Round 13 Review – PS4 NPL NSW Women’s
A new contender has joined the battle for the Premiership in the PlayStation 4 NSW NPL Women’s competition.
With only five rounds left, seven points is all that separates first place down to seventh in what is one of tightest ever seasons.
Sydney University 2-3 Marconi Stallions
It was a thriller at Sydney University Football Ground on Sunday afternoon as Sydney University and the Marconi Stallions played out a five-goal thriller.
The Stallions went into the break two goals to the good but were pegged back in the second half before Helen Petinos popped up with the winner late in the game.
It was the home side who would threaten first though as Evelyn Chronis had a golden chance to open the scoring.
A deflected shot saw the ball fall into her path just outside the six-yard box but her rushed effort sailed over the bar.
The home side continued their forays forward as the Stallions struggled to cope with the confident start.
Stephanie Ambrose was next to try her luck with a volley outside the box but it went just over.
The Stallions were struggling to keep hold of the ball and didn’t have their first attempt on goal until almost the 20th minute through Ashlie Crofts.
The Stallions started to slowly get into the game as Heidi Makrillos tested the Uni keeper with a speculative shot from distance.
It was Makrillos who would open the scoring for the Stallions though five minutes before the break.
A neat cut back by Joey burgess on the edge of the area found the Stallions marksman who calmly placed the ball into the top left corner of the Uni goal.
In the 44th minute it was 2-0 to the away side.
Crofts made a fantastic run down the right wing, crossing in for Makrillos who thundered the ball into the back of the net with a sweat volley to grab her second of the afternoon.
Despite not playing their best football, Stephen Neligan’s side didn’t mind, going into the break two goals to the good.
Uni started the second half much like the first, pressing high on the Stallions defence.
They had their reward six minutes after the restart.
A deflected shot by Georgia Yeoman-Dale after some neat build up play saw Chronis steal in and calmly slot the ball into the back of the net against her former club.
Only two minutes later and Uni should’ve equalised.
A fantastic headed flick on by captain Elizabeth Grey allowed Yeoman-Dale to break through into the box.
She seemed odds on to score but didn’t connect well enough with the ball as Renee Krstanovska made a great save before the Stallions defence cleared.
Less than a minute later and Krstanovska was beaten.
A nice turn and ball out wide to the left by Yeoman-Dale found Georgia Plessas who took a touch before powering a ball toward goal.
Krstanovska saved well again only for Yeoman-Dale to finish the move she started, running onto the ball and volleying home for the equaliser.
The Stallions keeper was working over time and did well to save from a Chronis shot shortly after.
All the momentum was with Uni as they looked to hit the lead.
A stubborn Marconi defence and goalkeeper wouldn’t be beaten again though and would get their reward with just over 15 minutes remaining.
A ball to the far post found Joe Burgess who held off two defenders before laying the ball off for Petinos.
The Stallions star didn’t think twice and sent her first time shot from the edge of the area into the top corner.
Uni almost had an equaliser four minutes later but some last ditch defending saw the ball get cleared off the line following a corner.
The home side was pushing hard to find the leveller and again Yeoman-Dale should’ve had it with five minutes remaining.
A ball to the far post found Yeoman-Dale all alone but her header could only find the cross bar before Clare Woods’ follow up was saved by Krstanovska.
It was the last chance the home side would get as they ran out of time.
The win has thrown the Stallions into second place and right in the mix for premiership glory, while Heather Garriock will find positives in her side’s performance despite the result and hope to get them back to the top of the league.
Sydney University 2 (Chronis 51’, Yeoman-Dale 54’)
Marconi Stallions 3 (Makrillos 40’, 44’, Petinos 73’)
Macarthur Rams 4-0 Blacktown Spartans
At Lynwood Park on Sunday, it was a must win match for both the Macarthur Rams and Blacktown Spartans to stay within touching distance of fourth place.
It was the home side though that recorded the all-important three points, coming away with a commanding 4-0 victory.
The experienced Leena Khamis was the hero as she scored two goals in each half to grab all four goals for the Rams.
The Rams have advanced up the ladder but still sit just outside the four, while for the Spartans, it’ll be a mountain to climb to make finals football.
North West Sydney Koalas 1-1 Manly United
The two form teams of the competition clashed at ELS Hall Park as the North West Sydney Koalas welcomed Manly United.
United have bolted up the ladder and were on a six-match unbeaten run heading into this clash.
Similarly, the Koalas were five unbeaten and sitting in first place on the ladder.
It was the away side that would hit the front though in the first half, courtesy of a Claudia Cholakian strike.
Stephen Peters’ side aren’t at the top of the table for no reason and managed to find an equaliser through Tara Andrews.
The draw sees the Koalas retain top spot while United continue their fight for finals football.
Emerging Jets 2-1 Football NSW Institute
It was the clash of the academies at Lake Macquarie Football Centre on Sunday as the Emerging Jets took on the Football NSW Institute,
With the Jets in 10th and the Institute in ninth, the home side knew that a victory would see them jump the Institute.
It was the Jets that came away with all three points on Sunday though, claiming a valuable 2-1 victory that saw them overtake their opponents on the ladder.
Illawarra Stingrays 1-0 North Shore Mariners
It was a battle of two teams well in the finals fight as the Illawarra Stingrays hosted the North Shore Mariners.
Victory was imperative for both teams as the Stingrays wanted to stay in the fight for the Premiership while the Mariners needed points as they looked to sneak into fourth place.
Youngster and promising Jordan Baker was the difference in this one as the talented Stingrays attacker capitalised on a well-deserved goal.
Her strike was enough to give the south coast based side all three points and move them into second place on the ladder.
-by Nikola Pozder, PlayStation®National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s Reporter
