Round 17 Review – PS4 NPL 2 NSW Women’s
As is customary in the PlayStation® 4 National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Women’s 2016, we’ve got a catch up match from earlier in the season to deal with before we move onto this week’s full review.
Round 15 Review:
Southern Branch FC vs Bansktown City FC, 3pm Saturday July 23rd at South Nowra Football Complex
A much needed win on Saturday for Southern Branch as they swept aside Bankstown City 3-0 down on the south coast. Samara Wehmeyer opened the scoring for the home side, before Melissa Swinfield and Sarah Hickling finished things off in the second half with a goal each. A couple of big names on the scoresheet there for Southern will do them the world of good for the last few rounds.
Disappointing for Bankstown, not just as the loss here makes it very difficult to catch fourth, but Southern have been equal with them most of the season, and succumbing 3-0 will sting the pride of the Lions. Consistency will be the absolute key for them in 2017, and that will start with eliminating poor results like this one.
Round 17 Review:
The weather robbed us of the match of the round this week between Sydney Olympic and Inter as Peter Moore Park was rendered unplayable thanks to the rain hitting just before the weekend. But despite that the Playstation® 4 National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Women’s 2016 still threw up some intriguing results, adding another interesting ripple to the final few weeks of the season.
Southern Branch couldn’t quite back up two days in a row when they hosted the Mariners, and Nepean left it very late against Sutherland as they snatched a point at home. While in Asquith the Northern Tigers move up into second place with yet another victory, this time over Bankstown.
Southern Branch FC vs Central Coast Mariners FC, 2.05pm Sunday July 24th at South Nowra Football Complex
Almost the perfect weekend for Southern Branch, but one that will ultimately leave a sour taste. The emphatic win on Saturday paved the way for them to take the full three points against the Mariners, but in what proved to be a theme for the weekend a late equaliser secured a morale boosting draw for the away side. The 1-1 draw inches Southern past Nepean into outright 5th position, but they still have it all to do if they are to take away 4th place from Olympic.
Southern got off to a great start, with birthday girl Lexi Carter celebrating in style by giving her side the lead going into half time. They couldn’t hold on though as the Mariners found their equaliser and managed to come away with the draw and their 3rd point of the season. Again the Mariners get close to that win, and up against a tired Southern this was a golden opportunity to break their duck.
Nepean FC vs Sutherland Shire FA, 3pm Sunday July 24th at Cook Park
Nepean have snatched a draw with Sutherland Shire thanks to a late equaliser from Adele Granata. The St Mary’s side have shown all season that they’re a very difficult side to put away, and their magnificent defensive record has kept them in quite a number of games until the final stages. Combine that with the fight they show and you can see why they’ve drawn as many games as they have. Although in the grand scheme of things a draw probably won’t be enough for them, keeping Sutherland at bay is still nothing to sneeze at.
Sutherland will rue letting the three points slip in this one. Premiership sides close out games when they take a lead so deep into the match, and at the moment Sutherland have shown a penchant for not making the most of a decent performance. Ironing out those kinks before the finals begins needs to be their number one priority now; as they may not have any second chances at the end of the season.
Northern Tigers FC vs Bankstown City FC, 3pm Sunday July 24th at Mills Park
The Tigers have continued their red hot form with a 2-0 win over Bankstown. The win takes Northern up to 30 points, neck and neck with Sutherland in second place, and currently they appear to be the most likely challenger for Inters place at the summit of the league. Hannah McNulty’s domination in reserve grade last weekend couldn’t be ignored, and her promotion to the first team proved fruitful as her 2 goals here extended the undefeated streak of the Tigers to 9 matches.
This result caps off a terrible weekend for Bankstown, with their finals chances all but completely gone. If Olympic in 4th place lose each of their last six games, and Bankstown pick up maximum points in their final four, then they can make it – so basically a miracle is needed. It’s a shame for Bankstown, as it’s been noted that they have the ability to match it with the best sides in the league. Perhaps some freedom over the final few rounds will free them up to produce the football they are truly capable of.
Sydney Olympic FC vs Inter Lions SC, 3pm Sunday July 24th at Peter Moore Park
Washed out.
Reserve Grade:
Shannon Willcox opened gave Nepean a half time lead before Nicole Besz struck back in the second half to rescue a point for Sutherland Shire. And like their first grade counterparts, the Tigers defeated Bankstown by 2 goals to nil.
Inter vs Olympic was washed out, while Southern Branch had the bye.
By Eamonn Warner, PS4 National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Women’s Reporter
