A new round, a new leader in the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s competition.
Sydney Olympic 2-1 Manly United
Sydney Olympic and Manly United rounded off a double header on Anzac Day at Belmore Sports Ground.
It was the home side that got off to a better start and led 2-0 at the break. Manly managed to score a late goal but it was only a consolation.
Patty Charalambous had the first real chance of the game, finding space in the Olympic defence but unable to test Jada Whyman.
United were punished almost immediately when Sarah Yatim scored in the sixth minute.
Nicole Simonsen fumbled what seemed an easy catch, allowing Yatim to poke the ball into the back of the net.
Another error in defence from Manly almost had Olympic in again but Sienna Fraser must still be wondering how she managed to miss that opportunity.
Claudia Cholakian thought she had Manly level on 14 minutes but the assistants flag halted any celebrations.
Olympic then looked to capitalise on another defensive calamity, Fraser with an opportunity again.
Once more though, the striker couldn’t find the goal with Simonsen doing well to save.
Fraser finally had her goal four minutes from half time, receiving the ball in the box, turning well and scoring at the second attempt.
The second half saw Chris Williams’ side come out somewhat more focused with Emily Minnett going close.
Charalambous and Cholakian were next to try their luck for the away side but neither could get United back into the game.
That was until the first minute of stoppage time.
Ally Green picked up the ball in midfield, dribbled forward and unleashed from some way out, beating Whyman and smashing the ball into the back of the net.
With little time remaining, United had one final chance from a corner and were only inches away from getting an unlikely equaliser as Minnett and Sunny Franco couldn’t find the target.
The win had George Beltsos’ side on top of the ladder at least until Sunday afternoon.
Northern Tigers 0-0 Sydney University
At North Turramurra Recreational Area it was the Northern Tigers and Sydney University doing battle.
The two toughest defences in the competition faced off and it was always going to be difficult to separate the two.
That’s how it ended up, with neither side able to break the other down in a 0-0 draw.
Blacktown Spartans 2-1 Illawarra Stingrays
The Illawarra Stingrays travelled to Blacktown Football Park to take on the Blacktown Spartans.
It was the away side that hit the front in the first half after bundling in a corner, with Talitha Kramer getting the final touch.
Blacktown pushed in the second period and were rewarded with about half an hour to go as Linda Dudek found the back of the net.
Minutes later the Spartans had a shock lead.
Captain Alix Roberts blasted in an effort from the edge of the area, giving Trudy Burke no chance in the Stingrays goal.
The win means Blacktown are now five games without defeat, sitting in sixth place.
Football NSW Institute 2-3 Emerging Jets
Battle of the young guns took place at Valentine Sports Park as the Football NSW Institute welcomed the Emerging Jets.
And it was the Jets that would go into the break one-goal up thanks to Kiarnie Latham.
Sheridan Gallagher is making these long distance free kicks a thing and picked up another to make the scores 1-1 in the second half.
The Institute looked set for three points when Isabel Gomez made it 2-1 with a confident penalty.
But the Jets had other ideas and Lilly-Jane Babic found an equaliser on the volley.
Babic then had her second and the Jets in the lead after a complete mix up at the back from the Institute.
That was enough for the Jets’ second victory of the season, while it’s three in a row without a win for the Institute.
North Shore Mariners 6-2 NWS Koalas
Derby day at Northbridge Oval as the North Shore Mariners hosted the North West Sydney Koalas.
And it was the away side who got off to the perfect start, a 5-0 half time lead.
It started off with an incredible 11-second goal from Sophie Harding after the Mariners kicked off!
Believe it or not, after 135 seconds it was two as Ariella Cabezas punted on another Mariners error.
Deborah-Anne de la Harpe then added two quick goals to make it 4-0 before Kiara Farqhuar made it five.
Rochelle Johnson pulled one back on the stroke of half time with a well taken goal.
Arguably the goal of the season was scored with 20 minutes to go, ala Shervin Adeli in the FFA Cup from almost the same spot on Wednesday night.
This time it was the North Shore Mariners’ Gab Marzano with an absolute pile driver!
Emma Stanbury rounded off the 6-2 score line with a late goal.
Macarthur Rams 3-3 Bankstown City
Bankstown City met the Macarthur Rams at Lynwood Park on Sunday afternoon.
Leena Khamis had the home side in front early with a good finish.
Tania Baban then equalised for Bankstown, finishing calmly after going beyond Khamis.
Sham Khamis was in inspired form, pulling off some remarkable saves to keep the Rams in the game.
Vesna Milivojevic showed why she is one of the best in the competition, beating Khamis with a stunner from distance.
But the home side would hit back, this time through Nicola Orgill.
The action continued though, this time Naomi Nguyen putting the away side back in front with the clocking ticking to full time.
Champions don’t give up though and with almost the last kick of the game, Leena Khamis had her second and Macarthur’s equaliser.
By – Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s Writer