Round 12 Review – PS4 NPL NSW Women’s
A new leader has emerged at the top of the PlayStation 4 NSW NPL competition as the whole league hots up.
It is the closest season in years with so little points separating so many teams with the season slowly coming to a close.
Manly United 2-1 Sydney University
On fire and in-form Manly United welcomed Sydney University to Cromer Park in a massive match in round 12.
Having fallen many times in the second half of games earlier this season, United showed their maturity and coming of age in this competition, coming from behind and taking all three points against the Premiership favourites.
It only took the Champions six minutes to hit the front though.
Emma Stanbury was the culprit, scoring a spectacular goal direct from the corner as the United keeper misjudged the flight of the ball.
The home side recovered well and in the 13th minute, the ever-dangerous Remy Siemsen chased down what seemed a nothing ball.
Trudy Burke’s missed clearance allowed the speedy striker to win the ball and shoot toward goal, only for her effort to go just wide.
Full of running, Siemsen again chased down a long ball in the 17th minute, this time one on one with Burke she tried placing the ball around her, only for her shot to lack conviction and go wide.
The home side continued to push and seemed as though they were getting closer to an equaliser.
From another set piece, Uni should’ve scored in the 25th minute.
Following a corner, United couldn’t clear the ball as it fell to Evelyn Chronis, but the Uni attacker sent her volley high over the bar.
It was a real tactical battle with both sides struggling to break down each others strong defences as they went into the break.
The away side had the first chance of the second half as Stanbury stepped up to a free kick just outside the area.
She opted to surprise the United defence and cross the ball but no team mates could get onto the end of it.
Then in the 54th minute Siemsen had her reward.
A fantastic flick on header by Claudia Cholakian found the feet of the nippy striker as she hit the ball on the half volley into the top left corner of the goal.
Siemsen was proving a real headache for the Uni defence and almost had her second after some great individual play, only for her shot to lack power.
It seemed the away side was struggling to play their free-flowing attacking football, giving up possession on too many occasions.
With the clock ticking and only seven minutes left, Courtney Holmwood seemed to have been brought down in the box, only for the referee to wave play on.
With five minutes remaining though, the home side would hit the winner.
Jessie Wharepouri crossed in a teasing ball onto which Isabella Walker got a glancing header to as the ball went beyond Burke and into the back of the net.
Stephanie Ambrose had one last chance for the away side but her free kick didn’t trouble United.
Manly United 2 (Siemsen 54’, Walker 85’)
Sydney University 1 (Stanbury 6’)
North West Sydney Koalas 2-1 Emerging Jets
At ELS Hall Park on Sunday in the early kick off, the North West Sydney Koalas welcomed the Emerging Jets.
It was never going to be easy for the Koalas as they moved into the break up by the odd-goal thanks to a Rachel Perrins strike.
Siahn Bozanic then made it two for the home side before Lucy Kell made for a nervy finish with a goal for the Jets.
It was a magnificent result for the Koalas as they shot to first place on the ladder as Stephen Peters’ side are now in the driving seat to claim the Premiership.
Marconi Stallions 2-1 Macarthur Rams
It was a clash of old rivals at Marconi Stadium as the Marconi Stallions hosted the Macarthur Rams in a crunch match.
Alesha Clifford opened the scoring for Stephen Neligan’s side with a special goal from distance before Ashlie Crofts missed a good chance to double the home sides lead.
Crofts made up for her earlier miss though and made it 2-0 for the Stallions with a neat finish from a cross.
The Rams would not lay down though and hit back mid-way through the half as Lauren Ralston did well to head home and half the deficit.
It should’ve been curtains with about 10 to go but Heidi Makrillos missed a spot kick which would’ve put the Stallions 3-1 up.
The fantastic momentum the Stallions are on now sees them go five without defeat and into fourth place with a couple games in hand.
Blacktown Spartans 2-3 Illawarra Stingrays
It was going to be a big match at Blacktown Football Park as the Blacktown Spartans took on the Illawarra Stingrays.
The two couldn’t be separated at the break, going in to the sheds locked at 1-1.
Amy Dah Dah found the back of the net for the home side while it was veteran and captain Michelle Carney for the Stingrays.
The second half was no different to the first but it was the Stingrays that held firm and came away with a colossal three points.
Sophie Hancock was the hero for the travelling girls, scoring a brace in the second half as the Stingrays won 3-2.
Samantha Nagy found the back of the net for the Spartans in the second period.
The win keeps the Stingrays in the hunt for Premiership glory, with some work to do to catch the leaders.
North Shore Mariners 3-3 Football NSW Institute
In a late change, the North Shore Mariners took their home game to Valentine Sports Park as they took on the Football NSW Institute.
This one was a see soaring battle that could’ve went either way and it was the Institute that went into the break 2-1 to the good.
The Mariners picked up the pace in the second half but had to settle for a 3-3 draw and a share of the points.
For the Mariners Hannah Brewer picked up a brace while Daisy Arrowsmith scored the other.
Three different scorers for the Institute saw Panayiota Petratos, Eliza Ammendolia and Eleni Bradley all hit the back of the net.
The result sees the Mariners drop out of the top four, something they’ll need to rectify quickly with the season moving into its final stages.
-by Nikola Pozder, PlayStation®National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s Reporter
