Round 11 Review – NPL 2 NSW Women’s

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Round 11 was another thrilling installment of the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens competition which featured probably one of the biggest upsets of the year when Central Coast Mariners defeated St George FC.

UNSW FC and Northbridge Bulls were also winners across five fabulous fixtures. So, let’s get onto the review!

Match of the Round: SD Raiders FC 0 drew with Marconi Stallions 0

Both SD Raiders FC and Marconi Stallions were forced to share the points in a 0-0 draw at Ernie Smith Reserve in this week’s Match of the Round.

SD Raiders FC were disappointed in their performance tonight. It wasn’t up their usual standards against a tough Stallions line-up. The point does keep SD Raiders FC in fourth place and firmly on course for a spot in the finals series.

For Marconi Stallions, it was another afternoon where they lost their composure in front of goal despite having the greater chances tonight. The Stallions missed a chance to cement in their spot in the top five before their big clash against St George FC next weekend.

Coming into this vital contest, both sides were keen to assert their dominance on the game. The opening exchanges were tight between the two midfields. The first chance came in the 15th minute when Candace Sciberras teased a cross for Tania Baban to float over.

Youngster Ella Abdul-Massih has been in a fine vein of form for SD Raiders FC in recent weeks and had a chance to respond for the hosts. She stood over a free-kick which she piloted wide of Stallions custodian Renee Krstanovska’s left post.

This spurred SD Raiders FC further ahead as Sarah Mandile had the ball break to her near the box but flew wide then the hosts had a scramble in the box which couldn’t be turned home as it fell gratefully to Krstanovska.

Once Marconi Stallions found their rhythm, they dominated the rest of the first half. Baban and Emma Voloder had chances at the near post then Sciberras dinked over as the two sides headed to break locked at 0-0.

Coming out from the break, Marconi had a chance through at the set piece. Samantha Huynh stood over the set piece and her powerful effort had to be tipped over by SD Raiders FC custodian Natasha Pentecost.

The best chance for SD Raiders FC came through their captain. Kristi Pavlicevic found space inside the box and flicked her header wide. The contest started to become end-to-end as both sides searched for a winner.

Headed into the hour mark, Marconi Stallions continued to have most of the chances. Both Baban and Sciberras were unable to hit the mark as Stallions coach Andy Severin urged his side to show some composure in front of goal.

Ceyda Cambaz was the next to try her luck but SD Raiders FC custodian Pentecost squeezed it out for a corner as frustration grew. Next, Emma Voloder looped a header straight at the keeper as the game ticked into the final ten minutes.

The final chance for the Stallions came right near the 90th minute. Sciberras had a set piece on the right which she fired over the bar. Cambaz also flicked the ball up for herself then hit it right at Pentecost as the game ended a draw.

Post-match SD Raiders FC coach Anthony McFadden was frank in his assessment of his side’s performance against the Stallions:

“I don’t we played our game tonight. That is disappointing because we’ve worked all year to be ourselves and stick to our identity. Results are results but the way we played tonight wasn’t good enough.” said McFadden.

For Marconi Stallions coach Andy Severin, he was frustrated about his side’s lack of composure in front of goal and being involved in another drawn game:

“I thought we were the better team. They had a good 15 minutes, but we dominated the rest of the game. We need some composure in front of goals because we create enough chances each game. It is a credit to our backline which creates the platform for them to thrive.” said Severin.

MATCH STATS

Sunday 13 June 2021

Ernie Smith Reserve, Moorebank

Referee: Maxeem Georges

Assistant Referees: J. Haddadd & K. Haddad.

SD Raiders FC 0

Marconi Stallions 0

SD Raiders FC: 1. PENTECOST Natasha, 5. BAILY Jasmine (8. PHELAN ‘62), 9. BRAKELL Jemma, 11. COOK Kirilee, 15. PAVLICEVIC Kristi, 19. HERRERA Marie, 20. VOUSDEN Alexandra, 23. ABDUL-MASSIH Ella, 32. POLAT Rojin, 34. MANDILE Sarah, 48. DOAN Chloe

Unused subs: 2. DENNIS Rebecca, 10. COSCIA Kiara, 22. MUSCAT Rhianna, 28. RADMILLO Amanda

Yellow cards: nil

Red cards: nil

Marconi Stallions: 1. KRSTANOVSKA Renee, 2. VOLODER Hannah, 4. HUYNH Samantha, 5. FEATHERSTONE Lauren, 6. TAVARES Erin Leah, 8. CAMBAZ Ceyda, 9. BABAN Tania (27. OLIVA ‘76), 10. VOLODER Emma, 12. BREKIC Daniela, 16. SCIBERRAS Candace, 35. AITKEN Natasha (11. ABOU-HAIDAR ‘45)

Unused subs: 15. WALTON Tahlie, 18. MANNA Melina, 21. ROCHAIX Kiara

Yellow cards: Baban

Red cards: nil

Nepean FC 1 defeated Sutherland Shire FA 0

The Nepean FC machine keeps clicking after a 1-nil success against Sutherland Shire FA this afternoon at Cook Park in Sydney’s west.

Nepean FC were made to work for the three points against a robust Sutherland Shire FA side on a field which was quite wet under foot. The winner came in spectacular fashion when captain Stefanie Trovato fired home a screamer for her third of the season.

Home side coach Allan Tasses complimented both sides on “trying to play some decent football” and Nepean FC’s seventh win of the season puts them a single point behind National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens leaders St George FC as we hit the midway point.

For Sutherland Shire FA they will be disappointed to drop back-to-back games which leaves them at the back of the chasing pack. Their coaches will be happy to see them compete against some of the heavyweights of the competition.

UNSW FC 3 defeated Inter Lions 1

UNSW FC got themselves back on the winner’s list after a 3-1 success against Inter Lions this afternoon at ES Marks Field.

The Students gave a high distinction performance in the first half to fly out to a 3-nil lead at the break and move closer to their third win of the season. Zoe Bartley led from the front and scored a brace in a sensational performance.

Harley Johnson scored the other goal in the comfortable win for UNSW FC. The result moves the Students into seventh spot on the ladder, keeping them in the chase for the top five headed into the second half of the season.

Inter Lions did give them a scare in the second half. Sofia Issa pulled a goal back to make it 3-1 but despite their improved performance, the Lions fell to their tenth straight defeat and remain at the bottom of the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens ladder.

Central Coast Mariners 3 defeated St George FC 1

It was a result which sent shockwaves through the NPL2 Womens competition as Central Coast Mariners defeated league leaders St George FC, 2-1 at Pluim Park.

The Mariners shook off their mid-week defeat to Marconi Stallions and put together a phenomenal first half performance which saw them leading 2-nil against St George FC. Emily Diaz scored the opener to make it ten goals for the season.

Kaitlin Murphy doubled their advantage in a first half which Mariners coach Dan Barrett called a “clinical performance” before they had to be brave to withstand the St George FC fightback in the second half to cause the upset of the season.

St George FC found their rhythm in the second half and pulled one back through Golden Boot leader Jordan Baker but suffered their second loss of the season. The Saints remain top of the table still but their advantage has been trimmed to a single point now.

Northbridge Bulls FC 8 defeated South East Phoenix FC 0

Northbridge Bulls were in perilous form disposing of South East Phoenix FC, 8-nil this afternoon at a windy Northbridge Oval.

Coming off their last ditch win last week, the Bulls put together an even-handed performance with four goals in each half to extinguish South East Phoenix FC’s flame today. Rita Boateng was the star with a four-goal blitz taking her haul to 13 for the season.

The rest of the goals were spread around the rest of the Bulls side. Fresh from being awarded the Cheryl Salisbury Dedication award at the Newcastle Jets awards night, Hannah Brewer found the back of the net alongside Ciara Casamento and Cate Gyzen.

Gladesville Ravens had the bye

By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)