Round 5 Review – NPL 2 NSW Women’s
Round 5 was filled with breakthroughs and breakout performances as the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens competition completed all five fixtures for the weekend.
Plenty of sides staked their claim for the top four on Sunday afternoon and we enjoyed some exciting football.
Let’s get onto the review!
Match of the Round: Sutherland Shire FA 2 defeated Central Coast Mariners 1
Sutherland Shire FA landed the knockout blow in this heavyweight clash against Central Coast Mariners this afternoon in a 2-1 success at Harrie Denning Centre.
That result continues the perfect start for Sutherland Shire FA this season. Jordan Baker scored both their goals – her first was a poacher’s effort into the bottom corner then a near post rocket from a free-kick – as the hosts remain equal first on the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens ladder.
Central Coast Mariners coach Dan Barrett will take the effort shown this afternoon after last week’s lackluster effort. Midfield general Jade Mcatamney equalised for the yellow-and-navy direct from a corner in the first half and despite having the bulk of the possession in the second half were unable to find the back of the net.
Glorious sunshine greeted both sides after the wet weather which has dogged Sydney in the last few weekends. It was weather befitting a top of the table clash and the two sides got into their work quickly to land the first blow.
The first few chances fell to Mariners. Kaitlin Murphy lined up a shot from outside the box which forced Sutherland Shire FA custodian Chloe Avgoustou to push for a corner. Next, Gabrielle Blanch cut inside well and shot over the bar.
Coming off her four-goal haul last weekend, Maddison Farmer was full of energy. The attacker tried to catch out Central Coast Mariners ‘keeper Rhiannon Hines off guard but the ball flew safely wide of her net.
Sutherland Shire FA landed the first blow in the contest through Jordan Baker. The sharpshooter stepped in to snatch the ball from a defender before she nestled the ball into the corner of the net for 1-nil.
New signing Stevie Donougher had the chance to double the dose for Sutherland Shire FA. She was played into the box with a precise ball but couldn’t find the finish.
It took a dose of fortune but Central Coast Mariners equalised before the break. Jade Mcatemney took a corner kick which curled into the net. The officials conferred to decide and confirmed the goal as the game headed to the break locked 1-1.
Rejuvenated by their goal before the break, Central Coast Mariners threw some early jabs in the second half. Mcatemney shot straight at Avgoustou as the visitors continued to monopolise the ball and try to find their second goal.
Elizabeth Shorter was bright and full of running down the left flank for the Mariners this afternoon and had their best chance of the second half. Shorter rolled free of her defender, cut inside and fired into the stanchion behind the goal.
Next Shorter combined with substitute and former golden boot Candice Phelan to try and open up the rock-solid Sutherland Shire FA defense. Phelan stormed onto the pass but shot straight at Avgoustou again.
As it looked like the game was drifting towards a draw, there was a moment of magic for Sutherland Shire FA to take all three points. A free-kick was flighted into the mass of bodies but Baker flung her boot at the ball to rifle it into the net for 2-1.
The Mariners huffed and puffed to find another equaliser but were unable to breakdown the Sutherland Shire FA defense and fell to back-to-back defeats. Sutherland Shire FA kept their unbeaten run going with another close result.
Speaking after the victory, Sutherland Shire FA coach Allan Edmonson was delighted with the style of play from his side and their continued success this season:
“It was a tough game and different to the others we’ve played. I was proud of the possession moments from the girls in the first and how they battled it out to get the win. We’re happy with our position but even more so with how we’re playing thus far.” said Edmonson.
For Central Coast Mariners coach Dan Barrett, this afternoon was an improvement for his side but also disappointed to lose another game in such a condensed season:
“I thought we were good for at least a point tonight. It was a big improvement from last week which is pleasing for myself but disappointed to not take anything. We had more of the ball and chances but credit to Sutherland Shire FA for their win.” said Barrett.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 16 August 2020
Harrie Denning Centre
Referee: G. Sergent
Assistant Referees: M. Gefos & S. Burns
Sutherland Shire FA 2 (Baker 2)
Central Coast Mariners 1 (Mcatamney)
Sutherland Shire FA: 1. AVGOUSTOU Chloe, 2. NISBET Genevieve, 3. GEORGIEVSKI Isabella, 4. HUTTON Rebekah, 5. FARMER Maddison (6. YEATS ‘80), 7. MAXWELL Morgan, 8. BESZ Nicole, 9. BAKER Jordan, 10. BRATJANSCAK Ursula, 11. DALE Kate, 32. DONOUGHER Stevie (13. CHRISTIE ‘76)
Unused subs: 14. MASTORIS Angelina, 18. HART Lily, 21. RYAN Hannah
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Central Coast Mariners: 2. BLANCH Gabrielle, 3. TUCKER Mikala (8. PHELAN ‘60), 4. SNAPE Iona, 5, BLACKWOOD Betsy, 10. MCATAMNEY Jade, 11. SHORTER Elizabeth, 12. MURPHY Kaitlin (6. BAINSFAIR ‘63), 13. GARRETT Jessica, 14. MILLER Brooke, 16. SQUIRES Kirby (32. VAN DIJK ‘60), 20. HINES Rhiannon
Unused subs: 1. O’BRIEN Kyara, 26. MCFARLANE Mia
Yellow cards: Squires ‘80
Red cards: nil
Southern Branch FC 0 defeated by North Shore Mariners 8
It was a beachside stroll for North Shore Mariners who thrashed Southern Branch FC 8-nil in the early kick-off on Sunday afternoon at South Nowra Football Complex.
While last weekend’s game against Gladesville Ravens was the steady diet of greens needed to compile three points. Today was the ice cream dessert after their slog in the wet conditions. Evelyn Chronis continued to add to her lead at the top of the golden boot standings with a hat-trick
Hannah Charak chipped in with a brace in the one-sided affair. Last weekend’s match winner Rita Boateng, Cate Gyzen and consistent performer Rochelle Johnson were the others to find the back of the net as North Shore Mariners took their undefeated streak to four.
UNSW FC 2 drew with Marconi Stallions 2
The Students produced a marvelous defensive effort to draw 2-2 against Marconi Stallions this afternoon at Seymour Shaw.
It was a performance full of credit for UNSW FC. They opened up the scoring through Francesca Fernandez who timed her run to perfection to round the goalie. In a small dose of deja vu, Marconi Stallions equalised from a Joanna Martino free-kick to make it 1-1 at the break.
Both sides pushed forward to find the winner and Fernandes looked to have sealed the points for UNSW FC when she pounced on an error in the 82nd minute. Danielle Bishop produced a stunning 30-yard effort for the Stallions to snatch a point.
Post match Stallions coach Andy Severin praised the “defensive effort” from UNSW FC who were clinical in the contest and converted their chances. He also was happy with the work rate of his side to claw back the result twice.
For UNSW FC coach Steve Greenwood, he paid tribute to custodian Nadine Knight for her saves to keep the Students in the contest. A point will be welcome relief for UNSW FC after a lean few weeks before this game.
St George FC 0 defeated by SD Raiders FC 1
SD Raiders FC edged a tense and close contest 1-nil against St George FC on a bright afternoon down at St George Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
For weeks, SD Raiders FC have been gallant in defeat. Today, they turned into worthy winners after a Sarah Mandile poacher’s finish was the difference between the two sides. SD Raiders FC moved themselves into eighth with that result.
St George FC will lament another game which got away. The home side fell to back-to-back defeats and coach Mark Cuppit will want them to arrest this slide next weekend down in Nowra as they chase a finals appearance.
SD Raiders FC coach Terry Gray was delighted with the result and the quality of football the visitors played in the success. The side was “patient and persistent” with their build up and put together an excellent performance in tough conditions.
Gladesville Ravens 2 defeated Inter Lions 0
The Round 5 night cap saw Gladesville Ravens break-through for their first win of the campaign in a 2-nil success against Inter Lions tonight at Christie Park.
Both sides came into the contest desperate for some form after a torrid opening month of results. It showed in the football where the first half ended up being a tight affair which ended up scoreless at the break.
Kasia Wojtowicz was the hero for Gladesville. The striker popped up with both goals in the second half to open her tally for the season. The result has moved the Ravens into striking distance of the top four despite their form.
Nepean FC had the bye
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
