Round 6 Review – PS4 NPL NSW Women’s
Mother’s Day bought a change to the summit of the PlayStation®4 NPL NSW Women’s competition.
Macarthur Rams v Illawarra Stingrays
The Macarthur Rams continued their pursuit of first place after a tight 2-1 win.
The points seemed safe for the home side as they lead 2-0 thanks to goals from Amy Harrison and Kristina Maksuit. But a late goal to Emma Rolston made for an intriguing finish.
The Rams had the first chance of the game on six minutes as Kristina Maksuti used her body well to turn and shoot inside the box, only for her shot to go wide.
Caitlin Cooper looked dangerous for the Stingrays down the right but Claire Walsh was well up to the task.
In the 23rd minute the Stingrays didn’t deal well with a corner as Maksuti again created problems, this time bringing the ball down for mid-week signing Amy Harrison who volleyed just over the bar.
Harrison was in again with a golden chance on 29 minutes after a delightful ball in by Leena Khamis only for the striker to take too long and the chance go begging.
The Stingrays should’ve punished the home side from the next attack after Talitha Kramer, Michelle Carney and Logan Garard combined, only for the latter to place her shot inches wide.
But in the 32nd minute the Rams had the lead.
The away side’s defence was caught out with a long ball over the top, as Harrison moved in on goal, calmly placing the ball in the bottom left corner.
Maksuti was almost in herself in the 40th minute as the Stingrays keeper was caught off her line, only to recover well and tip the ball out for a corner.
Khamis had a chance just before the break, but her volley was headed off the line.
It should’ve been two for the Rams in the 52nd minute after Maksuti rounded the keeper and had a open goal gaping at her, only for Sarah Johnston to make a fantastic challenge.
Kramer was causing some damage down the left and after a good run and cut back for Emma Rolston, the striker couldn’t hit the target.
In the 62nd minute the home side doubled their advantage.
Harrison moved into the box and unselfishly squared the ball up for Maksuti who placed the ball into an empty net to finally get a well-deserved goal.
With nine minutes remaining, the away side had a lifeline.
Again Kramer did well down the left, delivering a fantastic ball into the 6-yard box which Emma Rolston blasted into the back of the net from close range.
Cooper then had a shot from distance for the Stingrays but Khamis was up to the task, saving well.
With two minutes to go it was the Stingrays had one last chance, pushing for an equaliser, this time the ball squirmed across the goal line as the Rams some how cleared the danger.
Match Stats
Macarthur Rams 2 (Harrison 32’, Maksuti 62’)
Illawarra Stingrays (Rolston 81’)
Lynwood Park, St Helens
Sunday, May 14, 2017
Macarthur Rams: 1. S. Khamis, 2. Polias, 3. Walsh, 5. E. Ralston, 6. Brekic, 9. L. Khamis, 15. Galea, 19. L. Ralston, 23. Featherstone, 29. Maksuti, 30. Harrison.
Substitutes: 8. Skrlevska, 13. Muilwyk, 17. Williams, 18. Braimah, 41. Henley-Sandgrove.
Illawarra Stingrays: 1. Stewart, 2 Brown, 3. Johnston, 4. Jordan, 6. Kendis, 7. Middleton, 10. Carney, 13. Kramer, 14. Rolston, 15. Cooper, 19. Garard.
Substitutes: 20. Dinh, 21. Hutton, 26. Cowin, 30. Godbier, 51. Finlayson.
Emerging Jets 2-5 NWS Koalas
The ever-improving North West Sydney Koalas travelled north to Lake Macquarie Football Facility to take on the Emerging Jets.
A fantastic first half from the Jets saw them go into the break level at 2-2 and give Koalas coach Stephen peters something to think about.
It was experience that pulled the Koalas through in the end, running out 5-2 winners in what ended up being a comfortable result.
Northern Tigers 0-1 North Shore Mariners
The Northern Tigers entertained the North Shore Mariners on Sunday afternoon.
The home side had to react after last week’s heavy defeat and they did but it wasn’t enough as the Mariners ran away 1-0 winners courtesy of a Tiffany Patterson strike.
With the three points, the Mariners move ahead of their opponents on the league ladder.
Football NSW Institute 0-4 Manly United
At Valentine Sports Park, the Football NSW Institute hosted Manly United.
United had the match sewn up at the break, moving into half time leading by three goals and looking comfortable.
They added a fourth in the second half to complete a 4-0 victory that puts them only one place outside the finals places.
Remy Siemsen picked up a brace for United while Sunny Franco and Madeleine Neville got the other two.
Blacktown Spartans 2-1 Sydney University
At the slightly later kick off at Blacktown Football Park, the Blacktown Spartans welcomed Sydney University.
In what some would call the shock of the round, the Spartans came away with all three points against the first placed University.
An odd goal was all that separated the two as Heather Garriock’s team suffered loss number one of the season and yielded first place.
Shanaye Kuntze and Gabrielle Marzano were the heroes for the home side while Kendall Fletcher scored for Uni.
