Round 13 Review – NPL 2 NSW Women’s
The National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens competition continues to be harder to pick than a broken nose between the top half.
This weekend brought some fantastic contests which helped to shake up the ladder and set us up for a wonderful second half of the season.
Let’s get onto the review!
Match of the Round: Marconi Stallions 2 defeated by Nepean FC 3
Nepean FC edged out Marconi Stallions in a close contest between top five rivals, 3-2, on a crisp afternoon at Marconi Stadium on Sunday.
The visitors were on the backfoot early but a pair of strikes from youngster Imogen Lane turned around the contest, making it 2-1 at the break. Madison Mccomasky thrashed home another highlight reel goal as Nepean FC moved into equal third positon.
For Marconi, they were disappointed in their performance after such an encouraging run of form recently. Striker Jasmin Courtenay gave them the perfect start with a 3rd minute goal but until a late strike from substitute Sarah Polinsky gave them late hope, the contest fell by the wayside. Due to the result, Marconi fell to sixth on the ladder compounding their loss.
Today loomed as a huge contest for two sides that are battling for spots in the finals come the backend of the season. Both Marconi and Nepean FC were on substantial win streaks added some extra spice to the contest.
Marconi settled first and promptly troubled the scoreboard attendant. Ceyda Cambaz started the move with some strong work down the flank before the ball broke kindly for sharpshooter Jasmin Courtenay. The Golden Boot nominee thrashed the ball home for 1-nil.
Trying to respond immediately, Nepean FC leant on the combination between Stefanie Trovato and Imogen Lane. Trovato was central to the best chances for the visitors, as she released both Britney Pelle and Bianca Galayini for chances that were spurned.
The pressure that Nepean FC enforced created their opener. Trovato sprung Lane free down the centre of the pitch with a slide ball, the youngster strode confidently into the box, slotted the ball underneath the goalkeeper making it 1-1.
Nepean started to feel comfortable in the contest. Their shape was making life difficult for the home side, and Trovato almost picked out Lane again with a release ball but Stallions keeper Chloe Carmichael made a superb stop.
Both Demelza Howard and Cambaz tried to wrestle control back for Marconi. Howard worked herself into the area before arrowing wide then Cambaz’s snapshot was saved just before the break.
The visitors completed the turnaround in the 28th minute. Lane was involved heavily again, as the youngster has burst into form in recent weeks. When you’re in form, bounces fall for you, and Lane’s shot took a deflection as it flew into the net. 2-1 Nepean.
Coming back for the restart, Marconi tried to reassert themselves. Cambaz tried to place a shot that needed some diving intervention from Nepean keeper Narmin Malas then a sweeping move just before the hour mark ended with Michelle Dalbon piloting over.
Not content to sit on their goal advantage, Nepean FC swept forward when they could. The work from Madison Mccomasky in the midfield showed her class, as she almost made it three with a solid connection from a corner.
She didn’t need a second invitation, and settled the contest with a fantastic volley. Mccomasky introduced herself with a thunderous effort last weekend and repeated the dose today. She uncorked one just outside the box, made it 3-1 and brought the traveling support to their feet.
Matt Turvey wrung the changes, trying to get Marconi back into the contest but they were blunted by the defensive structure of Nepean FC. Cambaz continued to threaten as she curved over then produced a moment that gave them hope.
Breaking quickly after Lauren Connell had the chance to finish the game for Nepean, Cambaz held the ball until the perfect moment, slipped it into the path of Sarah Polinsky. The substitute swept home to make it 3-2.
That brought some urgency to the Stallions work, as they raged against the fading light at Marconi Stadium to snatch a point. Deep in injury time, Jessica Beale was presented the chance after Dalbon opened up space but snapped her effort wide and Nepean FC held on for three precious points.
Speaking afterwards, Nepean FC coach Alan Tasses was impressed with the character in his side to overcome the early setback and take control of the contest, continuing on their streak:
“Once we settled, I think we were the more dominant side. Earlier this week in training, we talked about what to shut down and they caught us about three minutes there. This result gives us a both a gap in the table and also in the Club Championship, which is pleasing.”
Speaking on his goal scorers today: “Imogen has started to find some form. It is hard when dealing with youngsters to remain positive but she is starting to turn the corner. Madison [Mccomasky] is quality. She scored another quality goal and brings some calm to our side.” finished Tasses.
For Marconi Stallions coach, Matt Turvey whilst he was disappointed with today’s performance, the Stallions boss knows his side will finish the season strongly and figure in the top five:
“I don’t think we were anything near our best today. Nepean executed their game plan well. It wasn’t the prettiest but it was effective. We’ll be stronger for the run home, as we bring in a few players and I’m sure we’ll on the right-side next weekend.” said Turvey.
Match Stats
Sunday June 2 2019
Marconi Stadium, Bossley Park
Referee: G. Roberts
Assistant Referees: P. Brown & N. Libri
Marconi Stallions 2 (Courtenay ‘3, Polinsky ‘87)
Nepean FC 3 (Lane ‘17, ‘28, Mccomasky ‘77)
Marconi Stallions: 1. CARMICHAEL Chloe, 3. FEATHERSTONE Lauren, 4. CONNERS Mia, 7. COURTENAY Jasmin, 8. CAMBAZ Ceyda, 9. HOWARD Demelza (22. POLINSKY ‘45), 10. VOLODER Emma, 11. DALBON Michelle, 13. BEALE Jessica, 24. BOLZAN Montana (16. OSSIO ‘83), 31. BUCHANAN Tasmin (18. MANNA ‘77)
Unused subs: 21. RACZ Emma, 23. TAVARES Erin
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Nepean FC: 3. DAVIDSON Aisling, 5. HANSEN Janie, 7. TROVATO Stefanie (4. ELLIOT ‘72), 8. LANE Imogen (2. JACKSON ‘87), 9. PELLE Britney (12. WADDELL ‘65), 10. GALAYINI Bianca (14. CONNELL ‘77), 13. VASSALLO Desiree, 15. WHEELER Cassandra, 20. MALAS Narmin, 25. MCCOMASKY Madison, 26. HALLS Annie
Unused subs: 16. BRIEN Bridget
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Western NSW Mariners 0 defeated by UNSW FC 1
Back-to-back delights for UNSW FC after they traveled out to Mudgee then returned with all three points after a tense 1-nil success in the early kick-off on Sunday.
The difference from their last trip to the Central West was marked for UNSW FC coach Alex Nolan. His side approached the game in a professional manner, showed the hunger for victory and promptly came away with the three points to move onto eleven points.
Captain Hayley Marshall was the lone goal scorer in the contest with her first-half strike. Nolan wanted to praise the performances of Darcey Read and Saskia Reisin in the midfield, particularly, holding up the ball to distribute to their strikers.
That result marked back-to-back victories for the first time this season at UNSW FC. Nolan has started to shape the side much more in his image, and they could play spoiler for the bigger sides in the last part of this season.
Inter Lions 0 defeated by SD Raiders FC 4
SD Raiders FC continue to keep themselves in the top five race, after a solid 4-nil victory against a stubborn Inter Lions side this afternoon at Concord Oval.
It was a performance that served as a reminder of the SD Raiders FC quality, as they dealt with a stubborn Inter Lions side in comfortable fashion. Samantha Muscat got the visitors rolling with a thunderous volley for the first goal.
From there, it was one-way traffic. A pair of well-placed efforts of Sarah Mandile and Kirilee Cook showed that SD Raiders are dangerous from anywhere near the 18-yard box. Kristi Pavlicevic thumped home a strong header from a set piece to get herself on the scoresheet in the win.
Speaking afterwards, SD Raiders FC coach Terry Gray praised the “composed and cohesive performance from his side today. The girls were positive, had the courage to risk going for efforts on goal which made me quite happy.” SD Raiders might remain in seventh but the gap continues to narrow between the top five and the middle of the pack.
Central Coast Mariners 6 defeated St George FC 1
The ship sails into the top five for Central Coast Mariners. Their 6-1 romp against St George FC this afternoon at Pluim Park, moved them into fifth spot to end the weekend.
Five is the number of the weekend for the Mariners. That is their fifth result in a row, moved into fifth on the ladder and lastly, there was five different scorers this afternoon. Much of the damage was done in the first half as they raced out to a 4-nil lead.
The first half saw Danielle Wise fire home a brace alongside strikes from Mikala Tucker and midfielder Jade Mcatemney. St George goalkeeper Lani Dodd pulled off some superb saves across the contest to keep the result in single figures against a rampant Mariners.
Captain Gabrielle Blanch got herself in on the act in the second half, as youngster Nina Collins also added her name to the scorers list. Afterwards Mariners boss Dan Barrett enjoyed the victory but kept his eyes focused on a huge contest against SD Raiders FC next weekend.
Southern Branch FC 0 defeated by Gladesville Ravens 5
Gladesville Ravens remain at the summit of the NPLNSW 2 Womens ladder after they strolled to a 5-nil victory against Southern Branch FC today in Nowra.
The Ravens were made to work in the first half, missing a few of their key regulars including prolific striker Emily Diaz, the visitors were 1-nil up at the break. After last weekend’s fiery encounter, the Ravens were in control throughout.
Amelia Vitek headlined the five-star performance with a brace that takes her tally to six goals for the season. Kasia Wojtowicz and Alanna Fisher chipped in with a goal each, the latter her first of the season along with an own goal from the hosts to round off a bright afternoon on the south coast for the leaders.
APIA Leichhardt Tigers 3 defeated Sutherland Shire FA 1
APIA Leichhardt Tigers kept the run going, moving into second position after their 3-1 success against a downbeat Sutherland Shire FA side tonight at Lambert Park.
The result makes it a formidable 12 games unbeaten for the Tigers. Coach Matt Constantini praised the response of his side after last weekend, as they were much more solid in their defensive structure. Speaking of last weekend, APIA started off the contest on fire again. Logan Garard opened the scoring with a trick shot, the attacker curled the ball in direct from a corner.
From there, it was the Amy Dahdah show. In her second game for APIA, she scored her second and third goals for the club. The first one was a sublime individual effort into the roof of the net quickly followed by an assist from Ash Palombi, the attacker was involved in everything and put the ball on a plate for Dahdah to fire home.
It has been a tough few weeks for Sutherland Shire FA. Back-to-back losses has dropped them into third position, equal with Nepean FC now. Sutherland FA did claw one back through Georiga Manos in the first half to make it 2-1. The shire side start to search for momentum to kickstart their season again.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
