PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 2 Round 11 Review

In a crucial round to help establish the top four, fifth placed Inter Lions hosted sixth placed Nepean FC while fourth placed Northern Tigers looked to take points off Marconi Stallions.

A bottom of the table clash between Southern Branch and UNSW Lions was important to help one team keep up with the teams above them while, in FNSW’s game of the round, second placed Sydney Olympic tried to maintain their good form against Sutherland Shire.

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An emphatic counter attacking performance helped Sydney Olympic to consolidate second spot, defeating third placed Sutherland Shire 3-0. Having previously played out a 1-1 draw earlier in the season, Olympic overcame a slow start to create multiple chances in behind Sutherland’s defence.
The travelling Sutherland started the strongest of the two sides and, for the opening 10 minutes, played predominantly in Olympic’s half of the pitch. With wave after wave of early possession, Sutherland nearly took the lead when striker Verity Quartermain turned and rewarded the midfielder run of SS12 but with only the goalkeeper to beat her volleyed effort flew just past the post.
It took until a foul near the centre circle in the 11^th minute for Olympic to relieve the pressure on their defence and rare entry into Sutherland’s half saw them immediately threaten with strikers Danielle Calvi and Ayse Adalis combining to force a corner kick. Only a clearance on the line prevented Adalis, who had won the corner, from heading home the first goal.
It was the first chance for Olympic and set the tone for the remainder of the match, with Olympic continually pinching the ball in midfield before attacking in behind Sutherland’s high defensive line.
Olympic broke through for a second time in the 19^th minute when Adalis arced her run to stay onside for Sophie Scott’s through ball. Bearing down on goal, the looped effort trying to catch the goalkeeper off her line was just overhit, dropping down on the wrong side of the net.
Even a lengthy injury time out could not allow Sutherland to correct their problems at the back and they were punished in the 27^th minute when a well struck shot from right midfielder Kristy Kunovski rocketed beyond the goalkeeper and into the far bottom corner.
Once a goal down, Sutherland were forced to push higher up the pitch, perfect conditions for Olympic’s direct, counter attacking style and only a tight offside prevented Calvi from running through one-on-one in the 38^th minute. But less than a minute later, an identical run by Calvi, this time onside, was rewarded by Kunovksi and the striker made no mistake, passing the ball beyond the goalkeeper and into the net.
Only a terrific reflex save from SS22 kept the scores tight after Calvi and Adalis combined again in the 39^th minute. Another through ball, now a regular occurrence, found Calvi in the right channel in behind Sutherland left back SS29 and the striker dribbled goalwards before drawing out SS22 and squaring to Adalis in space. But quick reflexes from SS22 allowed her to dive in front of the shot and deflect the ball onto the crossbar.
But it wasn’t enough to keep her side in the match going into half time when Adalis added Olympic’s third in first half stoppage time – lifting the ball past SS22 off her line after being played in over the top of Sutherland’s high line.
Despite looking similarly potent on the counter attack in the second half Olympic were unable to extend their lead, with luck and good goalkeeping combining.
When Adalis burst in behind in the 56^th minute her initial shot stung the palms of SS22 before falling back at the feet of the striker. Finding room again in the box, Adalis smacked the ball beyond the goalkeeper, only to see the ball ricochet off both uprights and, somehow, behind Calvi who had followed up at the back post for a tap in. 
SS22 also pulled off another reflex save to keep the scoreline respectable, sticking out a leg to toe the ball away when Adalis shot across goal late in the game.
But while Olympic could have extended their goal tally, they can thank their goalkeeper Amanda Seskin who saved her second penalty in three games, denying Quartermain and quashing any slim chances of a Sutherland comeback in the 65^th minute.

Inter Lions vs Nepean FC at Concord Oval

A late goal by Danielle Watson helped Inter Lions defeat Nepean FC 2-1, moving back into the top four in the process. Inter were pegged back by a Jess Elliot goal after Georgia Klapos had initially given them the lead in the first half before Watson scored late. The late goal has proven costly for Nepean who have now lost four in a row after previously winning three straight.

Northern Tigers vs Marconi Stallions at Mills Park

Marconi recorded another win, extending their run to 11 straight wins to start the season. Now 15 points clear of second spot, the premiership title is well and truly wrapped up for Marconi, who are also going strongly in other age groups. For Northern Tigers, however, the loss sees them fall out of the top four for the first time this season.

UNSW Lions vs Southern Branch at David Phillips Field

Given the close nature of the competition, UNSW Lions’ match against Southern Branch was crucial if either side wanted to quickly put themselves back in contention for finals football. Coming out on top 3-2, Southern Branch has now moved to within a win of fourth spot and off the foot of the ladder. UNSW fall back into last spot, with the three teams ahead of them all having a game in hand.

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Kristy Kunovski and Yasmin Mehmed scored to help Sydney Olympic defeat Sutherland Shire 2-0 in Reserve Grade. That win helped Olympic to maintain a buffer in fourth spot. Elsewhere, Inter Lions, UNSW Lions and Marconi Stallions all won 2-0 over Nepean FC, Southern Branch and Northern Tigers respectively.

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