Round 9 Review – NPL 2 NSW Women’s
Round 9 in the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW competition saw plenty of goals fly in across the four contests on Sunday afternoon.
It was also a weekend which saw all four games won to nil as we head into the final fortnight of the competition.
UNSW FC 0 defeated by Nepean FC 1
They left it late but Nepean FC got back in the winner’s circle after a 1-nil result against UNSW FC this afternoon down at Seymour Shaw.
Nepean FC rode their luck at times, thankful to the warrior spirit of custodian Sarah Easthope who saved a first half penalty to keep it scoreless. Imogen Lane popped up to firstly hit the bar then delivered the knockout blow in the 84th minute to give the visitors all three points.
For the students, they were left to rue the fine margins which rule football games. UNSW FC had the better of the contests but had a missed penalty, an offside goal and no points for their effort this afternoon which has become the theme of 2020.
On a blustery afternoon in the Shire, both sides tried to establish themselves on the ball. UNSW FC started most of their moves from their goalkeeper Nadine Knight, calm playing from the back and setting the tone.
The students had the first chance of the contest from the set piece. Francesca Fernandes lined up the free-kick on the right, tried to curl it towards goal but saw it sail wide of Nepean FC custodian Sarah Easthope’s posts.
Nepean FC looked to fire back, worked the ball around the box before it fell to defender Emma Jackson who thrashed at her effort and sailed wide. Caitlin Bass was the next to find space also had a similar result.
UNSW FC had a golden chance to break the deadlock just before half-time. Harley Johnson strode into the box and was taken down for a penalty. Rio Darlaston stepped up to take, sent her penalty right but it met the right hand of a flying Easthope to keep it 0-0 at half-time.
The tension ramped up in the second half, both sides sensed that the game was there to be grabbed by the scruff of the neck. The ball continued to be caught in the midfield as the chances were rare in the contest.
In a dose of déjà vu, UNSW FC looked to have finally taken the lead just after the hour mark. Once again, Fernandez stood over the free-kick, flighted it perfectly to meet a head and nestle into the net. Their celebration was cut short by the referee’s flag after a discussion.
Both coaches rung the changes, looking to squeeze every penny out of their side in the final quarter of the contest. Darcey Read again for the Students and again from the set piece met the ball well, but this one floated wide of the mark.
Nepean FC sent a warning shot headed into the final ten minutes. Imogen Lane, who is a bright spark every week in the Nepean attack, weaved past the defense, rattled her strike off the crossbar before the UNSW FC defense cleared.
That shot turned into the deciding moment of the contest. Again, Lane weaved into some space again turned her defender inside out and chipped the ball into the net, 1-nil for Nepean FC which sent their traveling support wild.
UNSW FC piled players forward to try and find an equaliser as the clock ticked in the final few minutes. Their best chance was from a corner which evaded everyone and Nepean FC held on for a priceless three points today.
Speaking post-match a delighted Nepean FC coach Alan Tasses enjoyed what has been a rare delight in 2020 – a victory and further improvement from his side:
“It was a result we have been searching for weeks. Imogen Lane scored a wonderful effort after her warm-up effort which smashed the crossbar. As I have said all year we’ve been competitive in every game and look to finish on a high.” said Tasses.
For UNSW FC’s Gabe Knowles it was another reminder of the fine margins which decide football games and a reflection on their campaign in this shortened season:
“I thought we dominated the game in possession. We created some good chances –including the offside goal and the penalty – but it has been fine margins for these girls. I think we’ve been unlucky and now move on.” said Knowles.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 13 September 2020
Referee: E. De Mestro
Assistant Referees: J. Burchoff & L. Villarroel
UNSW FC 0
Nepean FC 1 (Lane)
UNSW FC: 1. KNIGHT Nadine, 2. FERRIS Sarah, 3. SMITH Alice (17. MILLER ‘75), 4. DARLASTON Rio (6. SUMMERSBY-MITCHELL ‘65), 5. CASSERLY Tara, 8. BARTLEY Zoe, 9. READ Darcey (35. KUANG ‘79), 10. JOHNSON Harley, 14. FERNANDES Francesca, 15. MORRIS Danielle (16. BISLAND ‘75), 19. HANSLOW Tahila (18. O’ROURKE ‘79)
Yellow cards: Johnson
Red cards: nil
Nepean FC: 2. JACKSON Emma, 3. DAVIDSON Aisling, 5. HANSEN Janie, 7. TROVATO Stefanie, 8. LANE Imogen, 9. PELLE Brittany (38. NAGY ‘67), 14. BASS Caitlin, 15. WHEELER Cassandra (16. BRIEN ‘80), 17. BERIOS Ellen (21. FRESSARD ‘63), 20. EASTHOPE Sarah, 36. CHAPLIN Tayla
Unused subs: 18. CHAPERLIN Grace, 35. BARTLE Shailee
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Sutherland Shire FA 5 defeated Gladesville Ravens 0
Sutherland Shire FA kept the good times going with a five-star performance in their 5-nil romp of Gladesville Ravens down at Harrie Denning Centre.
The Sutherland Shire FA side remain at the top of the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens competition with their eighth victory of the season. It also keeps their good record against the Ravens up and vanquish the memories of last season’s Preliminary Final defeat.
Braces to Stevie Donougher and Ursula Bratjanscak alongside Jordan Baker’s 11th goal of the season was enough to keep the Sutherland Shire FA side rolling onto the finals. Sutherland Shire FA has rediscovered their attacking thrust in recent weeks and ready to go one better this season.
Central Coast Mariners 1 defeated SD Raiders FC 0
Central Coast Mariners moved into third spot after their tense 1-nil success against a dogged SD Raiders FC side at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon.
The yellow-and-navy were made to work for the result against a tough SD Raiders FC who matched it with the finals chasing side for much of the contest. Sarah Mandile had the best chance for the visitors when she crashed an effort against the post.
They left it late, but the Mariners scrambled home the winner to make it back-to-back successes and almost solidify their top four spot. Betsy Blackwood swept home the ball in the 85th minute to open her account for the season.
SD Raiders FC might not have the results this season, but there is plenty for the side to look forward to in 2021. There were good performances from Mandile, Kate Mateffy and Erin Phelan to build on for the next fortnight and finish on a high.
North Shore Mariners 9 defeated St George FC 0
It was a one-sided affair at Northbridge Oval as competition heavyweights North Shore Mariners trampled St George FC 9-nil this afternoon.
Looking to respond after their draw last weekend, North Shore Mariners were ruthless in front of goal against the Saints today. The Mariners notched their seventh win of the season and look set for a top two finish.
Golden Boot Evelyn Chronis added to her already considerable goal total with four goals in the rout which gives her 17 for the season. Rita Boateng marked her return to the starting side with a hat-trick while fan favourite Cate Gyzen scored twice.
The Mariners showed their intent as they rattled the bar several times in the contest as they almost made it double figures. This weekend’s results set up a mouth-watering first vs second matchup against Sutherland Shire FA next weekend.
Inter Lions & Marconi Stallions had the bye
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
