We’ve got a runner! After round 14, Sydney University has extended their lead at the top of the #NPLWNSW competition and are taking major strides toward the Premiership.
Manly United 1-1 Blacktown Spartans
Tom Hopley’s Manly United thought they were on their way to take all three points on Sunday at Cromer Park following Emily Minett’s early goal, only for Ash Crofts to find a late Blacktown Spartans equaliser.
The home team started the match the better and after only nine minutes were in front. Teagan Biasi was busy down the right, creating room for herself before crossing into the six-yard box. Confusion ensued as Emily Minett reacted quicker to stab the ball beyond Anna Norton.
From there, the Spartans improved creating some half chances with a high press, while Manly was dangerous on the counter with the teams heading into the sheds with United leading 1-0.
Minutes into the second half and Blacktown should have been level. Crofts did well to drop the ball for Maja Markovski at the penalty spot, the Spartans striker seemed surprised by how much time and space she had, rushing her shot and volleying well wide from an idea position.
The visitors continued with their pressure and Rosie Galea almost caught Sophia Varley put with a snap shot on the turn, her effort just going over the bar.
From there it was all Manly.
Yuka Honda was first to go close, Emily Minett squaring a ball, only for Jordan Jasnos to make a phenomenal last ditch challenge.
From the resulting corner Alexia Forner went close, her shot blocked.
Minett was next, her snap shot going inches wide of the target before the same player almost found the back of the net with a header.
Manly thought their pressure told with 20 minutes to go. After a corner, Honda found herself with the ball at her feet, slotting it home, only for the referee to call a foul on Norton in the Spartans goal.
A tactical substitution (only substitution of the match) by Brad Attard saw Jordan Jasnos move from right back to left wing and that’s where the game turned.
Jasnos did well on the left, getting to the by-line and crossing to the far post where an un marked Ash Crofts headed home to have the Spartans back on level terms.
It was now the Spartans in the ascendency and they really should have had the winner in the dying embers. Fine work by Bryleeh Henry down the right found Jasnos on the six-yard box, only for the winger to volley well over the bar.
It was a deserved point for both teams who in the end would have been disappointed they didn’t take all three points.
Macarthur Rams 4-2 Emerging Jets
A six-goal thriller went the way of the Macarthur Rams at Lynwood Park as they defeated the Emerging Jets 4-2.
It took the Rams until the 45th minute to hit the front as a Lauren Keir free kick wasn’t dealt with by the Jets, taken advantage by Holly Williams who tapped the ball home.
The lead didn’t last long at all, Claire Adams taking advantage of a loose ball before finding the bottom corner to add another goal to her tally and send the Jets into half time level.
Nine minutes after half time Laura Murtagh made it 2-1, finding the near post from a difficult angle after a fine through ball by McComasky.
The Jets equalised quicker the second time than the first as Zoe Daly popped up and poked the ball into the back of the net less than 60 seconds after conceding.
With 25 minutes to go, the Rams were back in front. First a Patty Charalambous shot was saved well, only for Beth Gordon to pick up the scraps and smash the ball home.
The points were sealed 10 minutes later as veteran midfielder Kylie Ledbrook got on the scoresheet. Behne-Smith couldn’t deal with a deep cross as Ledbrook arrived at the back post to head the ball home.
Northern Tigers 0-3 NWS Spirit
The ladies from NWS Spirit picked up where their men’s team left on Saturday night with a shock 3-0 victory over the Northern Tigers at North Turramurra.
With only their fourth win of the season, Spirit pushed themselves up two positions on the competition ladder with the victory.
Spirit’s good start to the match was rewarded just before the half hour mark as Erin Tavares put them in front. Sophie Harding showed off her pace, beating Josie Wilson before squaring the ball up for Tavares who tapped it home.
The shock continued 10 minutes into the second half as Spirit doubled their advantage. Harding again at the thick of it, this time with the finish. Having started the move by winning the ball in midfield, Harding then finished it with a precise first time effort.
With 10 minutes to go the points were sealed for Spirit’s biggest win of the season. Jodie Drever spilled a Morgan Roberts cross, allowing Harding to pop up and head home her second of the evening.
The defeat for the Tigers saw them fall further behind the league leaders Sydney Uni on the competition ladder.
Football NSW Institute 0-1 Sydney University
At Valentine Sports Park, it was Sydney University that came away with the spoils as they defeated Football NSW Institute by the odd goal.
The only goal of the game came after 30 minutes and some early dominance by Sydney Uni. A nice team move saw Emma Ilijoski let fly from the left forcing a save from the Institute keeper, only for Holly Caspers to tap the ball home.
Caspers first half finish was enough for Uni to record another three points and continue their fine undefeated run which stretches to 11 games. The victory, along with both APIA and the Northern Tigers dropping points, meant that Uni extended their lead at the top of the competition ladder.
Illawarra Stingrays 1-1 APIA Leichhardt
In the final match of the round, the points were shared at Ilinden Sports Centre as the Illawarra Stingrays and APIA Leichhardt drew 1-1.
It took seven minutes before the break for the dead lock to be broken by the Stingrays. A long ball over the top of the APIA defence wasn’t dealt with as Michelle Carney took full advantage, the veteran lobbing the Stingrays into the lead.
With the points heading for the South Coast, APIA spoiled the party late on. In similar circumstances to the Stingrays goal, Rhianna Pollicina took advantage this time of some poor defending, placing the ball into the back of the net to equalise for APIA in the 92nd minute.
Spencer Prior’s team then thought they had won the game only a minute later. First Shea Connors had her header cleared off the line before a scramble inside the six-yard box saw substitute Lauren Johnson stab the ball home. After consultation with the assistant referee, the goal was chalked off and both teams had to settle for a point.
Sydney Olympic v Bankstown City – PP
-By NPL NSW Women’s Chief Writer and Commentator Nikola Pozder