Round 9 Review – NPL 2 NSW Women’s
Round 9 saw the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens competition lose the final undefeated side as St George FC lost to SD Raiders FC. Marconi Stallions, Central Coast, Nepean FC and Sutherland Shire FA also picked up wins in a weekend full of thrills, spills and Sunday skills. Let’s get onto the review!
Match of the Round: UNSW FC 0 defeated by Marconi Stallions 2
Marconi Stallions kept their place in the top five secure with a two-goal victory over UNSW FC at ES Marks Field.
In a clash which saw both sides have their chances. The visitor’s quality in the front third proved the difference with Tania Baban and substitute Talie Walton both finding the net either side of half time.
However, It was the hosts who came out of the blocks quickest in the opening minutes. Grace McCormick opening the game in terms of chances with a long range effort. Before Zoe Bartley went close with an effort from the left hand side of the box which went wide left.
In response, Marconi had their own chance to gallop forward and won a couple of corners for themselves.
But their best came from open play just after the 20th minutes. Candace Sciberras making a run across the box from a Samantha Huynh long throw, her effort from point blank range finding the hands of the Nadine Knight in the hosts net.
Marconi had found their groove and Julia Morales was the next to go close, finding space outside her marker. Then launching a left footed shot just over the bar from inside the box.
As the half hour approached, the game started to open up which resulted in a chance at either end. Eve Hess having their first chance in a while, a right footed free kick going over the bar.
Before Tania Baban opened the scoring at the other end, with a quality right footed finish from just outside the area after Sciberras found her in space.
Not happy with just the goal lead. Hannah Voloder was next to go close, receiving the ball in an advanced midfield position before cutting in onto her left and shooting towards goal to no avail.
After the half time break, the game appeared to even up in the early stages and as such a chance came at either end. Malin Lilleskare going close first with an effort from distance forcing Marconi keeper Renee Krstanovska into a save.
Once again though who was the Stallions who found their rhythm first. Julia Morales getting a toe to a Samantha Huynh cross from deep right, which she couldn’t get on target. Soon followed by Sciberras not getting enough contact on a header to trouble the hosts keeper.
At the other end, UNSW made some personnel and tactical changes looking to get an equalizer. And it nearly paid off fifteen minutes from time via a Zoe Bartley ambitious volley which who went just wide from inside the box.
But that left them open at the other end and Marconi then doubled their advantage just five minutes from the end through Talie Walton who found the net from a lobbed effort from the top left corner of the box.
Speaking after the match, Andy Severin paid tribute to a good performance from his team. ‘It was a good win. Credit to them, they made things difficult for us but we’ve got a good base at the back which allows our front three to express ourselves. There’s no doubt that our team can be potent on our day, and they found their groove today.”
While UNSW FC coach Guillermo Rubio rued a missed opportunity to claim three points. “We came in expecting a physical game and that’s what we got in an even game. It became an uphill task after conceding first but I’m proud of the way the girls fought into the last whistle.”
Report by the excellent Justin Smith (@SmithTheJustin)
MATCH STATS
Sunday 30 May 2021
Referee: George Samaan
UNSW FC 0
Marconi Stallions 2 (Baban and Walton)
UNSW FC: 1. KNIGHT Nadine, 2. FERRIS Sarah, 4. DARLASTON Rio, 7. HANSLOW Tahlia, 8. LILLESKARE Malin, 11. HESS Eve, 13. WEBB Breony, 17. BARTLEY Zoe, 18. KUANG Jesse, 19. MCCORMICK Grace, 29. BLAYNEY Ashley
Substitutes: 5. CASSERLY Tara, 9. READ Darcey, 14. FERNANDEZ Francesca, 21. MILISAVLJEVIC Tiana
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Marconi Stallions: 1. KRSTANOVSKA Renee, 2. VOLODER Hannah, 4. HUYNH Samantha, TAVARES Erin Leah, 8. CAMBAZ Ceyda, 9. BABAN Tania, 10. VOLODER Emma, 12. BREKIC Daniela, 16. SCHIBERRAS Candace, 28. MORALES Julia, 35. AITKEN Natasha
Substitutes: 5. FEATHERSTONE Lauren, 11. ABOU-HAIDAR Carla, 21. ROCHAIX Kiara, 27. OLIVA Christa
Yellow cards: Baban, Brekic, Cambaz
Red cards: nil
Nepean FC 4 defeated Gladesville Ravens 0
It was another stride towards the top for Nepean FC after a comfortable 4-nil success which clipped the wings of Gladesville Ravens this afternoon at Cook Park.
Fortress Cook Park took another victim as Nepean FC flexed their muscles against a Gladesville Ravens side which had found form in recent weeks. Nepean FC coach Alan Tasses was delighted with a perfect first half which saw the hosts lead 4-nil.
After recently celebrating her 150th game for the club, Bianca Galayini opened the scoring in the dominant first half before midfielder Annie Halls scored a brace which continued her superb form in recent weeks. Imogen Lane added the final goal to take her season tally to seven for the year.
Gladesville Ravens had been soaring towards the top five before tonight’s result but were brought back down to earth against one of the competition heavyweights. Now they have three straight games at Christie Park to get them back on track.
Central Coast Mariners 2 defeated Inter Lions 0
Central Coast Mariners got themselves back on track with a 2-nil success against Inter Lions this afternoon at Pluim Park.
It was another standout performance for Central Coast’s off-season signing Emily Diaz. The striker scored a pair of goals in the opening half which had the yellow-and-navy leading 2-nil at the break, eyeing off a return to the winner’s circle.
You could be forgiven for thinking another long afternoon was in order for Inter Lions but the team left rock bottom of the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens competition showed up to fight. Inter Lions shaded the second half and on another day might have got themselves a goal. It gives new coach Michael Cunningham to work off heading forward.
South East Phoenix FC 0 defeated by Sutherland Shire FA 6
Down by the beach, Sutherland Shire FA hit South East Phoenix FC for six in a 6-nil romp at South Nowra Football Complex on Sunday afternoon.
Sutherland Shire FA have been on a goal scoring tear in recent weeks. They have plundered 12 goals without a response against Inter Lions and South East Phoenix FC which has put them on the edge of the top five nearing the halfway mark.
Braces to Regan Deeley and Eden Holmes highlighted the huge win for Sutherland Shire FA. Deeley took her tally to four goals for the season while Holmes took hers to three. Janan Codmani and Emily Fraser rounded out the scoring which will please coach Allan Edmonson.
For South East Phoenix FC, after their positive start to the season it has started to fall apart for them with two huge defeats in recent weeks that has dented their goal difference. Next weekend is the last game of their homestand against UNSW FC.
St George FC 1 defeated by SD Raiders FC 2
Undefeated no more are St George FC after SD Raiders FC produced a stunning display to win 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at St George Stadium.
St George FC remain at the top of the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens competition despite this afternoon’s first defeat of the season. Their lone goal was to sharpshooter Jordan Baker which took her tally to 14 for the season.
Today’s victory was another feather in the cap of SD Raiders FC. The young side showed their gusto against the unbeaten leaders. Two wonderful strikes from youngster Ella Abdul Massih was the difference to move into fourth position.
Both coaches were positive in their post-match comments where St George FC coach Mark Cuppit chalked today up to “being one of those days. We hit everything but the back of the net.” while SD Raiders FC coach Anthony McFadden said his side “adapted well and trusted themselves to play some good stuff tonight.”
Northbridge Bulls FC had the bye
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
