Round 18 Review – NPL Women’s NSW
Lightning delays played their part in affecting Round 18 in the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition, however there was still plenty of action for fans.
Read on for our full wrap-up.
Match of the Round – Northern Tigers 1-2 Manly United at North Turramurra Rec Area
Manly United took a major step toward finals football in the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition defeating the Northern Tigers at North Turramurra Rec Area on Saturday night.
Ruby Jackson opened the scoring for Manly United, a lead the visitors held until the break.
The Northern Tigers equalised with just over 15 minutes left, but their lead would only last four minutes as Emily Minett scored what would be the winner for Manly United.
Click here to read the full match report!
NWS Spirit FC 0-0 Gladesville Ravens at Christie Park
NWS Spirit FC will be desperate to secure the three points here after back-to-back draws in recent weeks pushed them out of a hotly-contested top four. The Gladesville Ravens have found some stability late in the season, with a draw and two wins taken from their last three matches keeping their slim chance of playing finals football alive.
The first half was a cagey affair with the home side creating a greater number of chances in comparison with the visitors, who looked to exploit their opponents who favoured dominating the ball in possession. Neither team was able to generate a shot on target despite their efforts though, and the two went into the sheds at halftime level.
Poppy Channing thought she had given her side the lead in the 63rd minute after a free-kick attempt from Lexie Moreno deflected and eventually found its way at the back post, where an open Channing was quick to react and drive the ball home. However, the goal was ultimately ruled out by the referees due to an offside in the build-up.
Continuing in the vein of the first half, neither side could muster a shot on target, meaning the match would ultimately conclude 0-0 between Spirit and the Ravens at Christie Park.
Newcastle Jets 1-2 Macarthur Rams at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility
The battle of the bottom two takes place at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility on Sunday afternoon, with the last-placed Newcastle Jets hosting Macarthur Rams sitting just above them in 13th. Despite starting well, the Jets have struggled to pickup any wins for some time and will be aiming to give an improved performance in front of their home fans, however the Rams will be equally desperate to get the win away to stave off relegation.
The Jets struck first in the 38th minute after capitalising on the referee signalling play-on after a foul on Josie Allan. Their dynamic No. 2 then jumped up and latched onto a loose touch by a Rams player before playing in Alexis Collins with a sensational backheel pass that the striker took on with enthusiasm to put her side 1-0 up with a low finish one-on-one with the keeper. The Jets take the lead.
Macarthur secured an important equaliser soon after the half-time break, with Bronte Trew sparking a clinical sequence of play after working the ball inside to Sakura Nojima, who assuredly ran toward the goal line, drew out the goalkeeper and calmly setup Tea Mucenski for a finish into the back of an empty net. 1-1 in the 51st minute.
The Rams then found the winner and officially completed their comeback in the 82nd minute when substitute India Breier fired a low cross into the box that was met at the back post by Gabriela Silva – who was fresh off of the bench herself – and put away for 2-1.
A huge three points earned for the Rams over their opponents, who unfortunately remain at the bottom of the ladder.
Western Sydney Wanderers v APIA Leichhardt at Wanderers Football Park
The Western Sydney Wanderers have often been competitive in matches this season but have lacked both the killer instinct and resilience to see out matches on their terms. Coming up against an APIA Leichhardt side fresh from toppling the league-leading Mt Druitt Town Rangers will be seen as a real challenge for the home team, with the visitors fighting for a spot in the top four.
After seeing her initial corner kick urgently cleared by the Wanderers defence, Jordan Jasnos gained another opportunity to create an opportunity for her side when the ball was worked back to her on the left wing. The No. 13 spotted an unmarked Te Reremoana Walker at the back post and put a superb cross onto her head, with the resultant header just as good as the pass. 1-0 to APIA in the 7th minute.
The Wanderers were able to push their way back into the game and notched a thumping equaliser when Anika Stajcic was found free on the edge of the box and struck from range first-time to beat goalkeeper Sophie Magus. 1-1 in the 34th minute.
A lightning delay prevented the two sides from coming back out at halftime, and eventually led to the match being abandoned.
Sydney University v Bulls FC Academy at Sydney Uni Football Ground
Sydney University produced their performance of the season last weekend in a 2-0 win over a red-hot Sydney Olympic side, and will want to maintain that confidence at home against Bulls FC Academy. The Bulls are in phenomenal form and look unstoppable at this crucial stage of the season, however they will be cautious not to underestimate Sydney Uni after last round.
Sydney Uni got on the scoresheet first when Ruby Egan-Brown had to react quickly after seeing her initial shot saved by Mio Nemoto, with the Uni attacker firing a speculative cross into the middle that was met by Tamires Souza, who unwittingly guided the ball into her own net with an errant touch. 1-0 to the home team in the 34th minute.
Following the half-time break the Bulls looked to get back on the scoresheet immediately, with Isabella Coco-Di Sipio making an instant impact by producing one of the goals of the season. The half-time substitute picked up the ball on the left side of the box, cut in and unleashed an unstoppable hit from distance that nestled into the top right corner of the net. 1-1 in the 46th minute.
The home team did not let conceding an equaliser affect them, and responded quickly when Alice Thompson put the finishing touch on a pinpoint cross from the left wing and tapped home at the back post. 2-1 in the 50th minute.
A delay for lightning ultimately forced the match to be abandoned.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers v UNSW at Popondetta Park
After going down 2-0 to APIA Leichhardt in Round 17, the Mt Druitt Town Rangers will want to put just their third loss of the season behind them as they welcome UNSW to Popondetta Park. UNSW have experienced a definitive rollercoaster of a season so far and are unpredictable, meaning they could very easily upset the Rangers and potentially displace them from 1st place with a good result here.
UNSW did not have to wait long to open the scoring in the match as Angelique Hristodoulou strode into the box in the 5th minute before launching a cross into the centre that Rangers defender Kaiya Buchanan inadvertently knocked over her goalkeeper in an attempt to clear the cross from her shoulder. 1-0 to the visitors.
The Rangers were quick to respond with Ena Harada producing a moment of magic after cleverly turning a UNSW player in midfield and setting up Erin Leah Tavares for a well-taken finish underneath Sarah Langman in goal. 1-1 in the 9th minute.
A lighting delay then forced the two sides into the sheds in the 27th minute before the match was eventually abandoned.
Sydney Olympic v Illawarra Stingrays – POSTPONED
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Words by Matthew Badrov
