inter into fourth spot on the ladder.
In Reserve Grade, Northern Tigers matched their first grade side, winning 2-1 against UNSW Lions. Bianca Wong and Cecilia Corney were the goal scorers for Tigers as the win sees them move into fourth spot. Elsewhere, Inter Lions came out on top against Southern Branch in a five goal thriller, Marconi Stallions defeated Sutherland Shire 1-0 and Sydney Olympic’s game with Nepean FC was washed out.
-By Kate Cohen
