Round 1 Review – PS4 NPL NSW Women’s
Finally the PlayStation 4 NPL NSW Women’s competition kicked off this week and there were some dramatic games and interesting results to get the season started.
MATCH OF THE ROUND
Macarthur Rams 1-2 North West Sydney Koalas
The Premier’s and last seasons grand finalists, Macarthur Rams welcomed the North West Sydney Koalas to the newly surfaced Lynwood Park.
It was the Koalas who would run away with a somewhat surprise 2-1 win courtesy of goals from Tara Andrews and Rachel Perrins.
The Koalas showed their intentions from the get go, playing some great possession football and causing the Rams some minor headaches.
It was the home side though with the first real chance of the half after 13 minutes. A fantastic ball from the ever-reliable Renee Rollason saw Laura Donnelly break through one on one with Chloe Avgoustou.
The young keeper did extremely well to keep out Donnelley’s effort before Kirrilee Cameron blasted the ball over from just outside the 6-yard box.
On the half hour mark it was the Koalas turn to seriously threaten the Rams’ goal.
Kimberley Davey played in a great through ball from Shayna Killey but her first touch let her down as Shamiran Khamis was quick off her line to save well.
The Rams had the lead in the 34th minute after some fantastic work by Claire Walsh to win the ball in the middle of the pitch.
She then played in Stefani Skerlevska who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner beyond Avgoustou.
Only three minutes later and the Koalas had their equaliser in stunning fashion.
Andrews ran onto a bouncing ball and hit a sublime volley into the back of the net from outside the box, giving Khamis no chance.
Some great dribbling and a nutmegs on 44 minutes saw Cameron break through on the right for the Rams, squaring up a ball for Chrystal Duggan on the edge of the area.
Duggan’s first time shot forced a fantastic save from Avgoustou who tipped the ball wide for a corner.
Then in first half stoppage time the Koalas completely overturned their earlier deficit.
Rachel Perrins will say she meant it but her shot turn cross saw Khamis lose the ball in the sun as it flew into the back of the net.
Killey then had another golden opportunity four minutes after the restart to double the Koalas lead.
Great work by Morgan Roberts down the right saw her cross for Killey who had the whole goal to aim at but instead saw her header fly over the bar.
The Koalas continued to attack and looked the more likely in the opening stages of the second half.
Natalie Tobin then came close from distance after some great Koalas build up play, but Sham Khamis made a good save at her near post.
The Rams must’ve thought they had their equaliser in the 71st minute.
A free kick by Rollason wasn’t dealt with well by the Koalas defence as the ball broke for Elizabeth Ralston who powered a volley toward goal.
Chloe Avgoustou was again up to the task, saving brilliantly to her right before Leena Khamis hit didn’t connect well with the follow up.
The Koalas thought they had chalked up the win in the 88th minute but the assistant referee flagged for offside.
There wouldn’t be any time left for the Rams though as the Koalas held on comfortably to record their first win of the season.
Stephen Peters would have been well pleased with the score line and his teams fantastic performance to go with it.
Sydney University SFC 3-0 Emerging Jets
Champions Sydney University welcomed the Emerging Jets to their new first class home, Sydney University Football Ground.
The home side continued their fantastic start to the new year after last weeks Preseason Cup women, over running the youngsters 3-0.
It was already 2-0 at the break thanks to a brace from pacey winger Evelyn Chronis. The home side secured all three points when Gabrielle Marzano made it three in the second half.
The result pushed Uni straight to the top of the league and continued their 100% winning start to the year, including the Preseason Cup.
Uni has already asserted itself and Heather Garriock will be pleased with her teams fine scoring form already in 2016.
Illawarra Stingrays 4-2 Manly United
At JJ Kelly Park, the Illawarra Stingrays welcomed Manly United for the first match of the season.
Two teams that put a lot of emphasis on their juniors did battle but it was the home side that came out on top.
The sides couldn’t be separated at the break as they moved into the break at 2-2. The Stingrays added two more goals to their tally in this high scoring fixture to come away with a 4-2 win.
Matilda Michelle Heyman was quick to show her worth for the Rays’, scoring one along with Erica Halloway, while Michelle Carney’s brace would’ve brought a smile to coach Earle Canvin’s face.
For United, Kristie Crawford lead her young team mates by example, picking up a goal while Louise Neville got the other.
North Shore Mariners 1-1 Blacktown Spartans
It was a battle till the death at Northbridge Oval between the North Shore Mariners and Blacktown Spartans.
Rani Cavarretta gave Spencer Prior’s team the lead as they looked set to claim all three points in the first game of the season. That was until the Spartans found an all important equaliser only minutes before the full time whistle.
Paul Costantini’s girls showed the fighting spirit that pushed them into finals football last year, something that could be on the cards again with performances like that.
Marconi Stallions 1-0 Football NSW Institute
Top tier of women’s football was back at Marconi Stadium again in 2016 as the Marconi Stallions hosted Football NSW Institute.
The returning Stallions started the first half the stronger, creating various chances to open the scoring. It was no surprise then when they opened the scoring through Jodie Bain through a well-worked corner.
Craig Foster said his Institute girls would be very competitive this year despite their age and came out firing in the second half as the Stallions seemed to run out of legs.
The home side held on though to secure win number one of the season.
-By Nikola Pozder
