Round 3 Review – NPL NSW Women’s
The goals keep coming in the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s competition as round 3 served up 33 goals in 6 games.
Match of the Round @ Valentine Sports Park, Sunday 25th March
Football NSW Institute 3-4 Blacktown Spartans
It was yet another high-scoring fixture involving the Blacktown Spartans with the girls in Orange notching their first win of the campaign at Valentine Sports Park.
Going down early to the Football NSW Institute, the Spartans recovered well to score four unanswered goals before Courtney Nevin scored a spectacular effort to cut the deficit.
The home side scored another and pressed hard in the second period but the Spartans held firm to score a valuable 4-3 victory.
It was a bright start for the home side, immediately putting the Spartans under pressure from the kick off.
And on three minutes they had the lead.
A high press saw Susan Phonsongkham win the ball before splitting the Spartans defence, finding Greta Kraszula who took a fine touch before slotting the ball beyond Sarah Easthope.
Only three minutes later and with their first foray forward, the Spartans were level.
Gabrielle Marzano sent over a long ball, allowing Ashlie Crofts to lob the Institute keeper with a tidy finish.
On 10 minutes Marzano got herself on the scoresheet with a splendid effort, finding the top corner from some way out.
It was the perfect response from Andrew Mastoris’s team.
Courtney Fitzhorns sent the Spartans further in front with 15 minutes on the clock, bursting through the backline to bundle the ball beyond Olivia Riddel.
It was quite a frantic first half with spectators well entertained.
Crofts had her second on 34 minutes after some great individual play.
Using her speed, the striker moved through the Institute defence before round the keeper and thumping the ball into the back of the net.
The Institute got one back a minute before the break after Courtney Nevin scored a contender for goal of the season.
Nevin curled her free kick from the right side of the box into the top left corner, giving replacement keeper Ashley Purcell no chance.
The Institute came out stronger in the second period and cut the deficit to just one goal in the 57th minute.
Kyra Cooney-Cross combined with Melinda Barbieri as the latter found the bottom right corner with a fine finish.
Barbieri almost had Institute level after some good build up play by the home side but she could only strike the ball over the bar.
On 75 minutes Institute should’ve equalised.
Again the Spartans defence was out played as Cooney-Cross moved in Purcell but the stand-in goalkeeper made a great save before the Spartans defence cleared the follow up effort.
It was Institute threatening once more with only 10 mins to go but Taylor Ray couldn’t finish off another fine team move.
In the 87th minute Crofts almost had her hat-trick and the match sewn up but her powerful effort battered against the post.
North Shore Mariners 2-0 NWS Koalas
At Valentine Sports Park on Sunday afternoon, the North Shore Mariners hosted the North West Sydney Koalas.
It was the ‘home side’ who took the lead in the first half through Emma Stanbury which was quickly doubled by Daisy Arrowsmith to send the Mariners two-up at the break.
The Koalas pushed hard in the second period but couldn’t break down the stubborn Mariners.
This victory keeps the Mariners undefeated after three games of the season.
Bankstown City 0-6 Manly United
Newly promoted Bankstown City welcomed Manly United to Jensen Park on Sunday.
The home side found the going tough against the Champions in the first half, going into the sheds 4-0 down.
It didn’t get any better for them as Chris Williams’s side added another two goals for a final 6-0 scoreline.
Remy Siemsen was on absolute fire and showed why she’s one of the best in the league with four, while Chloe O’Brien and Nikola Orgill scored the other two.
Sydney University 5-0 Sutherland Sharks
The Sutherland Sharks travelled to Sydney University Football Ground on Sunday to face Sydney University.
Four first half goals for the home side had them cruising 4-0 at the break and in good shape.
They managed to score one more in the second 45 minutes for a strong 5-0 victory.
Nikki Flannery, Cortnee Vine, Roison Connolly all scored one each while Julie-Ann Russell grabbed a brace.
Emerging Jets 1-5 Illawarra Stingrays
In hot conditions at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, the Emerging Jets entertained the Illawarra Stingrays.
The away side made the long trip up north and went into the break two-goals to the good.
It was all the Stingrays in the second half as they came away with a 5-1 win.
Macarthur Rams 5-2 Northern Tigers
At Lynwood Park on Sunday afternoon, the Macarthur Rams hosted the northern Tigers.
It was the Tigers who took a shock lead inside the first 10 minutes of this one.
The Rams responded and drew level to make the scores 1-1 at the break.
The home side took the initiative in the second half though and ran away with the result after a gallant performance from the Tigers.
Kate Hensman grabbed a brace while Georgia Yeoman-Dale, Caitlin Campbell and Crystal Duggan each got one.
Hannah McNulty and Josie Wilson both scored for the Tigers.
-By Nikola Pozder
