Round 13 Review – NPL Women’s NSW
Round 13 of the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition provided a weekend of sensational goals, important results, and individual brilliance.
Read on for our full breakdown of the weekend’s action.
Match of the Round – Manly United 1-1 Sydney University SFC at Cromer Park
The points were shared at Cromer Park in an intriguing clash between Manly United and Sydney University, with Kayla Osborn’s second-half goal cancelling out Asha Sutton’s first-half penalty.
Click here to view the match report.
NWS Spirit FC 3-1 Gladesville Ravens at Christie Park
The round kicked off with an improved NWS Spirit side hosting a Gladesville Ravens team that is still yet to find its footing in the league this season. Skye Halmarick kickstarted the goal-scoring in the 27th minute after Brianna Edwards’ initial strong save deflected off a Ravens defender and fell back to Halmarick for the opener. A terrific run from Ella Abdul Massih, which began close to the halfway line and ended with the attacker rolling the ball in after racing into the box, resulted in Spirit’s second goal in the 35th minute.
A red card to Spirit captain Erin Pridmore for dragging down Leena Khamis before she could break into the box left the home side a player down in the 53rd minute, before Olivia Page got an inadvertent touch on a corner kick to make it 3-0 in the 83rd minute. The Ravens secured a consolation through Gisello Pipino’s quality solo finish, but it was not enough to prevent Spirit from securing their first three points of the season.
Bulls FC Academy 4-0 Western City Rangers at Northbridge Oval
Bulls FC Academy have impressed so far this campaign, arriving at Round 13 in second place on the ladder and confident of securing three points over a Western City Rangers side lacking confidence. Olivia Vanderlaan was in the right place at the right time to kick off the scoring for the Bulls, with a Rangers clearance deflecting her way and leading to a reaction finish in the 7th minute.
The Rangers continually placed themselves under pressure in the second half, and it was only a matter of time before the Bulls capitalised, with Vanderlaan burying a poacher’s finish from close range. Daniella Naeimi tucked the ball in at the back post to make it 3-0 in the 58th minute before Vanderlaan wrapped up her hat-trick in the 76th minute via a well-timed effort to conclude a 4-0 win for the Bulls.
Macarthur Rams 2-1 Illawarra Stingrays at Lynwood Park
Back-to-back wins have given the Macarthur Rams momentum, which they will hope drives them through their clash with the Illawarra Stingrays at Lynwood Park. It was the second half where all of the game’s goals came, with Brooklyn Hudson stepping up to bury an assured penalty in the 56th minute.
A lofty cross into the box led to a brilliant equaliser for the Rams, with Marcella Santos taking a skilful touch before rooting herself to the spot and planting a terrific finish into the back of the net for 1-1 in the 67th minute. Gabrielle Sarkis found the winner for the home side in the 78th minute after cutting in and confidently dispatching a precision finish into the left side of the net to earn the Rams a 2-1 win.
APIA Leichhardt 1-4 Northern Tigers at Lambert Park
With only a solitary win in their last five matches, APIA Leichhardt were aiming for an improved performance against a Northern Tigers side yet to fully click into gear. A seamless team goal earned the Tigers the lead, with Tanaye Morris putting the finishing touch on an impressive build-up with a superb strike.
A reaction from Paige Hayward saw her receive a red card just before half-time, leaving APIA 1-0 down and a player short. Morris secured her brace early in the second half after intercepting a back pass to the goalkeeper and finishing into an empty net. Beth Bernardi then delivered what was arguably the goal of the game in the 68th minute after the ball was cleared off the line and fell to her feet, unleashing a sensational volley into the top-left corner.
Lily McMahon followed suit with a world-class effort of her own — a half-volley that swerved superbly beyond the goalkeeper from range in the 72nd minute. APIA found a late consolation through Talia Kapetanellis’ penalty in the 90+1st minute, but it was not enough to prevent a 4-1 Tigers victory.
Hills United 0-2 UNSW FC at Valentine Sports Park
Hills United have proven difficult to beat of late but faced a major test against a UNSW side that entered Round 13 in first place. UNSW had to work hard to break the deadlock, with Chloe Smith latching onto a well-timed long ball to outpace her defender before taking advantage of the goalkeeper being out of position to finish from the right edge of the box.
Lexie Moreno then confidently stepped up to convert from the penalty spot, ensuring UNSW left Valentine Sports Park with all three points.
Sydney Olympic 0-2 Western Sydney Wanderers at The Crest
Two sides who have shown quality throughout the season met at The Crest, with Western Sydney Wanderers taking on Sydney Olympic. Miriam Zumaya gave the Wanderers the lead in the 24th minute after receiving the ball in space on the right edge of the box and firing a low strike that left the goalkeeper scrambling as it rolled in for 1-0.
Allyssa Ng Saad doubled the advantage after her touch from a cross in the box got away from her, but she reacted quickly to bury the chance and make it 2-0. The Wanderers held firm for the remainder of the match to secure the win.
-By Matthew Badrov
