Round 12 – National Premier Leagues 2 Women’s Review
As Vivid begins to light up Sydney – the superstars of the National Premier League 2 Women’s aim to do similar, as they weave their artistry across the grass canvas, with the top four sides within the competition floating further away from the remaining teams
Match of the Round: Inter Lions 1 defeated Nepean FC 0
It wasn’t the prettiest game, but they all count the same in the table. Inter Lions snatched all three points, thanks to Kirilee Cook’s strike just after the hour mark, 1-nil against a frustrated Nepean FC side today at Concord Oval.
They have taken their time, but Inter Lions have started to click under Danny Abboud. The young side have played some stylish football in the last few weeks, while it wasn’t champagne today, Inter stuck to their task and were rewarded as Kirilee Cook slotted home the winner. Although they did need some fantastic saves from their keeper, it was three points that puts them in the finals hunt.
Alan Tasses must be scratching his head this season. Nepean FC can go from being so clinical against Southern Branch FC, to wasteful this afternoon – the coach knows that they need to find some consistency to even give themselves a chance at rescuing their season.
The signs were positive in the opening exchanges for Nepean FC. Britney Pelle roped in a lovely switch of play before the winger volleyed wide with 120 seconds on the clock. New signing Annie Halls tested the Lions next from a free-kick as Nepean aimed for a fast start.
Fresh from her brace against Southern Branch, Stefanie Trovato almost prised open the Lions defense, but her touch was slightly too heavy as it was one-way traffic. Trovato broke through again in the 233rd minute, only to be denied again.
For the Lions – the best chances fell to Cook. The attacker showed her strength, riding several challenges before trying to hook homebound but it was gobbled up by Nepean FC’s Danielle Bartels. She almost presented Dominique Caridad a prime chance later in the half, but she ballooned it over as the half drifted to a stalemate.
Five minutes into the second half, Nepean FC substitute Bianca Galayini strode into the box after a slick combination with Trovato, taking her chance it followed the script of the first half, going straight to the Lions keeper.
As time drifted it looked like a single goal may decide the contest. Inter Lions started to grow into the contest, moving the ball well – but it was a simple diagonal ball from Taylor Mikaelian down the right which opened up space for Cook, the striker calmly rounded Bartels before rolling the ball in, 1-nil.
Chances remained at a premium in the final half hour, as Inter diligently repelled Nepean FC as the final whistle brought more frustration for Tasses, but three more valuable points for the home side who nudge into the finals race.
Afterwards a delighted Danny Abboud comended the Lions in a tough contest as they stuck to the task and took the three points.
“It was a very tough – Nepean is very tough to play against, with their style of play. We stuck to the gameplan but I had faith and the girls have started to get the results now,
“In round one, I said we won the game but not the scoreboard. Today we took both, which is a great credit to them. We’re going to keep building on what we earnt today.” Finished Abboud.
A slightly bemused Tasses continued to search for answers as Nepean can’t seem to find consistency in the competition this year, after being finalists last season.
“It was disappointing. We couldve been three of four up at half, I don’t think our keeper made a save all half. Again it seems to be the pattern this year, we don’t take our chances and it burns us,
“They took their chance and that is football. It was a long ball that our defense didn’t read then it goes in the goal. It is what it is though for us.” Finished Tasses.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 27 May 2018 – Concord Oval, Burwood
Referee: T. Aflanes
Assistant Referees: H. Lee & A. Lozzaro
Inter Lions 1 (Cook ’61)
Nepean FC 0
Inter Lions: 2. COOK Kirilee, 7. GARDENER Angela (25. TANEA ’77), 8. MIKAELIAN Taylor, 9. BOURBOUS Georgia, 10. CARIDAD Dominique, 20. PENTECOST Natasha, 21. BACHA Katherine, 26. MATEFFY Kate, 28. BARTLE Shailee (45. COLEMAN ’45), 30. ZACZEK Zoe, 48. INCOGNITO Marissa (34. MANDILE ’45)
Subs not used: 27. LORENZO Alessia 31. LEDBROOK Selena
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Nepean FC: 1. BARTELS Danielle, 3. DAVIDSON Aisling, 5. HALLS Annie, 8. LANE Imogen (10. GALAYINI ’45), 9. PELLE Britney (12. WADDELL ’65), 11. STEDMAN Madeline, 13. VASSALLO Desiree, 14. CONNELL Lauren (22. WHOLOHAN ’77), 15. WHEELER Cassandra, 21. TROVATO Stefanie, 25. HANSEN Janie (7. HAARING ’77)
Subs not used: 20. MALAS Narmin
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
SD Raiders 4 defeated Gladesville Ravens 0
In the preview, we said SD Raiders looked to hit the peaks of their earlier form, and with a comfortable 4-nil victory against finals rival Gladesville Ravens, they have gone higher than ever before today at Ernie Smith Reserve.
Welcome to National Premier League Womens 2, Liz O’Reilly. Striding out in the SD Raiders colours for the first time – O’Reilly smashed home a thunderous volley to open the scoring for the home side. From there it was one-way traffic as the Raiders piled on three more.
Cassidy Chidgey fired home the second, as Samantha Nagy continued her fine goal-scoring form before Logan Garard finished off a comfortable afternoon for the Raiders. Although Constanti wanted to give a special mention to his defense.
Marshalled by Regan Hill in goal, her backline generals in Gabrielle Pace and Kathleen Pace blunted a formidable Ravens attack, keeping back-to-back cleansheets for the first time in 2018, as they opened up a four-point gap on their opponents this afternoon.
Central Coast Mariners 11 defeated St George FC 0
One of NPL2’s more prolific attacks gave a dazzling display as they lit up IFS, putting 11 goals past hapless St George FC to take their winning streak to six.
Usually if there is a massive goal haul from the Mariners, it is Candice Phelan that steals the headlines, although the top-scorer netted four goals in the rout, it was 15-year old Iona Snape that should receive the match ball today.
Building on her winner against Gladesville last weekend, Snape netted in a massive first half which saw the Mariners sail out to an 8-nil lead. The youngster added two more impressive strikes in the second half to complete the hat-trick.
Jordan Evans continues be a staple on the scoresheet, scoring her tenth of the season while Gabrielle Blanch, Haylie Eyers and Jade Mcatamney helped to swell the Mariners, already impressive goal difference.
Western NSW Mariners FC 2 defeated UNSW FC 1
There is no better tonic than winning, Western NSW Mariners brought themselves level with UNSW FC, after defeating the students, 2-1 on a crisp afternoon in Lithgow.
The Mariners put a disappointing last few weeks behind them, as they dominated the contest from start to finish, against a UNSW outfit that Renato Jelen admitted never got started against the Mariners organisation and pressure on the ball that allowed them little time.
Poorsha Mcphillamy is an unsung hero in the Mariners outfit. The midfielder does the gritty work across the field, but took all the plaudits today, scoring in either half, opening her account for the 2018 at the best moment.
Paige Ayton gave the students some life with her equaliser in the first half, but after their strong start to the season, their form has faded and possibly, has them in danger of missing the finals which they had targeted in pre-season.
Sydney Olympic 3 defeated Marconi Stallions 2
It won’t be a result that is projected onto the Opera House, but Sydney Olympic FC got the job done, 3-2 against the Marconi Stallions, doing the double over the famous club at their Fortress Peter Moore.
Danielle Calvi got the premiers off to the perfect start – she slotted home in the first half for tenth of the season then quickly added her eleventh in the second half to down a gallant Marconi side that pushed them the whole way.
Kirsty Rohrer scored the other for Sydney Olympic, the midfielder’s seventh in 2018, helped Olympic remain at the summit, and kept their advantage at five points with both Central Coast and APIA nipping at their heels.
For Marconi, it wasn’t much ground lost for their finals aspirations. The sides around them failed to pick up points but the form of Jessica Beale, with her second half brace, is a bright spot for them in the run home.
Southern Branch FC 0 defeated by APIA Leichhardt Tigers 10
Matteo Maiorana couldn’t have dreamt of a much better hit-out for his new signings, as three of them found the back of the net, in a 10-nil thumping of Southern Branch FC, this afternoon in Nowra.
Last year’s State League Womens Golden Boot, Yadira Renfigo took the headlines in the massive result, scoring a hat-trick while fellow signing Elaina Vatcky got herself a brace as the Tigers laid down a challenge before their showdown with Central Coast Mariners next weekend.
Sister act Ash and Brittany Palombi got themselves on the scoresheet in an eight-goal second half. Karen Saavedra, Lucy Gilfedder and Sarah Urquhart rounded out the demolition of Southern Branch FC, completing the double over the struggling club this season.
By Justin Davies
