Round 7 Review – PS4 NPL NSW Women’s
The Illawarra Stingrays stay top of the PlayStation 4 NPL NSW Women’s competition after round seven, while things are hotting up in the fight for finals places.
Macarthur Rams 0-2 Illawarra Stingrays
Two second half goals were enough for the Illawarra Stingrays to overcome an understrength Macarthur Rams 2-0 on Sunday at Lynwood Park.
The Rams came into this one missing some key personnel in captain Renee Rollason, Kylie Lebrook and Leena Khamis.
Caitlin Cooper had the first opportunity for the away side but her effort didn’t trouble Shamiran Khamis.
Without their influential and experienced players, the Rams struggled to hold the ball and were getting over-run in midfield.
The Stingrays first shot on target came the way of Michelle Carney after 22 minutes.
Allowing the ball to roll into the box, she sent a powerful shot toward goal as Khamis parried and then collected on the second attempt.
Carney and Michelle Heyman were proving a nuisance and probably should’ve had the Rays in front only a minute later.
The two combined well as Heyman dragged out Khamis, giving Carney the whole goal to aim at.
The experienced striker’s effort was on its way in, only for a Rams defender to head off the line.
Eda Yakan had the first attempt for the home side on half an hour but after a good touch inwards from the left, her right-footed shot sailed narrowly over the bar.
Heyman’s explosiveness was hard for the Rams defence to deal with and she almost had the opener five minutes before half time.
Receiving the ball from Cooper, Heyman took her touch beyond her defender, blasting her shot goalwards, only for Khamis to fantastically save.
On 45 minutes though it really should’ve been 1-0 to the Stingrays.
A flick on found the feet of Carney in the box, only for the experienced striker to blast wide of Khamis’ goal.
The start of the second half saw the Stingrays step straight onto the accelerator, looking to take the lead.
Khamis continued to be the wall in front of the Stingrays attacks, again saving from Heyman following a header from a corner.
In the 61st minute, the cross bar was the home sides saviour.
A well struck Carney shot from outside the area beat Khamis but not the bar, with the rebound falling the way of Heyman who could only volley into Khamis.
The away sides attacks were becoming more frequent as the Rams goal was finally breached on 73 minutes.
Fantastic work down the right side saw Cooper combine with Heyman who held up the ball for her, allowing the number 15 to take a touch and blast the ball into the top corner from the edge of the area for a 1-0 lead.
Heyman was in the mix again 10 minutes before the end, slipping in Blaize Kendis whose stike came off the glove of Khamis before striking the post.
Only a minute later and the Stingrays were awarded a penalty after a foul on Cooper in the penalty box.
Carney stepped up to the plate and this time beat Khamis, sending her the wrong way, doubling the away sides lead.
Jordan Baker should’ve made it three with the last kick of the game but her effort went wide.
Emerging Jets 2-3 Marconi Stallions
At Lake Macquarie Football Facility, the Emerging Jets were in search of their first points of the season against the Marconi Stallions.
Missing important first team players in Renee Tomkins, Jodie Bain and Joey Burgess it wasn’t going to be easy for the away side.
They started well though, going two goals to the good at the break and looking as though they were cruising.
The Jets pegged them back though, cutting the deficit before the Stallions made it 3-1.
Again, the young Jets team wouldn’t lie down, making it 3-2.
They couldn’t do anymore though as the Stallions went back to Bossley Park with all three points.
Heidi Makrillos scored a brace for the away side while Ashlie Crofts scored what turned out to be the winner.
Manly United 1-1 Blacktown Spartans
At Cromer Park on Sunday, Manly United was looking to spring a surprise on the Blacktown Spartans.
They got off to the perfect start, opening the scoring in the first half through Chloe O’Brien, which they took into the break.
But like so many times this season, inexperience got the better of the young team as the Spartans battled to a draw.
Olivia Price’s second half strike earned the away side an important point in the battle for finals football.
NWS Koalas 1-0 North Shore Mariners
At ELS Hall Park, the North West Sydney Koalas hosted the North Shore Mariners in the round seven derby.
Tara Andrews was the game winner in this one, scoring in the first half, which was enough for her side to record all three points.
It was a tight one that pushed the Koalas into clear third place on the ladder while the Mariners dropped into sixth.
Sydney University 3-0 FNSW Institute
At Sydney University Football Ground, Sydney University took on the FNSW Institute.
Uni showed they’ve shrugged off their mini-slump in form, taking all three points against the institute.
Emma Stanbury and Evelyn Chronis, who is in the form of her life, scored first half goals for Uni for a 2-0 lead.
Lorena Bugden hit the third against her former club to complete a comfortable 3-0 win for the Champions.
