Round 1 Review – NPL 2 NSW Women’s
Fitting on International Womens Day that the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens competition showcased the best of the talent available across the 10 sides that took the field.
The highlight was the Match of the Round between Gladesville Ravens and Sutherland Shire FA. Let’s get onto the review!
Match of the Round: Gladesville Ravens 2 defeated by Sutherland Shire FA 3
Sutherland Shire FA remain the hoodoo side for Gladesville Ravens after a wild 3-2 result in the opening weekend’s Match of the Round this afternoon at a windy Christie Park.
Playing at a venue they enjoy success often, Sutherland Shire FA raced out to a 2-nil lead through Ursula Bratjanscak’s arrowed opener before Morgan Maxwell doubled the advantage. They were pegged back to 2-2 then up stepped Jordan Baker to float a free-kick over the custodian for the three points.
Gladesville Ravens showed tremendous heart to claw their way back with Carlie Ikonomou’s goal direct from a corner followed up by a bullet strike from Emily Diaz. The Ravens hustled and bustled but couldn’t find a third goal as they remain unable to break down Sutherland Shire FA.
The whistle brought the start of the new season, Gladesville started on the right foot with Emily Diaz having a pair of early chances, with both testing the handling of Sutherland Shire FA custodian, Hannah Ryan.
Sutherland Shire FA absorbed the early pressure and opened the scoring in the 12th minute. Ursula Bratjanscak picked off an errant pass from the Ravens defense before the striker arrowed a low shot into the bottom corner, 1-nil Sutherland Shire FA.
Quickly, it was double delight for Sutherland Shire FA. It started with some slick combination play down the right from Jordan Baker to play in Genevieve Nisbet. The marauding defender teased a cross that Morgan Maxwell finished on her second chance, 2-nil.
In the blustery conditions, Gladesville Ravens midfielder Carlie Ikonomou created havoc at set pieces with several almost flying into the back of the net. Ikonomou produced a party trick scoring direct from a corner to make it 2-1.
Maxwell and Baker continued to be a dangerous duo for the Ravens defense. The attackers linked up well twice to almost make it a two-goal advantage. Maxwell followed it up with a strike that fizzed over the bar.
Inching towards the break, Sutherland Shire FA had another delightful chance to make it three. Baker raced onto a diagonal ball, rampaged into the area and thumped her low effort off the post and away from goal.
After the break, chances continued to be at a premium. Baker dug out an effort that Ravens custodian Eri Arikawa gobbled up. Ravens started to assert themselves on the contest and found an equaliser again on the hour mark.
It fell to their main marksman Emily Diaz, the Ravens striker thrashed an effort from the left which nodded off the post and into the net, making it 2-2 with the game back in the balance.
Once again, Sutherland Shire FA got themselves ahead. A foul on the left side of the pitch gave Jordan Baker an opportunity to float in a free-kick. The striker lifted the ball enough to catch Ravens custodian Arikawa off her line and fly into the net for 3-2.
Baker tried to repeat the dose moments later from a central position but it was caught by Arikawa. Sutherland Shire FA new signing Stevie Donoaugher had a late chance to seal the three points but couldn’t sort her feet then Bratjanscak blazed high.
Ravens struggled to break open the compact Sutherland Shire FA defense but in the dying moments, a free-kick was directed onto the head of Rosie Andrew who flicked her header wide of the post. Sutherland Shire FA held onto a precious three points.
Speaking afterwards a delighted Sutherland Shire FA coach Allan Edmonston praised the work from his side to secure the three points this afternoon:
“I thought all our football in the first half was wonderful. We could’ve been two or three goals in front but we battled away and got the win. The girls played well and it was nice to get a measure of revenge for last season.” said Edmonson.
For Gladesville Ravens coach, Albert Disciascio, the result was a disappointment despite the absences and not the best way to start the season:
“It was a hard game but it was the first game and we know we’re going to be better than this. It is what it is, we made our mistakes. The score line doesn’t reflect the game but the goals do and we’ll move onto the next game.” said the Ravens coach.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 8 March 2020
Christie Park, Macquarie Park
Referee:
Assistant Referees:
Gladesville Ravens 2 (Ikonomou, Diaz)
Sutherland Shire FA 3 (Bratjanscak, Maxwell, Baker)
Gladesville Ravens: 1. ARIKAWA Eri, 2. TAYLOR Eloise, 3. GESTIER Hannah, 4. LIDBETTER Eleanor (28. ANDREW ‘81), 5. FISHER Alanna (33. LONG ‘78), 6. IKONOMOU Carlie, 7. DIAZ Emily, 8. ZACZEK Zoe, 11. WOJTOWICZ Kasia, 12. MARSHALL Jamaica (29. DE FRANCESCO ‘45), 32. VLANGOS Georgia (21. SEETO ‘67)
Unused subs: 26. DONALDSON Bella
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Sutherland Shire FA: 2. NISBET Genevieve, 3. GEORGIEVSKI Isabella, 4. HUTTON Rebekah, 6. YEATS Zoe, 7. MAXWELL Morgan, 8. BESZ Nicole, 9. BAKER Jordan (16. STRETTON ‘82), 10. BRATJANSCAK Ursula, 12. CODMANI Janan (32. DONOUGHER ‘45), 14. MASTORIS Angelina, 21. RYAN Hannah
Unused subs: 5. FARMER Maddison, 13. CHRISTIE Brittany, 31. LAWLER Jasmin
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Western NSW FC 0 defeated by Inter Lions 4
It was the Lions roaring in Mudgee, as Inter Lions romped home to a 4-nil result against a downbeat Western NSW FC side in the early kick-off at Glen Willow.
Coming off a disappointing season, Inter Lions got themselves off the mark in the opening round after taking 11 rounds last year to register their first win. The Lions will hopefully use this as a springboard to an improved showing this year.
All four of the Inter Lions goals came in succession as the visitors put together the clinical performance. For the home side, it was an inauspicious start to their season and hopefully a small blip before they can find form and make it a tough road trip again.
Nepean FC 0 defeated by UNSW FC 1
The Students aced their first exam of the season, as UNSW FC triumphed 1-nil against Nepean FC this afternoon at Cook Park.
Goals were a scarce commodity like toilet paper in a supermarket across this contest. UNSW FC latched onto a loose pass around the Nepean FC area and Darcey Read fired home the only goal in the contest to seal a valuable three points.
Nepean FC tried to work their way back into the game in the second half as they camped in the UNSW FC half but for Alan Tasses’ side, it was the same old song and dance – just not clinical enough in front of goal, which haunted them last season.
For UNSW FC coach Steve Greenwood he was delighted with the effort from his side to nullify the threat from Nepean FC and bank three points. Tasses remained upbeat but conceded his Nepean FC side have to stop giving away presents for their opposition.
SD Raiders FC 1 defeated by Central Coast Mariners 6
Central Coast Mariners hit SD Raiders FC for six in their season opener, with a 6-1 result this afternoon at Ernie Smith Reserve.
The Mariners picked up where they left off last season as they piled on the goals. Iona Snape was the highlight with a brace while sharpshooter Danielle Wise got her campaign off the mark with a goal alongside Mikala Tucker.
Nina Collins and Jessica Garrett rounded out the scoresheet on an afternoon which saw the yellow-and-navy side put down an early marker for the season. Coach Dan Barrett will be pleased to tak three points from a tough venue.
On a forgettable afternoon, SD Raiders FC did find the back of the net in the second half. Rebecca Dennis opened her account for the season, and hopefully it might spring the youngster onto greater things for the rest of the campaign.
Southern Branch FC 0 defeated by Marconi Stallions 8
That was a statement of intent from Marconi Stallions in Round 1. The Stallions thrashed Southern Branch FC 8-nil this afternoon at South Nowra Football Complex.
It was one-way traffic down the coast, as Marconi put a stamp on their intentions for the upcoming season. The visitors scored four goals in each half and rocketed themselves to the top of the ladder after the first weekend of action.
There were three braces scored by Marconi players. Ceyda Cambaz, Nicole Ossio and Danielle Bishop all found the back of the net twice. Lauren Featherstone scored the pick of the goals with a 35-yard strike while former Bankstown City Lions player Tania Baban rounded out the scoring.
One bright spot for Southern Branch FC was the tireless work from custodian Kiara Rochaix, who kept the scoreline below double figures and produced some magnificent saves. Stallions coach Andy Severin praised the calmness of his side and their defensive work in the rout.
St George FC vs North Shore Mariners was washed out
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
