Round 3 Review – NPL 2 NSW Women’s
We did it! We got through all five games without that pesky weather getting in the way. Due to that we were treated to some superb games across the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Women’s competition which saw goals, drama and rapid action that has become standard in this competition. The Match of the Round headed to Bossley Park so let’s get onto the review!
Marconi Stallions 5 defeated SD Raiders 1
Finally, Marconi Stallions got their season underway with a 5-1 success against a dogged SD Raiders FC side this afternoon at a crisp Marconi Stadium.
The Stallions fell behind to a wonder strike from SD Raiders FC but produced a stunning period of action before and after half-time to stun the visitors. Nicole Ossio equalised deep into stoppage time to make it 1-1. After the break Emma Voloder, Tania Baban and a quickfire brace to Ceyda Cambaz put them game to bed for the Stallions.
SD Raiders FC matched the home side for 50 minutes which included a long bomb from Sarah Mandile which opened the scoring despite losing a pair of players to injuries in the first half. The weary legs caught up to them as moments turned the match in Marconi’s favour and condemned them to another loss.
After a fortnight off due to various circumstances, the shrill of referee Stubbings whistle signalled the Stallions season was able to begin. The two sides were into their work early as the ball pinged between both penalty areas.
Coming off her goal last weekend, Sarah Mandile had the first shot for SD Raiders FC following a slick interchange which saw the striker fire an effort high and wide.
The Stallions shook off their rust quickly, set about creating the majority of the chances. Erin Leah Tavares found Ceyda Cambaz who fired low. Joanna Martino was next to test SD Raiders keeper Natasha Pentecost with an angled effort but the shot stopper stood firm.
Marconi had more chances from Cambaz and Nicole Ossio which were repelled. It was the visitors who struck first through some Mandile magic. The SD Raiders FC striker picked up the ball on the right, created enough and speared the ball into the net for 1-nil SD Raiders FC.
SD Raiders FC were close to taking a precious single goal lead into the break before Ossio broke through. Tania Baban and Lauren Featherstone combined down the right for the latter to cushion the ball into Ossio’s path to make it 1-1 at half-time.
Coming out of the break and the Stallions were feeling just fine. Martino chased down the ball to earn a corner which produced another Ossio effort. Next, Ossio went through again but hit the ball right at Pentecost.
Coach Andy Severin urged the Stallions to press which saw substitute Danielle Bishop almost scored with her first touch but the winger couldn’t find the finish. Baban and Kaiya Buchanan combined to press the ball and went close.
For their silky football, the second goal came from a set piece. Marconi Stallions swung in a deep corner which found the head of Emma Voloder who thumped the ball home for 2-1.
This goal ignited a wildfire of chances for Stallions. Baban broke the offside trap perfectly to capture a long ball before she finished well to make it 3-1.
Bishop again was in the thick of the action, taking the ball to the byline before a cutback to Cambaz made it 4-1. Cambaz found space again to make it 5-1 and the poacher had a double with the Stallions cruising towards the points.
SD Raiders FC continued to fight until the final whistle. Mandile almost slotted home a second after she broke the offside trap but couldn’t sort her feet. Next, substitute Kiera Parnell almost mopped up a free-kick but it was gobbled up by Stallions keeper Renee Krstanovska.
Both sides saw out the final minutes of the contest. Marconi Stallions got their season off to a rollicking start while SD Raiders FC battled hard but were unable to snatch any points in an entertaining clash on Sunday afternoon.
Speaking afterwards, a delighted Marconi Stallions coach Andy Severin praised his side despite the rust in the first half and the goal glut gave a snapshot his side’s scoring ability for the rest of the season:
“Pleased for the girls to actually have a run. That performance has been coming for a while. We started slow due to not playing but the quality showed once we settled. The amount of quality going forward showed in the scoreline.” he said.
“Hopefully all the girls pull up well after this outing because next week we face Dan Barrett’s Central Coast Mariners. They are a good marker for where we want to be in this shortened season.” finished Severin.
For SD Raiders FC coach Terry Gray, he was disappointed in the scoreline but remained positive about the side going forward despite losing the ‘moments’ in this match:
“It would’ve been nice to go into the break 1-up but they nicked one which made it 1-1. I thought we matched them for about 50 minutes. It was a game of moments. We knew what we wanted to do but the ball wasn’t there.” said Gray.
“When you’re playing against a slick team like Marconi you can’t afford to lose those moments. I thought we deserved more from the first game but we’ll back up for next week and hopefully brighter things.” he finished.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 2 August 2020
Marconi Stadium, Bossley Park
Referee: G. Stubbings
Assistant Referees: N. Djackovic & W. Crabb
Marconi Stallions 5 (Cambaz 2, Ossio, Baban, Voloder)
SD Raiders FC 1 (Mandile)
Marconi Stallions: 1. KRSTANOVSKA Renee, 5. HUYNH Samantha (7. TOMKINS ‘73), 6. MARTINO Joanna, 8. CAMBAZ Ceyda, 10. VOLODER Emma, 16. OSSIO Nicole (3. BISHOP ‘53), 17. FEATHERSTONE Lauren (38. NEVILLE ‘75), 20. OSMAN Doris, 28. BUCHANAN Kaiya, 36. TAVARES Erin Leah, 40. BABAN Tania (11. DALBON ‘69)
Unused subs: 32. SOLLECITO Isabella
Yellow cards: Bishop ‘55 Dalbon ‘73
Red cards: nil
SD Raiders FC: 1. PENTECOST Natasha, 6. DENIS Rebecca, 8. MCGRATH Christina, 9. BRAKELL Jemma, 10. BAUDANA Tara, 11. COOK Kirilee (13. MATEFFY ‘33), 12. HANKIN Brooke, 16. MANDILE Sarah, 25. VOUSDEN Alexandra, 28. YENCO Annette (40. PHELAN ‘73), 41. COSCIA Kiara (4. COLEMAN ‘34 (7. PARNELL ‘45))
Unused subs: 22. MUSCAT Rihanna
Yellow cards: Yenco
Red cards: nil
Gladesville Ravens 0 defeated by Central Coast Mariners 6
Central Coast Mariners hit Gladesville Ravens for six in their 6-nil demolition of the Champions this afternoon at Christie Park.
Dan Barrett’s charges were sharp from the onset. Central Coast were up 4-nil before the half-time interval then piled on an extra two as the light faded to dusk to move into the top position of the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens table at this early stage.
Mikala Tucker fired home a double for the yellow-and-navy while captain Gabrielle Blanch and Elizabeth Shorter both doubled their goal tally for the season with back-to-back goals. Betsy Blackwood and Brooke Miller rounded off the display which accounted for the champions.
Gladesville Ravens remain the walking wounded. They lost striker Annalise Schiraldi during the week and were unable to muster much against the Mariners. It has been a tough start for them but they still have time to turn the season around.
Sutherland Shire FA 2 defeated Nepean FC 0
The train keeps chugging for Sutherland Shire after their comfortable 2-nil result against Nepean FC this afternoon down at Harrie Denning Centre.
On a bright afternoon in the Shire, Sutherland Shire FA made it three straight results against a determined Nepean FC side. Both goals came before half-time through Isabella Georgievski and Stevie Donougher to warm up the crowd.
Nepean FC hit the bar twice through Imogen Lane and Caitlin Bass but were outclassed today. Coach Alan Tasses was honest in his assessment: “the better side won today. Sutherland Shire FA took their chances and we have no excuses.” Tasses remains positive though predicted that a win is around the corner for his side.
Sutherland Shire FA are the model of consistency for the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens competition. They finished a game away from the Grand Final last season, now coaching duo Allan Edmondson and John O’Shea have them drilled to possibly go one better in 2020.
UNSW FC 0 defeated by North Shore Mariners 6
It was a ruthless display from North Shore Mariners, the former NPL1 side thrashed UNSW FC 6-nil on Sunday afternoon down to Seymour Shaw.
The Mariners put the Students to the sword this afternoon. Evelyn Chronis was the star of the show with a hat-trick taking her tally to five for the season. North Shore Mariners strode out to a strong 4-nil lead at the half-time break.
Rochelle Johnson made it back-to-back games with goals with the opener while Hannah Beard and Eleni Bradley completed the rout for the visitors. North Shore Mariners sit in second position in the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens competition.
UNSW FC coach Steve Greenwood was disappointed with the manor of the defeat but remained positive about his side. They were defeated by a class outfit but it will be a learning experience for them as they move into the next few fixtures.
St George FC 1 defeated Inter Lions 0
St George FC continued their strong start to the restart with a 1-nil success against Inter Lions tonight at St George Stadium.
The Saints flew into their work at home. They peppered the Inter Lions goal with attempts but were wasteful in their chances. The lone goal came from a Tulley McEvoy corner. She flighted the ball enough for Charlotte Kensitt to fire home.
St George coach Mark Cuppit will be pleased to take home another three points but will have his side doing some shooting practice to make the game comfortable. Inter Lions put in a valiant effort but still remain on the duck egg for the season.
Southern Branch FC had the bye
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
