PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 1 Round 5 Review
After round 5 in the PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 1 competition, only four points separate first place to fifth place.
Despite dropping points, the North Shore Mariners hold top spot on the ladder with early pace setters Football NSW Institute losing points for the second consecutive week.
Blacktown Spartans 3-0 Central Coast
The Blacktown Spartans registered their first victory of the season with a comfortable 3-0 win against Central Coast at a windy Blacktown Football Park.
It was a fast paced start from the home side as they looked to stamp their authority early on in the match. Chance after chance came and went in the opening exchanges with the Central Coast struggling to hold possession.
As the match went on, the away side began to settle and seemed to be able to contain the Spartans forays forward.
Linda O’Neill then had an effort from an angle but the experienced Debra Carlin made a good save.
Doris Osman then astonishingly missed from only a couple metres out after receiving the ball following a lung busting run by Tara Pender down the left.
The Coast then had a couple efforts of their own from distance without really troubling Sarah Easthope in the Spartans goal.
On 39 minutes Elizabeth O’Reilly was bundled over in the box and the referee had no option but to point to the spot. O’Reilly dusted herself off to take the spot kick only for Carlin to save the initial shot as the Spartans player reacted quickest to the rebound and tucked the ball away.
O’Neill then let rip with a powerful free kick about 20 metres out as her shot flew just over the bar.
Just before the break the Coast could’ve had a surprise equaliser as Adriana Jones broke the offside trap. Easthope was quick to come out and put Jones off as the Spartans cleared the goal bound effort.
In the 43rd minute the home side was saved by the woodwork. Great work by Rahli Dobson down the left saw her break into the box and send a thunderous effort on goal. The ball smacked against the crossbar and post as no player from the away side could tuck the ball home.
O’Reilly almost had her second in the 50th minute after volleying an effort toward goal from a corner. Her shot went inches wide of the far post as the score stayed 1-0.
Confusion in the Coast back line almost saw the home side extend their lead as O’Neill cut the ball back for captain Alix Roberts. Roberts placed the ball toward goal but some scrambling defence saw Central Coast clear their lines.
In the 64th minute it was Easthope to the rescue for the home side. A dipping free kick from Lucy Metcalfe caught all off guard but the Spartans custodian who tipped the ball out for a corner.
In the 69th minute and the Spartans doubled their lead. Substitute Logan Garard played in a delightful ball for O’Neill who made no mistake with the finish, flicking the ball over Carlin.
In the 86th minute Tara Pender made the points safe with a beautiful volley to make the score 3-0. The ball wasn’t cleared well by the Coast defence from a corner, allowing Pender to volley the ball into the bottom right corner from the edge of the area.
North Shore Mariners 2-2 Emerging Jets
At Northbridge Oval, top of the table North Shore Mariners welcomed the Emerging Jets.
It was the Jets that came out strong off the blocks, racing to a two-goal lead before the break.
The league leaders rallied in the second half to continue their undefeated start to the season with Ariella Cabezas and Bronte Bates picking up the goals for a 2-2 draw.
Macarthur Rams 3-3 Illawarra Stingrays
There were goals galore at Lynwood park as the Macarthur Rams welcomed the Illawarra Stingrays.
The Stingrays have had a slow start to the season so far, yet to pick up any points but they looked in a confident mood at Lynwood Park, taking a 2-0 lead into halftime.
The home side came back in the second half but couldn’t do enough for all three points with both teams having to settle for a 3-3 draw in a Sunday goal bonanza.
Michelle Carney, Lucy Nolan and Caitlin Cooper were the goal scorers for the unlucky away side who picked up their first points of the 2015 season. Kylie Ledbrook continued her fantastic return in the Rams jersey, picking up a brace while Kate Hensman scored the other.
Sydney University 2-0 North West Sydney Koalas
At Wilson Park on Sunday afternoon, Sydney University and the North West Sydney Koalas did battle.
It was a tight first half affair between the two teams as they went into the break goaless.
Two second half strikes from the home side by Melissa Caceres and Evelyn Chronis sent Heather Garriock’s girls on course for their second victory of the season.
Football NSW Institute 2-5 Manly United
At Valentine Sports Park on Sunday afternoon, the Football NSW Institute took on Manly United.
It was the away side that stole the show, coming away with an impressive 5-2 victory to move into second place on the ladder. Manly is yet to taste defeat this season and could be on course for a title challenge.
It’s the Institute’s second straight loss, with key personnel missing from their squad due to Young Matilda’s duty.
– by Nikola Pozder, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s 1 Reporter
