PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 1 Round 16 Review
The Macarthur Rams are on the verge of being crowned 2015 PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 1 Premiers with only two rounds remaining.
The top four has also changed again, with the Blacktown Spartans moving in, making the final two rounds as exciting as it gets.
Macarthur Rams 2-1 Manly United
The Macarthur Rams knew that victory would put them a point away from the Premiership when Manly United travelled to Lynwood Park.
Goals from Leena Khamis and Laura Ralston were enough to sneak them passed United 2-1.
Kate Hensman took the armband in the absence of captain Renee Rollason and had an opportunity in the opening minute but her shot was cleared out for a corner.
The Rams didn’t need to wait long for the lead though and it was four minutes gone when Khamis opened the scoring. Khamis latched onto a ball through midfield, to take a touch in from the edge of the left side of the box to lob the ball into the top right corner.
A number of faces were missing from the home sides line up but it didn’t seem to affect them much.
In the 17th minute United had their first opportunity of the game. Tiffany Patterson lined up a free kick just outside the area but her shot struck the wall. The rebound fell to Emma Stanbury and what seemed to be a routine save was fumbled by the Rams keeper but cleared to safety.
Khamis was quite the outlet for the Rams and she broke through the United defence again in the 25th minute. In an attempt to beat Alyssa Harris to the ball, she was adjudged to have fouled the keeper with the attack coming to nothing.
It was the travelling side that then starting lifting the pressure and had successive chances through Patterson but to no avail.
Again the Rams pressed forward and could’ve had a second right on half time. Khamis was instrumental once more, this time playing through Hensman who went through one on one with Harris but the United keeper made a fantastic save.
In the 52nd minute, Khamis again found Hensman who only had the keeper to beat but to her anger, skewed her shot wide.
The home side made it 2-0 in the 60th minute through Lauren Ralston. Georgia Yeoman-Dale made a characteristic run down the right flank to whip in a superb ball for Ralston who headed home in difficult windy conditions.
United knew they had no alternative but to attack and had a great double chance. Isabella Walker delivered a delightful ball into the box for Stanbury but her effort went straight into the Rams keeper as the rebound fell for Loiuse Neville who could only shoot into the arms of Erin Mcalister.
United pulled a goal back with five minutes to go. Kristie Crawford crossed a ball toward the far post where after a scramble Gemma Woolley managed to get a shot off that was tapped onto the bar by Mcalister. Walker was on hand to react quickest though and headed the ball into an empty net.
The Rams managed to hold on despite some late Manly pressure, registering a massive three points for the club.
Illawarra Stingrays 1-3 Blacktown Spartans
It was always going to be a massive match at JJ Kelly Park between the Illawarra Stingrays and Blacktown Spartans with both teams hopeful of finals football.
How things have changed for Paul Constantini’s girls after they looked down and out of finals football a month ago.
Taking a 1-0 lead into the break against the Stingrays, the Spartans prevailed in a fiery encounter, taking the spoils and moving into fourth place on the ladder with a 3-1 victory.
After being crowned F-League Champion with the Dural Warriors earlier in the day, Tara Pender backed up to score a goal for the away side, along with Linda O’Neil and Morgan Roberts.
Central Coast 1-1 North Shore Mariners
It was always going to be a potential banana skin at Pluim Park for the North Shore Mariners against Central Coast.
The Mariners finals hopes took a massive whack to the teeth as the Coast managed to secure a draw for only their fourth point of the season.
It seemed goal-scoring machine Adriana Jones had the home side on their way to their second win of the season before Siahn Bozanic scored an equaliser.
It was a devastating point for Larry Bates’ side who move four points away from finals football with the draw, while the Coast were celebrating a well deserved point, showing they won’t lay down for anyone.
– by Nikola Pozder, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s 1 Reporter
