Round 4 Review – NPL 2 NSW Women’s
It was great weather for ducks in Sydney this weekend but we also got through four contests in the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens competition.
Round 4 saw some important ducks broken, a tense top of the table clash and goals ticked over in all four games.
Let’s get onto the review!
North Shore Mariners 2 defeated Gladesville Ravens 0
The hosts left it late but North Shore Mariners triumphed 2-nil against a resolute Gladesville Ravens side at a wet Northbridge Oval on Sunday afternoon.
Patience is a virtue and the Mariners needed all of it to break down the Ravens with goals in the 82nd and 87th minute to claim the points. Evelyn Chronis continued her fine form with a goal alongside a strike from Rita Boateng in a tough game in tough conditions.
This afternoon represented some improvement for Gladesville Ravens. They held the rampant Mariners attack at bay for 80 minutes and had their own chances through Eleanor Lidbetter and Georgia Vlangos. Sadly, the search for their first win of the season continues next weekend against Inter Lions.
Despite the slick conditions, the game started off at a fast pace. Hannah Charak had a shot within the first 60 seconds for the Mariners while the two midfields continued to battle for possession as touches needed to be assured in the conditions.
Gladesville Ravens settled into their work well, defended solidly in their block to deny the Mariners space and almost snatched the lead in the 9th minute. Carlie Ikonomou curled in a corner which Eleanor Lidbetter connected well with but flashed it wide.
Chances continued to be at a premium in the wet. The Ravens found room on the right but were unable to find the final pass then Mariners’ Rita Boateng weaved through two defenders and shot high over the bar.
Headed into the final part of the half, the Mariners found their groove. Eleni Bradley and Rochelle Johnson combined to release Charak in the middle but the striker couldn’t find the finish as the sides headed into the break deadlocked.
After the break, the best chances for Gladesville Ravens came through Georgia Vlangos . She took over duties after Ikonomou’s substitution. Her first needed to be gathered well by Mariners keeper Trudy Burke then Vlangos almost snuck one inside the left post in the 83rd minute.
Most of the chances still fell to the Mariners. Johnson headed straight from a mid-range free-kick then Cate Gyzen reacted quickest to the ball in the box but shot wide.
Headed into the final 10 minutes, North Shore Mariners were rewarded for their patience. The ball bounced around the box before sharpshooter Evelyn Chronis rifled the ball into the net for 1-nil, her sixth goal of the season.
The points were assured in the 87th minute. Boateng who was a constant threat on the right all afternoon, cut inside the defenders and whacked the ball into the net, 2-nil. The Mariners had to bide their time but made it three straight victories to start the season.
Talking afterwards a delighted North Shore Mariners coach Grant Lee reflected on the grinding victory from his side in atrocious conditions:
“It was hard in the conditions, Gladesville also made it hard with how they set. It is tough times for everyone, so you try to manage the squad each week. I thought the girls did well and it was nice to bank three more points.” said Lee.
“We had players who were up through the grades today and it is nice to see but hopefully we have some reinforcements in the next few weeks just to help out in what are tough times for everyone.” finished the Mariners coach.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 9 August 2020
Northbridge Oval, Northbridge
Referee: James Conner
Assistant Referees: Paul Gardiner & Rowan Lord
North Shore Mariners 2 (Chronis, Boateng)
Gladesville Ravens 0
North Shore Mariners: 1. BURKE Trudy, 6. MIRKOVIC Madeleine, 8. CHRONIS Evelyn, 11. BOATENG Rita, 13. DI SCIASCIO Erica, 15. GREY Elizabeth, 25. GYZEN Cate (12. BEARD ‘79 (2. YOUNG ‘90)), 26. CHARAK Hannah, 27. BRADLEY Eleni, 34, JOHNSON Rochelle, 35. CLOUT Tessa
Unused subs: 5. EVANS Jordan, 19. KINCHINGTON Annabelle, 21. CROUCH Tasmine
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Gladesville Ravens: 2. TAYLOR Eloise (16. Gilbane ‘17 (19. Knox ‘81)), 3. GESTIER Hannah, 4. Eleanor Lidbetter, 5. FISHER Alanna, 6. IKONOMOU Carlie (26. Donaldson ‘69), 8. ZACZEK Zoe, 11. WOJTOWICZ Kasia, 15. FRENCH Jade, 22. MIKAELIAN Taylor, 30. FORBES Annabel (23. McShane ‘61), 32. VLANGOS Georgia
Unused subs: 1. COLEMAN Eliza
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Nepean FC 2 defeated St George FC 0
Nepean FC got reward for their efforts against St George FC on Sunday afternoon in a 2-nil success at Cook Park in the wet conditions.
Coach Alan Tasses has remained positive about his youthful Nepean FC side in the last two defeats and the smile was wide on his face at the full-time whistle this afternoon. New club captain Stefanie Trovato had lead the side to their first win of the shortened season.
The goals came through Bridgette Potter and Ellen Berios for Nepean FC. The home side has made Cook Park a tough place to visit in previous seasons and hoping this victory can spur them onto a charge for the top four this season.
St George FC will be disappointed that they were unable to build on their win last weekend. The Saints have had a positive start to the season and look to move back into the top four with a positive result next weekend.
Inter Lions 0 defeated by Sutherland Shire FA 8
The Sutherland Shire FA showed off their clinical edge in an 8-nil thrashing of Inter Lions on a soggy Sunday afternoon down at Majors Bay Reserve.
Coming into this clash, Sutherland Shire FA were solid without being spectacular. Today they sounded out a warning to the rest of the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens competition with this result.
The visitors strode out to a confident 3-nil lead before they piled in five more after the break to move into first on goal difference. Maddison Farmer was the star with four goals alongside a hat-trick to strike partner Jordan Baker.
Ursula Bratjanscak was the other Sutherland Shire FA player to find the back of the net in a one-sided contest. Inter Lions had held their own the last few weekends but the class between the top and bottom of the division showed today.
Central Coast Mariners 0 defeated by Marconi Stallions 1
It took a moment of magic from Lauren Featherstone to settle the top four clash between Central Coast Mariners and Marconi Stallions on a windy afternoon at Pluim Park.
Both teams were undefeated headed into the clash and started out their work fast. The Stallions lost Kaiya Buchanan in the first few minutes. The Stallions found it hard to break down a dogged Mariners defensive line with a disallowed Danielle Bishop goal the best chance.
Knowing they needed something special to break the deadlock. Lauren Featherstone stepped up after Doris Osman was fouled on the edge of the box. Featherstone flighted the ball into the top corner for the 1-nil result.
The first start for Renee Tomkins back was vital to helping the Stallions see out the contest on a tough afternoon of football. Afterwards Mariners coach Dan Barrett admitted his side got away from their structures and style this week after two impressive results previous.
Southern Branch FC vs UNSW FC was washed out.
SD Raiders FC had the bye.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
