Round 2 Review – NPL NSW Women’s
Only two games were played this weekend in the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s competition with extreme heat playing a devastating role.
Bankstown City V North Shore Mariners
With the weather still at 34 degrees at 7pm, it was never going to be easy at Jensen Park for the clash between Bankstown City and North Shore Mariners.
And so the goal scorers felt the effects, with neither side able to break the deadlock.
It was a fairly physical start to the game with both sides making some strong challenges.
Lucy Jerram had the first chance of the game for the Mariners on 10 minutes but she put her volley wide of the goal.
Patty Charalambous was involved in everything for the home side and had a good chance on 14 minutes, but her effort was well blocked by Zoe Halpin.
Only two minutes later and a poor back pass had Teigan Collister bearing down on Renee Krstanovska.
The keeper did well to clear but the danger wasn’t over for the home side. City failed to deal with the pressure as Madeleine Bart had Krstanovska scrambling, getting down well to save.
Jerram was dangerous down the left for the Mariners and her teasing ball across the box found Collister but again Krstanovska came to City’s rescue in the 17th minute.
Again the away side pushed forward on 34 minutes as Collister became the provider for Daisy Arrowsmith who beat Krstanovska before the City defence cleared the ball off the line.
It was Bankstown’s turn to go forward on 36 minutes as Amy Dahdah moved through the Mariners defence before blasting toward goal, only for her shot to cannon back off the post.
Jerram had the first chance of the second period in the 53rd minute, getting her head to a Collister cross, only for the ball to go over the bar.
Dahdah then got onto the end of a cheeky free kick from Charalambous in the 65th minute, but she wasn’t able to get her effort on target.
With the clock ticking and only three minutes of normal time to go Tiffany Paterson had a chance to be the hero. Moving in on Krstanovska, the striker shot toward the far post, but against the City keeper came out on top, making a fantastic save to keep the scores locked at 0-0.
Sutherland Sharks v Manly United
The Sutherland Sharks welcomed Champions Manly United to Harrie Denning Centre on Sunday evening.
It wasn’t what the Sharks wanted, as Manly ran away with a convincing 6-0 victory.
The travelling side got away to the perfect start, taking a commanding 3-0 lead into the break and looking comfortable.
They added another three in the second 45 minutes to run away with victory.
Japanese Import My Ban scored her first goals for the club, picking up two, Emily Minett, Claudia Cholakian, Sophie Harding and Jessica Sekulich also got themselves on the scoresheet.
*Due to hot weather, following games were postponed –
Macarthur Rams v Sydney University
NWS Koalas v Emerging Jets
Illawarra Stignrays v FNSW Institute
Northern Tigers v Blacktown Spartans
-By Nikola Pozder
