If you thought that after round 20 things would be a lot clearer in the #NPLWNSW competition, think again!
The surprises kept coming and with two rounds remaining plus some loose change, six teams fight for two places.
APIA Leichhardt 0-2 Bankstown City
There was elation for one team at Lambert Park on Sunday, despair for the other as Bankstown City kept their finals hopes alive with a gutsy 2-0 victory over APIA Leichhardt.
It was a party atmosphere in Sydney’s Inner-West with APIA’s Girls SAP and youth all in attendance, only for the girls from Jensen Park to spoil the evening.
Bankstown looked sharper from the get go and were causing the home team early headaches.
Demi Koulizakis was up for the fixture, as was Daisy Arrowsmith, both going close without seriously testing Sarah Langman in the APIA goal.
On 11 minutes though, the visitors shocked the crowd. Siobahn Edwards sprung the offside trap after an excellent ball over the defence by Koulizakis. Bearing down on Langman, with the outside of her foot, Edwards found the bottom corner and the opening goal of the fixture.
Seconds after that goal, Koulizakis should have had Bankstown two to the good after not connecting with her effort just outside the six-yard box.
Kaitlyn Torpey was the first to test Brianna Edwards in the Bankstown goal but the Lions keeper made an emphatic save.
From here the visitors dropped into a deep, low block, allowing APIA to hold possession but without really causing them any problems whatsoever.
In fact it was Bankstown that would go closest to scoring next, Arrowsmith turning Liz Ralston and forcing Langman into another save.
APIA improved in the second period and looked much more threatening, still not really testing Edwards though, central defender pairing of Tiana Jaber and Baxter Thew doing a stellar job.
Nikki Flannery had APIA’s best chance in the 77th minute, only for the Bankstown defence to block the effort.
With APIA lifting and getting closer to finding that equaliser, Bankstown would settle the score with minutes remaining.
An excellent turn and ball played forward by Koulizakis for Arrowsmith saw the striker beat Ralston, before turning the defender and getting the ball back on her right foot, blasting it into Langman’s bottom corner.
APIA had one last chance through Deborah Anne De La Harpe’s free kick, only for Edwards safe hands to hold the ball.
Northern Tigers 1-2 Sydney Olympic
The Northern Tigers knew that a win at North Turramurra on Sunday against Sydney Olympic would all but assure them a finals place but it wasn’t to be as the visitors took all three points.
It was the home team that got off to the best possible start, hitting the front after only four minutes. Beth Bernardi dropped the ball for Lily McMahon who hit a sublime effort from the edge of the area into the back of the net for the opening goal of the fixture.
Olympic hit back on 25 minutes after the Tigers failed to deal with a set piece. A Teresa Polias corner wasn’t cleared as Claudia Cholakian took advantage and volleyed the ball home.
With their season on the line, Olympic knew that three points were imperative here.
They turned the result around 10 minutes after the break in some style. Sarah Yatim, who has been in phenomenal form, picked the ball up on the edge of the area, letting fly with a powerful shot into the top corner of Morgan Aquino’s goal.
The Tigers piled on the pressure but Olympic held firm to keep their destiny in their own hands in terms of finals football.
Emerging Jets 3-2 Illawarra Stingrays
The Emerging Jets recorded their first win of the season as they extinguished Illawarra Stingrays’ finals football hopes with a 3-2 victory.
The Jets hit the front after only 12 minutes with Claire Adams tapping in at the back post to score her sixth of the season.
It was the away team that reacted soon after though in fortuitous circumstances as a Jets defender headed beyond her goalkeeper.
On the half hour mark, the Jets were back in front again. Adams had her and the Jets’ second after showing pace and strength to beat Danika Matos before sliding the ball into the back of the net.
Again though, the Jets could not hold on and a minute later the Stingrays were level once more. Michelle Carney taking advantage of a defensive mix up to equalise for the visitors.
With the game headed for a draw, the Jets had other ideas. For the third time in the match, the Jets found the winner as Josie Allan placed her effort into the back of the net.
Sydney University 1-2 Manly United
With the Premiership sewn up after Thursday night’s victory, Sydney University was caught napping as Manly United came from behind to secure a massive win in their finals run in.
Uni’s mid-week celebrations spilled over into the weekend as after only seven minutes they were in front. Holly Caspers getting onto the end of a Tara Baudana through ball before poking the ball home.
Uni comfortably held their lead and took that one goal advantage into the break.
But not even 10 minutes into the second half, Manly was level. Emily Minett showed real determination to first beat her defender before crossing across goal for Alexia Forner who buried her effort from the six-yard line.
With their finals hopes on the line, Manly threw no caution to the wind.
The visitors just reward arrived minutes from full time. Yuka Honda heading into the top corner after some sustained pressure to give Tom Hopley’s side hope of playing finals football.
Macarthur Rams 2-0 Blacktown Spartans
The Macarthur Rams knew that victory would put them a step closer to finals football and they got the job done against the Blacktown Spartans at Lynwood Park.
It did take the home team until the second half to get scoring but it was enough for Stephen Peters’ team to record a 2-0 win.
Three minutes after half time the Rams were in front. It seemed as though Lauren Keir attempted to cross into the box, her effort turning into a shot and finding the top corner and the lead.
Macarthur made the points safe on the hour mark. Maddison McComasky rising highest from a corner and un marked, heading the ball home.
NWS Spirit 3-2 Football NSW Institute
It was goals galore at Christie Park as NWS Spirit celebrated a 3-2 victory over the Football NSW Institute on Sunday night.
It was the Institute that took the lead in this one after only five minutes with Mary Stanic-Floody finding the back of the net after a free flowing team move was capped off in style.
Spirit responded soon after through Tahlia Macri. The striker took advantage of a napping Institute defence to tap the ball home beyond the Institute keeper after a long free kick.
On the half hour mark the home team was in front. Sophie Harding was found all alone on the penalty spot, taking a touch before toe-poking her effort into the back of the net.
Spirit was right in control minutes after the break, this time Bianca Radman turning on the edge of the area before letting fly with a well placed shot to make it 3-1 to the home team.
The Institute managed to pull a goal back but it would only be a consolation in the end. It took two opportunities but Stanic-Floody capitalised after a smart Holman cut back to the six-yard box.
-By NPL NSW Women’s Chief Writer and Commentator Nikola Pozder