Round 6 – National Premier League NSW Women’s 2 Review
In another weekend filled with drama, excitement and importantly goals, as the competition continued to shape up into the contenders and those that have work to do.
Match of the Round: Sydney Olympic FC 5 defeated Central Coast Mariners 2
The Sydney Olympic FC juggernaut got back on track with a statement 5-2 victory over Central Coast Mariners at a sun-drenched Peter Moore Field on Sunday afternoon.
Following their drama-filled 3-3 draw against APIA Leichhardt Tigers last week, Sydney Olympic FC showed their cutting edge as Madelaine Costanzo, Siahn Bozanic and Lieke Bever all tallied in a 3-nil first half display.
Bever completed her double after the break while substitute Amelia Vitek finished off the scoring although the home side could’ve had more as they hit the post four times across the 90 minutes.
A game Mariners side got themselves a pair of goals from sharpshooter, Candice Phelan in the second half in a seven-goal contest.
Under the bright sunshine of Peter Moore Field, the Mariners showed their mettle early as Kate Duffy and Melissa Swinfield tested Olympic FC keeper Amanda Horafios within the first ten minutes.
Kirby Litterick went even closer from a set piece as the Mariners looked to continue their goal plundering ways from the last few weeks.
Much like a champion boxer, Olympic absorbed those early body blows and responded with a goal. Siahn Bozanic only needed the slightest pocket of space before she fired goalbound and wrong-footed Mariners keeper Rihannon Hines via a deflection.
The opening goal set the home side on their way, as both Kirsty Rohrer and Kristy Kunovski whacked efforts against the woodwork. The hits kept coming for Olympic as Hines was needed again, to deny Madelaine Costanzo from a point-blank header.
Costanzo wasn’t denied the second time. The striker showing off her defending skills as she pressed high enough to force Hines into an error, allowing her to slot home for 2-nil.
In full flow, Olympic added a third just before the break. A through ball dissected the Mariners defense like a high school science project before Lieke Bever arrowed home for an imposing scoreline heading into the break.
After a quiet first half, the Mariners star forward Candice Phelan got himself involved immediately, a swerving shot stung the hands of Horafios. Those two got tangled again as Phelan was denied point blank by the Olympic keeper.
Once again though, Olympic strike quickly and decisively. Bozanic threaded a delightful ball down the line for Bever to stride onto to, before she shot low and made it four for the hosts.
Mariners would find themselves a goal in the 69th minute when Phelan angled her run well from a cushioned throughball, and nestled it into the back of the net. The striker added a second late on for her brace.
It seemed that whenever the Mariners started to find some rhythm, Olympic knocked them out of tune. Substitute Amelia Vitek, fresh onto the field added a fifth when she diverted a Bever cross into the net for her first of the season.
Both sides continued to thrust forward as the sunshine turned into dusk but the first half rampage had done the damage as Olympic FC ran out convincing 5-2 winners.
“We bounced back. It was a tough week last time which we needed to find where we were. We dropped off with the lead after going up 5-1 but it gave it something to work on in future weeks.” beamed Papas after his side bounced back from their draw last week.
“We came with a plan and the girl’s executed it well. Olympic plans to be competitive every week and look get a result each time as well.” Finished Papas.
For Mariners boss Dan Barrett he applauded his side for their effort but lamented that they went missing after the Olympic opener.
“I said to the girls at half-time, we took the game to Olympic for the first fifteen minutes. Sadly, they scored the goal and we went missing,”
“What we have to work on is playing for the full 90 minutes. Despite the win last week, we weren’t good in the second half so that gives us a lot to work with and I’m sure the girls will bounce back next week.” Finished Barrett.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 15th April 2018
Peter Moore Field, Belmore
Referee: Jim Konistis
Assistant Referees: Ashleigh James & S Wang
Sydney Olympic FC 5 (Bever ’37, ’63, Bozanic ’14, Costanzo ’34, Vitek ’70)
Central Coast Mariners 2 (Phelan ’69, ’81)
Sydney Olympic FC: 2. TAYLOR Eloise, 3. MIRKOVIC Madeleine (7. CALVI ’59), 4. BARHAM Diedre, 6. HALASKA Kate, 8, BOZANIC Siahn, 9. COSTANZO Madelaine, 10. BEVER Lieke, 11. ROHRER Kristy, 16. JOHNSON Rochelle, 18. KUNOVSKI Kristy (13. VITEK. ’68), 20. HORAFIOS Amanda
Subs not used: 1. WATSON-CARR Grace 17. KHOURY Hannah 21. HOWARD Jameekah
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Central Coast Mariners: 1. HINES Rihannon, 2. BLANCH Gabrielle, 3. SWINFIELD Melissa, 4. PHELAN Candice, 5. OLIVEIRA Katie, 6. MCATAMNEY Jade, 7. EVANS Jordan, 8. DUFFY Kate (10. MURPHY ’51), 9. EYERS Hallie, 11. LITTERICK Kirby (14. DIAZ ’60), 12. DAVIS Georgia (13. SHORTER ’75)
Subs not used: 15. DUDMAN Alissa 60. SCHULTS Jess
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Inter Lions 5 vs St George FC 3
They may have waited six weeks for it but Inter Lions have produced a superb comeback from 3-1 down, roaring back to 5-3 to record their maiden victory of the season at Concord Oval.
The Saints were flying in the opening half hour, as they raced out to a three-nil lead with goals to Lara Nichols, Grace Ha and Marissa Nicopolous while Taylor Mikaelian found the net for Inter Lions.
From there though, it was all the Lions. They piled on four goals including brace to Georgia Bourbous while Dominique Caridad and Zoe Zaczek helped to completed an unthinkable comeback from after being 3-1 down after half an hour.
Inter Lions bank their first win of the season while the Saints continue to search for theirs as they regret a few defensive mistakes which cost them this afternoon.
Western NSW Mariners FC 1 defeated SD Raiders 0
Following their humbling loss last weekend, Western NSW Mariners were disciplined in their narrow one goal victory in Mudgee against a disappointed SD Raiders.
The visiting Raiders looked to continue their impressive form but missing main striker, Cassidy Chidgey, they were wasteful in possession and got punished on the counter-attack by a sharp Western NSW Mariners side.
Teegan Courtney compiled her sixth goal of the campaign for the Mariners lone goal. It was a performance that Mariners coach Josh Ward praised as determined, disciplined and importantly, the Mariners kept a clean sheet.
Marconi Stallions 2 defeated Gladesville Ravens 1
The Stallions have catapulted themselves into the top four with a close 2-1 victory against a game Gladesville Ravens side today at Marconi Stadium.
Since their first week humbling, Marconi have turned on the afterburners with three straight victories and a draw. Ceyda Cambaz continued her fine form making in three goals in two games.
For the Ravens they clawed their way back in the second half through Anabel Donaldson finding the back of the net before Stallions captain Hannah Voloder popped up for the winner as the clock ticked into the final quarter.
Southern Branch FC 1 defeated by UNSW FC 5
UNSW FC has got themselves back on track with a dominant 5-1 victory on their road trip down to Nowra on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.
The students enjoyed themselves against the competition’s punching bag in recent weeks. Amy Altman took the highest honours in a steady performance from the visitors.
Christine Tanaka Lucantonio, Paige Ayton and Cassandra Christopher filled out the score-line that will give the UNSW forward players confidence with tougher challenges to come further into the season.
Southern Branch FC put up a valiant effort as the home side clawed a goal back, making it 2-1 in the first half as Jordan Rean claimed her maiden goal of the season.
Nepean FC 0 defeated by APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC 2
This weekend’s late kick-off saw the difference between taking your chances and not, as APIA Leichhardt edged a close contest 2-nil under the Cook Park lights.
Both teams had moments of domination in an even first half, as Jess Martinez went closest for the visitors while Nepean FC were unlucky not to be ahead going into the sheds. APIA Leichhardt Tigers showed their graft and their class in the second half with their two goals.
Making up for her earlier misses Jess Martinez hammered a goal where the spiders live for the opener before a movement involving the entire team ended up with Ash Palombi curling home to send the points to Lambert Park.
Both coaches agreed that it was an excellent game of football which Nepean’s Alan Tasses lamented the difference in finishing between the two sides as Matteo Maiorana heralded the Tigers status as competition heavyweights.
By Justin Davies
