Round 9 – National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s Review
Round Nine of the NPL NSW Women’s competition saw a new league leader emerge while a current Matilda finally debuted for her new club.
North West Sydney Koalas 1-2 Northern Tigers
It was yet another victory for the Northern Tigers as they turned around a half time deficit at Christie Park to defeat the North West Sydney Koalas.
Erin Pridmore put the hosts in front with a thunderous strike in the first half despite the Tigers dominating proceedings.
Early into the second half, Ellie Brush had the Tigers level, only for Hannah McNulty to score an absolute bomb in the 88th minute.
The away side had an ace up their sleeve as current Matilda Michelle Heyman lined up in the green and white for the first time this season.
It was Heyman who had the first chance of the game on 10 minutes, getting on to the end of a Servet Uzunlar corner, only for the Koalas to clear the ball away.
The Tigers almost had the lead on 14 minutes. Heyman turned in the middle of the park and ran with intent at the home side’s defence before slipping in Shayna Killey.
The winger took a touch and struck her shot toward the far post, only for the ball to flash wide of the goal.
The current Matilda was in the thick of it again on 22 minutes, this time playing in Hannah McNulty but Koalas keeper Romana Parraguirre Plaza was up to the task, tipping the low shot wide of the post.
With their first shot of the game after 25 minutes, the home side almost went in front.
Erin Pridmore rose highest from a corner but her header lacked conviction, making it easy for Eliza Campbell to gather the ball.
The Tigers continued to dominate and five minutes later tested Parraguirre Plaza again.
This time Ellie Brush had a go but the Koalas keeper did well to get down and save.
Ten minutes before the break the home side had the lead.
Nat Tobin sent in a low set piece, finding the feet of Pridmore who took a touch before blasting the ball into the back of the net, giving Campbell no chance.
The goal came somewhat against the run of play with the Tigers creating the majority of the early chances.
Pridmore’s goal seemed to give the home side confidence as Panayiota Petratos was next to test the Tigers keeper.
Heyman wouldn’t be kept quite for long though, latching onto a through ball before stinging the palms of Parraguirre Plaza. The Koalas keeper couldn’t hold the ball with the striker smacking the rebound well over the bar.
Coming out from the sheds, the away side again looked to take the game to the Koalas, not allowing them to get onto the ball.
On 50 minutes, the Tigers were rewarded for their efforts as Ellie Brush pounced on a loose ball in the box from a corner, slotting it into the back of the net.
Two minutes later and Heyman slid in McNulty but the winger couldn’t find the back of the net.
Emma Watkins had a fine chance on the 70 minute mark but she snatched at her effort, sending it over the bar.
Down the other end, Rachell Perrins combined with Princess Ibini-Isei with the Koalas midfielder sending a fine effort just wide of the top corner.
The Koalas should’ve retaken the lead in the 75th minute.
Some fine work by Ibini-Isei saw her beat her marker before cutting the ball back for Petratos whose goal bound effort was blocked by a Tigers defender.
Ibini-Isei had a chance of her own shortly later but her uncontrolled volley went way off target.
Again the home side pressed, this time Madison McComasky had her shot well saved by Campbell before Ibini-Isei picked up the rebound and laid the ball off for Tobin who couldn’t find the target.
But it was the away side that turned the game around two minutes before the final whistle in spectacular fashion.
After all her hard work, McNulty was rewarded with a fine strike, worthy of the game winner, hitting the ball on the half volley and finding the top corner of the goal.
The home side had one final chance in the dying embers of the game but somehow couldn’t bundle the ball in as the Tigers survived.
Manly United 1-0 North Shore Mariners
At Cromer Park under lights on Sunday evening, Manly United took on local rivals North Shore Mariners.
A first half Nikola Orgil goal sent the home side into half time leading 1-0.
The Mariners couldn’t strike back in the second period as Chris Williams’s side scored a massive victory.
The win sent the Champions to the top of the ladder.
Sutherland Shire FA 1-3 Blacktown Spartans
Sutherland Shire and Blacktown Spartans did battle at Harrie Denning Centre on Sunday afternoon.
Both sides were in desperate need of points.
It was the away side under the watchful eye of caretaker coach Stephen Peters who took a 2-0 lead into half time.
But Sutherland couldn’t find a way back into the game despite fighting hard.
Eliza Ammendolia continued her goal scoring form by scoring the Spartans first while Sarah yatim and Gab Marzano got the other two.
Morgan Maxwell got on the score sheet for the home side.
Bankstown City 0-5 Illawarra Stingrays
On a tough pitch at Jensen Park, Bankstown City and the Illawarra Stingrays battled it out.
Caitlin Cooper put the away side in front before the break.
A brace to Hannah Beard along with goals to Erica Halloway and another to Cooper saw the Stingrays run out 5-0 winners.
The win meant the Stingrays registered back to back wins, moving them into equal second position.
Football NSW Institute 5-4 Macarthur Rams
We expected goals at Valentine Sports Park as the Football NSW Institute and Macarthur Rams clashed.
It was the home side that came roaring out of the blocks, taking a surprise 3-0 lead at the break.
But the Institute wouldn’t be the Institute if they didn’t make a battle out of an already won game.
The Rams fought back but couldn’t break the fight of the home side who held out for an incredible 5-4 victory.
Sydney University 1-1 Emerging Jets
Top of the table Sydney University welcomed the winless Emerging Jets to Sydney University Football Ground.
It was the less favoured away side that went into the break leading thanks to a goal by Ellen Rimmer.
Alex Epakis’s side wouldn’t be where they are if they weren’t fighters though and managed to find an equaliser in the second half to deny the Jets their first win of the season.
The draw for Uni meant they subsequently lost first place on the ladder.
– By Nikola Pozder
