Finals Series Round 2 Review – PS4 NPL NSW Women’s
The North West Sydney Koalas had to come from behind again this week but this time picked up the victory against Manly United, booking their place in the Grand Final against Sydney University next Sunday.
Three second half goals got them passed the gallant young side who has had a season to remember.
Both teams were missing players with Manly possibly being dealt the tougher blow, having to deal with the absence of star striker Remy Siemsen and influential Ally Green while the Koalas had to do without Erin Pridmore.
Despite some early pressure, United opened the scoring on nine minutes.
A ball from the right found Michelle Brown, who brought the ball under control before unleashing a half volley into the back of the net, giving Chloe Avgoustou no chance.
Bella Walker and Madeleine Neville were proving tough customers for the Koalas, standing firm in the heart of defence, thwarting Tara Andrews and Hannah beard early.
In the 26th minute, the Koalas almost had an equaliser.
Fantastic work by Siahn Bozanic on the left saw her cut in and let fly from 25m out, beating Nicole Simonsen but not the cross bar as the ball came back down, only centimetres from bouncing over the line.
Caitlin Campbell was proving to be a colossal figure at the back for the girls in yellow with the young Manly players bouncing off her in every 50-50.
In the 31st minute Walker rose well for a corner but couldn’t direct her powerful header on target.
Four minutes later, Natalie Tobin played in a great ball over the United defence as Bozanic ran onto it, but the dangerous winger sent her volley over the bar.
Despite some late pressure and the Koalas pushing forward through Andrews, Manly held on to their leading heading into half time.
Early in the second period it was again the Koalas on the front foot but some scrambling defence saw United stay in front.
United could’ve doubled their lead 14 minutes into the second period.
Emilly Minett played through Sarah Yatim who took a horrible touch with only the goal keeper to beat as the attack fell apart.
On 66 minutes Bozanic was in the thick of it again, but she couldn’t direct her effort on target.
Three minutes later Andrews tried her lucky from a volley, simonsen got down well to parry but Natalie Penman couldn’t put the rebound away, shooting over ther bar.
On 71 minutes thought the Koalas had their equaliser.
Andrews burst into the box and was bundled over, giving the referee no option but to point to the spot.
As cool as a cucumber, Andrews slotted the penalty into the back of the net.
The Koalas had the ascendency now and 12 minutes from the end Campbell tested Simonsen from distance as the United keeper did well to parry out for a corner.
From the resulting set piece, Kiara Farquhuar flew in to head the ball home and completely turn the game around for the Koalas.
Four minutes from the end the Koalas put the game beyond doubt.
With a player down in back play, Andrews was kept on side, bursting through and easily placing the ball beyond Simonsen to put the finishing touches on a big win.
Match Stats
NWS Koalas 3 (Andrews 71’, 86’, Farqhuar78’)
Manly United 1 (Brown 9’)
NWS Koalas: 88. Avgoustou, 97. Campbell, 59. Rohrer, 60. Perrins, 62. Tobin, 64. Davey, 71. Farqhuar, 72. Beard, 78. Bozanic, 90. Andrews, 92. Ikonomou.
Substitutes: 6. Peake, 27. Booty, 58. Killey, 61. Roberts, 70. Penman.
Manly United: 31. Simonsen, 3. O’Brien, 4. M. Neville, 7. Olsen, 8. Brown, 9. L. Neville, 12. Cholakian, 13. Walker, 17. Wheatley, 26. Stuart, 30. Yatim
Substitutes: 2. Nolet, 14. Sekulich, 23. Minett, 29. Wharepouri, 32. Overton.
