Round 6 Review – PS4 NPL NSW Women’s
There’s a new leader in the PlayStation 4 NPL NSW Women’s competition and only two teams left undefeated after some exciting and surprising action on Mother’s Day.
Macarthur Rams 0-1 North Shore Mariners
In an intense game at Lynwood Park, the North Shore Mariners came away with a valuable three points against the Macarthur Rams.
The game started at a furious pace with both teams pushing hard early on.
Kate Hensman was back at her old stomping ground while Matildas co-captain and former Melbourne City star striker Lisa De Vanna made her debut for the red and white’s.
Both sides had attempts from distance but nothing that tested either keeper in the opening 20 minutes.
Tiffany Paterson was a menace and had the first more threatening shot of the game but Shamiran Khamis dealt well with the threat.
De Vanna tried to create something only minutes later but Khamis was out to gather up the ball.
De Vanna then had a chance from a set piece on 24 minutes but her effort sailed over the bar.
It seemed the Mariners attacker was involved in every foray forward and her shot turn cross almost found an unmarked Paterson inside the six-yard box.
The Mariners should’ve had the lead on 37 minutes though.
A great Hensman ball in from the right saw Khamis get caught out, only for Catherin Brown to head wide.
Two minutes later and it was the Rams turn to have a go in attack.
A free kick was awarded on the edge of the area and experienced captain Renee Rollason stepped up to the plate.
Her powerful effort seemed destined for the top corner, only to cannon off the bar and go over.
In the 41st minute Rollason had another opportunity from a set piece, this time much further out.
Again she opted for power and the top corner, but again she beat Erin Herd and not the bar as the Mariners somehow cleared their lines.
Hensman showed great strength and skill to dribble through the Rams defence into the box and shot toward goal, only for Khamis to save well.
The second half saw the Mariners again threaten first in the 51st minute.
There was some confusion in the Rams box following a corner which allowed Brown to pounce on the ball.
Her well hit shot seemed as though it was hit the back of the net, only for Khamis to get down extremely well and palm the ball away.
The away side had the lead in the 60th minute.
Hensman broke through the Rams defence, rounded Khamis before delivering a perfect ball to the head of Paterson who made no mistake with her finish, heading into an empty net.
The home side should’ve levelled the scores in the 64th minute.
Kylie Ledbrook found the feet of Stefani Skerlevska who did well to get past her defender, only to send her shot wide of the target.
An Elizabeth Ralston cross in the 80th minute found the head of Lauren Ralston whose header was cleared off the line.
Despite some added pressure, the Mariners held on and could’ve even doubled their lead on the stroke of full time had Daisy Arrowsmith found the back of the net.
Emerging Jets 0-2 Manly United
At Lake Macquarie Football Facility, two teams were in search of their first wins of 2016 as the Emerging Jets and Manly United did battle.
United scored a goal either side of the break to begin their climb up the ladder and give the visitors its first win of the season.
The young Jets side will continue their fight as they push for that elusive win in the new season.
NWS Koalas 3-1 Marconi Stallions
At ELS Hall Park, the North West Sydney Koalas welcomed the Marconi Stallions on Sunday afternoon.
The Stallions perhaps had the better of the first half in this one as Helen Petinos struck the woodwork before the away side hit the bar later in the half.
The second half began the way the Stallions had hoped, taking the lead through Ashlie Crofts.
A drop in concentration from the away team and a lift from the home side saw Stephen Peters’ team recover well and three quick fire goals from Tara Andrews had the Koalas back on track and on their way to victory.
The result catapulted the Koalas into first place on the ladder, something Peters will hope his team can sustain.
Illawarra Stingrays 4-3 Football NSW Institute
The Football NSW Institute travelled south to JJ Kelly Park as they took on the Illawarra Stingrays.
After a tight first half the second exploded with goals as the experienced Stingrays held their own and showed their strangth to come away with a 4-3 victory in a seven-goal thriller.
For the Stingrays, Michelle Carney continued her fantastic scoring form, picking up a brace while Erica Halloway and Caitlin Cooper got the others.
The Institute continued their high scoring start to the season with Princess Ibini-Isei scoring two of their three goals as Amy Sayer scored the other.
The Stingrays are now second on the ladder and only one point off first place.
Sydney University 2-5 Blacktown Spartans
At Sydney University Football Ground, Sydney University hosted the Blacktown Spartans.
After dropping points for the first time last week, Heather Garriock hoped her team would get straight back to winning ways.
Instead, they were dealt with their first loss of the year as an inspired Spartans showed they wouldn’t be surprise packets this year.
A fantastic first half saw them slam four into the back of the Uni net, taking a 4-1 lead into the break.
The Champions couldn’t recover in the second period as the result finished 5-2 in the Spartans favour.
Tara Pender was fantastic, scoring four of her teams five goals with Olivia Price scoring the other.
For Uni, Evelyn Chronis scored both goals as Garriock heads back to the drawing board with her side dropping to third place on the ladder.
-By Nikola Pozder
