PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 2 Round 14 Review
Marconi maintained their lead at the top of the table this weekend in a comfortable win over UNSW, Sydney Olympic overcame Inter Lions, and Southern Branch defeated Sutherland Shire at Harrie Denning.
Match of the Round: Nepean FC v Northern Tigers, 3pm Sunday 28th June at Cook Park
Nepean move up to 5th place on the ladder after a hard fought 2-1 win over Northern Tigers.
The damp surface at Cook Park didn’t help out either side, with a number of players losing their footing at key moments. It by no means drastically harmed the spectacle of the match but it certainly contributed to what was at times a scrappy and direct affair.
Northern Tigers had the edge in the early stages, and looked likely to create the best chances of the match as they continually attacked down their right hand side. But aside from a few tame efforts they were unable to make the most of their strong start.
The first half as a whole was played out predominantly in midfield as neither side could really grab a hold of the game in any meaningful way. Both sides were rather physical when it came to regaining possession, but with the exception of a two-footed lunge from Nepean’s Hollie Wilson – that somehow escaped any sanction above a few stern words from the referee – neither side really overstepped the line.
Nepean created the best chance of the game up until that point in the 36th minute when Alix Waddell lashed the ball across goal for Nicola Bonaventura who was sliding in at the far post, but she could only just get her toe to the ball and her finish squeezed wide.
The breakthrough for Nepean came in the shadows of half time. Adele Granata lofted in a tempting cross towards the penalty spot that was met expertly by Waddell and her header snuck in just under the crossbar. 1-0 Nepean.
Tigers would have been annoyed to go into half time a goal down after having the better of the first half on balance.
They would have felt much better a few minutes into the second half when Naomi Peterson found the equaliser. In heavy traffic a corner was spilled by Nepean’s goalkeeper and in the ensuing scramble Peterson was able to poke the ball just inside the post.
The Tigers showed a lot more confidence for the next ten minutes or so, forcing Nepean skipper Desiree Vassallo into several pieces of desperate (but excellent) defending to keep the scores level.
The niggly fouls returned as both teams pushed harder and harder for a winner, but once again there was no real malice to any of the challenges and both sides just got on with the game.
The Tigers almost took the lead in the 75th minute after another fumble from a corner by the Nepean goalkeeper. This time though she makes amends by pulling off a brilliant smothering save to deny them the lead.
Nepean immediately broke the length of the field after the save, and if Kaitlin Harms had shown just a little more composure with her finish they would have taken the lead themselves. Harms was put through one on one with the ‘keeper but she lofted her shot waywardly over the bar.
As the game opened up there was a sense that a goal was coming, and thankfully for Nepean they found the winner in the 90th minute. Striker Lauren Connell expertly curved her run to get in behind the Tigers defence and she was rewarded with a super through ball that left her one on one with the ‘keeper. Connell made the chance count as she calmly, almost nonchalantly placed the ball into bottom corner to ensure a gutsy and well-earned victory for the home side.
Sutherland Shire FA v Southern Branch FC, 3pm Sunday 28th June at Harrie Denning Centre
Goals from Raegan Deeley and Morgan Maxwell weren’t enough for Sutherland to overcome Southern Branch, as the home side slumped to a 3-2 defeat. This was a missed opportunity for Sutherland, even though they are still in a strong position to challenge for end of season honours, as now Southern Branch overtake them and move into third spot on the ladder. The win means they are still within striking distance of Olympic in the race for second spot and puts them 4 points ahead of Nepean in 5th.
Sydney Olympic FC v Inter Lions SC, 3pm Sunday 28th June at Peter Moore Park
Olympic defeated Inter Lions 2-1 at Peter Moore Park. The win sees Olympic maintain their position in 2nd spot, 2 points ahead of Southern Branch. Leading scorer Danielle Calvi struck twice for the home side, who with their game in hand are now all but sewn up for a place in the finals. The loss for Inter leaves them 3 points adrift of finals football, and they’ll need to lift their performance if they are to move up the ladder in the weeks to come.
Marconi Stallions v UNSW Lions, 3pm Sunday 28th June at Marconi Stadium
Second half goals from Heather Duffy and Joanne Burgess were enough to see Marconi comfortably deal with the UNSW Lions. Barring one of the most monumental collapses in history, the Stallions have guaranteed themselves the minor premiership now, and will be using the rest of the season to fine tune their game. Their football can be easy on the eye, but UNSW’s fragilities once again consign them to another loss, and they find themselves in outright last on the ladder. Things don’t get any easier for them next week when they travel to Sydney Olympic – who have already put 12 goals past the Lions this season.
Reserve Grade
Nepean defeated Northern Tigers 1-0 thanks to an 85th minute winner, Sutherland dispatched Southern Branch 4-1, Olympic swept aside Inter 4-2, and in the upset of the weekend UNSW hammered competition leaders Marconi 6-1.
-By Eamonn Warner, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s 2 Reporter
