Northern Tigers return to winners circle with victory over Spartans
The Northern Tigers snapped a three-match winless run on Sunday night when they defeated the Blacktown Spartans 2-0 in round 10 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s competition at Blacktown Football Park.
A goal less than 40 seconds in and another halfway through the first half, both going the way of Claudia Cholakian, had Jake Stephenson’s side on the road to victory.
Cholakian had the visitors in front almost straight off the kick off, running onto a long ball from the back, overpowering Chantelle Maniti and breaking into the box.
The Armenian international struck the ball toward goal and what seemed an easy save turned into a howler by Anna Norton, the goalkeeper fumbling the ball over the line.
The home side tried to respond with Alana Murphy having their first shot, Sarah Willacy comfortable in the Tigers goal.
It was the Tigers that began to take control though and halfway through the first half doubled their advantage.
Cholakian picked up a loose ball and let fly with a spectacular effort from the edge of the area, finding nothing but the top corner of Norton’s goal.
Emilia Murray was next to try her luck, cutting in from the left and trying to find the far top corner with two identical efforts in a row.
It was almost third time lucky for the winger, the same move working again, this time her shot clipping the top of the bar.
Northern Tigers had once more chance before the break as Lily McMahon burst beyond three Spartans defenders, and forcing Norton into a good save.
The second half saw the home team come out a little more aggressive as the Spartans created half chance opportunities, Isobel Grech the most dangerous.
Stephenson soon introduced Shadeene Evans and the striker’s introduction sparked new life into the Tigers.
The substitute played through a delightful pass in behind the Spartans defence for Murray to run onto, only for Norton to make another excellent save.
Evans was in the thick of it late on, rising highest to meet the ball following a corner, only to see it cannon back off the cross bar.
There was no further serious action at either end as the Tigers got back to winning ways.
For the Spartans, they’ll need to regroup and get back on the training paddock, but definite positives to take out of this one for them.
Match Stats
Blacktown Spartans 0
Northern Tigers 2 (Cholakian 1’, 27’)
Sunday, 14 May, 2023
Blacktown Football Park
Blacktown Spartans: 1. Norton (41. Kent), 2. Maniti, 7. Oliva (12. Fressard), 9. Moore (26. Lynch), 11. Lemon, 13. Buccini, 15. Chinnama, 18. Murphy, 19. Roach, 20. Grech, 22. McCormack.
Subs Not Used: 14. Vine, 16. Caronna.
Northern Tigers: 1. Willacy, 2. Wilson, 3. Kilbride, 5. Cabezas, 8. Walker, 10 Cholakian, 11. Woolley (9. Evans), 12. Murray, 15. McMahon (61. Rickard), 35. Wharepouri, 63. Cartwright.
Subs Not Used: 43. Drever, 57. Melli, 58. Murray, 70. Garrett.
By – Nikola Pozder
