Round 1 Review – NPL 2 NSW Women’s
The Easter weekend eggstravaganza of football was a delicious delight across all five fixtures starting from Good Friday to Easter Monday.
The goals flew in as teams tried to hop into the win column early in the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens competition.
Match of the Round: Marconi Stallions 2 defeated by St George FC 3
The new season kicked off in style as St George FC handed Marconi Stallions their first loss in over a year in a 3-2 result on Friday night at Marconi Stadium.
Marconi got the first goal of the season after 30 seconds to Julia Morales before they were hit by a wave of St George FC goals. Substitute Tahlie Walton scored in the second half to give them some hope but the Stallions were defeated for the first time in the regular season since Round 21, 2019.
For St George FC, it was the perfect start to their season. Jordan Baker scored a fabulous hat-trick to give the Saints all three points. Midfielder Sarah Nachar also played a starring role in the success against last season’s runners up.
There was a slight hum around Marconi, all the fans had settled into their seats ready for another season of National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens action then the Stallions had the ball in the net through Julia Morales, 1-nil.
St George FC tried to respond immediately through Jordan Baker. The striker pounced on a loose pass but was denied by a fabulous save by Stallions keeper Renee Krstanovska. Sarah Nachar followed up with a crashing effort against the bar to warn the home side.
The Saints found an equaliser in the 13th in an action-packed opening quarter. Baker again strode confidently into the box after a bounce pass and whipped the ball into the bottom corner to make it 1-1.
After the early flourishes, both sides settled into their work. The chances were further apart. Renee Tomkins slashed wide for the Stallions then St George’s Sarah Pezzotta worked Krstanovska after some slick build up.
The half was bookended by goals. St George FC who were stunned inside 60 seconds, took the lead into the break. Alicia Lee worked herself into the box, cut the ball back for Baker to thrash into the net, 2-1 as the whistle sounded.
Buoyed by their goals, St George FC tried to stamp their authority on the second half. Morgan Maxwell slid a shot wide in the 51st then captain Amy Bennett weaved through the Stallions defense but couldn’t find the finish.
St George FC did extend their lead just after the hour mark. Once again, Baker strode away from defenders on the right before she finished hard and low to send the traveling Saints fans into raptures at 3-1.
Marconi has shown in the past, they can conjure up a famous comeback. There was a slight sniff of one when the substitutes combined to make it 3-2. Ceyda Cambaz slipped in a smooth ball for Tahlie Walton to finish. Cambaz returned from injury and was one of the standouts as the match wore on.
The Stallions continued to push forward and find an equaliser. Cambaz was involved in much of the attack as they tried to unlock the Saints defense. Although, they were dealt a blow when Samantha Huynh was sent off in the 85th minute.
Deep into injury time, the Stallions had one final set piece. The ball flighted in perfectly, Tania Baban rose highest for the home side, made contact but nodded wide of the net as the full-time whistle sounded.
St George FC had secured a famous win at Marconi Stadium, defeating the Grand Finalists from last season. It was also the Stallions first defeat since Round 21, 2019.
Speaking after the game, St George FC coach Mark Cuppit was delighted with his side who had kicked off their season with a fantastic result against a tough side:
“I thought we were good tonight and deserved our win. The girls showed great composure and got back into the contest. It is a very good start for us tonight at a tough place to come.” said Cuppit.
For Marconi Stallions coach Andy Severin, it was simple. They need to fix some defensive lapses but otherwise, he was happy with the effort from his side:
“It was our first loss in a year and half, so it is tough to take. We were our own worst enemy tonight, giving the ball away which led to their goals. I think we need to just remind ourselves of our defensive principles because our attack is still lethal.” said Severin.
MATCH STATS
Friday 2nd April 2021
Marconi Stadium, Bossley Park
Marconi Stallions 2 (Morales, Walton)
St George FC 3 (Baker 3)
Marconi Stallions: 1. KRSTANOVSKA Renee, 2. VOLODER Hannah, 4. HUYNH Samantha, 5. FEATHERSTONE Lauren, 6. TAVARES Erin Leah, 7. TOMKINS Renee (15. WALTON ‘64), 9. BABAN Tania, 10. VOLODER Emma, 12. BREKIC Daniela, 27. OLIVIA Christie (8. CAMBAZ ‘61), 28. MORALES Julia
Unused subs: 21. ROCHAIX Kiara, 30. PEPE Rianna, 31. LYNCH Angelique
Yellow cards: Featherstone
Red cards: Huynh
St George FC: 4. NACHAR Sarah, 7. LEE Alicia (21. CHRISTIE ‘67), 8. BENNETT Amy (17. YEATS ‘69), 9. LUCIEN Sunny, 14. BAKER Jordan, 15. PEZZOTTA Sarah, 19. BESZ Nicole, 20. AVGOUSTOU Chloe, 24. DALE Kate, 25. MAXWELL Morgan (34. COUSINS ‘85), 28. HUTTON Bek,
Unused subs: 6. RUSSO Genevieve, 16. ZOUROUDIS Jasmin
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Match of the Round: SD Raiders FC 2 defeated Inter Lions 0
A pair of goals in the second half helped SD Raiders to grind out a 2-nil result against a compact Inter Lions side in this weekend’s second Match of the Round at Ernie Smith Reserve.
SD Raiders took their time but after a tense first half, found the back of the net twice through Mikala Tucker and sharpshooter Sarah Mandile to get a result in coach Andrew McFadden’s first game in charge of the side.
For Inter Lions, it is all about taking their chances. The visitors had plenty of chances in the first half but couldn’t find the back of the net. Despite the loss, coach Robbie Maiorana will be happy with his side’s first hit-out in the season.
Kicking off on a fine Easter Monday, both sides who finished in the lower end of the table looked to get their season moving with three points. The first chance fell to Inter Lions attacker Daniell Rutstein wriggled free after a free-kick but placed her effort into the hands of SD Raiders custodian, Natasha Pentecost.
The Lions were hungry for a goal and on several occasions nipped in to steal the ball from SD Raiders FC defenders. Caitlin Webster and Emily Smith bore down on goal but weren’t able to find a finish. Near half-time, Rutstein broke free again but flayed wide.
SD Raiders FC chances were at a premium in the first half. Mikala Tucker did the hard part of beating Inter Lions keeper Nicola Simmons but her effort crashed against the post. Tucker again threatened on the break then the resulted corner saw Rebecca Dennis nod wide as we headed to the break at 0-0.
It didn’t take long after the resumption for SD Raiders FC to strike. Once again, Tucker was the architect as she smashed her effort past Simmons to make it 1-nil.
In response, Webster again sprung free for Inter Lions but only stung the palms of Pentecost. Both sides continued to push forward and search for further goals with the home side not content to sit on their single goal.
After the hour mark, it was double delight for SD Raiders FC. Goal machine Sarah Mandile found enough space to cushion her shot into the back of the net for 2-nil.
SD Raiders FC kept pushing forward as the clock ticked down for further goals. Substitute Krist Pavlicevic was on the end some slick interplay to hit one straight. Pavlicevic also knuckle balled a free-kick which almost fooled Simmons late in the contest.
Speaking afterwards, a delighted SD Raiders FC coach Andrew McFadden was happy with the effort from his side in capturing their first three points of the season:
“I liked it. The girls have taken on the new model well and it showed that in the last 30 seconds they were still fighting for the ball. We started to control possession well in the second half and it showed in the goals.” said McFadden.
For Inter Lions coach Robbie Maiorana, it was all about being able to finalise chances for his side in that first half:
“It was disappointing. SD Raiders were able to finalise their chances in a game of two halves. We had nine chances in the first half which we didn’t finalise. Credit to SD Raiders FC who took their chances but that is football.” said Maiorana.
Match Stats
Monday 4th April 2021
Ernie Smith Reserve, Moorebank
SD Raiders FC 2 (Tucker and Mandile)
Inter Lions 0
SD Raiders FC: 1. PENTECOST Natasha, 2. DENNIS Rebecca (10. COSCIA ‘67), 5. BAILY Jasmine (15. PAVLICEVIC ‘54), 9. BRAKELL Jemma, 20. VOUSDEN Alexandra (11. COOK ‘86), 23. ABDUL MASSIH Ella, 26. TUCKER Mikala, 27. PAHOR Emily, 28. RADMILLO Amanda, 32. POLAT Rojin, 34. MANDILE Sarah
Unused subs: 13. MATEFFY Kate, 22. MUSCAT Rhianna
Yellow cards: Abdul Massih
Red cards: nil
Inter Lions: 2. MASCARO Lara, 3. MARCHESE Natalie (9. PICKETT ‘63), 4. WEBSTER Caitlin (42. TALBOT ‘81), 5. DUGGAN Brittany, 6. SMITH Emily, 7. RUTSTEIN Danielle, 8. JANDAGI Anahid, (14. GALEA ‘57) 10. AITKEN Natasha, 12. MEREDITH Brooklyn (16. PAPOULIDIS ‘75), 13. STOJCEVSKI Alina (27. MORSELLO ‘57), 38. SIMMONS Nicola
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Northbridge Bulls FC 4 defeated Central Coast Mariners 2
Northbridge Bulls started their title defense in fine style with a 4-2 success against a tough Central Coast Mariners side at Cammeray Oval this afternoon.
Last year’s Golden Boot Evelyn Chronis got her campaign to retain her trophy with a pair of goals in a stylish first half performance from the Bulls. Siahn Bozanic and speedster Rita Boateng were the other two to find the back of the net.
Central Coast Mariners might have been beaten but the yellow-and-navy tried right until the final whistle tonight. Kiera Bainsfair and Iona Snape scored in each half for some consolation on a tough afternoon for the Mariners.
Nepean FC 2 defeated South East Phoenix FC 1
Nepean FC gathered their first win of the season in a comfortable 2-1 success against South East Phoenix FC this afternoon at Cook Park.
The home side have back-to-back home games to start their season, so they will want to make Cook Park into a fortress again. Coach Alan Tasses will be pleased in the manner that they won this contest against a robust South East Phoenix side.
Nepean FC’s goals went to two familiar names on the scoresheet. Captain Stefanie Trovato scored her first goal of the season while Imogen Lane showed her Warrior spirit with a fine goal to bank the three points.
South East Phoenix FC were resilient in defeat. Coach Norm Boardman said his side played “25 minutes of wonderful football and it is something to build on for the future.” It also gives the South East Phoenix FC a marker to rise from for the rest of the season.
UNSW FC 2 defeated Gladesville Ravens 0
The Students earnt a distinction in their first game of the 2021 season, triumphing 2-nil against a robust Gladesville Ravens side this afternoon at ES Marks field.
UNSW FC put in a whole shift to grab the three points. Ashley Blayney thrashed home the opener on the third attempt in the first half before Eve Hess doubled their advantage in the second half. Some superb saves from keeper Nadine Knight also kept the Ravens at bay.
The Ravens will put themselves in for some finishing practice next week, as they were unable to find the back of the net against an inspired Knight. The 2019 Champions take some heart with their work and move onto next weekend against Nepean FC.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
