Round 22 – National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s Review
The final round of the NPL NSW Women’s competition saw the Football NSW Institute wrap up the final playoffs position after a long and exciting season.
Manly United 2-2 Sydney University
With Sydney University securing the premiership last week and Manly United booking their place in the playoffs, both sides were temping their form for the coming weeks.
The two couldn’t be separated at Cromer Park with the scores finishing 2-2.
The home side hit the front with the first chance of the game after 27 minutes.
A corner from Ally Green found Isabella Walker who got up highest to power a her header into the back of the net.
Uni threatened in the 31st minute after Tori Tumeth got onto the end of a Rachel Soutar free kick, only for her volley to go inches wide.
Two minutes later and Uni were level in style.
Cortnee Vine picked up a loose ball outside of the box before taking it wide right and blasting an effort into the top corner of the Manly goal.
Claudia Cholakian almost had the home team back in front on half time but her effort from outside the box went just over the bar.
In the 58th minute the home side went forward again, this time through Sophie Harding but the striker’s left footed shot failed to beat Georgia Boric.
Two minutes later and it was that right foot of Soutar again.
She let fly with a set piece just outside the area, cracking it against the cross bar before United cleared their lines.
But in the 63rd minute the away side had a controversial penalty.
Nikki Flannery was adjudged to have been brought down in the box with the referee pointing to the spot.
Vine stepped up to take the spot kick but hit her effort against the upright.
In the 76th minute Flannery was presented with a golden opportunity but Claire Coelho saved well.
Seven minutes from full time Manly were back in front.
A deep free kick from Green wasn’t dealt with by Boric as Sunny Franco arrived to tap the ball into the back of the net.
Again Uni came back though with only two minutes remaining.
Another Soutar corner saw Annabel Martin’s header well saved by Coelho before Tori Tumeth blasted the rebound home.
Uni continued to press in search of a winner but it wasn’t coming with the score finishing 2-2.
Blacktown Spartans 0-3 NWS Koalas
At Blacktown Football Park, the Blacktown Spartans hosted the North West Sydney Koalas.
The Koalas knew that all they could do was win and hope the Football NSW Institute slipped up.
They started well, going into half time leading by the odd goal.
They added a further two in the second period to round up a 3-0 victory.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough for the Koalas as they finished the season in sixth place, two points out of finals football.
Emerging Jets 4-0 Sutherland Shire
The battle of the bottom saw the Emerging Jets host Sutherland Shire at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility.
Four first half goals for the Jets had them leading comfortably at the break.
The score line didn’t change in the second period as the Jets finished the season in 11th and Sutherland in 12th.
Northern Tigers 1-2 Illawarra Stingrays
At North Turramurra Recreational Area, the Northern Tigers took on the Illawarra Stingrays.
It was the home side that got off to a perfect start, hitting the front through Servet Uzunlar.
They held this lead until the break, with the Stingrays potentially losing second spot on the ladder.
They wouldn’t allow that to happen though, scoring twice in the second period to finish behind the premiers Sydney University.
Bankstown City 1-3 Football NSW Institute
Bankstown City took their final game of the season to Potts park as they faced off with the Football NSW Institute.
The Institute knew that the Koalas were breathing down their necks and couldn’t afford to slip up against the Lions.
But things started horribly for the away side as Bankstown hit the front in the first half through Mary Fowler.
The Institute needed to react and they did through Melindaj Barbieri.
They continued to press forward and Susan Phonsongkham scored another two to round up a 3-1 victory and ensure the Institute’s season will continue for at least one more week.
North Shore Mariners 0-5 Macarthur Rams
At Valentine Sports Park on Sunday afternoon, the North Shore Mariners took on the Macarthur Rams.
Macarthur had to win to ensure they held onto a spot in the top three which would give them a ‘chance’ in the playoffs.
The Mariners would have to do it without Amy Sayer who had recently debuted for the Matilda’s in the United States
They got off to the right start as Georgia Yeoman-Dale opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the first half.
Two goals to Tiffany Paterson had the Rams cruising at the break, 3-0.
Substitute Laura Murtagh then had a brace of her own in the second half to finish the regular season with a commanding 5-0 victory.
