Sydney University bounced back in Round 6 of the NPL Women’s NSW Match of the Round, defeating the Blacktown Spartans 4-1 at Blacktown Football Park.
Despite the dominant score line, it perhaps was not a fair reflection on the balance of the game as Uni secured their second win of the season.
In saying that, Uni was the better team for the majority of the game, taking the lead after a Brittany Duggan own goal after 18 minutes, before some individual brilliance from Talia Kapetanelis saw the winger double the advantage.
Christa Oliva for the Spartans back in the game just before half time from the penalty spot but the visitors ran away with it in the second period.
Substitute Anna Hunt scoring the third, while Kapetanelis grabbed her brace 10 minutes from full time to round off the scoring.
Uni came out of the blocks strong, Kapetanelis setting the tone early with two menacing balls into the area that no one could guide home.
The Spartans responded and slowly got into the game, opportunities falling for Charlotte Carroll and Allyssa Ng Saad.
Just as the home side started to take control, Uni hit the front.
Kapetanelis delivered a teasing ball into the box toward Charlotte Hampshire at the far post, the unfortunate final touch coming off Duggan and beating Anna Norton.
The Spartans had a golden opportunity to get themselves back in the game after a delightful chip over the Uni defence by Carroll for Kitwarla Mkali, only for young 17-year-old keeper Baylee Broomhead to step out of her box and block the attackers shot.
Broomhead was sweeping well and was aware to come off her line every time she was called upon, showing excellent composure for a debutant.
The Spartans were back in the game not long before half time as a Carroll volley was handled in the box.
Christa Oliva stepped up and slotted the penalty away into the bottom corner.
Moments later, it should have been 2-2, Mkali breaking through the defence with only Broomhead to beat, but once again the keeper made another fantastic save.
Uni started the second half on the front foot as Anna Hunt had an opportunity with practically her first touch, sending her effort well over the bar.
The lead was almost doubled on the hour mark as Charlotte Hampshire got on the end of a free kick, her effort well saved by Norton.
Not long after, Ng Saad had the home side’s best chance, letting fly from some way out on the volley, her effort just wide of the top corner.
Kapetanelis then broke through the Spartans defence, beat Norton but her effort went agonizingly wide.
Minutes later though, Uni made it 3-1.
Pressing high, the visitor’s pinched the ball, Hunt taking the ball onto her left and placing it into the top corner to extend the lead.
Then with 10 to go it was game over as Kapetanelis grabbed her well-deserved brace.
Similarly to her chance not long before, Kapetanelis drove in from the left, rode one challenge before squeezing her effort beyond Norton to round off the scoring.
Match Stats
Blacktown Spartans 1 (Oliva 37’pen)
Sydney University 4 (Duggan 10’ (OG), Kapetanelis 21’, 80’, Hunt 78’)
Blacktown Football Park, Rooty Hill
Sunday, 7 April 2024
Blacktown Spartans: 1. Norton, 2. Maniti, 3. Owen, 4. Cleur (28. McKenzie), 7. Oliva, 11. Mkali, 12. Carroll, 17. Duggan, 22. Latham (29. Vasiliadis), 26. Caronna, 27. Ng Saad.
Subs Not Used: 5. Wilson, 8. Daniele, 21. Channing, 40. Kent.
Sydney University: 31. Broomhead, 4. Feeney, 8. Beaufils (49. Vanderlaan), 9. Pritchard (20. Cvetkovski), 11. Kapetanelis, 14. Hampshire, 15. Farrow (33. Hill), 17. Kirby, 18. Hogan, 30. Van Dijk (26. Kokoris), 39. Egan Brown (7. Hunt).
Subs Not Used: 61. Callaghan.
Don’t miss a game! Subscribe to Football NSW’s YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/footballnsw
By – Nikola Pozder
