Round 16 – NPL NSW Women’s Review
The North West Sydney Koalas have sent a real warning sign to the top five with a massive victory to kick off round 16 in the NPL NSW Women’s competition.
NWS Koalas 2-1 Sydney University
Emma Stanbury came back to haunt her former side as she picked up a brace for the North West Sydney Koalas as they defeated the league leaders Sydney University 2-1.
In a tight first half which the away side dominated at Christie park, no one could find a breakthrough.
That was until Stanbury came to the party and scored two, one of which an absolute peach of a goal.
Nikki Flannery gave Uni hope late with a sublime strike of her own but it wasn’t to be as the Koalas continue their late charge for a finals spot.
Uni should’ve had the lead with the first attempt of the game on 19 minutes.
Quick ball movement saw Bethany Gordon play through Nikki Flannery as the striker took a touch before smacking her effort against the post.
Rachel Soutar was next to try her luck, six minutes before the break.
Soutar received the ball outside the box and let fly with her right foot, only to see her shot flash wide of the post.
Annabel Martin then had a chance on 42 minutes after a Soutar corner but she also couldn’t find the target.
Two minutes before the break Uni continued to pressure the Koalas goal.
Julie-Ann Russell went on a dangerous run through the middle of the park before the ball popped up at the feet of Gordon who shot first time.
Gordon’s curling shot seemed destined for the top corner but Romina Plaza Parraguirre made a fantastic save to keep the scores locked at 0-0.
Erin Pridmore had the Koalas first real attempt on goal right on half time with a free kick from distance but she couldn’t hit the target.
On 51 minutes again Uni went agonizingly close.
Flannery crossed in low for Gordon but Plaza Parraguirre again came out on top making a fine double save.
The home side went the other way and should’ve had the lead as Morgan Roberts found space after the swift counter.
Her goal bound effort was blocked by a Uni defender as the away team cleared the ball.
The frantic couple minutes continued as Nikki Flannery had another effort, this time smacking her effort against the crossbar.
The rebound fell to her again but her tame effort was easy picking for Plaza Parraguirre.
In the 56th minute, it was 1-0 to the Koalas.
Emma Stanbury picked up the ball outside the area and let fly, finding the top corner and giving Georgia Boric no chance.
The Koalas found confidence and a minute later Princess Ibini –Isei looked odds on to score but fantastic tracking from Tori Tumeth saw her close down the striker just in time.
Stanbury was in the mood and on 76 minutes she had another go, this time shooting wide of Boric’s goal.
Nat Tobin was next to try her luck, shooting from distance but she couldn’t force Boric into a save either.
The Koalas made the points safe 10 minutes from the end as Stanbury grabbed her second.
With Uni pushing forward, a ball over the defence had Ibini-Isei in on goal, only to square up the ball unselfishly to Stanbury who buried the ball into the back of the net.
Nikki Flannery made for an interesting last few minutes when she halved the deficit in the 88th minute.
Receiving the ball well outside the box, she unleashed a fine strike toward the top corner, giving Plaza Parraguirre no chance.
Uni pressed for a late equaliser but couldn’t find it.
Blacktown Spartans 2-4 North Shore Mariners
The North Shore Mariners travelled to Blacktown Football Park to take on the Blacktown Spartans in hope of jumping them in the league standings.
The away side got off to a flyer, scoring two early goal through Daisy Arrowsmith to lead 2-0.
Ashlie Crofts made sure the Spartans would stay in the game, scoring in first half stoppage time.
But the Mariners came out with the same attitude as they did early in the first half, adding another two goals through Hannah Peric to take a 4-1 lead.
Rhiannon Burns scored late to make it 4-2 but it was little too late for the Spartans as the Mariners ran away with all three points.
Football NSW Institute 3-0 Emerging Jets
At Valentine Sports Park, Football NSW Institute entertained fellow youngsters Emerging Jets.
The Institute took a 2-0 first half lead thanks to goals from Kyra Cooney-Cross and Rachel Lowe.
Lowe got another in the second half, to complete a comfortable 3-0 victory.
Illawarra Stingrays 2-1 Manly United
At JJ Kelly Park it was always going to be a massive battle between the Illawarra Stingrays and Manly United.
The home side started the better and took a 2-0 lead into half time thanks to goals from Evelyn Chronis and Mackenzie Hawkesby.
Manly came out firing in the second period and found a way back into the match through Claudia Cholakian.
The Stingrays job was made all the more difficult went Katelyn Leadbeatter saw red for a second yellow.
Manly couldn’t break them down though as a massive three points stayed in Illawarra.
Northern Tigers 0-0 Sutherland Shire
At North Turramurra Recreational Area, the Northern Tigers locked horns with the Sutherland Shire.
The battle of the bottom was always going to be a tight affair as both sides went into the break locked at 0-0.
The second period was no different with the score finishing the way it started.
It was Sutherland’s second point of the season, something they will look to build on as the season moves forward.
Macarthur Rams 3-0 Bankstown City
Macarthur Rams and Bankstown City clashed at Lynwood Park on Sunday night.
The Rams didn’t find it too difficult to break down the Lions on Sunday night, coming away with a convincing 3-0 win.
A brace to Georgia Yeoma-Dale and another to Rose Galea had Macarthur home and dry.
-By Nikola Pozder
