Round 6 – National Premier League NSW Women’s Review
If you want goals, come to the NPL NSW Women’s competition. There was an absolute amazing 14-goal thriller in round six along with Sydney University moving clear in front of the Macarthur Rams on the ladder.
Bankstown City 2-0 Sutherland Shire
Bankstown City Lions registered their first victory of the season, defeating Sutherland Shire 2-0 on Sunday afternoon at Jensen Park.
Two goals either side of half time were enough for the red and black as Patty Charalambous opened the scoring before Tania Babin rounded out the victory minutes before full time.
The result meant the Shire girls’ wait for their first win of the season will continue as the Lions now look forward and a way to build from here.
Patty Charalambous has been Bankstown’s best player so far this campaign and she showed her class on five minutes.
The little magician saw Chloe Avgoustou off her line, shooting early and finding the back of the net from 25 yards out.
Sutherland’s fans are still probably shaking their heads, unsure how their team didn’t equalise on 23 minutes.
Renee Krstanovska was caught out with a deep ball, rushing out and leaving acres of space for the Shire attackers to capitalise.
Kiara De Domizio was first on the scene, crossing for Danielle Wise who couldn’t control the ball before it ended up with captain Jordan Baker who somehow missed the target after some desperate Lions defending.
On 29 minutes the home side should’ve doubled their lead.
A neat ball over the defence found Charalambous but her lob sailed over the bar.
Four minutes before the break the Lions threatened again.
Amy Dahdah picked up the ball at the far post, beat her defender before being blocked by another Sutherland player.
On the stroke of half time, Jordan Baker picked up the ball on the left, dribbled in and had a go from distance, only for her shot to go inches over the bar.
Charalambous had the home side back on the front foot inside the opening two minutes of the second half, shooting just wide of Avgoustou’s goal.
Dahdah was next to try her luck in the 52nd minute but Avgoustou got down well to save.
In the 87th minute, the points were safe for Bankstown.
Tania Babin got onto the end of a ball on the edge of the area, blasting it into the back of the net beyond Avgoustou.
It’s worth mentioning the duo in front of Krstanovska, with the central defensive pairing of Liana Babic and Jelena Petkovic putting on quite a performance for the home side.
Northern Tigers 3-0 Emerging Jets
At North Turramurra Recreational Area, the Northern Tigers were looking for three on the trot against the Emerging Jets.
That they did, coming away with a commanding 3-0 victory and continuing their ascent up the ladder.
Shayna Killey scored one while Georgia Goulding picked up a brace.
Teams will be wary of the resurgent Tigers and the improvements they’ve made in the last couple of weeks.
Blacktown Spartans 1-3 Manly United
Blacktown Spartans and Manly United were both keen to get back on track after defeats in their last games when they clashed on Sunday at Blacktown Football Park.
Manly continued their perfect away form, taking all three points from Blacktown with a 3-1 win.
They were two goals to the good at the break as Tash Prior and Remy Siemsen had Chris Williams’ team travelling well.
United held onto their lead and took the win despite being reduced to 10 players as goalkeeper Claire Coelho received her marching orders.
Siemsen scored her second of the afternoon for United in the second half while Alyssa Rose found the back of the net for the home side.
NWS Koalas 2-2 Macarthur Rams
The North West Sydney Koalas hosted the Macarthur Rams on a historic afternoon for the home side who made their move to Christie Park.
They couldn’t have had a tougher opponent to start this new era but showed great character, drawing 2-2.
It was the home side though that went into the break leading by the odd goal, 1-0.
The second half was far from a dull affair as the Rams battled back with the sides having to settle for a draw.
Morgan Roberts and Panni Petratos both scored for the home team while Georgia Yeoman-Dale picked up a brace.
Illawarra Stingrays 3-4 Sydney University
We expected fireworks at JJ Kelly Park on Sunday as the Illawarra Stingrays and Sydney University did battle.
Fireworks were an understatement.
Sydney Uni came away with the points in a seven-goal thriller to push them to the top of the table.
Alex Epakis’s side lead 3-1 at the break and seemed to be cruising to victory as the teams went into the sheds.
But the second half exploded with a plethora of goals as the away side held onto the victory, 4-3.
Captain Michelle Carney scored two for the Stingrays as Erica Halloway scored the other.
On fire Courtnee Vine was the hero for Uni as she scored a hat-trick, while Carla Trimboli got the other.
North Shore Mariners 6-8 Football NSW Institute
At Northbridge Oval in the slightly later kick off on Sunday, the North Shore Mariners hosted the Football NSW Institute.
I’m not sure how to quite explain it but no, they weren’t playing water polo and yes there were 14 goals scored in 90 minutes.
The Mariners were on the front foot at half time, leading the Institute 3-2.
But what came in the next 45 minutes is almost unbelievable.
The Institute managed to turn the result around in a nine-goal second half and come away with a remarkable 8-6 win.
Amy Sayer, Madeleine Bart, Lucy Jerram and a Tiffany Paterson ha-trick weren’t enough for the home side.
By Nikola Pozder
