Round 21 – National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s Review
In the penultimate round of the NPL NSW Women’s competition, Sydney University confirmed the premiership would be going into their hands while Georgia Yeoman-Dale pulled off a stunning performance for the Macarthur Rams.
NWS Koalas 5-2 Illawarra Stingrays
The North West Sydney Koalas kept their faint finals hopes alive with a commanding 5-2 win over the Illawarra Stingrays at Christie Park.
It was the home side who looked more threatening in the opening stages and soon had the lead with 18 minutes on the clock.
Siahn Bozanic hit a free kick toward goal which Kya Stewart fumbled, allowing Erin Pridmore to arrive first at the scene to tuck the ball into the back of the net.
On 22 minutes the Stingrays thought they had an equaliser.
Mackenzie Hawkesby found Erica Halloway at the far post who found the back of the net with a fine header, only for the flag to be raised for offside.
Emma Stanbury then went close for the Koalas but her effort went just over the bar 11 minutes before the break.
But it was the Stingrays that would find the equaliser in the 38th minute.
Danika Matos crossed into the box, finding the head of Michelle Carney who sent a looping header into the back of the net.
The Koalas would re-take the lead only four minutes from half time.
A neat back heal by Stanbury at the edge of the area had Morgan Roberts searching for the top corner, only to have her shot rebound off the bar.
Princess Ibini-Isei reacted fastest to bundle the ball over the line and give the Koalas a half time lead.
Carney had another opportunity seconds before half time with a set piece from the edge of the area but Romina Parraguirre Plaza was up to the task.
In the 58th minute the Stingrays had the chance to find their second equaliser from the spot as Halloway was brought down in the box by Kiara Farqhuar.
Carney stepped up to the spot kick and sent the keeper the wrong way, making no mistake.
Three minutes later Talitha Kramer went close but she couldn’t find the target.
But on 63 minutes the home side was back in front.
Ibini-Isei had her second, taking a shot from someway out, with the ball clipping the bar on its way in.
Five minutes later it was 4-2 for the Koalas.
Emma Stanbury had her first of the game, finding the bottom right corner with a fine strike.
Five minutes from full time the Koalas made the points safe.
Morgan Roberts cut the ball back for Stanbury who made no mistake with her first time effort, finding the back of the net for her second.
Blacktown Spartans 3-1 Bankstown City
The Blacktown Spartans and Bankstown City did battle at Blacktown Football Park on Sunday afternoon.
Gab Marzano found the back of the net early for the home side before she grabbed her second late in the half to send the home side two goals to the good at the break.
Holly Williams soon made it 3-0 after the break before Amy Dahdah picked up a consolation for the Lions.
Sydney University 1-1 North Shore Mariners
Sydney University knew that a win could bring them the premiership when they took on the North Shore Mariners at Sydney University Football Ground.
But they were served up with a shock after 20 minutes as Rose Wills blasted in a thunderbolt to put the Mariners up 1-0.
The away side held this lead and took it into half time.
Uni pushed hard for an equaliser and with time running out, Cortnee Vine popped up to find a late goal for the home team.
The point was enough for University to claim their second premiership in three years.
Manly United 4-1 Northern Tigers
At Cromer Park on Sunday afternoon, Manly United hosted the Northern Tigers.
The home side took a slender 2-1 lead into half time and looked to build on it in the second period.
Another two goals in the second half assured United of a 4-1 victory and a place in the playoffs.
Macarthur Rams 9-1 Emerging Jets
Lynwood Park was the venue for the fixture between the Macarthur Rams and Emerging Jets.
Experienced Renee Rollason finally scored her first goal of the season while Georgia Yeoman Dale scored a brace for the home side to take a 3-1 lead into half time with Kiarnie Latham scoring for the Jets.
The second half belonged to the Rams and Yeoman-Dale.
The striker picked up another four goals in the second period for an incredible double hat-trick, while Kate Hensman and Tiffany Paterson scored the other two for the Rams to run out 9-1 winners.
Sutherland Shire 1-7 Football NSW Institute
At Harrie Denning Centre, Sutherland Shire took on the Football NSW Institute.
The Institute needed to win to keep their distance with the Koalas and put four past the Shire after only 45 minutes.
They continued in the second period, scoring another three as the Shire picked up a consolation.
Melindaj Barbieri put in a special performance, scoring four as Rachel Lowe, Susan Phonsongkham and Holly Mcnamara all got on the scoresheet for the Institute.
Raegan Deeley scored Sutherland’s only goal.
BY Nikola Pozder
