Round 2 Review – PS4 NPL 2 NSW Women’s
The break refreshed the sides and they delivered entertainment in spades for the second round of the PlayStation 4 NPL 2 NSW Women’s competition, highlighted by our match of the round between Inter Lions and Gladesville Ravens.
Match of the Round – Inter Lions 3 defeated Gladesville Ravens 2
Inter Lions survived a late fightback from the Gladesville Ravens to record an entertaining 3-2 victory this afternoon at Concord Oval.
The Lions got off to a fast start when Leanne Sharpe whipped in a corner, palmed by the Ravens keeper into the path of Maria Kalogeropoulos to poke home for the 1-nil lead.
It was almost double delight for Inter Lions on 17 minutes when Sarah Mandile was put through one on one but screwed her effort wide of the target.
Following a slow start Gladesville Ravens started to work their way into the contest. Winger Isabella Breukelaar was causing headaches down the right wing the whole first half.
She had the best chance of the half when the winger sprinted past her defender into the box but slid the effort wide of the post.
The Ravens rung the changes after the break as they continued to press. It almost worked immediately as a mix up at the break from Inter almost gifted them an equaliser.
They would have the equaliser in the 55th minute when Cecila Corney latched onto a lofted ball to make it two goals in as many games for 1-1.
Inter Lions restored their lead four minutes later when a free-kick was spilled by Ravens keeper Kasia Glennie into the path of Kate Mateffy to tap home.
The home side were in full flow now, as Natalie Difrancesco created a nuisance before she skewered an effort just wide of the post.
Eventually the Lions would make it three goals when Sarah Mandile poked in a determined effort. She was initially denied by Glennie before the forward got to the rebound first for 3-1.
Once again Gladesville Ravens coach Jose De Costa rung the changes and it reaped rewards in the 72nd minute. Jemima Davidson was afforded enough space in the box to slot one past Selen Sanoro, the Lions custodian.
The Ravens continued to push for the equaliser again in the latter stages and it seemed like Corney would rescue the point late on but Santoro came up huge for the Lions to record all three points.
Afterwards the Lions coach was delighted with the points.
"It was a quality game from both teams, our girls weren’t up to their best but we thankfully took all three points which makes me delighted." He said.
Conversely Ravens coach De Costa lamented a slow start which cost them.
"It was a great second half, if we had a bit longer we could’ve snatched a point there. The girls were unlucky but congrats to Inter Lions." Said De Costa.
MATCH STATS
Inter Lions 3 (Kalogeropoulos, Mandile and Mateffy)
3. Zoe ZACZEK, 6. Taylor MIKAELIAN, 7. Angela GARDNER, 8. Maria KALOGEROPOULOS, 11. Jasmine DIAVATIOTIS, 12. Hollie WILSON(WILSON. P ’65), 13. Natalie DIFRANCESCO, 14. Sarah MANDILE, 16. Leanne SHARPE(COOK ’90), 20. Selen SANTORO and 26. Kate MATEFFY(BOURBOUS ’85)
Subs not used: 4. Danielle WATSON
Gladesville Ravens 2
Kasia GLENNIE, 2. Hannah GESTIER, 3. Ashleigh SMITH, 4. Paige VANSAARLOOS, 7. Kirrilly MOORE(BIANCHINO ’60), 8. Celeste LOYZAGA, 11. Isabella BREUKELAAR, 13. Bronwyn PEDDLEY(J. DAVIDSON ’60), 15. Stacey FANELLA(HANSEN ’51), 16. Isabella HOPKINS(BLAIR ’51) and 17. Cecila CORNEY
Subs not used: 9. Juliette DAVIDSON
Central Coast Mariners 2 drew with Bankstown City Lions 2
Both teams were forced to share the points after a pulsating 2-all draw at Pluim Park this Sunday afternoon.
Central Coast Mariners scored first through new signing Candice Phelan to take a 1-nil lead into the break in a rugged affair between the sides.
Bankstown City Lions responded in the second half well – scoring twice with Joanna Martino finding the net for both to put themselves up 2-1.
They were unable to hold on to the lead as Georgia Davis rescued a point for the home side on a frustrating afternoon for the Lions.
Southern Branch FC 1 defeated by Sydney Olympic 4
Sydney Olympic romped to their first victory of the season 4-1 over Southern Branch down in Nowra this afternoon.
They plundered home four goals in the dominant performance which rounded off a day when they won in all five grades.
Paris Ford sent the home fans away slightly happy when she scored the only strike for Southern Branch FC tonight.
Nepean FC 0 defeated by Marconi Stallions 1
Marconi Stallions were made to work hard for it but they secured a tight 1-nil victory against a stubborn Nepean FC tonight.
The Stallions were without four of their regular starters for the contest but they put that behind them with a solid effort.
Their only strike came from Kalinda Wills as they run out 1-nil victors against first start winners Nepean FC.
It was a disappointing afternoon for Nepean FC as they didn’t build on their round one victory over Bankstown City Lions.
By Justin Davies, NPL 2 NSW Women’s reporter
