PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 1 Round 11 Review
Only one match was washed out over round 11 despite a downpour of rain throughout the week.
Manly United has crept up to be within five points of the league leading Macarthur Rams while the Illawarra Stingrays were involved in another goal frenzy.
Football NSW 2-2 North West Sydney Koalas
A 94th minute equaliser by Natalie Tobin cancelled out Demi Koulizakis’ double as the Football NSW Institute and North West Sydney Koalas played out an entertaining 2-2 at ELS Hall Park.
It was a fairly timid opening to the match with both defences at the top of their games. Neither side could crack through and create a serious scoring opportunity.
Georgia Plessas latched on to a Demi Koulizakis through ball as she moved into the box. Her low shot was well saved by Amanda Horafios in the Koalas goal, keeping the scores locked at 0-0.
Helen Petinos then showed her class in the 20th minute. She received a ball just outside the area, turned expertly and sent a rocket toward the top corner. Her left footed shot went inches wide of the goal to the relief of the Institute keeper.
The Institute had the lead in the 24th minute though through sharp shooter Demi Koulizakis. An excellent interception and through ball by Ally Green saw Koulizakis break through the defence, round Horafios and send the ball home.
Petinos was again at the centre of a Koalas attack, this time Melati Abdullah got down well to save the shot.
In the 35th minute the Koalas probably should’ve equalised. Amy Dahdah did well to play a ball through for Natalie Tobin who took a touch and shot toward goal. Again Abdullah saved with the ball falling to Dahdah who’s on target shot was deflected wide for a corner.
A blocked free kick ended up at the feet of Petinos who calmly inside volleyed the ball toward the top corner but again Abdullah came out on top, tipping the ball over the bar in the 60th minute.
Dahdah then found the equaliser for the girls in yellow with a fantastic with about a quarter of an hour played in the second half. A long ball over the top found the Koalas striker who expertly lobbed the ball over Abdullah to level the scores.
The Institute went looking for the goal to put them back ahead and when Princess Ibini-Isei slalomed through the Koalas defence it looked like they could be in. She played in Lucy Mackie who couldn’t finish her one on one as Horafios made another fantastic save.
Koulizakis had her second and the Institute back in front in the 84th minute. Ellie Carpenter this time dribbled through the koalas defence playing the ball across goal for Plessas. Plessas cut the ball back for Koulizakis who hammered the ball home for the Institute.
Plessas should’ve had the game sewn up in the first minute of stoppage time after she rounded Horafios and shot from a difficult angle. The ball seemed on its way in before Katerina Kraft did extremely well to recover and clear the ball off the line.
Dahdah then took a corner with time ticking. The corner was flicked on at the near post for Tobin to run onto and head past Abdullah for a 94th minute equaliser.
Manly United 4-1 Central Coast
Having recorded their first win of the season last week, Central Coast travelled to Cromer Park to take on Manly United full of confidence.
In a tight first half, United went into the break up by the odd goal, leading 2-1. It was obvious the Coast had some new found belief in the squad as they pushed the second placed side to the limit.
United have been one of the most impressive sides in the competition though and two second half goal blew the score out to 4-1.
Tiffany Paterson put in amazing performance for united, scoring a hat-trick while Chloe O’Brien picked up the other goal.
Sydney University 0-0 Blacktown Spartans
Wilson Park was the venue for Sunday afternoons clash between Sydney University and the Blacktown Spartans.
The Spartans knew that three points would put them on equal points with their match day rivals and into fourth place as the fight for the finals started to heat up.
Neither side could find the winner though in a well fought contest, with the result finishing up at 0-0.
Illawarra Stingrays 4-3 North Shore Mariners
Whenever and wherever the Illawarra Stingrays play be prepared for many goals and it was no different on Sunday against the North Shore Mariners.
Lots of goals were promised after only the first 45 minutes of play as the sides went in level at the break 2-2.
The Sintrgrays pushed on in the second half to come away with a highly important three points in the fight for a finals place, winning 4-3.
It was Michelle Carney;s turn to turn up the heat, scoring three goals while Erica Halloway picked up the other. For the Mariners, Jasmin Courtenay, Siahn Bozanic and Madeline Bart all got on the score sheet.
The win pushed the Stingrays into sixth spot while the Mariners dropped to fourth on the ladder.
Macarthur Rams v Emerging Jets – W/O
– by Nikola Pozder, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s 1 Reporter
