It took just four rounds for two sides to establish a lead at the top of the table in the PS4 NPL NSW Womens 2 competition.

Second placed Northern Tigers travelled to Marconi as they attempted to take points off Stallions for the first time this season.
In the other games, UNSW Lions, Sutherland Shire and Nepean FC were searching for their first wins of the season against Southern Branch, Sydney Olympic and Inter Lions.
Marconi Stallions established themselves as the leading team in the competition, defeating second placed Northern Tigers 4-2 at Marconi Stadium. After falling behind in the first half, Marconi recovered to put four goals past Matilda Eder before Tigers pulled one back late on.
But despite the high-scoring match, few chances were created in the opening stages before Tigers’ Emily Usherwood opened the scoring in the 18^th minute. With both sides struggling to get into attacking positions, a quick free kick from left back Naomi Peterson allowed Tigers’ winger Molly Woods to break in behind. As Woods’ cross fell to Jessie Wharepouri on the edge of the box, the ball was squeezed out to Usherwood on the right edge of the box who volleyed the ball back across goal and in off the far post.
The opening goal seemed to spur Marconi on and they immediately hit back when right winger Ceyda Cambaz arced her run to get in behind the opposition’s defence. Baring down on goal, Cambaz’s low and hard shot rebounded in off the near post to bring the scores level.
Marconi maintained a higher tempo after drawing level but nearly fell behind against the run of play in the 36^th minute. Goalkeeper Renee Krstanovska nearly had an Adam Federici moment, letting a long range shot from Ester Pannwitz squirm between her legs before recovering to prevent it from going over the line.
The scare did not prevent Marconi from looking dangerous as the half came to a close and Chloe Logarzo caused problems with her energetic runs from midfield. In the 41^st minute, Logarzo released striker Renee Tomkins down the left channel before bursting into the box to receive the cross. Logarzo’s attempt at controlling the ball allowed it to inadvertently fall to Cambaz whose left footed shot fizzed past the far post.
Logarzo continued to threaten and with two minutes until half time, she won a free kick when an attempted flick around the corner struck the hand of centre back Nicole Ransom. Stepping up to take the free kick, Logarzo’s ball into the box was played straight down the throat of goalkeeper Eder who dropped the ball at the feet of Tomkins. Six yards out and with an open goal, Tomkins made no mistake giving Marconi the lead right before the half time whistle.
Marconi kicked off the second half how they ended the first, winning a series of early corners as they piled on the pressure. After picking up a clearance from a corner on the left wing just five minutes into the second half, Logarzo spread the ball out to right centre back Jodie Bain before bursting into the box to receive a return pass. Bain’s clipped ball over the top found Logarzo through on goal but her left footed shot fizzed past the far post.
Eventually, Marconi would increase their lead when, in the 67^th minute, Tomkins scored her second of the game. Cambaz was able to skip past her marker with ease on the right wing before crossing to Tomkins for the easiest of headers just metres out from goal.
Just five minutes later it was four for Marconi when this time Logarzo added the finishing touch to a dart in behind from midfield. Another clipped pass over the top from Bain found Logarzo in a near identical positon to the start of the half, however this time her toe poked finished trickled over the line.
Having taken the lead, Northern Tigers attempted to get back into the match, throwing two players up front and striker Eilidh Mackay grabbed one back when her long range effort dropping in under the crossbar with 10 minutes remaining.
More chances to get within one goal came but it proved to be too little, too late for Tigers as they fell to league leaders Marconi.
Other First Grade results from across the PS4 NPL NSW Womens 2 competition:
Southern Branch vs UNSW Lions, at South Nowra Football Complex
After a difficult start to the season, UNSW Lions have lifted themselves off the foot of the ladder with a 2-1 win over Southern Branch, their first of the season. Having conceded 13 goals in their opening three games, UNSW’s less leaky defence will be as pleasing as the three points.
Sutherland Shire vs Sydney Olympic, at Harrie Denning Centre
Goals from Toni Vukasin and Rochelle Borromeo helped Sutherland pick up just their second point of the season in a 2-2 draw with Sydney Olympic. Having previously drawn with Nepean FC in Round 1 of the season, Sutherland are still winless this season.
Nepean FC vs Inter Lions, at Cook Park
After losing last week 5-1 to Southern Branch, Inter Lions have recovered to beat struggling Nepean FC 2-1 at Cook Park. The win has helped Inter move about Sydney Olympic and into third place, however Nepean are now stuck at the foot of the ladder with UNSW’s win over Southern Branch.

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In Reserve Grade, a late goal from Jessica Beale gave Marconi a 1-0 win over Northern Tigers, consolidating their spot at the top of the ladder. Elsewhere, UNSW Lions ran out 4-1 winners over winless Southern Branch, Sutherland Shire defeated Sydney Olympic 3-0 and a Kaitlin Harms goal gave Nepean FC a 1-0 win over Inter Lions.

–By Kate Cohen, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s 2 Reporter