PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 1 Round 6 Review
There’s a new leader in the PS4 NPL Women’s 1 competition as the Macarthur Rams take top spot with Manly United equal with them.
These two sides are also now the only ones yet to taste defeat so far this season.
MATCH OF THE ROUND:
Manly United 2-0 North Shore Mariners
Cromer Park hosted the North Sydney derby between Manly United and the North Shore Mariners. United came out on top, pushing them to equal first on the ladder while it was the first defeat of the season for the Mariners.
It was a timid start to the match with neither side creating a real opportunity to open the scoring.
The away side had the first opportunity in the 11th minute as Bridget Booker crossed for Madeleine Bart who took a touch on her chest before having her shot closed down by the Manly goal keeper.
The Mariners kept pushing their opponents and were looking to pounce with a high press.
A few last ditch challenges from the home side defence ensured that their goal would remain untouched.
The home sides first chance of the match came in the 24th minute after a cross from the right found the head of Emma Stanbury. Erin Herd was quick to react though and make the save.
Only a minute later and the home side broke the dead lock. A Tia Gavin corner travelled high as Louise Neville rose highest in the box to meet the ball and head it toward goal. The ball deflected off Kristie Crawford and went into the back of the net.
There weren’t many chances following the goal as the teams went into the break with United one goal to the good.
Three minutes into the second half and the Mariners could’ve fell further behind. Gavin broke into the box and muscled her way to possession, but her left footed strike went just wide of the post.
In the 65th minute Neville and Manly had their goal they were after. Neville again rose highest from a corner and headed toward goal. This time no one got in the way to take her goal as United made it 2-0.
Even though the Mariners pushed hard to get themselves back into the contest, the home side did well to contain all their attacks, comfortably bringing the game to a close.
Central Coast 1-4 Emerging Jets
The Central Coast went into the F4 derby against the Emerging Jets at Pluim Park in hope of registering their first three points of the campaign.
It wasn’t to be for the home side as the visitors continued their good form, registering a somewhat comfortable 4-1 win. A brace from Ashlee Brodigan and goals to Clare Wheeler and Kaly Lewis were enough for the Jets to get win number two of the year.
With these three points, the Jets move up into seventh place while the Coast still search for their first points of 2015.
North West Sydney Koalas 0-1 Blacktown Spartans
It was a battle of two sides with inconsistent starts to their seasons at ELS Hall Park as the North West Sydney Koalas welcomed the Blacktown Spartans.
Having scored their first win of the season last week and growing in confidence, the Blacktown Spartans got their second victory in two weeks. An Alix Roberts first half goal was enough for the away side to hold on and take all three points.
The Spartans now sit just outside the top four while the struggle continues for the Koalas who are yet to win since round one.
Illawarra Stingrays 3-3 Sydney University
Almost whenever the Illawarra Stingrays are involved there is a goal fest and it was nothing different at JJ Kelly Park on Sunday as Sydney University made the trek down South.
The Stingrays went into half time up three goals to zero and were looking the goods as Michelle Carney, Lucy Nolan and Katelyn Leadbeatter all got on the score sheet.
A half time blast from Heather Garriock would’ve awoken the girls in yellow as they scored three consecutive goal to secure an entertaining 3-3 draw. Grace Henry, Amy Harrison and Natasha Prior all got on the score sheet for the away side.
Grahame Shaw in the Stingrays dug out would’ve blown his top off as his team surrendered another winning position to drop points again. The ‘Rays’ astonishingly are still in search of their first win of the season and sit in ninth while Uni comes in at fifth.
Football NSW Institute 0-5 Macarthur Rams
It was the 2014 Grand Final rematch at Valentine Sports Park between the Football NSW Institute and Macarthur Rams.
With revenge on the agenda for the Rams following last years defeat, the Institute didn’t seem turn up on Sunday. With the scores still tight before the break and the Rams only going in by one goal to the good, the second was one way traffic as the Rams smacked in another four on the bounce for a 5-0 win.
There were five different goal scorers for the away side as captain Renee Rollason, Kylie Ledbrook, Georgia-Yeoman-Dale, Tenealle Hay and Chrystal Duggan all got their name on the score sheet.
– by Nikola Pozder, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s 1 Reporter
