PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 2 Round 12 Review

The four sides in the middle of the table battle each other for the best shot at finals football this week, while the UNSW Lions are looking to claw their way off the bottom of the table against Nepean FC.

The Football NSW match of the round sees a top of the table clash as Marconi take on Sydney Olympic at Marconi Stadium.
Match of the Round – Marconi Stallions v Sydney Olympic
In recent weeks Olympic have established themselves as the best of the rest, having given themselves a bit of breathing room from the fight for 3^rd and 4^th spot, and will be looking to be the first side all year to take points off of Marconi.
Marconi dropped points for the first time this season against a tactically sound Sydney Olympic side who would be disappointed they didn’t come away from the match with a better result following an exciting 1-1 draw.
Marconi began the match with a few tidy periods of possession, but came away with nothing to show for either.
As Marconi worked their way into the match, Olympic began launching raids thanks to their lightning fast transition play. Olympic were looking to get in behind Marconi’s defensive line as quickly as possible and it was paying dividends, with only a tight offside call against Ayse Adalis after she was put through by livewire midfielder Madelaine Costanzo preventing Olympic from opening the scoring.
Marconi show why they are so far undefeated in the 15^th minute when Ceyda Cambaz found herself one on one with Olympic goalkeeper Amanda Seskin, who proceeded to pull off a magnificent save before throwing herself at the follow up shot from Joanna Burgess. Seskin would pull off several more stunning saves as the match wore on as she kept Olympic in the game time and time again.
Marconi looked a class above when they would finally get their passing game going, and were now dominating the midfield area without too much difficulty.
They stared to create chances, particularly when their crafty 10 Caitlin Jarvie would drift across the front line to set up attacks. She terrorised the Olympic back four for much of the game, finding little pockets of space to play through her team mates.
But again, whenever Marconi found a way through Seskin was there to put an end to their ambitions.
Olympic though looked happy for Marconi to commit numbers forward as they would continually hit them on the counter attack, looking to use their pace up front to get in behind the Marconi defence.
This was an interesting tactical battle between the sides throughout the first half, and there was a feeling that one of these attacks from Olympic would soon pay dividends.
Olympic broke the deadlock in the 34^th minute, and it was that potent combination of Costanzo and Adalis that finally broke Marconi.
Costanzo won the ball in the centre of the park and drove forwards and out to the right. She got her head up and her square ball went straight to the feet of a totally unmarked Adalis who had enough time to compose herself and then bury the ball into the bottom corner.
The score remained the same until half time, with Olympic finishing the first half the stronger side.
Marconi started the second half slowly, with a succession of long range efforts floating harmlessly wide or over the bar.
The 54^th minute sees Olympic butcher a golden chance to go 2-0 up against the league leaders.
Some lovely touches around the box put Adalis through on goal but her effort is saved wonderfully well before the ball rebounds to her strike partner. With the ‘keeper out of position after the first save all she has to do is guide the ball into the net, but she mishits the volley and Marconi clear the danger.
Marconi then set out to dominate the second half as they began applying vast amounts of pressure to the Olympic backline. Olympic were resolute in defence throughout as they repelled wave after wave of Marconi attacks.
Burgess and Jarvie’s final ball just couldn’t do enough to crack Olympic.
Seskin again proved the final hurdle as she pulled off great saves in the 65^th, 70^th, and 80^th minutes to again deny Marconi.
Marconi had a glorious opportunity wasted by Laura Nay in the 83^rd minute. She was totally open on the far post but slipped as she went to strike the ball, and sent it skewing wide of the mark.
Marconi was finally rewarded for their endless pressure in the 85^th minute as Jodie Bain made the most of a rare error from the Olympic defenders. Bain pounced on the loose ball after confusion between the defence and Seskin, and she tied the game at 1-1 by guiding the ball into the net.
Both teams went all out for the win in the final few minutes, but neither could find the winning goal.
Marconi would surely be disappointed with the result given their start to the season. Olympic should see this as a point earned, despite the late goal.
Southern Branch v Northern Tigers at South Nowra Football Complex
Southern Branch overcame the Northern Tigers 2 goal to nil, which puts Southern Branch now right in the mix with the other teams in the middle of the table all on 14 points. The Tigers drop down to 5^th spot, and will be looking to bounce back sharply next weekend against Sydney Olympic.
Nepean FC v UNSW Lions at Cook Park
The UNSW Lions have handed Nepean FC bottom place in the league after defeating them comprehensively 4-1 at Cook Park this afternoon. The win for the Lions puts them only a result behind the 5^th placed Tigers, and gives them a good shot at a finals berth if they can maintain this sort of form for the next few weeks. Nepean needs a result away to Southern Branch next weekend if they are to remain in the mix come the end of the season.
Sutherland Shire FA v Inter Lions at Harrie Denning Centre
Sutherland maintained third spot with a 2-2 draw at home to Inter Lions. The draw sees both teams move to 15 points, one ahead of Southern Branch and Northern Tigers respectively, but importantly for Inter it sees them move up two spots on the ladder into fourth. With the centre of the table as tight as it is, any advantage that a side can get at this stage of the season is invaluable.
Reserve Grade
Marconi eased to a 4-0 victory of Olympic, while Northern Tigers made the most of the long trip to Southern Branch with a 3-1 win on the south coast. Nepean were held to a 2-2 draw at home by the UNSW Lions, and Sutherland Shire FA succumbed 3-2 at home to the Inter Lions.
-By Eamonn Warner, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s 2 Reporter