Round 19 – NPL NSW Women’s Review
A 15-goal victory was the headline of round 19 of the NPL NSW Women’s competition.
Manly United 5-1 Emerging Jets
Manly United are a step closer to finals football with a commanding 5-1 win over the Emerging Jets.
They lead 4-1 at the break and added a fifth in the second period to close out the victory.
The home side had the lead after only seven minutes as Sunny Franco slipped in Claudia Cholakian who tapped the ball in.
Four minutes later Franco played in Cholakian again, this time she volleyed over the bar.
But with their first shot on goal, the Jets had their equaliser on 22 minutes.
A fine strike from distance by Sarah Moore caught the keeper off her line as the ball found the back of the net.
Franco should’ve had Manly back in front on 29 minutes.
Moving into the box from the right, she unleashed a powerful effort on goal that smacked against the under side of the bar before Patty Charalambous took way too long to hit the rebound.
From the resulting corner, Charalambous found Sophie Harding in the box as the winger got herself on the scoresheet.
It was 3-1 in the 38th minute after some great ball movement from the home side, leaving Chloe O’Brien with the easiest of jobs passing the ball into the goal.
In the 45th minute Cholakian turned provider, cutting back for Harding who couldn’t beat the Jets keeper.
Three minutes into first half added time, Manly made it 4-1.
A cross from the right found it’s way all the way to Anjelyca Brown as the left back sent a rocket into the back of the net.
Manly should’ve went further in front in the 65th minute but somehow the ball stayed out.
Another corner saw Cholakian hit the woodwork from only a few yards out before Brown did the same with the rebound.
Cholakian was then brought down in the box five minutes before the end as the winger dusted herself off to slot the spot kick home, despite the Jets keeper going the right way.
Bankstown City 1-6 NWS Koalas
At Potts Park, Bankstown City and the North West Sydney Koalas clashed.
With their finals hopes on the line, the Koalas kicked into gear straight away, taking the lead after only one minute.
They added two more within the first 10 minutes to lead 3-0.
Another two late goals in the half meant the teams went into the break with the away side five goals to the good.
The Koalas made it 6-0 10 minutes after the break before Bankstown scored a goal of their own in the 68th minute.
There were no further changes to the score line with the Koalas recording a 6-1 victory.
Macarthur Rams 1-1 Blacktown Spartans
The Macarthur Rams hosted the Blacktown Spartans on Sunday afternoon.
Coming off their heavy defeat last week, the Rams got off to the perfect start, hitting the front on 15 minutes through Rose Galea.
Six minutes after the break though the Sarah Yatim and the Spartans had an equaliser and went in search of the goal to put them in front.
They had the perfect opportunity in the 76th minute but were unable to convert from the penalty spot.
Both sides pushed in the closing stages for the winner but neither could find it.
North Shore Mariners 2-1 Northern Tigers
It was a local derby on Sunday at Valentine Sports Park as the North Shore Mariners hosted the Northern Tigers.
It was the home side that hit the front first, finding the lead just after the half hour mark through Alexia Karrys-Stahl.
Only seven minutes later though, the away side pegged them back to send the team level into the break as Ellie Brush found the back of the net.
But in the 51st minute the home side were back in front through captain Madeleine Bart.
It was enough for the winner as the Mariners continue their fine late season form.
Sutherland Shire 0-15 Illawarra Stingrays
At Harrie Denning centre, Sutherland Shire entertained the Illawarra Stingrays.
The Shire were looking to surprise the travelling Rays but they didn’t come close as Illawarra went into the break leading 7-0.
Another eight goals in the second period saw Illawarra come away with an incredible 15-0 victory.
The high scoring win meant the Stingrays have increased their goal difference in what can be important in the fight for the premiership.
Sydney University v Football NSW Institute – Tuesday 17th July
-By Nikola Pozder
