Round 4 Review – PS4 NPL NSW Women’s
It was another round full of goals in the PlayStation®4 NPL NSW Women’s competition.
Sydney University has asserted their position at the top of the table, moving out to clear leaders, while the Emerging Jets remain the only team without any points after four games.
Macarthur Rams 1-3 NWS Koalas
Stephen Peters’ NWS Koalas recorded their first win of the season on Sunday afternoon, overcoming a half time deficit to win 3-1 against the Macarthur Rams.
Rosaria Galea gave the home side a first half lead but a brace to Tara Andrews and a fine goal by Kimberley Davey were enough for the Koalas.
Kylie Ledbrook had two shot in quick succession for the Rams but both her shots sailed over the bar.
The Koalas first attempt on goal came a minute later but Sihan Bozanic couldn’t convery a bad clearance by Shamiran Khamis, shotting wide of the target.
Bozanic was again gifted an opportunity by the Rams on nine minutes but her snap shot sailed over.
The first real chance of the match went the way of the home side.
Kristina Maksuti got onto the end of a fantastic team move but Sarah Easthope stood tall in the Koalas goal and was able to hold onto the volley.
On 19 minutes the home side had the lead from a corner.
One of the smallest players on the park, Teresa Polias was left alone in the box, allowing her to head toward goal with Rosaria Galea helping the ball over the line to give the Rams a 1-0 lead.
Two minutes later and the Koalas were almost level.
Nat Penman looked set to score but a fantastic tackle from Claire Walsh, followed by a great save by Khamis saw the Rams remain in front.
The Rams persisted with playing the ball from the back at all costs and were almost caught out for a third time but they scrambled well.
Leena Khamis then led a Rams breakaway 10 minutes before the break but opted to shoot, hardly testing Easthope.
The Koalas tried testing Khamis from distance but none of their efforts troubled the Rams custodian as the home side went into the break one goal to the good.
The first chance of the second half fell the way of the Rams and Leena Khamis.
The experienced attacker had her initial shot from the edge of the area blocked but picked up her rebound and placed the ball toward the bottom corner with the ball rolling agonizingly wide of the target.
Stephen Peters decided to introduce Tara Andrews into the action and she was straight into it, shooting just wide of the target with her first touch.
But on 66 minutes the away side had their equaliser through Kimberley Davey.
Receiving the ball on the left, she closed in on her defender, cutting inside and placing the ball into the far corner, giving Khamis no chance.
Two minues later and the Koalas completed a fantastic second half turnaround.
A deep ball into the box saw Andrews move in and flick the ball beyond Khamis with her head as the ball bounced over the line.
The Rams were looking for a way back into the game and in the 73rd minute Ledbrook almost had them level. Her low free kick eluded everyone, including Easthope but couldn’t be tapped in.
Tara Andrews then made the points safe for the Koalas, latching onto a perfectly weighted ball by fellow substitute Panayiota Petratos.
Andrews rounded Khamis and placed the ball into the back of the net for a 3-1 lead.
In the final seconds of the game Maksuti could’ve grabbed a consolation for the Rams but Easthope smothered her shot.
Match Stats
Macarthur Rams 1 (Galea 19’)
NWS Koalas 3 (Davey 66’, Andrews 68’, 79’)
Lynwood Park, St Helens Park
Sunday, April 30, 2017
Macarthur Rams: 1. S. Khamis, 2. Polias, 3. Walsh, 5. E. Ralston, 6. Brekic, 9. L. Khamis, 10. Ledbrook, 15. Galea, 19. L. Ralston, 29. Maksuti, 23. Maksuti.
Substitutes: 7. Kirrilee, 16. Johnson, 18. Braima-Mahamah, 26.Kirovski, 41. Henley-Sadgrove.
NWS Koalas: 1. Easthope, 2. Pridmore, 5. Perrins, 8. Tobin, 10. Bozanic, 11. Rohrer, 13. Roberts, 15. Penman, 16. Davey, 17. Farquhar, 22. Arrowsmith.
Substitutes: 4. Seaman, 6. Peak, 9. Andrews, 21. Digiandomenico, 14. Petratos.
Northern Tigers 3-0 Emerging Jets
At Lake Macquarie Football Ground, the Northern Tigers and Emerging Jets went in search for their first wins of the season.
It was Pat O’Sullivan who came out triumphant in this one as his side continues their impressive start to the season.
It was a tight first half with the home side going into the break only one goal to the good. They added another two in the second half to make the three points safe.
Erica Toscane scored her first goal of the season while Heidi Makrillos scored a brace for the Tigers.
Blacktown Spartans 2-3 Illawarra Stingrays
Blacktown Football Park hosted Sunday’s clash between the Blacktown Spartans and the Illawarra Stingrays.
It was a tight first half which the away side edged, going into half time with a 2-1 lead.
The teams battled hard in the second, both searching for the victory but it was the Stingrays that held out and took all three points, winning 3-2.
Olivia Price and Gabrielle Marzano scored for the Spartans while captain Michelle Carney and Talitha Kramer with two scored for the Stingrays.
Football NSW Institute 1-5 Sydney University SFC
In a repeat of the pre season cup final, Football NSW Institute took on Sydney University at Valentine Sports Park.
With the teams sitting at the top of the table with equal points after 3 games, this match was always going to be a tight one.
That is what we got in the first 45 minutes as the teams went into the sheds locked at 1-1.
But in the second half there was only one team as Heather Garriock’s Sydney Uni over ran their younger opponents, closing out the result with a comprehensive 5-1 win.
The win sees the champions move clear at the top of the table ahead of the Institute and Macarthur Rams.
Manly United 5-0 North Shore Mariners
In the North Sydney derby, Manly United welcomed the North Shore Mariners to Cromer Park on Sunday.
The Mariners started the day sitting ahead of Manly on the ladder and the home side looked fired up to change that.
They stormed away to a 3-0 lead at half time and were looking in the mood.
The second half saw much the same as the home side dominated, scoring another two goals and securing a massive 5-0 victory.
Remy Siemsen, Sarah Yatim, Sunny Francom, Nicola Orgill and tess Olsen all scored for Chris Williams; side.
-By Nikola Pozder
