Shock results across a league that just keeps giving in the NPL NSW Women’s competition.
Sydney University v FNSW Institute
We were under lights on Friday night at Sydney Uni Football Ground as top of the table Sydney University welcomed the Football NSW Institute.
It was the away side that would run away with the spoils in this one, coming from behind at the break to steal all three points.
A tense opening period to the game saw minimal chances for both teams before Stephanie Agoustis’ effort mid-way though the first half.
The striker smacked an effort on goal which came off the crossbar and post and finally into the hands of Olivia Riddel.
But 10 minutes from the break, Uni hit the front.
Mel Caceres won the ball in midfield before some fine combination play had Annabelle Martin slipping her into the box.
Caceres finished the move she started with some class, finding the back of the net from a tight angle.
The Institute should’ve equalised from the kick off. Sheridan Gallagher took advantage of a moment of distraction from the Uni defence but her shot was deflected onto the post after a fine save by Courtney Newbon.
A minute later and this time it was Aideen Keane’s turn to hit the post after beating Martin and blasting her shot toward goal.
The home side seemed rattled after taking the lead but they somehow managed to hold onto it going into the sheds.
It was the Institute that wouldn’t waste any time in the second period though, equalising in spectacular fashion through Sheridan Gallagher.
Striking a set piece from over 30 metres out, she found the top corner, catching Newbon unawares.
The young side continued to dominate and the reward came in the 64th minute.
Gallagher turned provider, finding Isabelle Gomez at the far post who headed into the back of the net.
The away side held their lead till the end of the game to record an important victory to jump Uni on the competition ladder.
Illawarra Stingrays 4-2 Emerging Jets
JJ Kelly Park saw the Emerging Jets go south to take on the Illawarra Stingrays.
It was Eden Stoddard that had the Stingrays in front early, latching onto a fine Erica Halloway pass after a blistering counter attack.
But on 20 minutes the Jets were level after a special Hannah Jones goal from some way out.
Five minutes later and the Stignrays were back in front, this time through Halloway to make it 2-1 at half time.
It was soon 3-1 in the second half after a fine team move saw the Jets put the ball into the back of their own net.
Stoddard had her second and the Stingrays fourth 15 minutes from full time, nodding the ball into the back of the net.
The Jets pulled one back through Lilly-Jane Babic with another spectacular strike for the a final 4-2 scoreline.
Sydney Olympic 7-0 North Shore Mariners
Sydney Olympic and the Emerging Jets clashed at Valentine Sports Park on Sunday afternoon.
It was the newly promoted side that came out of the blocks firing, storming to a 4-0 lead at half time.
We saw much of the same in the second half as Olympic piled on another three goals to record a massive 7-0 victory.
Susan Phonsongkham continued her rich goal scoring form, picking up an impressive hat-trick while Teresa Polias scored a brace, with Panagiota Petratos and Georgia Plessas picking up one goal each.
The win lifts Olympic to outright first on the ladder, a truly remarkable start to this campaign.
Northern Tigers 0-0 NWS Koalas
It was derby day at North Turramurra Recreational Area as the Northern Tigers and North West Sydney Koalas battled it out.
With their fine start to the season, the Northern Tigers were after a scalp of the Koalas on Sunday afternoon.
Two tight halves of football meant that neither side could find a way to the back of the net, with both teams settling for a 0-0 draw.
Manly United 3-4 Bankstown City
What a game at Cromer Park between Manly United and Bankstown City!
The away side raced to a one-nil lead after Vesna Milivojevic scored a fine half volley.
Milivojevic had her second, stealing the ball from the Manly defence and firing into the back of the net.
Manly halved the deficit through Emily Minett but Bankstown hit straight back through Candace Sciberras with a neat finish.
With less than 20 minutes to go, it was 3-2 as the Lions found the back of their own net.
Maddison Zahra then had the game locked up at 3-3, scoring for United.
From the kick off Bankstown was back in front as Tania Baban pounced on a defensive error to find the back of the net.
That was all she wrote as Bankstown recorded a massive victory.
Macarthur Rams 1-2 Blacktown Spartans
Macarthur Rams recorded their third straight defeat at home as the Blacktown Spartans picked up win number one of the season.
Ash Crofts put the Spartans in front on the stroke of half time, throwing both coaches team talks into the bin.
It was 2-0 10 minutes from full time as Natalie Vukovic scored a fine goal to beat Sham Khamis.
Kylie Ledbrook scored an absolute screamer but it would only count as a consolation for the Rams.
-By Nikola Pozder NPL NSW Women’s writer