PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 2 Round 5 Review

Only two games went ahead in the PS4 NSW NPL Womens 2 competition after another wet week in Sydney.

Second placed Northern Tigers looked to plug a leaky defence against Southern Branch and, in FNSW’s game of the week, Sutherland Shire searched for their first win of the season against Inter Lions.

A sublime double from young attacker Rochelle Borromeo helped Sutherland Sutherland Shire to an emphatic 5-1 win over Inter Lions, their first of the season. It has been a tricky start to the season for Sutherland, coming up against title favourites Sydney Olympic and Marconi Stallions in the opening four games but after holding their own against both, it was only a matter of time before they were rewarded.

But despite the comfortable score line and performance, it could have been very different for Sutherland had Inter Lions taken their chance in the opening 30 seconds of the match. almost immediately from the kick off, pacey left winger Erica Toscano raced down the wing before coming inside into the box on her right foot. As a shooting opportunity was crowded out, Toscano squared the ball to Megan Bertenshaw free in the box who could only shoot straight at the goalkeeper.

It was an early let off for Sutherland but they were quick to establish their dominance, controlling possession and getting the ball to their wingers in good crossing positions to deliver dangerously into the box. After just three minutes, Shannon Peters on the right wing skinned her opponent down the outside before her cross was deflected just over the head of opposite winger Kate Dale in the box.

That would prove to be the pattern in the first half as Dale and Peters constantly got the better of their direct markers and the two quick attackers were helped by the killer passes of Borromeo who was pulling the strings in midfield.

Yet even though they were being outplayed in the first half, Inter still had a chance to take the lead against the run of play in the 14^th minute when a quick throw from left back Danielle Watson was controlled by striker Christina Ferreyra. Bringing the ball under control, Ferreyra backheeled the ball in behind for the run of Toscano who again attempted to find Bertenshaw. But as the ball inadvertently rebounded back to Toscano in a goal scoring postion, she could only scuff her shot harmlessly wide of the near post.

Sutherland quickly regained control and a free header on the penalty spot for Kellie Mutch from a corner in the 23^rd minute was a warning not adhered to for Inter. Just a minute later Borromeo, with her back to goal, was fouled from behind 25 metres from goal and Verity Quartermain drilled the resulting free kick low and hard into the bottom corner to give Sutherland a deserved lead.

Borromeo was again essential as Sutherland doubled their advantage just before half time, taking her first touch out of reach of the first defender before beating a second and smashing a left footed shot into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Down two goals at half time, Inter called on substitute Georgia Klapos after 55 minutes and it wasn’t long before she got her side back into the match, unexpectedly curling a free kick in from a tight angle on the right edge of the penalty box.

But after re-establishing themselves in the match, Inter were again nearly punished for their zonal marking set up from corners. Delivering to the edge of the box, Sutherland found Borromeo in acres of space in the 60^th minute and the diminutive attacker was able to bring the ball under control and shoot well with her right foot. Goalkeeper Natasha Pentecost was equal to the effort and got down quickly to her right to save the initial shot and Dale blazed the follow up over the bar from close range.

Pentecost was again singlehandedly keeping her side in the game when, in the 69^th minute, she again pulled off a smart save to deny Peters after she was played in on goal by Borromeo. Just a minute later, Pentecost again was down quickly to save a Dale shot.

But after keeping the score competitive, Pentecost could do nothing when, from a corner, Inter’s zonal marking proved ineffective in the 75^th minute. Mutch, who had nearly scored from a free header in the first half, was able to get a running jump on the ball as Inter’s players stood static on the six yard box and headed powerfully into the bottom corner from seven yards out.

Mutch’s goal opened the floodgates and it was four for Sutherland just two minutes later. When Peters again beat her opponent and got into a good crossing position, she was able to pick out Borromeo in the box who volleyed home at hip height.

And despite Pentecost’s best efforts, saving Morgan Maxwell’s initial one-on-one chance, the goalkeeper was unable to tip Peters’ follow up shot past the post as the winger made it five for Sutherland and sealed all three points for the Shire side.

Northern Tigers vs Southern Branch, 3pm Sunday 26 April at Charlie Bean Sportsground

Northern Tigers continue to accumulate points in the new season, drawing 3-3 with Southern Branch at Charlie Bean Sportsground on Sunday. Ester Pannwitz (two) and Ella Gibson scored the goals for Tigers but it will be the three conceded that will worry the Ku-ring-gai side. Five games into the season, Tigers have now conceded 15 goals.

UNSW Lions vs Nepean FC, 3pm Sunday 26 April at David Phillips Field

Washed out.

Sydney Olympic vs Marconi Stallions, 3pm Sunday 26 April at Peter Moore Park

Washed out.

***

In Reserve Grade, Inter Lions maintained pressure on league leaders Marconi Stallions – whose game against Sydney Olympic was washed out – winning 3-1 over Sutherland Shire at Concord Oval. Elsewhere, Northern Tigers put six unanswered goals past Southern Branch and UNSW Lions’ clash with Nepean FC was washed out.

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