NPL NSW Womens 1 Round 21 Review
Is it possible that both last season’s NPL NSW Womens 1 grand finalists are out of this years finals series?
Yes it is and we will have a new champion in 2014.
Sydney University did the job they needed to on Sunday afternoon but were sweating on last nights crunch encounter between the Stingrays and Spartans.
The Stingrays victory wasn’t enough to put them through to the semi’s as Uni finished in fourth place on goal difference.
FNSW Institute is the surprise packet of the finals teams, registering two victories in three days to finish in third place, accounting for Manly and Marconi respectively.
The Koala’s are the inform team of the competition and continued their march into the finals with a commanding win over Manly.
The ‘Bridge’ ensured they’ll finish the season on a high, dismantling last years champions Marconi.
Sydney University 4-0 Macarthur Rams
An understrength Macarthur Rams took on Sydney University at Lambert Park on Sunday afternoon with the girls in yellow in desperate need of three points to assure themselves of finals football.
Four different goal scorers for University saw them overcome the Rams by an emphatic 4-0 score line.
The first chance of the game fell to the premiers in the fourth minute as Amy Harrison played through Elisha Williams. Williams’ attempted shot couldn’t beat the keeper as it went just wide of the left hand post.
Olivia Kennedy had the first chance for University in the sixth minute, picking up a loose ball on the edge of the area and unleashing toward goal. Trudy Burke was aware to the danger though and smartly tipped over.
Harrison had a chance of her own in the 10th minute after a superb ball by Laura Donnelly. She rounded the keeper but her touch was to heavy as the ball ran away from her and out for a goal kick.
Only a minute later and University had the lead. Elizabeth Grey rose high in the box to connect with a Kennedy cross. Her effort seemed in for all money but rebounded off the bar and into the feet of the ever-reliable Erin Wilson, who was on hand to tap the ball home for an important lead.
Grey almost had Un’is second in the 24th minute after connecting well with a Kennedy free kick. Her headed effort skidded just wide of the far post to keep the score 1-0.
Samantha Spackman then tried to find Kennedy ghosting in at the near post on the half hour mark but the ball just evaded her.
A minute later and Grey was at the thick of another Uni attack. She burst through the Rams defence and tried to place the ball passed the on rushing Burke with the outside of her foot. The ball beat Burke but not the upright as the Rams recovered well clear the danger.
In the 34th minute, Uni was at it again. This time Kennedy went in one on one with Burke. The keeper did well, forcing Kennedy into a heavy touch as the ball ran too far away from her.
Soon after Wilson turned provider, crossing in a great ball for Grey. The Uni striker was having no luck at all as a last ditch challenge from Hayley Crawford meant the score stayed as is.
An excellent free flowing Uni move almost saw them extend their lead minutes before the break. The ball moved from right to left, ending up at the feet of left back Rachel Soutar. Soutar dribbled passed her defender and attempted a placed shot into the far top corner, with the ball just sailing wide of the target.
The second half started slightly slower than the first. It took 10 minutes for the home side to create a real threatening chance and it was again through Kennedy. Kennedy crossed in a delightful low ball for Wilson with the latter just arriving late.
In the 58th minute, Uni finally had their second. Stephanie Davis rose highest from a corner to head toward goal. Burke did her utmost to keep the effort out as it rebounded off the bar and in.
Excellent link up play with Wilson and Grey down the right flank saw Wilson deliver an inch perfect ball to Kennedy at the far post. Kennedy’s hard work payed off as she drove the ball home into the top left corner of the goal for a 3-0 lead in the 61st minute.
An absolute beauty 15 minutes from the end by Melissa Caceres saw the score stretch out to 4-0. Caceres received the ball on the edge of the area and placed a ball into the far corner of the goal, giving the despairing Burke no chance.
Seven minutes before the end Georgia Yeoman-Dale had an opportunity to score a consolation for the premiers but Cassandra Nader did well to save in the one on one situation.
The lively Stephanie Ambrose was a constant nuisance for the Rams defence and she almost added to the score line minutes before the end but Burke did well in the Rams goal to keep the effort out.
Neither side added to the score line as the University scored their first league win of the year over the premiers.
FNSW Institute 4-1 Marconi Stallions
The Institute knew that a win against the Marconi Stallions on Saturday afternoon would see them assured of finals football.
The young Institute girls didn’t disappoint, rocking the Stallions with a 4-1 scoreline to cement third place on the ladder.
Tia Gavin, Rhianna Pollicina, Lorena Bugden and Princess Ibini-Isei all scored for the Institute, while Evelyn Chronis scored the lone goal for the Stallions.
Northbridge FC 5-0 Marconi Stallions
At Northbridge Oval, Northbridge FC and the Marconi Stallions had nothing but pride to play for but were both hoping to finish off their seasons with three points.
The ‘Bridge’ came away with the spoils with a comprehensive 5-0 victory to end the season in the best possible way.
Jasmin Courtenay scored a brace while Daisy Arrowsmith and Linda Carrol each scored along with an own goal for the final 5-0 score line.
NWS Koalas 4-1 Manly United
The inform NWS Koalas played their home game against Manly United at Cromer Park on Sunday evening.
After going down mid-week to the Institute, Manly’s finals hopes were over and for the second consecutive year they just missed out on finals football.
The Koala’s haven’t lost a game since the beginning of June and continued their run, comfortably winning 4-1.
First half goals to Jessica Seaman, Kiara Farquhar, Heidi Makrillos and Rachel Perrins were enough for the Koalas. Emily Minnet scored in the second half for United but it was just a consolation.
Illawarra Stingrays 5-0 Blacktown Spartans
The extreme wet weather over the weekend meant the Illawarra Stingrays vs Blacktown Spartans clash would be moved to Monday night at Blacktown Football Park.
The Stingrays knew they had to win by eight goals for them to sneak into fourth place but also knew the Spartans wouldn’t lie down for anyone.
Illawarra had a 3-0 lead at half time and the girls in pink knew they needed five more without reply in the second half.
They added another two but it wasn’t enough to see them sneak into the four as the match ended with a 5-0 victory to the Stingrays.
Jordan Baker continued her impressive season, scoring a brace while Caitlin Cooper, Kaelah Austin and the always consistent Michele Carney all scored one each.
– by Nikola Pozdar
