PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 2 Round 7 Review
Just as it was last season, things remain as unpredictable as ever in the PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 2 competition.
Outside of Marconi Stallions in first place, spots are up for grabs in the top four as six teams are within five points of each other. In FNSW’s match of the round, Inter Lions hosted Sydney Olympic.
Sydney Olympic’s disappointing start to the season has continued, dropping two points to Inter Lions in a 2-2 draw despite taking a two goal lead. It was a story of so close yet so far for Olympic as they had three goals disallowed before their second half collapse.
Olympic were quick out of the blocks and had the ball in the back of the net within the first minute after striker Danielle Calvi teed up Ayse Adalis on the right. After flicking the ball over the head of a defender, Calvi was adjudged to have let the ball cross the byline before crossing to Adalis at the near post, seeing the goal disallowed.
It was a close call and Olympic were again on the receiving end of another tight moment when, in the 10th minute, Adalis returned the favour by setting up Calvi in behind Inter’s defensive line. Through one-on-one, the assistant’s flag was raised, a sight that would frustrate Calvi and Olympic as they looked to break the deadlock.
A second disallowed Olympic goal came in the 31st minute when Calvi was again on the wrong end of a tight offside call. As left winger Kate Halaska whipped in a right foot cross between Inter’s back four and the goalkeeper, Calvi was first to react, poking the ball beyond the on rushing goalkeeper and into the back of the net only to see the goal ruled out.
And just two minutes later frustrations were at breaking point as neat Olympic build up lead to another goal called back. Receiving near half way, Calvi was able to turn and drive forward with the ball before passing out to Gillian Bartlett in the centre. Bartlett quickly moved the ball onto opposite winger Kristy Kunovski whose stinging shot was blocked. The rebound fell to midfielder Sophie Scott whose long range effort was prodded in by Calvi in an offside position.
Eventually, the breakthrough would come for Olympic on the stroke of halftime as Adalis forced a turnover at the back and raced through one-on-one before finishing coolly. But despite taking the lead into the break, the Belmore-based side would later be ruining their lack of luck.
But if they were frustrated from three disallowed first half goals Olympic didn’t show it, doubling their lead just five minutes into the second half when right back Kayla Steeden drilled in a long range effort with help from the crossbar and a rebound off the unsighted goalkeeper’s leg.
It looked as if that would be the impetus for Olympic to carry on and win their first match since Round 1 however Inter Lions, for so long second best, found a way back into the match thanks to another long range screamer – this time from Alisha Dudman.
It was the lifeline Inter needed and with 15 minutes to go they were able to bring the scores level when substitute Georgia Klapos flicked in a near post cross and were inches away from scoring a winner three minutes later when Erica Toscano’s shot when one-on-one fizzed past the post.
As the match entered the final minutes, Inter and Olympic both resorted to scrappy, direct approaches feeling the three points were there for the taking. But it was Olympic who will be rueing dropping points the most after failing to capitalise on their dominance before succumbing to Inter’s late revival.
UNSW Lions vs Marconi Stallions at David Phillips Field
Marconi Stallions continued their unstoppable form, scoring three unanswered goals in a top versus bottom clash with UNSW Lions. Marconi, thanks to two goals from midfield from Chloe Logarzo and another by Ceyda Cambaz, are still to drop points this season after dropping down a division.
Northern Tigers vs Nepean FC at Mills Park
As the table continues to be congested, Northern Tigers were stunned by Nepean FC, losing 1-0 at Mills Park. Northern Tigers had begun the season strongly in contrast to Nepean who had been without a win for their first three games. But two wins in two games for Nepean has seen them move to within a point of Tigers.
Southern Branch vs Sutherland Shire at South Nowra Football Complex
Two second half goals for Sutherland Shire has seen them overcome a deficit to defeat Southern Branch 2-1. With a young team, Sutherland have now won three games in a row to rise from last to boasting a three point buffer in second spot.
***
In Reserve Grade, Sydney Olympic scored a late goal to upset league leaders Inter Lions 1-0. The loss for Inter has seen them overtaken by Marconi Stallions on goal difference after the Fairfield side defeated UNSW Lions 4-0. Elsewhere, Northern Tigers were involved in a high scoring game against Nepean FC, winning 5-2 and Sutherland Shire inflicted more pain on Southern Branch, winning 2-0 against a side yet to register a point this season.
–By Kate Cohen, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s 2 Reporter
