Goals galore in round 17 of the NPL NSW Women’s competition with the Blacktown Spartans finding a way back into the top five.
Macarthur Rams 3-4 Sydney Olympic
Lynwood Park hosted an enthralling match between the Macarthur Rams and Sydney Olympic as the visitors came out victors in a seven-goal thriller, 4-3.
The away side led 4-1 with just over 15 minutes remaining and looked to be cruising to victory. You can never rule out the never-say-die Rams and they almost got themselves on level terms but ran out of time.
Susan Phonsongkham was the star of the show but she was followed well by Teresa Polias and Sarah Yatim.
Macarthur had the first chance of the game early after Leena Khamis used her body well to lay off a ball for Kirrilee Cameron but the winger couldn’t beat Jada Whyman.
And down the other end Olympic hit the front.
Caitlin Campbell, back in the Rams squad, was robbed of possession by Phonsongkham who moved in on goal, beat Khamis and with the help of the upright, had the visitors in front.
A few half chances followed from both teams but nothing serious enough to challenge either keeper.
That was until Ledbrook and Khamis combined.
A smart comeback from Ledbrook had Khamis volleying first time from the edge of the area, finding the bottom left corner for the equaliser.
Instead of the home team picking up momentum, they were pegged back immediately after another defensive error.
Sienna Fraser profited from the lapse in concentration, squaring up Yatim who squeezed her shot beyond Sham Khamis who couldn’t keep the ball out.
Yatim should’ve had her second shortly after but Khamis this time came out on top.
As half time beckoned, the Rams could’ve went into the break level.
Campbell crossed in a fine ball for Khamis whose header went agonisingly close to finding the back of the net.
Olympic was on their way to victory after capitalising on a quick counter.
Yatim had the ball on the right and crossed perfectly for Teresa Polias who was unforgiving from 10 metres out, giving Khamis no chance with a composed finish.
Phonsongkham then went on one of her mazy runs before playing in Georgia Plessas to make it four but the winger missed when it seemed easier to score.
Olympic summed up their day soon after though with an incredible goal.
A Polias free-kick found Yatim at the far post whose smart first time cross gave Fraser the opportunity to score and she made no mistake, making it 4-1.
The game seemed over until Nikola Orgill stepped up the plate.
Two inch perfect crosses from the right and two goals.
First she found Cameron at the far post who the ball practically hit before bouncing into the back of the net.
And then almost a carbine copy cross, this time for Khamis who rose well to headed beyond Whyman for 4-3 and a tense finish.
The Rams pushed in the last 10 but it was Olympic with the best chance.
Substitute Kiara De Domizio should settled the game but she missed a fine opportunity, shooting right at Khamis.
Macarthur ran out of energy and time as Olympic took an important three points back to Belmore.
Blacktown Spartans 3-0 FNSW Institute
After four straight losses, the Blacktown Spartans bounced back on Sunday to take all three points against the Football NSW Institute.
David Saliba’s team got off to a good start and went into half time leading 2-0 thanks to goals from Ash Crofts and Linda Dudek.
Olivia Price rounded off the victory with a goal in the second 45 to make it 3-0.
The win puts the Spartans back in the top five.
Emerging Jets 0-1 Sydney University
The Emerging Jets have improved drastically over the last few rounds and it was never going to be easy for the league leaders Sydney University.
That’s exactly how it went with Rachel Soutar scoring the only goal of the game,worthy of all three points at Lake Macquarie Regional Facility.
It means Uni remain in first place with the chasing pack hot on their heals.
Northern Tigers 6-0 North Shore Mariners
Another win for the Northern Tigers, this time convincing over the North Shore Mariners, keeps them right in the hunt for the premiership.
Three goals in each half gave the Tigers a 6-0 win at NTRA.
Two goals each to Hannah McNulty and Daisy Arrowsmith as well as a goal apiece for Emma Smith and Aimee Phillips keep the Tigers within touching distance of Sydney Uni.
NWS Koalas 1-1 Manly United
The North West Sydney Koalas missed a golden chance to move even closer to a top five spot on Sunday when they were held to a draw by a brave Manly United side.
It was the home side that dominated the first period but they couldn’t find a breakthrough as the teams went into half time locked at 0-0.
And it only took six minutes in the second half for the away side to take the lead after Claudia Cholakian capitalised on a defensive error to make it 1-0.
Only 10 minutes later though, Sophie Harding capped off a fine team move to find the equaliser in what would be the full time score, 1-1.
Bankstown City 1-6 Illawarra Stingrays
Bankstown City needed all three points to keep their finals hopes alive but instead completely collapsed against the Illawarra Stingrays.
The home team had a dream start though, taking an early lead through Joanna Martino after a corner.
But that’s where it ended as the Stingrays equalised through Talitha Kramer before Hannah Beard made it 2-1 only three minutes later.
Michelle Carney blasted home 10 minutes from half time to give the away side a 3-1 lead at the break.
Any hopes of a Bankstown were extinguished early as Beard added a second before completing her hat-trick 15 minutes from full time.
Carney made it six late on to complete the 6-1 rout.
By – Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s Writer