Round 17 Review – NPL Women’s NSW
Round 17 of the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition was filled with some crucial upsets and plenty of brilliant football, with the weekend’s results adding greater tension to what is already an incredibly close season.
Have a read of our full wrap-up of Round 17.
Match of the Round – APIA Leichhardt 3-2 Bulls FC Academy at Lambert Park
APIA Leichhardt came from two-goals down to record a 3-2 win over Bulls FC Academy at Lambert Park on Sunday afternoon.
A couple weeks ago at this same venue APIA was involved in a spectacular match, only for this one to take the mantle as the game of the season.
The visitors lead at half time by the odd goal thanks to Amber Luchtmeijer.
They doubled there advantage shortly after the break as Peta Trimis scored to make it 2-0.
What followed was a 10-minute blitz from the home side as an own goal opened their account, before Mona Walker and Ash Crofts scored the equaliser and eventual winner.
Click here for the full Match Report!
Northern Tigers 3-0 Football NSW Institute at North Turramurra Recreation Area
The Northern Tigers put on a show for the home fans at North Turramurra Recreation Area, delivering a strong 3-0 win up against the visiting Football NSW Institute.
The Tigers remain in contention for a place in the top four heading into Round 17, and will have eyed their matchup with Football NSW Institute as an opportunity to keep their momentum going. Institute on the other hand have proven to be an unpredictable side this season and will have been raring to upset the Tigers at home.
However, it was the Tigers who opened the scoring through Lily McMahon’s brilliant solo run that began with the No. 11 turning her defender and ended with a backheel finish that eluded Institute goalkeeper Jasmine Black. A definite goal of the season contender for sheer ingenuity and skill alone.
A superb through ball in behind the Institute defence from Jade McAtamney set Nicola Dominikovich on her way to finding a second for the Tigers, her initial shot hitting the post before she was able to get a foot to the follow-up and guide the ball home for 2-0 in the 42nd minute.
Halftime substitute Shadeene Evans would then see out the match for the Tigers after making a brilliant run through the Institute defence and planting a gorgeous finish beyond the goalkeeper and into the top right corner. 3-0 the final score.
Manly United 1-3 NWS Spirit at Cromer Park
NWS Spirit came to Cromer Park and conquered, handing Manly United yet another loss in a 3-1 triumph over the home team.
It’s been a tough time of late for Manly, with the former league leaders dropping down to 8th place off the back of a difficult winless run. The prospect of facing an in-form Spirit at Cromer Park would have been viewed as a massive challenge for the home side, with Spirit gunning to overtake Manly on the ladder here.
The match began well for Manly as an unmarked Emily Minett drove into the box and found the back of the net from a corner to give her side an early lead in the 9th minute.
Manly were soon brought back down to earth after giving away a penalty following a mistake in the box, leading to Ella Abdul Massih confidently burying the resultant spot kick into the bottom left corner in the 15th minute.
Spirit’s high press would lead to them taking the lead in the 35th minute after a Manly midfielder was dispossessed in a dangerous position, with Massih receiving the ball and successfully turning before placing a lovely finish to the goalkeeper’s left. 2-1 to Spirit.
Talia Younis then had her own moment to shine in the 88th minute, having picked up the ball in the box from a Massih pass before making space for herself and firing into the bottom right corner for 3-1.
Blacktown Spartans 2-1 Illawarra Stingrays at Blacktown Football Park
The Blacktown Spartans ground out a huge upset on the weekend, having sensationally beaten the Illawarra Stingrays 2-1 at Blacktown Football Park on Sunday evening.
The Spartans are in a precarious spot at this point in the season and need to begin securing the points to take them off the bottom of the ladder. Comparatively, the Stingrays arrive at Blacktown Football Park buoyed by recent results and determined to maintain their position at the top of the ladder.
After a closely-fought first half, the crowd would begin to see the goals arriving in the second stanza as Isabelle Wilson rose highest at a corner to knock a header over Stingrays goalkeeper Brianna Edwards and into the back of the net for 1-0 in the 48th minute.
A 79th minute penalty would propel the Stingrays back into contention late in the match, with Siobhan Edwards assuredly planting her strike into the top left corner to make it 1-1 between the two sides.
The Spartans were not finished however, and would quickly retake the lead in the 82nd minute when Jynaya Dos Santos spotted Christa Oliva sneaking in at the back post and crossed for the No. 7 to hit a first-time volley that bested Edwards at her near post. 2-1 the final score.
Gladesville Ravens 1-2 Macarthur Rams at Christie Park
Christie Park played host as the Gladesville Ravens went down 2-1 to the Macarthur Rams in a competitive clash on Sunday evening.
Fans would have expected a tight tussle between these two sides, with the Ravens looking to turn around their struggles of late and the Rams wanting to maintain their recent good run of form. The Ravens would have hoped for the home ground advantage to play its part in getting them over the line, whilst the Rams would have known to be cautious not to make too many errors at Christie Park.
An unfortunate own goal for the Rams in the 46th minute would open the scoring on the night, giving the Ravens the lead just after the halftime break following terrific work by Isabella Habuda on the right flank to force an unintended own goal from Bethany Gordon.
Though the resilient Rams would not have to wait long to find an equaliser as an unmarked Bronte Trew shocked the home fans with a sensational half-volley from the right edge of the 18-yard-box that sailed beyond Kimberley Davey and in for 1-0.
A late penalty for a foul on Miku Sunaga led to substitute Kelli Brown stepping up to guide a strong penalty – that was almost prevented by Davey – into the upper echelon of the net, ensuring that the Rams would take home the three points.
Sydney Olympic v UNSW – WASHED OUT
Sydney University v Emerging Jets – WASHED OUT
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Words by Matthew Badrov
