Round 7 Review – PS4 NPL NSW Women’s
Some mixed results across the PlayStation 4 NPL NSW Women’s competition, including an astonishing 11 goals in our match of the round.
Illawarra Stingrays 8-3 Emerging Jets
The match of the round took us to WIN Stadium as the Illawarra Stingrays welcomed the Emerging Jets.
In an amazing 11-goal match, the Stingrays came away with all three points, winning 8-3.
The home team got off to an excellent start with most fans not even in their seats yet, taking the lead inside the first 20 seconds.
Some high pressing saw them win the ball in midfield, spray it out wide right to Michelle Heyman, who took on her defender down the line to cut back for Caitlin Cooper who slammed the ball home from the penalty spot.
Clare Wheeler then had the young Jets on level terms in the 22nd minute.
Winning a ball on the edge of the area, she sent a lovely lob over the Stingrays keeper into the back of the net.
The home side were back in front seven minutes later.
Erica Halloway showed great skill to beat her defender down the right by-line before playing a cut back to Michelle Carney who doesn’t miss from a few yards out.
Just like that though, the Jets wouldn’t lie down and equalised again three minutes later.
A poor back pass was pounced on by Tessa Tamplin as she rounded the keeper and placed the ball into an empty net.
The joy would be short lived though as the Stingrays re-took the lead from the kick-off.
Cooper played a well-weighed ball in for Erica Halloway whose touch took her into the box, poking it beyond the Jets keeper at the near post.
Again though, the Jets found strength to equalise in the 37th minute.
Indianna Asimus did well to force the Rays into a mistake on the edge of the area, allowing Wheeler to pick up the ball and play in Tamplin.
Tamplin took a touch and then with the outside of the boot, lifted the ball over the Stingrays keeper and into the back of the net.
Four minutes before the break, the break the Stingrays would regain the lead.
Some nice build up play saw Carney lay the ball off for Heyman who blasted it home giving the Jets custodian no chance.
In case you got lost, the Stingrays moved into the break 4-3 up in possibly the most frantic half of football this season.
Early on in the second half, both teams had chances but it would be the home side that would extend their lead with 56 minutes on the clock.
Again Heyman was involved, this time holding the ball up inside the box, turning her defender and playing in Lucy Nolan who placed the ball into the back of the net.
In the 73rd minute, the Stingrays made it 6-3.
Halloway picked up her second of the afternoon after a ball into the box found it’s way to her at the far post, all-alone with an open goal in front of her, taping it home.
Jordan Baker then made it seven with nine minutes to go.
Carney’s shot from the six-yard box was well saved before Baker arrived to slam the ball home for her first of the afternoon.
With practically the last kick of the game, it was two for Baker and 8-3 for the Stingrays.
The Jets failed to clear the ball as it ended up at the feet of baker inside the box who calmly placed it into the bottom corner.
Marconi Stallions 1-0 Manly United
At Marconi Stadium, two sides desperate for victories did battle as the Marconi Stallions welcomed Manly United.
After a slight generation change, Manly has opted to give youngsters ago and they have found it tough to find their feet in the opening rounds.
Similarly, the Stallions, back in the top flight have come close but only have one win to their name this season.
Substitute Heidi Makrillos was the match winner for the home side here though to give them their second win of the season, heading home in the second half after a great Emily Kos cross.
Helen Petinos should’ve made it two late on but failed to capitalise on a great opportunity.
Blacktown Spartans 3-1 NWS Koalas
At Blacktown Football Park, it was the Blacktown Spartans hosting the in-form North West Sydney Koalas.
Off their fantastic victory last week over the Champions, the Spartans were looking to back up that result.
They would get off to a great start, going into the break with the lead courtesy of a Gabriela Pace goal.
The Koalas wouldn’t lie down and fought back but it was to be the Spartans day as they climbed into fifth with a 3-1 victory.
Patricia Charalambous and Tara Pender scored the other goals for the Spartans while Siahn Bozanic scored the Koalas only goal.
North Shore Mariners 0-3 Sydney University
The North Shore Mariners took on Champions Sydney University at Northbridge Oval on Sunday afternoon.
The Mariners, who had Matildas co-captain Lisa Da Vanna made her debut and have been flying high under Spencer Prior and a victory here could’ve put them joint top.
Instead, Heather Garriock snapped her team out of their mini-slump, putting three passed Erin Herd to record an important three points and move them into second place.
Evelyn Chroni, Emma Stanbury and Mel Caceres all got on the scoresheet for the away team.
Football NSW Institute 1-5 Macarthur Rams
At Valentine Sports Park on Sunday afternoon, it was a replay of the 2014 Grand Final as the Football NSW Institute took on the Macarthur Rams.
It was the Rams that dominated this one though from start to finish.
They moved into the break with a two goal buffer and added to that in the second half before a late consolation goal from the Institute.
It was enough for a comprehensive 5-1 victory and third place on the league table after six games.
-By Nikola Pozder
