Round 7 Review – NPL 2 NSW Women’s

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Round 7 in the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens competition is in the books and we’re left with only one side undefeated headed into the second month of the season.

St George FC continue to lead the competition while there were wins for Sutherland Shire FA, Central Coast Mariners and Nepean FC so let’s get onto the review!

Match of the Round: Nepean FC 1 defeated SD Raiders FC 0

It was a bounce back success for Nepean FC as they triumphed 1-nil against SD Raiders FC on Sunday afternoon at Cook Park in this weekend’s Match of the Round.

Celebrating Bianca Galayini’s 150th game for the club, Nepean FC showed the greater edge in the contest to take all three points. Annie Halls was the match winner in the first half with her shaped effort which has them in third spot on the ladder.

SD Raiders FC showed plenty of heart in the defeat which ends their unbeaten start to the competition despite a more assured second half. Coach Anthony McFadden was happy with their effort and will help them build on that for the next few weeks.

Looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the season, Nepean FC came out of the blocks firing shots right from the opening whistle. Caitlin Bass cushioned the ball into the path of the dangerous Imogen Lane who sprayed her shot wide.

Next it was her strike partner, Stefanie Trovato who had a chance to put Nepean FC into the lead but Trovato flashed her effort across the box. Nepean FC were dominating chances but needed to find the clinical edge to win today.

They didn’t have to wait long for their opener. Midfielder Annie Halls found herself with space on the edge of the box. She flighted one which crashed against the crossbar, against SD Raiders FC custodian Natasha Pentecost then the back of the net for 1-nil.

SD Raiders FC tried to find their way back into the contest after conceding the opener. From a corner, the ball fell to the feet of Jasmine Baily who shaped an effort wide of the post.

Livewire attacker Ella Abdul Massih was the next to have a chance for SD Raiders FC when she turned well to create some space but thrashed her effort wide. Abdul Massih followed up with another effort in the 31st minute but shaped wide as the visitors headed to the break, down 1-nil.

Both sides traded chances coming out of the half-time break. Mikala Tucker tried to tuck one home but was denied by Nepean FC keeper Sarah Easthope. Lane tried to put the ball into the path of Bass for Nepean FC but she tapped wide.

SD Raiders FC found their rhythm in the second half and started to find ways to challenge the Nepean FC defense but were denied each time by the warrior-like courage of Easthope to command her box and pluck the ball out of the air.

As the clock kept ticking away, SD Raiders FC changed their formation to push more bodies forward to find an equaliser. Sarah Mandile tried to track down a wonderful threaded ball but again Easthope was out to deny her.

The visitors started to pepper the Nepean FC goal with chances as the game headed into seven minutes of injury time. Kirilee Cook, Kristi Pavlicevic and Abdul Massih all had chances but Nepean FC held on for three points this afternoon.

A delighted Nepean FC coach Alan Tasses was delighted by his side’s performance post-game and hailed their bounce back after defeat last week:

“Tonight was a hard one. It was a battle and we lost composure near the end but got the win. In that first half, we created quite a few chances and I am glad it didn’t come back to bite us again like last weekend.” said Tasses.

“I’m proud of the girls, they stuck in the battle. It was a massive response from the girl’s after dominating last week and not getting the win. It was the perfect response, and I am happy for the girls.” finished the Nepean FC coach.

For SD Raiders FC coach Anthony McFadden, he was happier with their second half performance from his side and it gives them something to build on for next week:

“Our second half was 1000 times better. The girls found their mojo and controlled the ball better and found space much better. Results are results and we don’t care about them. We focus on how the side plays on the pitch.” said McFadden.

MATCH STATS

Sunday 16 May 2021

Cook Park, St Marys

Referee: S. Newlen

Assistant Referees: G. Roberts & W. Crabb

Nepean FC 1 (Halls)

SD Raiders FC 0

Nepean FC: 1. EASTHOPE Sarah, 2. JACKSON Emma (4. BARTLE ‘79), 3. DAVIDSON Aisling, 5. HANSEN Janie, 6. HALLS Annie, 7. TROVATO Stefanie (11. NAGY ‘76), 8. LANE Imogen (17. BERIOS ‘76), 10. GALAYINI Bianca, 12. CHAPLIN Tayla (9. PELLE ‘63), 14. BASS Caitlin, 15. WHEELER Cassandra

Unused subs: 16. BRIEN Bridget

Yellow cards: nil

Red cards: nil

SD Raiders FC: 1. PENTECOST Natasha, 2. DENNIS Rebecca (10. COSCIA ‘45), 5. BAILY Jasmine, 9. BRAKELL Jemma, 11. COOK Kirilee, 16. PAVLICEVIC Kristi, 20. VOUSDEN Alexandra, 23. ABDUL MASSIH Ella, 26. TUCKER Mikala (32. POLAT ‘87), 28. RADMILLO Amanda, 34. MANDILE Sarah

Unused subs: 18. CARONNA Deana, 23. HERRERA Marie

Yellow cards: nil

Red cards: nil

Sutherland Shire FA 6 defeated Inter Lions 0

Sutherland Shire FA hit Inter Lions for six in their comfortable 6-nil result this afternoon down at Harrie Denning Centre.

The home side earnt themselves some breathing space from the bottom of the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens ladder with their six-goal hiding of Inter Lions tonight. Today’s result moves Sutherland Shire FA into ninth on the ladder.

It was an afternoon to remember for 15-year-old Lacie Bowling. The youngster fired home a hat-trick to help Sutherland Shire FA to a huge win tonight. Isabella Georgievski chipped in with a double to open her account for the season.

Raegan Deeley has made a habit of scoring highlight reel goals and her first half long range bomb was no different to round off a fabulous weekend for Sutherland Shire FA. For Inter Lions, they remain stuck to the bottom and have lost seven straight games now.

Central Coast Mariners 5 defeated South East Phoenix FC 1

The Mariners secured back-to-back wins after their 5-1 result against South East Phoenix FC this afternoon at Pluim Park.

Emily Diaz continued her strong form for the yellow-and-navy after her off-season move. The former Raven helped herself to a first half hat-trick which had Central Coast Mariners ahead 4-nil going into the half-time whistle.

Another fine performer this season for the Mariners has been Annalise Rasmussen in their attack. Rasmussen got herself a brace either side of the break to complete the scoring. Coach Dan Barrett called it his side’s “slickest performance in attack” and they are building on it each week.

For South East Phoenix FC, they didn’t find their rhythm this afternoon. They have competed in most of their games this season and did find the back of the net through their top scorer Bronte Trew for some consolation in the heavy defeat.

St George FC 3 defeated Gladesville Ravens 1

St George FC kept their spot at the summit of the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens competition after a tense 3-1 success against Gladesville Ravens this afternoon.

The Saints remain the only side unbeaten after this weekend’s action and have a firm grip on the top position after the first seven weeks of the season. Coach Mark Cuppit will be pleased with the turnaround in the side after a few seasons in the doldrums.

They were made to work for their three points tonight. Sunny Lucien scored the opener for St George FC then followed by Maddison Farmer to give them a 2-nil advantage. Golden Boot leader Jordan Baker added a late goal to add to her tally for the season.

Gladesville Ravens have shown marked improvement in recent weeks and gave the league leaders a challenge this afternoon. Their only goal came from Keiko Tanaka with her third of the season in the second half which got them back to 2-1

Northbridge Bulls FC 1 drew with UNSW FC 1

The Students put together a solid performance to earn a 1-1 draw against reigning Premiers Northbridge Bulls FC on Sunday afternoon at Northbridge Oval.

For a while in the contest, UNSW FC were headed for a high distinction after Eve Hess slotted home her penalty to make it 1-nil for the visiting side in the 56th minute. Although they will be displeased to drop two points it was another encouraging performance from the students.

Northbridge Bulls showed heart in the contest. Going behind to the visitors, the Bulls turned to their main strike weapon Evelyn Chronis. Last year’s Golden Boot winner fired home to salvage a point and keep them firmly in the top five.

Marconi Stallions had the bye

By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)