Round 3 Review – NPL 2 NSW Women’s
Round 3 in the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens competition was another exciting weekend of football action. Both Nepean FC and SD Raiders FC remain undefeated while there was a bounce back from Champions Northbridge Bulls.
Both South East Phoenix FC and Sutherland Shire FA got off the mark. With that, let’s get onto the review!
Match of the Round: Northbridge Bulls 1 defeated Marconi Stallions 0
Much like they did last year, Northbridge Bulls triumphed in the Grand Final rematch against Marconi Stallions, 1-nil this afternoon at Northbridge Oval.
Fancy footwork from Rita Boateng gave the Bulls the lead in the opening 15 minutes then Northbridge Oval wasted the chance to put the game to bed in the first half but held out well to rebound from their first loss in fine fashion.
Marconi Stallions huffed, puffed but couldn’t blow the house down against the Northbridge Bulls defense. For the Stallions, it was another afternoon of being unable to take their chances with both Tania Baban and Ceyda Cambaz missing chances.
Having the bitter taste of defeat still in their mouth from last week, Northbridge Bulls started the contest on a mission to avoid a repeat performance. Rita Boateng involved early as Elizabeth Grey nodded wide.
The Bulls were a threat on the set piece through the first half. Kiara Farquhar was found perfectly from their first one but sliced wide then Hannah Brewer nodded wide from another precise free-kick in the opening stages.
Northbridge’s opener came through a moment of individual brilliance. Boateng danced down the right wing, got inside the box before her cross crashed against the left post and inside, making it 1-nil for Northbridge Bulls.
Whilst Marconi were on the back foot for much of the first half, their attack came through Tania Baban. The striker had a pair of opportunities to equalise before the break. The first earned her side a corner which Emma Voloder sliced over.
Just before half-time, Baban had the Stallions best chance. A diagonal ball created some chaos in the Bulls backline which allowed Baban to ghost behind. She took the chance first time but it chipped wide of the net as the Bulls took a 1-nil lead to the break.
After half-time, the Bulls kept on their rampaging ways. Boateng latched onto a ball inside the box but thrashed her effort wide of the post as an early warning shot.
Marconi did start to assert their dominance on the contest in the second half. They got themselves into the midfield battle and created a few chances. Lauren Featherstone lined up a drive which was duly gobbled up by Bulls keeper Trudy Burke.
Headed into the final fifteen minutes, Marconi kept pushing forward to find an equaliser against the team which defeated them in the Grand Final. The visitors best chance of the second half fell to their captain Ceyda Cambaz.
Cambaz did well to break the offside trap, bore down on goal against Burke. Cambaz tried for placement instead of power and Burke made a superb legs save to keep the game at 1-nil.
The Stallions continued to fight until the final whistle with Cambaz having another chance which sailed over the bar. Northbridge Bulls saw out the remaining minutes to get themselves back in the winner’s column at home.
Speaking post-match, Northbridge Bulls coach Grant Lee was delighted for his side to bounce back with three points this weekend with a solid display:
“I thought it could’ve been anything in the first half. We hit everything but the back of the net really. I wasn’t happy with how we moved the ball in the second half so we can work on that.” said Lee.
“It was a good result against a tough Marconi side. We got our head around the game today, remained positive and this is a good result for us.” finished Lee.
For Marconi Stallions coach Andy Severin, he remained positive for his side but again it came down to them taking their chances against sides to get points:
“It was a better second half. We created chances and could’ve won the game. Credit to Northbridge they are a solid unit and I think it was a good game of football.” said Severin.
“At the end of the day, we needed to take our chances. The effort was immense from the girls despite being depleted and I loved to see that.” finished Severin.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 18 April 2021
Northbridge Oval, Northbridge
Referee: Tony Thompson
Assistant Referees: Ash Sharma & Oly Schliebs
Northbridge Bulls 1 (Boateng)
Marconi Stallions 0
Northbridge Bulls: 1. BURKE Trudy, 2. BOATENG Rita (25. GYZEN ‘73), 3. BOOKER Bridget, 6. FARQUHAR Kiara, 10. CHRONIS Evelyn, 11. GREY Elizabeth, 15. BOZANIC Siahn (14. CASAMENTO ‘77), 16. DI SCIASCIO Erica, 19. CLOUT Tessa (35. PIRIZ ‘88) 22. BREWER Hannah, 26. JOHNSON Rochelle (12. BEARD ‘66)
Unused subs: 21. SEGAVCIC Keeley
Yellow cards: Grey, Chronis
Red cards: nil
Marconi Stallions: 1. KRSTANOVSKA Renee, 4. HUYNH Samantha, 5. FEATHERSTONE Lauren, 6. TAVARES Erin Leah, 8. CAMBAZ Ceyda, 9. BABAN Tania, 10. VOLODER Emma, 12. BREKIC Daniela, 15. WALTON Tahlie, 28. MORALES Julia, 30. PEPE Rhiana (13. D’MELLO ‘79)
Unused subs: 2. VOLODER Hannah, 18. MANNA Melina, 21. ROCHAIX Kiara 26. OLIVERIO Lana
Yellow cards: Featherstone
Red cards: nil
UNSW FC 2 drew with SD Raiders FC 2
A stirring second half comeback has helped UNSW FC to share the points with SD Raiders FC in a 2-2 draw this afternoon at ES Marks Field.
Looking to maintain their hot start to the season, SD Raiders FC started on the front foot. Prolific goal scorer Sarah Mandile put them ahead in the first 15 minutes then made it a brace before half-time to put coach Anthony McFadden in a happy mood.
UNSW FC weren’t about to fail another test this season. The students responded quickly after half-time through Tahlia Hanslow to make it 2-1. As the game started to fray at the edges, Uni found themselves unable to capitalise on their chances.
Enter Sarah Ferris. She popped up in the dying stages of the contest to fire home an equaliser for UNSW FC which saw the two sides share the points today. SD Raiders FC will lick their wounds after coughing up a two-goal advantage while UNSW FC move onto four points for the season.
Central Coast Mariners 1 defeated by Nepean FC 3
Nepean FC continued their strong start to the season with a 3-1 success against a gallant Central Coast Mariners side this afternoon at Pluim Park.
Before today, Nepean FC had only conceded one goal in their opening fixture. Central Coast Mariners gave the undefeated a jolt with an early goal to Kaitlyn Murphy which put the home side ahead on a blustery afternoon on the coast.
There was a response before half-time from Nepean FC. One of their leading lights, Imogen Lane found the back of the net to take the two sides into the break, locked at 1-1. Sensing the change Nepean FC coach Alan Tasses made a tactical switch which bore fruit.
The visitors controlled the season half and took their chances to register all three points tonight. Samantha Nagy and Ellen Berios were the goal scorers. Post-match Tasses was “proud of the effort and was one happy coach tonight.”
South East Phoenix FC 5 defeated Inter Lions 3
It rained goals in Nowra as South East Phoenix FC took the honours against Inter Lions in an eight-goal fiesta 5-3 this afternoon at South Nowra Football Complex.
Two sides which were desperate for the points took the field on Sunday afternoon in Nowra. The first half was a back-and forth affair which saw them locked at 2-2 going into the break. South East Phoenix FC found their stride in the second half to run away with the contest.
Fresh from her goal in the defeat last weekend, Bronte Trew took the headlines with her hat-trick to seal the result for Phoenix. Lani Honecker and Ella Munro were the other goal scorers in South East Phoenix’s first success of the season.
For Inter Lions, it was another forgettable afternoon, they did find the back of the net three times with Caitlin Webster scoring a brace alongside Marissa Papoulidis who also tallied in the goal fest. It is back to the drawing board for the Lions who remain rock bottom after three rounds.
Gladesville Ravens 1 defeated by Sutherland Shire FA 3
Sutherland Shire FA got themselves off the mark with a 3-1 success against Gladesville Ravens in tonight’s night cap at Christie Park.
While the temperature dropped around Macquarie Park, the football was sizzling hot tonight. Sutherland Shire FA were the side to get on the scoresheet first – captain Genevieve Nisbet tapped home after Lacie Bowling had her initial shot saved.
The Ravens equalised almost immediately when Hannah Brewis benefitted from a mix up between the Sutherland Shire FA defenders to make it 1-1 at the break. Both sides aiming to get their first points of the season.
For the second half, it was all Sutherland Shire FA. Eden Holmes converted on a breakaway to put them ahead 2-1 then substitute Raegan Deeley secured the three points. She turned her marker inside out before she rocketed into the top corner for 3-1.
St George FC had the bye
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
