Round 5 Review – PS4 NPL NSW Women’s
There are no teams left with a perfect start to the season after round 4 in the PlayStation 4 NPL NSW Women’s competition.
Marconi Stallions 0-0 Sydney University
Sydney University were held for the first time in the 2016 season as the newly promoted Marconi Stallions held their own in a pulsating 0-0 draw.
Inside the first thirty seconds Uni had their first chance.
Clare Woods played in Stephanie Ambrose whose touch took her into the box but her shot lacked power and was easy for Renee Krstanovska to save.
The Stallions thought they had hit the front in the fourth minute as a short corner saw an Emily Kos cross in from the right with her left foot take a few deflections and finish in the back of the net.
The referee saw an infringement though and chalked off the goal.
It was a tight battle in the opening half after the early chances as neither side could really take the ascendancy.
Both teams were impressive holding the ball well and playing it around the park, waiting for their opportunity.
It took until the 33rd minute for one of the goalkeeper’s to be really tested and it was Krstanovska called into action.
A great steal by Hannah Bacon in the middle of the park saw her link up with Ambrose who received the ball and shot from the edge of the area, only for the Marconi keeper to palm the ball over the bar for a corner.
Two minutes later and the Stallions had their own chance.
Ashlie Crofts attacked space down the right, moved into the box and shot low toward the far corner with the ball only just missing the target.
In the 38th minute Lorena Bugden lead a swift counter attack for Uni, dribbling deep into Marconi’s before squaring the ball up for Ambrose.
Just as Ambrose was to pull the trigger, Samantha Spackamn made a fantastic challenge to deny her and clear away.
The home side had a fantastic chance seven minutes into the second half.
Crofts broke away into the Uni box but under great pressure from the Uni defence, she only managed to shoot straight at Trudy Burke.
The second half continued much like the first with neither team able to create a more serious threat to the opposition goal in what seemed a tactical battle between the two coaches Stephen Neligan and Heather Garriock.
In the 82nd minute an Ambrose in-swinging corner beat everyone but the Marconi defender on the line at the back post who headed the ball clear to keep the scores at 0-0.
Uni picked up the pace in the final 10 minutes and had another opportunity moments later as Bugden made space down the left to cross into the box, only for Alesha Clifford to head to safety.
The home side had arguably the best chance of the match in the second minute of stoppage time.
A teasing ball by Helen Petinos from the right wasn’t dealt with well at all by Uni as the ball fell to substitute Aiola Mila.
Mila rushed her effort and could only manage a shot right at Burke in what proved to be the last kick of the game.
Football NSW Institute 4-3 Emerging Jets
The two academies lay winless at the bottom of the league and it made for a massive clash at Valentine Sports Park as Football NSW Institute took on the Emerging Jets.
It was goals galore between these two young sides on Sunday afternoon with the Institute holding firm in a seven-goal thriller.
Going into the break locked at 1-1 it was somewhat timid as to what came in the next 45 minutes.
It was Princess Ibini-Isei’s two goals in as many minutes that were enough for the home side late on to secure victory by the odd goal, 4-3.
Eliza Ammendolia scored her second goal in as many weeks as Danielle Bishop got the other for the institute.
Blacktown Spartans 1-4 Macarthur Rams
It was always going to be a fiery affair at Blacktown Football Park as the Blacktown Spartans took on the Macarthur Rams.
A first half barrage from the away side saw Leena Khamis pick up an impressive hat-trick, adding more goals to her fantastic form.
The always reliable and classy Kylie Ledbrook got the other for the Rams in the second half as they cemented the result.
Linda O’Neill gave some hope for the Spartans before getting herself sent off. The Spartans finished the game off with nine on the pitch with Christina Palumbo also receiving her marching orders.
The Rams continue their rise up the ladder after their round one hiccup and now sit in second place.
Manly United 1-2 North West Sydney Koalas
It was a North Sydney derby at Cromer Park as Manly United hosted neighbours North West Sydney Koalas.
United are getting closer and closer each week and it was no different this time around, going down by the odd goal.
Stephen Peters’ Koalas move into third place now and are enjoying a fantastic start to the 2016 campaign.
Hannah Beard and Natalie Penman scored the all important goals for the Koalas while the experienced Kristie Crawford scored United’s lone goal.
North Shore Mariners 3-3 Illawarra Stingrays
The league’s two highest scoring sides clashed at Northbridge Oval as the North Shore Mariners entertained the Illawarra Stingrays.
Goals were on the menu and we had three in the first half as the ‘Rays’ went into the break 2-1.
The home side wouldn’t lay down though and came back to take the second half with the same score line, meaning both teams would have to settle with a point a piece after an entertaining 3-3 draw.
It was the usual suspects on the score card for the Mariners as Kate Hensman, Rani Cavaretta and Tiffany Patterson all scored.
The point leaves both teams locked on eight points and fourth and fifth place respectively on the league ladder.
-By Nikola Pozder
