Round 7 Review – PS4 NPL NSW Women’s

NORTHBRIDGE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 21:  Match action during the PlayStation® 4 National Premier Leagues NSW Women's Round 7 match between the North Shore Mariners and the Macarthur Rams at Northbridge Oval on May 21, 2017 in Northbridge, Australia. @PlayStationAustralia  #PS4NPLNSW  (Photo by Jeremy Ng/FAME Photography for Football NSW)

Another tight victory in round 7 leaves the Macarthur Rams on top of the PlayStation®4 NPL NSW Women’s competition.

Only five points separate the top 6 teams in what will be a real fight for both the Premiership and finals places.

Football NSW Institute 0-2 Blacktown Spartans

The Blactown Spartans came away from Valentine Sports Park with a massive three points and a 2-0 victory against the Football NSW Institute.

Despite dominating large parts of the game and creating various opportunities, Craig Foster’s team went home empty handed.

An own goal by the Institute keeper and a fantastically taken free kick minutes from full time by Olivia Price were enough for the travelling team.

Amy Dahdah almost had the Spartans on the scoreboard after six minutes, closing down the Institute keeper, only for the ball to be cleared away.

Dahdah was in again after a nice combination on the edge of the area but she could only shoot at the keeper.

Princess Ibini-Isei got the home side’s first shot off in the 20th minute, some neat skill saw her create just enough space for a shot, but her effort went wide.

In the 32nd minute the best chance of the half fell the way of Ibini-Isei.

The Institute number 10 picked up the ball in midfield and dribbled into the box, slaloming through defenders on her way, with only Trudy Burke to beat, she couldn’t find the finish as the keeper saved well.

Only two minutes later and again the Institute threatened, this time through Isabel Gomez.

After a small scramble in the box, Gomez managed to volley toward the top corner but Burke made a phenomenal save, tipping the ball wide for a corner.

The Institute started the second half well and five minutes after the restart, Rachel Lowe found herself in a good position.

Some fantastic build up play saw her break into the box and attempt to place the ball beyond Burke but once again the experienced keeper managed to somehow keep the ball out.

In the 54th minute Julia VIgnes found herself moving in on goal within only the keeper to beat, Burke was finally beaten but her shot crept just wide.

Somewhat against the run of play, a long ball over the top from the Spartans had Nicola Bolger in, under pressure the striker volleyed over the bar.

In the 65th minute the away side had a golden chance to take the lead. Gabrielle Marzano got onto the end of a fantastic cross with the whole goal open, only to smack the ball against the bar.

From the resulting corner though they had the lead as Institute keeper Courtney Newbon seemed to carry the ball over the line.

Five minutes before the end Olivia Price made the points safe.

Lining up a free kick from the edge of the area, price gave Newbon no chance as she found the top corner.

Sam Huynh could’ve made the difference bigger had she put away a golden chance in the 90th minute following an inch perfect cross from Patty Charalambous.

Match Stats

Football NSW Institute 0

Blacktown Spartans 2 (Newbon OG 65’, Price 85’)

Valentine Sports Park, Glenwood

Sunday, May 21, 2017

Football NSW Institute: 30. Newbon, 6. Gomez, 9. Hristodoulou, 10. Ibini-Isei, 14. Lowe, 15. Mclean, 21. Nevin, 22. Phonsonkham, 23. Ray, 26. Tumeth, 27. Vignes.

Substitutes: 4. De L Harpe, 7. Greenwood, 16. Gallagher, Kraszula, 24, Alysia, 29. Black.

Blacktown Spartans: 1. Burke, 3. Lusic, 4. Huynh, 5. Marzano, 7. Charalambous, 9. Sparks, 11. Ammendolia, 12. Price, 14. Bolger, 15. Dahdah, 17. Roberts.

Substitutes: 6. Kuntze, 16. Crofts, 23, Parler, 28. Surgeon, 111. Hill.

Illawarra Stingrays 8-3 Emerging Jets

At JJ Kelly Park on Sunday afternoon, the Illawarra Stingrays hosted bottom placed Emerging Jets.

There was only one team in the fixture though, as the Stingrays ran out comprehensive 8-3 winners.

It was an incredible afternoon for Michelle Carney as the experienced striker bagged a double hat-trick, while Erica Halloway and Emma Rolston got a goal each.

NWS Koalas 1-1 Manly United

The North West Sydney Koalas welcomed Manly United to ELS Hall Park.

It was always going to be a tight game and neither side could be separated as they had to settle for a share of the spoils, with two first half goals all that we saw in this 1-1 draw.

Daisy Arrowsmith scored for the home side while Isabella Walker scored for Manly United.

Sydney University 4-0 Northern Tigers

At Sydney University Football Ground, Sydney University hosted the Northern Tigers.

After last week’s defeat, Heather Garriock would’ve been keen for her side to get back to winning ways.

They did just that, taking a commanding 3-0 lead at the break courtesy of goals from Stephanie Ambrose, Bethany Gordon and Emily Bastow.

Ambrose then picked up her brace early in the second period for the final 4-0 score line, leaving Uni in third place.

North Shore Mariners 0-1 Macarthur Rams

The North Shore Mariners hosted first placed Macarthur Rams at Northbridge oval at the later kick off on Sunday night.

Experienced attacked Leena Khamis scored the only goal of the game for another important win for the Rams.

The 1-0 victory means the Rams stay top, while the Mariners remain in eighth.

By – Nikola Pozder