Round 1 Review – NPL NSW Women’s

Action finally got under way in the NPL NSW Women’s competition with a flurry of goals, 32 to be exact over six games.

Some impressive performances and others with quite a bit of work to do after the competition restart.

APIA Leichhardt Tigers 4-1 Illawarra Stingrays

It was a special day at Lambert Park as the newly promoted APIA Leichhardt Tigers finally got their first game in the women’s top tier underway against the Illawarra Stingrays.

It may have been nerves that got the better of them but Michelle Carney doesn’t need to be asked twice, given an opportunity and dually converting with a well paced shot into the bottom corner after only seven minutes.

APIA slowly got into the match and on the stroke of half time was level through Princess Ibini, despite Chantelle Symes getting a hand to her shot.

Ibini would punish the Stingrays further just after the break, capitalising on a defensive error to nudge the home side in front.

The goalscorer would then prove provider, setting up Georgia Yeoman-Dale after a fine individual run down the left before Yeoman-Dale flicked the ball beyond Symes.

It would be Yeoman-Dale who would score the pick of the bunch soon after, beating a defender on the edge of the area before curling her effort into the top corner.

The fantastic goal rounded off a good performance for APIA, sending warning signs across the league.

Blacktown Spartans 3-1 NWS Koalas

At Blacktown Football Park, the Blacktown Spartans signalled their intent for the title, defeating the North West Sydney Koalas.

They took a one-goal lead into the sheds before coming away with a routine 3-1 victory.

Linda Dudek went home with a brace while Tanya Borazio picked up the other for the Spartans.

Amy Sayer scored the only goal for the Koalas.

Manly United 4-2 FNSW Institute

Manly United started the original campaign well and continued that today at Cromer Park against the FNSW Institute.

A strong 3-1 lead at the break for the home team and a goal each in the second half saw the final score finish 4-2 for the home side.

Two goals each to Tara Andrews and the returning Remy SIemsen were enough for United.

Sydney University 3-1 Macarthur Rams

The Champions Sydney University opened their campaign at Sydney Uni Football Ground, hosting the Macarthur Rams.

It was a tight first half with Uni edging the visitors 2-1.

They added another in the second half to claim all three points and the victory.

Nikki Flannery scored two while Julie-Anne Russell got the other. For Macarthur, Patty Charalambous found the back of the net.

Emerging Jets 0-2 Sydney Olympic

Up the north coast the Emerging Jets welcomed Sydney Olympic.

It would be Olympic’s day, taking home a well earned 2-0 victory.

New signing Cortnee Vine scored the away side’s two goals.

Northern Tigers 9-2 Bankstown City

It was a goal bonanza at North Turramurra Rec Area as the Northern Tigers took on Bankstown City.

A three-nil half time lead was only the start of Bankstown’s woes.

Another six goals conceded in the second half was only made slightly better with two consolation goals.

Two hat-tricks, one each to Daisy Arrowsmith and Lauren Allan, Maddie Bart with a brace and Hannah McNulty scoring the ninth.

By – Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s reporter