Round 10 – National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s Review
It was a round of football for the favourites as the top six teams all recorded wins in the NPL NSW Women’s competition.
Bankstown City 0-3 Blacktown Spartans
Blacktown Spartans’ finals charge continued on Sunday as they faced Bankstown City at Jensen Park.
The away side took a slender 1-0 lead at the break as the in form Eliza Ammendolia found herself on the scoresheet again.
Further goals to Tyler Sparks and Sarah Yatim saw the Spartans come away with a crucial 3-0 win.
It was the perfect birthday present for Blacktown coach Stephen Peters as his side continued their hopes of sneaking into the finals.
It only took six minutes for the Spartans to hit the front.
Some poor defending saw Mel Caceres pick up the ball deep in Bankstown’s half before crossing for Ammendonila who sent her volley into the back of the net.
The away side continued to dominate possession but was unable to create a clear-cut opportunity as the half went on.
Rhianna Pollicina had an effort from distance in the 25th minute but her shot sailed over the bar.
Patty Charalambous had a golden chance to bring the home side level in the 31st minute.
But the usually reliable attacker sent her effort way over the bar.
Tania Baban had a chance for the Lions only a minute into the second half with Trudy Burke managing to save her bouncing shot.
On 64 minutes, Ammendolia almost had her second of the game but Renee Krstanovska made a fine save low to her right.
Seven minutes from full time it was 2-0 for Blacktown.
A fine cross from Ammendolia found Tyler Sparks arriving late into the box as she volleyed the ball first time into the back of the net.
Baban had a chance to cut the deficit a minute before the end of regular time but it’s still questionable as to what she exactly tried to do, with Burke picking up her ‘shot’ with ease.
The punishment came less than a minute later as a long ball by Alix Roberts had Sarah Yatim in, lobbing Krstanovska with a deft volley.
North Shore Mariners 1-4 Sydney University
At Northbridge Oval, Sydney University was looking at getting back to the top of table as they took on North Shore Mariners.
And the away side got off to a fine start, taking a three-goal lead into the break.
The home side improved in the second period but it wasn’t enough to come back and get anything from the match as Uni ran out 4-1 winners.
It was a massive victory for Uni after going to games without a win and losing their strangle hold on top spot.
Illawarra Stingrays 3-0 NWS Koalas
North West Sydney Koalas faced a tough away trip down the coast at JJ Kelly Park against Illawarra Stingrays.
Carmelina Moscato’s girls in pink made it three wins on the bounce, winning 3-0 against a tough Koalas team.
The win meant that the Stingrays stayed within touching distance of the leading crew.
For the Koalas, the loss puts them eight points from finals places and what seems an increasingly difficult task.
Emerging Jets 0-6 Macarthur Rams
Emerging Jets welcomed Macarthur Rams to Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility.
Macarthur looked to dominate from the start and they went into the break leading 3-0.
They added another three in the second half to run away with a comfortable 6-0 victory.
Leena Khamis and Kylie Ledbrook each got two while Rosie Galea and Georgia Yeoman-Dale scored the other two.
Northern Tigers 0-2 Manly United
League leading Manly United travelled to Lake Turramurra Recreational Area as they faced the Northern Tigers.
It was the in form league leaders that took all three points, coming away with a 2-0 victory.
Emily Minnet and Claudia Cholakian lead United to their fifth straight victory as they firmed their grip on first place.
FNSW Institute 6-0 Sutherland Shire
At Valentine Football Park, Football NSW Institute looked to continue their run against the Sutherland Shire.
Three goals in either half for the home side saw them take away a commanding 6-0 win.
Kyra Cooney-Cross has been in great form for the Institute and she picked up a hat-trick while Susan Phonsongkham and Courtney Nevin got the others.
Institute’s latest results keep them within touching distance of a finals place and are serious contenders at the moment.
-By Nikola Pozder
