Round 2 Review – PS4 NPL NSW Women’s
Round two of the PlayStation®4 NPL NSW Women’s competition threw up some interesting results along with some fantastic attacking football.
There was a first win of the season for Manly United, while Sydney University, Macarthur Rams and Football NSW Institute remain the only teams with two wins from as many games.
Football NSW Institute 3-2 Illawarra Stingrays
At Valentine Sports Park, the Football NSW Institute showed great character for a young side, overturning a half time deficit to record a massive 3-2 victory over the Illawarra Stingrays.
Some spectacular goals in this one made it enjoyable viewing for all present at the game.
Courtney Nevin, Rachel Lowe and Princess Ibini-isei over turned first half strikes from the Stingrays’ Michelle Carney and Blaize Kendis.
The Stingrays had the first chance of the match in only the first minute after a Michelle Carney free kick but Jada Mathyssen-Whyman held onto the ball well.
But on three minutes, the away side had the lead through their captain Carney.
Erica Halloway made a great run down the right and crossed in an even better ball, finding the head of Carney who placed the ball in the back of the net.
With 14 minutes on the clock, Halloway almost surprised Mathyssen-Whyman direct from the corner but the Institute keeper tipped the ball over the bar.
Only a minute later and again Mathyssen-Whyman saved the Institute.
The Institute didn’t clear their lines from the corner with the ball popping up for Talitha Kramer who turned and shot only for the keeper to make a fine save before the home side was able to clear the ball.
In a crazy couple minutes, the first goal was almost mirrored in the 16th minute.
Again Halloway broke down the right and crossed another ball for Carney but this time Mathyssen-Whyman saved to keep the scores at 1-0.
Only two minutes later and again the Stingrays threatened, this time through Blaize Kendis.
Kendis struck her free kick and beat the Institute keeper, only for the ball to strike the post and go out.
The home side’s first real chance came in the 36th minute when Princess Ibini-Isei got onto the end of some nice build up play, shooting just over the bar.
Blaize Kendis had her goal though 5 minutes before the break.
Receiving the ball on the right wing, Kendis let fly with a powerful shot from 30 metres out, giving Mathyssen-Whyman no chance.
It gave the Stingrays a comfortable 2-0 lead moving into the break.
Only five minutes after the break and the Institute halved the advantage.
Courtney Nevin took the ball in her stride and unleashed from the edge of the area, finding the top corner and throwing the young side back into the game.
The Institute continued to press in search of an equalizer with Ibini-Isei looking to most dangerous.
Carney could have finished the game in the 77th minute for the Stingrays, heading well into the bottom corner, only for Mathyssen-Whyman to make a fantastic one handed save.
With the Institute pushing hard for an equalizer, the away side could’ve settled the game with nine minutes remaining.
Halloway broke through down the right and moved in on goal, cutting the ball across to Carney who seemed to take too long, giving the Institute keeper enough time to come back and save well.
The miss would come back to cost the Stingrays as only two minutes later, the Institute had their equalizer.
Rachel Lowe got onto the end of a fine ball from the back, calmly lobbing the ball over the Stingrays keeper and making the scores 2-2.
The turnaround would be complete as in the 86th minute, Princess Ibini-Isei showed all her class to put her side in the lead.
Receiving the ball from about 25 metres out, she took a touch and found nothing but the top left corner, burying her effort into the roof of the net.
The Stingrays pushed hard late on but couldn’t find an equalizer.
Manly United 4-0 Emerging Jets
At Cromer Park on Sunday afternoon, Manly United and the Emerging Jets were both out to score their first points of 2017.
It was Chris Williams’ team that’d get the better of the first half action, moving into half time two goals to the good.
By the end of 90 minutes, United had doubled their half time score and ran out comfortable 4-0 winner.
Last week’s missed opportunities were put to bed by Remy Siemsen as she picked up a brace, while Chloe O’brien and Natasha Prior got the others.
United have shot up the ladder into fifth place despite it still being very early days.
Sydney University 3-0 North Shore Mariners
At Sydney University Football Ground, two teams coming off round one wins did battle as Sydney University entertained North Shore Mariners.
Heather Garriock’s girls were in for a tough afternoon but first half goals to the on fire Emma Stanbury and Georgia Yeoman-Dale had them 2-0 in front.
The Mariners wouldn’t lie down though and pushed hard to get back into the game.
A late goal to Bethany Gordon settled the result and put the game beyond doubt as Uni remain on top of the ladder.
North West Sydney Koalas 0-0 Northern Tigers
Two teams in search of points did battle at ELS Hall Park as the North West Sydney Koalas hosted the Northern Tigers.
Pat O’Sullivan’s team was out to surprise their more fancied opponents and cause a shake up after last week’s heavy defeat.
Neither side could be separated at the break, or at full time with the result finishing 0-0.
O’Sullivan would’ve been pleased with his team’s ability to keep a clean sheet.
For Stephen Peters, he’ll need his side to respond in order to keep pace with the leading teams.
Blacktown Spartans 1-2 Macarthur Rams
Blacktown Football Park hosted to teams full of confidence as the Blacktown Spartans took on the Macarthur Rams.
Both sides were looking to continue their good results from round one and it was always going to be a tight affair.
A first half goal to the Rams was all that separated the teams as they moved into the sheds for half time.
The second half was also a close affair, with the Rams holding out and winning 2-1, giving Norm Boardman the perfect start to the season.
Leena Khamis scored for the Rams while Tyler Sparks got on the score sheet for the home side.
-By Nikola Pozder
