Round 5 Review – PS4 NPL NSW Women’s
Only four points separate first place to seventh place in the PlayStation®4 NPL NSW Women’s competition after five rounds.
Sydney University 1-1 Manly United
It was a share of the spoils in the match of the round between Sydney University and Manly United at Sydney University Football Ground.
Nikki Flannery put the home side in front just before the break but Remy Siemsen completed a dream week for herself, heading in the equalizer mid-way through the second half.
The results keeps Uni at the top of the ladder while United sit in sixth place.
The opening 20 minutes didn’t see either side create a clear-cut opportunity with a real tactical battle taking place.
The first chance came on 23 minutes when Uni’s Rachel Soutar lined up a free kick from some way out.
Her strike was heading for the top corner before the Manly keeper made a fine diving save.
Soutar came close again in the 38th minute, bringing down the ball well in the box, taking on her defender but spraying the ball just wide of the target.
Only four minutes later though and the home side had the lead.
Soutar looked to get onto the end of a Stephanie Ambrose cross but all she could do was head the ball down to the feet of Nikki Flannery who made no mistake from only a few metres out, placing the ball into the net.
Manly looked to respond immediately from a Remy Siemsen free kick but her effort went wide.
The second half saw the first chance fall the way of the away side in the 52nd minute after a well taken corner found the head of Alice Wilson who could only head into the keepers chest.
In the 68th minute though, Manly was level.
Another set piece caused the home side some trouble as they were unable to get the ball clear. Siemsen was quickest to react and headed the ball beyond Georgia Boric to equalise for her side.
Neither side could create a chance in the final 20 minutes and both sides had to settle for a draw.
North Shore Mariners v Blacktown Spartans
At Northbridge Oval, both the North Shore Mariners and Blacktown Spartans were looking to get back to winning ways.
It was the away side that started stronger, moving into half time with a well earned 2-0 lead.
With four goals in the second half, it was the Spartans that held out coming away with a valuable 4-2 victory.
Goals to Rhianna Pollicina, Gabrielle Marzano, Shanaye Kuntze and Olivia Price were enough for the Spartans, while Aleisha Wawn and Teiga Collister scored for the home side.
This result propelled the Spartans into third place on the ladder while the Mariners drop to ninth.
North West Sydney Koalas 3-0 Football NSW Institute
The North West Sydney Koalas were keen to continue their good run of form on Sunday as they took on the Football NSW Institute.
They started well, moving into half time one goal to the good.
Stephen Peters’ side added to that in the second period and ran away comfortable 3-0 winners.
Tara Andrews, Panayiota Petratos and Daisy Arrowsmith all got their names on the scoresheet for the home side.
Illawarra Stingrays 8-1 Northern Tigers
The Illawarra Stingrays hosted the Northern Tigers at JJ Kelly Park on Sunday afternoon.
For the Tigers, it was a fantastic start to the season and they looked to build on that against one of the strongest teams in the competition.
It was the home side though that would show real strength, moving into half time leading 4-1.
Brett Walin’s side added another four goals to the score line to run away with an emphatic 8-1 victory.
Emma Rolston picked up an impressive four goals while Talitha Kramer, Michelle Brown and captian Michelle carney all scored for the Stignrays.
Hannah McNulty scored the Tigers consolation.
Emerging Jets 0-1 Macarthur Rams
The Macarthur Rams travelled north to face the Emerging Jets.
The Jets sitting at the bottom of the table were keen to turn their fortunes around.
They gave a good account of themselves in this one but a first half strike from Kylie Ledbrook was enough for Norm Boardman’s side to come away with all three points.
The win put the Rams into second place on the ladder.
-By Nikola Pozder
