Round 15 – NPL NSW Women’s Review
The North West Sydney Koalas and the Northern Tigers bagged the ‘shocks’ of the round in the NPL NSW Women’s competition.
North Shore Mariners 1-2 Illawarra Stingrays
The Illawarra Stingrays kept up their premiership fight with a tight 2-1 win over the North Shore Mariners.
Two second half goals for the Stingrays were enough to get them over the line despite a late Mariners consolation goal.
The away side should’ve had the lead on six minutes after Evelyn Chronis got onto a ball at the far post, only to miss the target with her effort from just in front.
In the 31st minute the Stingrays threatened again, this time through Katelyn Leadbeatter who turned her defenders well before her shot clipped the cross bar and went over.
10 minutes before the break Teigan Collister broke though the Stingrays defence but she couldn’t beat Kya Stewaert.
Six minutes before the break, Chronis went on a fine run before being chopped down just outside the area.
Michelle Carney stepped up but didn’t test the Mariners keeper.
The second half didn’t start in the best way for North Shore as Emily Kos had to be carried off the park after only three minutes with what looked a bad injury.
Illawarra had the first chance of the second half on 60 minutes.
Hannah Beard had the first attempt before a scramble in the box saw the Mariners clear. The ball went only as far as Liana Danaskos who crossed first time into the area.
She found Evelyn Chronis who hit the back of the net, only for the goal to be chalked off for an offside.
A minute later the Stingrays went forward again, this time Talitha Kramer couldn’t take advantage of the opportunity as Casey Dumont saved well.
The Stingrays continued their attacks and in the 63nd minute they earned themselves a spot kick.
Chronis burst into her box, beat her defender before being brought down in the box.
The winger dusted herself off to take the spot kick which she converted comfortably.
Koalas midfielder Amy Sayer then tried her luck from distance, sending a powerful effort just wide.
Just after the hour mark, the Stingrays doubled their advantage.
An obviously in the mood Chronis crossed in from the left toward Hannah Beard who finished off the move with a fine first time strike beyond Dumont.
Amy Sayer went close from a set piece for the Mariners on 83 minutes, stinging the palms of the Stingrays goalkeeper.
Caitlin Cooper went close three minutes before full time but her effort went just over the bar.
Sayer turned provider in the 88th minute as Daisy Arrowsmith picked up the ball on the edge of the area and placed the ball in the top corner.
Emerging Jets 0-2 Blacktown Spartans
Blacktown Spartans travelled to Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility to take on the Emerging Jets.
Chloe Logarzo had the way side in front in the first side as the Spartans took a 1-0 lead moving into half time.
Alix Roberts doubled Blacktown’s advantage in the second period as the girls in orange secured a 2-0 victory.
Football NSW Institute 0-0 Northern Tigers
At Valentine Sports park, Football NSW Institute entertained the Northern Tigers.
The Institute needed a victory to remain in equal first spot.
It wasn’t to be though as the Tigers held firm to do what only one other side has done this season, keep the Institute scoreless.
The 0-0 draw has the Institute in fourth while the Tigers are in ninth.
Sydney University 5-0 Bankstown City
At Sydney University Football Ground, Sydney University and Bankstown City did battle.
Uni had this one all wrapped up after on 45 minutes, going into the break 4-0 up thanks to a Nikki Flannery hat-trick and Russell.
Russell made it five in the second half as Uni took all three points with a convincing victory.
The 5-0 win puts Uni back on top of the league on goal difference.
Manly United 0-1 NWS Koalas
Manly United welcomed the North West Sydney Koalas to Cromer Park on Sunday.
A loss for the Koalas would’ve meant the end of their finals hopes.
The away side turned up though and took a smash and grab victory with Emma Stanbury scoring the winner.
The win put the Koalas only 6 points behind Manly who is currently in fifth place.
Macarthur Rams 6-0 Sutherland Shire
Sutherland Shire travelled to Lynwood Park to take on the Macarthur Rams.
The Rams wouldn’t allow for any surprises in this one though scoring three first half goals to go into the break 3-0 up.
Leena Khamis scored a first half brace and Georgia Yeoman-Dale got the third.
The Rams scored three more in the second period to run away with a 6-0 win as Rosie Galea scored two before Khamis round up her hat-trick.
-By Nikola Pozder
