Round 6 Review – PS4 NPL 2 NSW Women’s
Round 6 of the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Women’s 2016 promised to be an intriguing one, and it didn’t disappoint after we saw a number of results that could have a significant bearing on the season to come.
Northern Tigers picked up their first triumph of the campaign in a seven goal thriller against Southern Branch, while Sutherland may have struck some ominous form thanks to a comprehensive display in their victory over the Mariners. Inter just keep on impressing as they defeated Bankstown, and in the match of the round Sydney Olympic and Nepean couldn’t be separated in a high quality affair at Peter Moore Park.
Match of the Round
Sydney Olympic FC vs Nepean FC, 3pm Sunday the 8th of May at Peter Moore Park
The match started off at a great intensity as both teams were trying to play the ball along the ground at pace. Both teams playing with this style led to some scrappiness at times, but for the most part the build-up play was excellent all round, with only the final ball preventing the scoreboard from being troubled.
Olympic lost a starting defender 10 minutes in after she went down with what looked to be a severe injury in the box. She immediately clutched her ankle after a tackle, and play was stopped so she could be carried from the field, but not before several minutes of treatment form the physio.
Nepean made the running for the next 15 minutes as they made their passes stick in midfield, and their defensive pressure denied Olympic any space to play out. A lot of sharp, angled passes created overloads in midfield for Nepean, letting them push forward and pile the pressure onto the home side. They were camped in the Olympic half, but aside from a Jessica Elliot header that was cleared off the line, Nepean had nothing to show for their good work.
Olympic were encouraged by their own resilience and began to claw their way back into the match. Right winger Guro Furu was continuously free and gave Olympic a great out ball to hit when they would win back possession. This allowed them to push Nepean back and turn the game into more of a contest.
Both sides looked for longer balls now to relieve pressure, which played into the hands of Nepean’s whippet Rachel Cavanagh as she used her blistering pace to chase down, or at least contest every ball played in behind.
She would also have the best chance of the half, as she ghosted in at the back post to meet a teasing cross from Kaitlin Harms. Unfortunately for Nepean, Cavanagh for once was half a yard too slow, and couldn’t make a good enough connection with the ball and it skimmed off her head wide of the goals.
The second half started with Nepean goalkeeper Danielle Bartels picking up a knock almost immediately as she came out to punch away a cross. She collided with her own defender and went down holding her face. Luckily for Nepean she was able to carry on after a couple of minutes of treatment.
The biggest moment of the match came in the 56th minute. Danielle Calvi led an Olympic counter attack and flicked a well weighted ball to Kate Halaska just inside the 18 yard box. As Halaska took the ball down, Hollie Wilson went right through the back of Halaska’s legs bringing her down and leaving the referee with no choice but to award the penalty.
Calvi stepped up to take it but instead of burying it with conviction she sheepishly pushed the ball towards the corner at a good height for the ‘keeper, and Bartels dove across to make a fairly routine save.
Nepean looked to hit Olympic while they were down, with Lauren Connell whipping in a great ball for Harms just a few minutes later. Harms met the cross on the volley, and while she made a great connection she fired her shot straight at Amanda Seskin, who collected the ball with ease.
Olympic stepped things up from here, and the longer the match went the more likely it seemed that they would find the winner. They won every loose ball, all over the park. Nepean looked tired and couldn’t find the energy to stem the flow in midfield, so the last 20 minutes was all Olympic as they pushed for the first goal of the match.
Somehow though, Nepean were able to hold on to claim the draw. A high intensity, high quality match between two sides that will surely be right up there at the end of the season.
Southern Branch FC vs Nothern Tigers FC, 3pm Sunday the 8th of May at South Nowra Football Complex
The Tigers have done it! They’ve picked up their first victory of the season with a stunning 4-3 upset down in Nowra. The tigers have come so close on a number of occasions this season, missing out on points by the finest of margins. Taking a 2-0 lead into the half time break, the Tigers nearly let it slip once again but on this occasion were able to come out on the right side of a nail biting finish. A massive result for the Tigers and they now move within touching distance of the finals places.
Equally though, this is a poor result for Southern Branch. They were expected to come away from this one with the points – especially playing at home – and it will sting doubly knowing that they fought back so well in the match itself.
Inter Lions SC vs Bankstown City FC, 3pm Sunday the 8th of May at Concord Oval
Inter continued their outstanding start to the year with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Bankstown. Another two goals for Sarah Mandile and a lone strike from Emily Upstone were enough to overcome Maniso Michael’s strike for the away side. Inter have looked dangerous over the opening six rounds, and their ability to keep the opposition at arm’s length gives them all the time in the world to set up their attacks, and they now possess the ability to finish teams off.
A tough day at the office for Bankstown who would have been eyeing off another upset. They fought back in the second half from 2-0 down to keep themselves in the match, but it takes a lot to break through the steel that Inter possess this season, and it was just a bridge too far on this occasion.
Central Coast Mariners FC vs Sutherland Shire FA, 2.05pm Sunday the 8th of May at Pluim Park NO.3
The Mariners could do nothing to stop an onslaught from Sutherland, as the away side romped to a 5-0 victory on the Central Coast. Defence is proving the real problem area for the Mariners so far this season, and you just can’t get away with problems at the back against a team like Sutherland. The Gosford side just need to focus on next week now and try and pick up some points any way they can.
Sutherland were due a performance like this after a couple of disappointing outings. With the way they move the ball when things click, they were always likely to create a lot of chances against the Mariners, and they’ll be delighted they were able to put them away ruthlessly. It’s the kind of result that can really set a side up, and no one else in the league will be happy to see Sutherland finally find the form they are capable of. Goals to Nicole Besz, Verity Quartermain, Raegan Deeley, and a brace to Jessica Ellis see Sutherland go outright second.
Reserve Grade:
Inter Lions defeated Bankstown 2-0 thanks to goals from Martina Comastri and Natasha Camporeale. Nepean overcame Olympic 3-0 courtesy of Natalie Lawrie, Bianca Galayini, and a long distance screamer from Bridgette Potter in the final minutes. In Nowra, the Northern Tigers obliterated Southern Branch with a 7-1 victory. Sutherland had the bye this week.
By Eamonn Warner, PS4 National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Women’s Reporter
