Round 14 – NPL NSW Women’s Review

All of the contenders showed their strength this weekend in the NPL NSW Women’s competition.

Only two points separate the top five in this incredible season of women’s football.’

 Spartans 1-2 Football NSW Institute

Football NSW Institute had to come from behind to make it seven wins in a row at Blacktown Football Park when they took on the Blacktown Spartans.

The Spartans had a well deserved lead on the half hour mark as Gab Marzano found the back of the net.

It seemed the Institute were destined to finally lose before Isabel Gomez and substitute Aideene Keane saved the day.

Nevin kicked off where she left off last week with her devastating corners.

First, she almost caught out Trudy Burke but the Spartans keeper punched the ball over the bar.

Then Melindaj Barbieri couldn’t put the ball into the back of the net as the Spartans cleared.

The Spartans came close on 21 minutes.

Chloe Logarzo crossed a low ball into the box but Gab Marzano couldn’t get enough purchase on her shot with Jada Mathyssen-Whyman saving easily.

It was the away side who threatened on 26 minutes, but Burke pulled out a top draw save to deny Julia Vignes.

But the home side had the lead on 32 minutes.

Some fine combination play saw Sarah Yatim move in on Mathyssen-Whyman before unselfishly squaring the ball up for Marzano who had the easy task of tapping the ball home.

A minute before the break it should’ve been two. A great ball by Alix Roberts had Marzano in with a great chance but the Institute managed to clear.

From the resulting corner, Mathyssen-Whyman couldn’t hold on to the ball before chaos ensued in the box with the Spartans finally shooting wide of the goal.

Five minutes after the break, Logarzo almost doubled the home side’s lead with a powerful shot but the ball went wide of the goal.

Only five minutes later, Logarzo was at it again, this time her cross almost found the top corner of the goal from the sideline.

Eliza Amendolia then stole possession just outside the box and hit at snap shot toward goal, only for the ball to go just wide.

The Spartans attacks kept coming as Rhianna Policina had a go on the volley from distance on 65 minutes, with the ball going inches wide of the top corner.

Policina was in the mood and on 69 minutes she had another go but Mathyssen-Whyman was up to the task.

With 13 minutes to go, Nevin tested Burke again, this time with a stinging free kick that the keeper managed to tip over.

From the resulting corner, the Institute had an equaliser.

Blacktown failed to clear their lines as Isabel Gomez nodded in over Burke.

With 10 to go Nevin tried her luck from another free kick, this time Burke saved and managed to pick up the rebound under pressure.

The away side had the winner in some style in the final minute of the game.

An early cross in by Barbieri found the head of Shadeene Evans who flicked on to substitute Aideen Keane at the back post.

A composed Keane volleyed first time beyond Burke to show fine technique for a fantastic goal.

A minute later, Policina tried her luck from distance with her shot headed for the top corner, only for Mathyssen-Whyman to make an incredible save.

NWS Koalas 3-1 North Shore Mariners

 At Christie Park, North West Sydney Koalas were after all three points to keep their finals hopes alive as they faced the North Shore Mariners.

The home side started the better and went into half time leading 2-0 with two first half goals.

North Shore wasn’t able to get back into the game in the second half as the Koalas came away with all three points and a 3-1 win.

Princess Ibini-Isei, Morgan Roberts and Ariella Cabezas all scored for the Koalas while Madeleine Bart had the Mariners goal.

Illawarra Stingrays 4-0 Emerging Jets

At JJ Kelly Park, the Illawarra Stingrays knew they needed a win to stay in touch with the leading pack.

They bounced back from last week’s disappointing defeat in style, winning comfortably, 4-0.

Captain Michelle Carney and Caitlin Cooper both scored two goals each for the home side.

Northern Tigers 0-3 Macarthur Rams

Macarthur Rams travelled to North Turramurra Recreational Area to take on the Northern Tigers.

They had to do it without their star Kylie Ledbrook who was serving a suspension.

It didn’t hinder them as they went into the break leading 1-0 thanks to a Leena Khamis goal.

Two more goals in the second period to Georgia Yeoman-Dale had the Rams securing a comfortable 3-0 win.

Manly United 3-1 Bankstown City

Manly United needed to be cautious when taking on Bankstown City at Cromer Park on Sunday.

After last week’s fright against Sutherland, it seemed United still hadn’t recovered from that.

They went into half time leading by the odd goal with the Lions giving a good account of them selves, 2-1.

Manly would make sure there was no surprise though, adding a third in the second period for a 3-1 win.

Sutherland Shire v Sydney University – Washed Out