Round 4 Review – PS4 NPL 2 NSW Women’s
The weather intervened for the first time in the Playstation 4 National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Women’s 2016 season, causing the postponement of 3 fixtures and the relocation of another. Both Peter Moore and Pluim Park were deemed unsuitable for play, meaning the Mariners/Nepean and Olympic/Tigers fixtures will be rescheduled for a later date.
Luckily though Sutherland’s home fixture with Bankstown was relocated to Seymour Shaw Stadium, while Inter’s home game against Southern Branch was unaffected by the inclement weather.
Sutherland Shire FA vs Bankstown City FC, 3.45pm Sunday the 24th of April at Seymour Shaw Stadium
Sutherland and Bankstown played out a nail bitting 0-0 draw on Sunday afternoon. Bankstown started the game well, controlling the game for much of the first half but they were unable to make their tight grip on the contest count as the sides went into the break all square. Skipper Samantha Muscat will rue her trio of missed chances on the day, but for a striker so prolific the goals will surely begin to flow again in the coming weeks.
Sutherland were a different side in the second half, and they began to gain an edge in the match. Bankstown dug in though, and were able to repel virtually everything Sutherland could throw at them. This effort was made even more remarkable after they were reduced to ten with fifteen minutes to go after a key defender received a second yellow card. The visitors are particularly indebted to goalkeeper Lana Ferreira, who made several excellent saves to keep them in the match. Crucially, she saved a penalty deep into the second half, as well as forcing an effort over the crossbar with almost the final play of the day.
In a way it will feel like 2 points dropped for both sides, but there’s no doubting that Bankstown would have left the ground a little more upbeat than the home side.
Inter Lions SC vs Southern Branch FC, 3pm Sunday the 24th of April at Concord Oval
Inter sent a real statement of their prowess this season with a 2-0 victory over Southern Branch at Concord Oval. The dangerous duo of Freya Hickey and Maria Kalogeropoulos proved the difference in the encounter as both got on the scoresheet for Inter, powering them 3 points clear at the summit of the table. Hickey especially has been in outstanding form early in the season and has added killer instinct to a side that has always been difficult to defeat, and they’ve gone to a new level as a result.
Southern would have seen this as a great opportunity to claim first for themselves, and to put some early pressure on their title rivals this season. Given they spent a portion of the game with the numerical advantage after Inter defender Kylie Stabb was shown a straight red card, this will be a particularly irksome result for the side from Nowra.
Sydney Olympic FC vs Northern Tigers FC, 3pm Sunday 24th of April at Peter Moore Park
Washed out.
Central Coast Mariners FC vs Nepean FC, 2pm Sunday the 24th of April at Pluim Park No.3
Washed out.
Reserve Grade:
Bankstown City came fought back bravely from 1-0 down at half time to claim a 2-1 victory against Sutherland. At Concord Oval goals to Jazmine Zabel and Amy-Louise Clayton gave Southern Branch a 2-0 lead at half time against Inter, however unfortunately for the home crowd the Lions could only manage a solitary second half goal to Angelique Dimitrakas, allowing Southern to claim the points in a 2-1 victory.
Sydney Olympic vs Northern Tigers was washed out, while Nepean FC had the bye.
By Eamonn Warner, PS4 National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Women’s Reporter
