Round 18 Review – PS4 NPL 2 NSW Women’s
The PlayStation4 National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Women’s regular season is done and we have our four finalists following four games filled with drama and goals.
Match of the Round: Nepean FC 1 drew with Central Coast Mariners 1
It was nervous and frantic but Nepean FC crucially held on in a 1-1 draw that confirmed their appearance in the PS4 NPL 2 NSW Women’s finals series.
The Mariners who came into this afternoon needing a victory to get themselves into the top four got the perfect start when Candice Phelan struck in the 24th minute but an early second half strike from Brittany Pelle confirmed a split of the points despite a wild last few minutes.
Finishing fifth is a big achievement for the Mariners after being rock bottom in 2016, they were within a whisker of getting into the finals. For Nepean FC they were a constant in the top four all season so deserved a chance to play for the championship.
From the opening whistle, the instruction from Mariners coach Mark Yule was clear, as the visitors pressed an uncertain Nepean FC side coming off a 1-nil loss last weekend.
Phelan had a prime chance in the first 120 seconds as she rocketed a free-kick about 30 yards out which forced Nepean FC keeper Danielle Bartels to scramble, making the catch on the second attempt.
Elizabeth Shorter continued the early pressure from the Mariners as she tried her luck with a weak effort that Bartels gladly scooped up as Nepean FC hung on by a thread.
Yule’s tactics reaped reward in the 24th minute as a cushioned throughball put Phelan right in the path of Bartels and the striker thrashed an effort into the roof of the net for the perfect 1-nil start for the Mariners in their chase.
On the rare occasion that Nepean FC pushed forward in the first half it came from a set piece. Jessica Elliot curved an effort over the crossbar as the frustration was evident in the home side.
Mariners could’ve stretched their advantage to two when Phelan was involved again. The striker burst into the box before cutting it back to Cheyanne Dearie, who couldn’t connect with the ball enough to attack the goal.
After having some time to cool down at half-time, Nepean FC were more composed after the break. They confirmed this with an equaliser from Brittany Pelle, the winger fired home after an Ellen Wheatley flick put her into the space.
Now Nepean FC had to hold onto this result and they would confirm fourth. They had to withstand heavy pressure from the Mariners as both Shorter and Phelan went close with efforts.
As the clock ticked into the final ten, Nepean FC had a golden chance to finish the contest when Wheatley was free in the box but slid her effort wide of the left-hand post.
Shorter had one final chance to steal the game for the Mariners when the ball fell to her with the goal gaping but some last-ditch defense from the Nepean FC defenders prodded the ball away to save their point.
The joy at full-time was evident from Nepean FC as they were delighted to hold onto fourth position. Their coach Alan Tasses was overjoyed to keep on playing.
“It was battle, almost a semi-final come early and to be honest, it was semi-final ugly. We stumbled over the final month, making hard work of it but found our feet today.” Said Tasses.
“No excuses from us, I feel the girls do it on purpose to make me lose all my hair. Now we’re onto Bankstown City Lions, who got one over of us earlier this season next week.” Finished the Nepean FC coach.
For Mariners coach Mark Yule – despite the loss, it was a positive season for his ladies.
“We finished last year, so to be challenging for the finals this year is sensational. It is one of those things, we just couldn’t get over the line.” Said Yule.
We talked about starting fast which we did, got the goal that put Nepean FC under the pump but they found an equaliser unfortunately for us.” Finished Yule.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 13th August 2017
Cook Park
Nepean FC 1 (Pelle ’48)
Central Coast Mariners 1 (Phelan ’24)
Nepean FC: 1. BARTELS Danielle, 2. JACKSON Emma, 4. ELLIOT Jessica(STEDMAN ’72), 5. WHEATLEY Ellen, 6. BALLARD Monique, 7. HAARING Stephanie(GALAYINI ’78), 12. WADDELL Alix(AXISA ’89), 13. VASSALLO Desiree, 19. PELLE Britanny(WHEELER ’83), 24. POTTER Bridgette and 25. DAVIDSON Aisling
Subs not used: 20. MALAS Narmin
Yellow cards: Bartels and Elliot
Red cards: nil
Central Coast Mariners: 1. SCHULTZ Jess, 2. DUFFY Kate, 4. DAVIS Georgia, 5. WADDELL Letisha, 6. MCATAMNEY, 8. KEANE Oriana(JOHNSON ’18), 9. PHELAN Candice, 10. CARMODY Kiah(GRANERO ’71), 13. DEARIE CHEYANNE, 14. SHORTER Elizabeth, 15. LOPEZ Nubia
Subs not used: 12. OLIVEIRA Katie and 20. BRADBURY Maddison
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Bankstown City Lions 2 defeated Southern Branch FC 0
Third placed Bankstown City Lions warmed up for their elimination final next weekend with a professional 2-nil victory against Southern Branch FC.
Doris Osman scored a highlight reel goal for Bankstown City Lion’s first as the striker flicked it over the keeper then chased it home into the net.
Her fellow striker Vida Opoku-Aygemang added a second after the half-time break to round out the victory as the Lions improved remarkably on their finish of 7th last season to make the finals with ease.
A word for Southern Branch FC who fought hard all season and finished around the same position as they did in 2016 but did take a few scalps of the bigger sides across the season.
Marconi Stallions 6 defeated Inter Lions 2
Marconi Stallions signed off the season in style in an eight-goal contest against Inter Lions as both teams eye off brighter times next year.
Helen Petinos starred once again for the Stallions with a brace but the home side were pegged back to 2-2 at the break with Melissah Parlato and Kate Mateffy finding the net for Inter Lions.
In the second it was all the Stallions as Alesha Clifford, Kate Hensman, Mia Connors and Jessica Beale all found their way onto the scoresheet in an entertaining end to the campaign.
Inter Lions coach Danny Abboud will be happy with the effort to finish the season and eye an improved finish next season.
Sydney Olympic FC 3 defeated Sutherland Shire FA 2
In a dress rehearsal for their major semi-final next week, Olympic FC triumphed narrowly 3-2 over Sutherland Shire FA today at Peter Moore Field.
Sydney Olympic FC continued their brilliant track record of goal-scoring as Madelaine Costanzo added her 19th goal of the season with Amanda Amberg and Lily Chen firing home the other two goals for the premiers to finish the season in style.
The visitors worked hard in a tough contest and a brace from Jordan Baker wasn’t enough for a Sutherland Shire as Sydney Olympic FC took the psychological advantage headed into the finals.
Both sides have to dust themselves off as they will tangle again next week to determine the first team through to the PS4 NPL 2 NSW Women’s Grand Final.
Gladesville Ravens had the bye
-By Justin Davies
