Round 2 Review – PS4 NPL NSW Women’s
A free scoring round in the PlayStation 4 Women’s competition saw 18 goals scored across five games.
Football NSW Institute 1-3 Blacktown Spartans
The rain pelted down at Valentine Sports Park as the Blacktown Spartans overcame the Football NSW Institute 3-1 in round two of the PlayStation 4 Women’s competition.
The away side started the brighter, boxing in the Institute and having their first chance through Olivia Price in the fourth minute, only for Jada Mathyssen-Whyman to make a safe save.
Only two minutes later and the Spartans were in front.
A neat ball from Christina Palumbo from the right saw Tara Pender take a fantastic touch which took her away from Mathyssen-Whyman to tuck the ball away into an empty net.
In the 19th minute the Spartans doubled their advantage.
A teasing Patricia Charalambous free kick from the left found Samantha Huynh all alone at the far post to volley the ball home.
The Institute would’ve been disappointed with their marking, leaving Huynh with all the time in the world.
As the rain slowed, the Institute improved and starting forcing their way further up the park.
An error by Mathyssen-Whyman in the 44th minute after she dropped the ball and then picked it up again on the edge of the area resulted in an indirect free kick.
Charalambous again stood over the ball, this time just touching it for Logan Garard who curled the ball into the top corner.
In the first minute of stoppage time the Spartans thought they had made it 4-0.
Alix Roberts broke through the Institute defence, squaring the ball up for Charalambous who placed the ball in the back of the net, only for the assistant’s flag to rule it out for offside.
In the 67th minute, Tyler Sparks did fantastically well to win the ball in her own half and then play just a good as ball into the path of Princess Ibini-Isei who was thwarted at the last by Sarah Easthope in the Spartans goal.
No one would stop Ibini-Isei 10 minutes later as the Institute striker did what she does best.
The Institute number 10 dribbled in from the right, taking on two defenders in the process before placing the ball beyond Easthope.
Despite the institute pushing hard, they couldn’t do anymore as the Spartans took their first three points of 2016.
Marconi Stallions 0-5 Illawarra Stingrays
It was the repeat of the 2013 grand final as the Illawarra Stingrays travelled down to Marconi Stadium to take on the Marconi Stallions.
The Stallions were reduced to 10 inside the first 15 minutes as goalkeeper Lisa Farrington received her marching orders.
From there the Stallions side struggled to recover with an Renee Tomkins having to step in between the sticks as there was no reserve keeper on the bench.
It wouldn’t hold the away side though who pushed hard scoring a quick-fire four in the first half before adding another in the second 45 minutes.
It’s been a fantastic start for the Stingrays in 2016, scoring nine goals already.
North West Sydney Koalas 0-1 Sydney University
Having met only two weeks ago in the Preseason Cup final, the North West Sydney Koalas entertained Sydney University at ELS Hall Park.
If you thought the game would go in a similar direction to the cup game you were mistaken.
A lone Evelyn Chronis goal, who has been in fine form early on this season, was enough for Uni to sneak passed the Koalas.
Uni therefore continue their 100% start to the season, while the Koalas will be pleased with their display and improvement from two weeks ago.
Manly United 1-2 Macarthur Rams
At Cromer Park, Manly United hosted the Macarthur Rams as both teams were in search of their first wins after losing their round one clashes.
It was the away side that came away with all three points as probably their experience got them over the line against the young Manly side.
Manly went into the break ahead thanks to Isabella Walker and would’ve have coach Gwynne Berry pleased.
The Rams wouldn’t lay down though and turned the result around in their favour through goals to Elizabeth Ralston and Leena Khamis.
Emerging Jets 0-5 North Shore Mariners
The Emerging Jets and North Shore Mariners did battle in the ‘F3’ derby in round two.
The more experienced Mariners got the better of their young opponents, running away with a comprehensive 5-0 victory.
A 3-0 half time lead was built on by the away side in the second half as they put another two goals into the back of the net.
A brace to Kate Hensman, as well as a goal each to Tiffany Patterson, Chloe Logarzo and Catherine Brown were enough.
-By Nikola Pozder
