PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 1 Round 15 Review
After round 15 in the PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 1 competition, one team has assured a finals spot, two others are on the right path while it will be a real fight between four others for the last finals place.
Match of the Round
Sydney University 4-1 Illawarra Stingrays
Two goals each to Stephanie Ambrose and Georgia Keen sent Sydney University on their way to victory over the Illawarra Stingrays on a stunning Sunday afternoon at Wilson Park.
Both teams fielded strong squads despite missing players through Young Matildas duties. They included Natasha Prior, Olivia Price and Jordan Baker to name a few.
Sydney University player/coach Heather Garriock sat deeper than usual to man mark Stingrays captain Michelle Carney. It was a beautiful sight seeing two veterans of the women’s game battling it out for their respective teams.
In the seventh minute, the home side had the lead from the first real opportunity of the game. Liana Danaskos picked up the ball in midfield and played in a superb ball for Stephanie Ambrose who broke through the high Stingrays defensive line, rounding the keeper and comfortably sliding the ball into the back of the net.
A couple minutes later and the Stingrays had a chance of their own. Carney found just enough space to slid a ball in for Erica Halloway who got her shot off but was blocked well by a scrambling Uni defence.
It could’ve been two on 19 minutes when Ambrose this time became provider. She made a great run down the right to square the ball across goals for Georgia Keen. Keen did well to control the ball and slide a shot toward the far post but the Stingrays defence reacted well and cleared their lines.
Five minutes later and Sophie Hancock tried her luck for the ‘Rays’. She did it all herself, dribbling with the ball from the left, taking on her defender but poking her shot from the six yard box inches wide.
On 27 minutes Elizabeth Grey had a golden opportunity. Stealing the ball from the Stingrays defence, she broke through one-on-one with Elyse Finlayson. With the whole goal to choose from, Grey hit her shot wide.
On 33 minutes it was that combination between Ambrose-Keen again, this time resulting in the home sides second. Another great ball from Ambrose from the left saw Keen run in and volley home beyond Finlayson.
Only two minutes later and the home side made it three. Danaskos was again the provider, playing another characteristic ball through the Stingrays defence for the on rushing keen who calmly chipped Finlayson for her second in quick succession.
Garriock and Rachael Soutar combined down the left just before the break with Soutar moving into the box and shooting, only for Finlayson to save well.
The Stingrays knew that an early goal in the second half would put them right back in the match and some panic defending saw Hancock go close, only for Trudy Burke to save well.
Ambrose was a livewire all game for the girls in yellow and she also had a good chance right after the break. Beating her defender she shot hard to toward the bottom left corner but Finlayson made fantastic save, getting a strong hand to the ball.
In the 56th minute the home side had the opportunity to make it four from the spot after Danaskos was fouled in the box. Garriock took it upon herself to take the spot kick but her shot hit the post and went out, making it an astonishing five penalty misses for Uni this season.
The punishment was almost immediate for Uni as the Stingrays launched a swift counter attack. Breanna Payne lead the attack and hit a sweet shot across goal but Burke again saved well. The rebound fell to Caitlin Cooper but again the Uni defence recoverd to some how stop the ball on the line and get the ball out after quite the scramble.
Halloway soon after had a chance but it was Burke to the rescue again, saving well from the powerful shot.
In the 66th minute the Stingrays pulled one back. Confusion in the Uni defensive line was pounced on by Carney who doesn’t need a second invitation, easily playing the ball passed Burke.
With 20 to go Uni broke Stingrays hopes of a comeback, scoring their fourth. Danaskos was having a fine game, racking up her third assist of the afternoon with a smart ball across goal for Stephanie Ambrose who had the easiest of finishes to make it 4-1.
Ambrose was inches away from her hat-trick with 15 minutes left on the clock, rattling the bar from a free-kick from the edge of the area.
Carney’s final effort of the game summed up the Stingrays afternoon, volleying over from inside the box as the referee’s whistle sounded for a resounding 4-1 Uni win.
Blacktown Spartans 3-1 North West Sydney Koalas
It was a do or die game for the Blacktown Spartans at Blacktown Football Park as they hosted the North West Sydney Koalas.
It was a tight first half between the two with the sides heading into the sheds at half-time locked at 1-1.
With the pressure on the Spartans, they came out in the second half and score two goals, enough for them to register an important victory in the fight for finals. They now sit just one point outside of the top four with only three matches to go.
Elizabeth O’Reilly scored a brace while captain Alix Roberts continued her rich form in front of goal, also getting on the score sheet for the hosts.
Macarthur Rams 6-0 Football NSW Institute
It was last season’s Grand Final rematch as the Macarthur Rams welcomed the Football NSW Institute to Lynwood Park.
It seems the Rams still haven’t forgiven for the last years Final loss and after putting five past the Institute earlier on in the season, they went one better this time, winning 6-0.
Three goals either side of the break demonstrated the Rams’ strength at the top of the table.
Norm Boardman welcomed Leena Khamis back into the team as the returning Matilda scored two. Kylie Ledbrook, Hayley Crawford, Georgia Yeoman-Dale and of course the ever reliable captain Renee Rollason all got on the score sheet.
The Rams are just one win away from claiming back-to-back Premierships.
North Shore Mariners 0-2 Manly United
In the Northern Beaches derby, the North Shore Mariners welcomed Manly United to Northbridge oval.
With both sides desperate for victory in the fight for finals football, it was the away side that got the highly desired three points.
A goal in either half was enough to send Manly on their way as they stayed in equal second on the ladder.
Emma Stanbury and Remy Siemsen were the scorers for the away team in the all important victory.
Emerging Jets 5-0 Central Coast
It was the F3 derby at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility as the Emerging Jets took on Central Coast.
The Jets made it two from two over their rivals this season with a resounding 5-0 victory. Kobie Ferguson showed her eye for a goal with a brace, while Skye McKenzie, Sophie Nenadovic and Clare Wheeler also got themselves on the score sheet.
The win means that the Jets have given themselves a lifeline in regards to finals football, closing the gap with the top four to just five points with three rounds to go and one catch-up, albeit against the league leaders.
– by Nikola Pozder, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s 1 Reporter
