Round 7 Review – NPL NSW Women’s
We’ve got a new leader in the NPL NSW Women’s competition with some shock results headlining round seven.
Bankstown City 1-2 Sydney Olympic
Bankstown City and Sydney Olympic kicked off Easter Monday action at Jensen Park.
It was the home side that got off to a perfect start but George Beltsos’ team showed why they are one of the competition favourites, coming from behind to snatch all three points.
With seven minutes on the clock the home side stunned Olympic as Amy Dahdah played in a fine through ball for Candace Sciberras who made no mistake, placing the ball beyond Jada Mathyssen-Whyman.
Only three minutes later and Teresa Polias had Olympic level.
Panagiota Petratos was fouled just outside the area, allowing Polias the opportunity to blast beyond Renee Krstanovska.
Inside 15 minutes Georgia Plessas should’ve had Olympic in front but Krstanovska tipped her effort onto the post.
In the 38th minute Polias had another free kick, this time much further out but Krstanovska managed to tip the ball onto the bar.
Seven minutes after the break, Sciberras should’ve had Bankstown back in front but she volleyed over the bar.
But in the 60th minute, Olympic hit the front.
Sienna Fraser crossed in a great ball, finding the late run from Polias who headed beyond Krstanovska.
Only a minute later, Mathyssen-Whyman showed why she’s the talk of the town, pulling off an incredible saved from Sciberras to keep Olympic in front.
In the 65th minute Krstanovska showed her own skill in goal, making to great saves, first from Sarah Yatim and then Petratos.
Despite both sides creating chances in the closing minutes, neither could add to the scoreline as Olympic got back on the winner wagon.
Football NSW Institute 1-2 North Shore Mariners
At Valentine Sports Park, the North Shore Mariners took on the Football NSW Institute.
The home side got off to a fine start, taking an early lead in some style through Sheridan Gallagher.
But that’s where the wheels came off.
First Rochelle Johnson profited from a bit of a lucky bounce off the post to put the Mariners on level terms.
Before an absolute screamer of a free kick mid-way through the second period had the Mariners in front.
That was enough for the Mariners to score a massive and first victory of the season.
Sydney University 2-2 Macarthur Rams
It was a grand final rematch at Sydney University Football Ground as the current Champions Macarthur Rams took on Sydney University.
Laura Murtagh had the Rams in front in the first half to the surprise of many.
But Alex Epakis’ side hit back in the second period with two quick fire goals from Carla Trimboli and Teigan Collister and were well on their way to victory.
In the 96th minute though, Leena Khamis looked odds on to score before Taren King brought her down on the edge of the area, earning herself a red card.
Up stepped the experienced Renee Rollason, winding back the years and finding the ack of the net off the post from the free kick to earn her side a draw.
Emerging Jets 1-2 Northern Tigers
The Emerging Jets welcomed the Northern Tigers to Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility.
It was the home team who hit the front though early in the first period.
Maddie Bart hit back for the Tigers to get them level before Hannah McNulty found the winner 20 minutes from full time.
That’s now six games without defeat from the Tigers, moving them to the top of the competition ladder.
Manly United 3-1 Illawarra Stingrays
The Illawarra Stingrays came to Cromer Park sitting on top of the ladder without a loss, coming up against a side who hasn’t won since round two.
The form guide had this one going one way, but, Chris Williams’ Manly had other ideas.
Manly had the lead after seven minutes as Claudia Cholakian lobbed in the ball toward the back post and into the back of the net.
In the 20th, Cholakian had her and Manly’s second, pouncing on a defensive error from the Stingrays.
Six minutes later, Blaize Kendis halved the home sides lead, tucking home a rebound.
Emily Minett then restored Manly’s two-goal advantage with a calm finish minutes before half time.
That would be all she wrote as United registered a massive win.
NWS Koalas 0-0 Blacktown Spartans
At Christie Park, the North West Sydney Koalas welcomed the Blacktown Spartans.
Neither side could break the deadlock as the teams went into half time locked at 0-0.
As quick as the second half got under way, the Koalas had a penalty.
Emma Stanbury stepped up but she couldn’t beat Casey Dumont who made a fantastic save low to her left.
It remained 0-0 till the full time whistle with the teams sharing the spoils.
By – Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s writer
