Stalemate as points shared between both Universities

At The Village Green on Sunday afternoon, the Students’ derby saw a stalemate as UNSW and Sydney University had to settle for a scoreless draw in the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW Match of the Round.

Both keepers had to alert early on, sweeping away any incoming danger with balls being played over the defence.

The home side had the first chance of the game 12 minutes in and perhaps still aren’t sure how they didn’t find the back of the net.

Marcella Santos found her self inside the box with only Baylee Broomhead to beat after a Piana Petkovski cross, only for the Sydney Uni defence to react and clear.

UNSW continued to press, Allira Toby next to test her luck, Broomhead up to the task, saving the effort.

After some sustained pressure, UNSW thought they hit the front after a Chloe Smith effort fell into the path of Petkovski who put the ball into the back of the net, only to be thwarted by the assistant referee’s flag for offside.

As the first half approached the finish, the visitors had their best chance via Talia Kapetanelis and had it not been for outstanding last-ditch challenge from Jasmine Maguire, they would have been in front.

The second period started much the same as the first, neither team able to find that all important touch in the final third to create serious damage.

Broomhead had to be aware 10 minutes in as Toby had a go from distance, the Sydney Uni keeper showing safe hands.

Poppy Tay had a great chance for the visitors shortly after but was just short of getting onto a ball which sprayed across the six-yard-box.

Sydney Uni went close again, Ava Pritchard next to have a goal but taking her first touch too far wide to get a decent strike on goal.

With 20 to go, Amanda Levaskevich almost headed UNSW in front, only for Broomhead to save well.

As the clock ticked, Toby was looking most likely and forced Broomhead into another fine save as she kept the scores level.

With only eight minutes to go and somewhat against the run of play, Sydney Uni should have taken the lead and perhaps won the game.

An excellent ball by Emily Brewster found Tay in the area, the attacker seemed to rush her effort and pulled it just wide of the UNSW goal.

Almost immediately at the other end of the field, UNSW had their chance, Toby slotting in Petkovski, only for Broomhead to intelligently rush out and make another excellent save.

With the rain pouring down, the Sydney Uni defence got caught with a ball over the top, Toby getting their first, beating Broomhead but the ball bounced agonisingly wide.

Tay had one more chance to win it in the 90th minute for the visitors, only for Hinson this time to save well.

Match Stats

UNSW 0 

Sydney University 0

The Village Green

Sunday, 5 May 2024

UNSW: 21. Hinson, 3. Maguire, 4. Toby, 5. Puxty, 6. Smith (20. Christopher), 9. Petkovski, 11. Santos (7. Levaskevich), 14. Mullins, 15. Montenegro, 37. Evetts, 88. Moore (29. Medaglia).

Subs Not Used: 1. Roberston, 24. Dal Pane, 68. Roumeliotis.

Sydney University: 31. Broomhead, 4. Feeney, 8. Beaufils (29. Longhurst), 9. Pritchard, 11. Kapetanellis (19. Tay), 14. Hampshire, 15. Farrow, 17. Kirby, 18. Hogan, 30. Van Dijk (10. Polat), 39. Egan Brown (28. Brewster).

Subs Not Used: 32. Sambrook, 61. Callaghan.

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By – Nikola Pozder