Round 14 Review – PS4 NPL NSW Women’s
It looks as though there is a front-runner in the PlayStation 4 NPL NSW Women’s competition but the fight for the last finals places are as unclear as ever.
Marconi Stallions 0-3 North West Sydney Koalas
If the Marconi Stallions were to mount a Premiership challenge, three points were imperative on Sunday against league leaders North West Sydney Koalas.
After smashing eight passed the Stingrays only two days earlier in a catch up, the Koalas moved into this one full of confidence.
The Koalas looked to take that confidence and form into this game, controlling proceedings from the kick off.
It only took 10 minutes for the Koalas to hit the front and it was through their first real chance.
Hannah Beard picked up the ball in midfield, dribbled one defender and then drove her shot from outside the box into the bottom right corner of the goal.
A fantastic solo goal for the Koalas marksman.
Morgan Roberts then had a fantastic chance only two minutes later as she had all the time in the world, only managing to hit her shot straight at Renee Krstanovska.
Natalie Tobin was next to try her luck but her effort from outside the area went wide of the goal.
The Koalas really should’ve made it 2-0 on 19 minutes but Siahn Bozanic’s attempt went to waste.
Beard turned provider as she moved to by-line, cutting back for Bozanic who cleared the ball over the goal.
The home side slowly started coming into the game but couldn’t create a clear-cut chance.
In the 37th minute the Koalas did double their lead.
A fantastic cross by Caitlin Campbell found Tara Andrews who cleverly volleyed the ball into the back of the net from just outside the 6-yard box.
Roberts came close again three minutes after that, again bursting down the right but it was Krstanovska who came out on top, tipping the ball onto the post.
At the start of the second half, it was the Koalas in control again.
A fantastic ball by Beard saw Andrews break the offside trap and bear down on Krstanovska.
The tall striker made no mistake with her finish, calmly playing the ball beyond the Stallions keeper and into the back of the net.
Heidi Makrillos had the home side’s first real chance on 51 minutes.
Her low-hard shot was well saved by the Koalas keeper though.
Makrillos was at it again two minutes later as she powered through the Koalas defence, only to shoot inches wide of the goal.
The away side thought they had a penalty in the dying stages only for the ref to blow for an offside as the Koalas came away with the 3-0 win.
The result means the Koalas are a step closer to the Premiership while the Stallions will need to lift to keep their place in the top four.
Marconi Stallions 0
North West Sydney Koalas 3 (Beard 10’, Andrews 37’, 47’)
Manly United 2-0 Emerging Jets
It was a must win at Cromer Park for Manly United as they welcomed the Emerging Jets.
The young Jets side worked hard in the first half, moving into the break with the scores locked at 0-0.
United needed an early goal in the second half and they got it through their star striker Remy Siemsen in the 47th minute.
The tricky Sarah Yatim insured the three points will be staying on the Northern Beaches as she doubled the lead on 64 minutes.
That was enough to see United take a valuable 2-0 win as the season moves into its final stages.
They are now just two points away from what would be a fantastic turn around.
Blacktown Spartans 1-4 Sydney University
Blacktown Football Park was the venue for Sunday’s game between the Blacktown Spartans and Sydney University.
Only victory will keep the Spartans in the hunt for finals football and it would never be easy against the Champions.
Reeling from their two straight defeats, Heather Garriock’s girls needed victory here to keep their hopes alive of taking the Premiership.
It was Uni that started the stronger, going into the break two goals up thanks to Stephanie Ambrose and Georgia Plessas.
Emma Stanbury added another two goals in the second half, while Amy Dahdah scored a consolation for the Spartans.
The 4-1 victory keeps Uni within touching distance of the Koalas.
Football NSW Institute 1-2 Illawarra Stingrays
Valentine Sports Park was the venue for the Football NSW Institute’s clash with the Illawarra Stingrays.
The Stingrays Premiership hopes took a massive blow after suffering a heavy mid-week defeat to the Koalas.
The Rays took a one-goal lead into the break in what was proving to be a tight clash between the two.
A goal to each team in the second half meant that the Stingrays took an important three points home with a 2-1 win.
North Shore Mariners 0-4 Macarthur Rams
It was the North Shore Mariners hosting the Macarthur Rams at Valentine Sports Park.
This was dubbed as the old ‘six-pointer’ with both sides needing victory as they looked to keep in touch for the top four fight.
The Rams started fantastically, moving into the break with a commanding 3-0 lead.
Another goal for the away side in the second period was enough for them to secure the victory with a 4-0 scoreline.
Leena Khamis and Kylie Ledbrook each scored a brace for the Rams.
-by Nikola Pozder, PlayStation®National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s Reporter
