Only two points separate the top five teams in the NPL NSW Women’s competition after round 10 action.
Sydney University 1-0 NWS Koalas
Sydney University made it a special Mothers Day, hitting the summit of the competition with a tight 1-0 win over the North West Sydney Koalas.
The win places Alex Epakis’ side one point in front of their nearest rivals on the ladder.
It wasn’t the sort of game we’re used to in the NPL NSW Women’s competition and the timid start showed to tactical coaches trying to figure one another out.
Uni’s greatest threats in the first period came from Rachel Soutar free kicks but none dangerous enough to trouble Romina Parraguirre.
The best two chances fell the way of Teigan Collister in quick succession.
The first saw her break into the box but cross a poor ball from a great position.
Only minutes later, again Collister crossed, this time perfectly across goal but no yellow and blue shirts could get a foot onto the ball.
It took the away side till late in the half to challenge Uni but they managed to clear their lines as Princess Ibini looked set to launch an effort toward goal.
The second started much like the first with the home side edging the possession and dominating somewhat.
Nicki Flannery went closest when she dribbled in from the left and let fly with conviction, only for her shot to sail just over the bar.
Epakis then looked to his bench and introduced Clare Hunt and Carla Trimboli in a double substitution.
It proved to be a masterstroke.
Flannery did ever so well to get beyond Kim Davey before delivering a pin point cross into the box from the left, finding the head of Hunt who couldn’t miss from right in front.
With only 15 to go, the home side never looked like conceding with the central defensive pairing of King-Tumeth proving unbreakable.
Jaime Gomez tried to get the Koalas going with his own substitution of Sophie Harding but he didn’t get the same return.
Defeat for Gomez’s team meant they dropped to seventh on the ladder.
Manly United 1-2 Blacktown Spartans
At Cromer Park, Manly United hosted the red hot Blacktown Spartans.
It was the home side who had a dream start, taking a first half lead through Ruby Jackson in spectacular fashion.
Jackson let fly with a well hit volley from some distance, giving Casey Dumont no chance.
Then, guess who.
Alix Roberts again, this time with an even more special free kick than her previous two, finding the back of the net in some style from 25 metres out.
The complete turn around came only minutes later as Ash Crofts scored a goal she’ll remember for a long time.
Picking up the ball from within her half, she beat three defenders before placing the ball into the back of the net.
It was enough for the Spartans to take all three points and move into the top five.
Macarthur Rams 2-1 Emerging Jets
Macarthur Rams hosted the Emerging Jets at Lynwood Park on Sunday.
Rosie Galea got the Rams running with a fine finish mid-way through the first half.
But Lilly-Jane Babic had the Jets on level terms with a great goal of her own, giving Sham Khamis no chance on the stroke of half time.
Galea would turn provider in the second half, finding Nicola Orgill at the far post as she tapped the ball home for a 2-1 Rams victory.
North Shore Mariners 1-3 Bankstown City
Two teams desperate for points did battle at Northbridge oval as the North Shore Mariners took on Bankstown City.
It was the away side who took the lead with their star player Vesna Milivojevic dancing through the Mariners defence before placing the ball into the top corner.
Milivojevic then became provider, squaring up a ball for Amy Dahdah who had the simple task who tapped the ball home.
Dahdah then grabbed another after the break to make it 3-0.
Gab Marzano pulled one back for the Mariners with a trademark finish to finalise the 3-1 score.
Sydney Olympic 0-2 Northern Tigers
It was a top of the table clash at Peter Moore Field as Sydney Olympic entertained the Northern Tigers.
The away side would come away with a massive victory.
Daisy Arrowsmith picked up the first before adding another to make it 2-0 to the Tigers and scoring a brace.
The win puts the Tigers on equal points with Olympic.
Football NSW Institute 0-3 Illawarra Stingrays
At VSP Football NSW Institute hosted the Illawarra Stingrays.
It was the travelling team that would take a two-goal lead into half time.
Chloe Middleton and Erica Halloway both getting themselves on the score sheet.
Caitlin Cooper then added a third in the second period to close out a convincing 3-0 win for the Stingrays.
By – Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s Writer