Round 22 – National Premier Leagues 2 Womens Review
Time to say goodbye. We bid farewell to the bottom five sides of National Premier Leagues 2 Womens as they take a final bow – whilst there was still finals spots to play for as Gladesville and Nepean looked to snatch the last spot, in an entertaining final round of NPL2 Womens football!
Let’s get onto the Review!
Gladesville Ravens 2 defeated by Central Coast Mariners 5
The Ravens gave it their best shot, but the scoring power of the Central Coast Mariners drove them to a 5-2 victory on a sun-drenched afternoon at Christie Park.
For a while there, the Ravens could touch fifth position. The home side opened the scoring through Liana Baker in the first half hour of the contest. Ravens would take that lead into half-time as they looked to become only the fourth side to lower the Mariners colours.
The second half was a Mariners highlight reel of their best of the season. Who else but Candice Phelan restored parity in the 47th minute then two more strikes from Jade Mcatemney and an own goal made it 3-1 with 30 minutes still to go.
Ravens did give them a scare when Annalise Schiraldi brought it back to 3-2 but Mariners pushed again and a brace to impressive youngster Iona Snape confirmed the three points, as she has emerged as a key goalscorer in recent weeks.
Mariners boss Dan Barrett remained confident and knew his side would find their way, much like the entire season to run away with the contest.
For Gladesville, this season has been a marked improvement on their wooden spoon performance from 2017 and with the talent through the ranks, the Ravens will look to go one better next season and consolidate in the top five.
Inter Lions 0 defeated by Sydney Olympic FC 3
Sydney Olympic FC warmed up for the upcoming finals with a routine 3-nil victory against Inter Lions this afternoon at Concord Oval.
Lieke De Bever got the premiers off to a flying start. Her 36th goal of the campaign gave Sydney Olympic FC a slender 1-nil advantage at the break. Last year’s golden boot, Madelaine Costanzo doubled the margin in the second half in a solid performance before they get a breather in the first week of finals football.
Whilst she failed in her quest to make it back-to-back golden boots for Sydney Olympic FC, Lieke De Bever did make it an eye-watering 37 goals for the season with Olympic’s third. Inter Lions gave a good account of themselves but will use their experience to build for 2018.
Western NSW Mariners 3 defeated Marconi Stallions 1
Finishing their season on a high, Western NSW Mariners put together a thorough performance in a 3-1 success against Marconi Stallions this afternoon at Mudgee.
Stung by their loss last weekend, Western NSW were on the front foot early, scoresheet regular Jasmin Courtenay got the first then Brydie Comiskey finished off a wonderful team movement to make it 2-nil headed into the break.
Mariners coach Josh Ward boasted that this was instructional in attack from his side and labelled it a fantastic performance across the whole 90, as they “deserved to win.” Courtenay underlined that statement with her second goal to make it 3-1.
That result brings a close to a frustrated season for Marconi. They looked promising for sections of the season but couldn’t string enough results together. The Stallions did find a consolation goal but would’ve rather the points.
Southern Branch FC 0 defeated by Nepean FC 4
At points this season, Alan Tasses has wanted to pull his hair out. Today he rejoiced as Nepean FC were clinical in their 4-nil success against Southern Branch FC in Nowra that secured fifth position.
Consistency has been the key word for Tasses across the season. Today, Nepean FC were the team that swept to a top five spot last season. Stefanie Trovato, one of their signings scored a hat-trick as they did the double over Southern Branch this season.
Trovato got two of her three goals in the first half, as Nepean FC knew they had to keep the foot on the accelerator as they weren’t aware of what was happening at Christie Park. In the second half, Trovato completed the feat, making it 18 goals this season in a clinical performance.
Speedster Britney Pelle added the fourth as news filtered through that Central Coast had beaten their top-five rivals Gladesville Ravens. Speaking afterwards, Tasses beamed proudly at the effort from the side and wrapped Emma Wholohan in midfield, filling the hole left by the departure of Annie Halls.
Now they have an elimination final against APIA Leichhardt Tigers to prepare for but I think Nepean FC will welcome having some more games to play as Southern Branch FC lick their wounds, preparing for 2018.
St George FC 0 defeated by APIA Leichhardt Tigers 5
In a performance straight from a video game, APIA Leichhardt Tigers were five-stars in their performance against a disappointed St George FC, on a picturesque afternoon at St George Stadium.
Eliana Vatcky has been electric since her signing in mid-season, the attacker opened the scoring as APIA looked much more like their fluid selves in the passing game, and controlled the game across the whole 90 minutes which pleased Matteo Maiorana.
APIA only had a single goal in the first half, but they opened the flood gates in the second half. Vatcky completed a brace, as Nicole Carmichael struck twice herself in the rout then talismanic forward Christina Ferreyra finished off the performance that might send some warnings for their rivals in the finals series.
Maiorana was jubilant afterwards, “We played really well today. Christina Ferreyra and Lucy Gilfedder were exceptional, so with Carla Canini and Ash Palombi back after extended absences, it makes for news headed into the finals.”
UNSW FC 1 defeated by SD Raiders 4
SD Raiders confirmed third spot in emphatic fashion, the south-west side swept to a 4-1 victory against a game UNSW FC side at Valentine Sports Park this afternoon.
In the absence of their primary goalscorers, veteran Elizabeth O’Reilly has stepped into the leadership role. The former W-League star got the first goal from a Yasemin Genc cutback, before shimmying a defender and rifling home.
The visitors continued to pour forward, Kasia Wojtowicz thrashed home a pair of unstoppable finishes for the second and fourth goals. Logan Garard sandwiched a goal between those as SD Raiders could’ve inflated the score line but for impressive keeping from UNSW FC’s Nadine Knight but will travel for the major semi-final next week.
UNSW FC may have floundered out in the second half of the season, but it will be a learning experience for them in their maiden voyage. Rio Darlaston got a consolation with her sixth goal of the season as the students finish tenth.
By Justin Davies
