The 2024 National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition kicked off on Saturday night as the Northern Tigers came from two goals down to secure a last gasp draw against fellow derby rivals NWS Spirit FC at North Turramurra.
The visitors were in cruise control at half time as Tony Candy’s team lead 2-0, courtesy of goals from Clare Holder and Morgan Roberts.
It was a night for the debutants at the Tigers as two goals late on to Nicola Dominikovich and substitute Ameera Makunja rescued a point.
The Tigers had the first chance of the game through Olivia Cartwright in wet conditions, but her effort sprayed just wide of Mio Nemoto’s goal.
Not long after and Clare Holder showed fantastic technique, beating two defenders before forcing Aimee Hall into a very good low save.
Holder soon had the visitors in front soon after.
Known to deliver a deadly corner, Holder curled the ball across the line with an in-swinging delivery, getting the better of Hall in the Tigers goal.
10 minutes later and the visitors were in dream land as Morgan Roberts made it two.
Finding the ball just inside the area, the winger let fly on the half volley, finding the far top corner in style, giving Hall no chance.
Spirit went close to making it three moments before the break, but Hall this time stood tall and saved.
Much like the first half, the first opportunity of the second fell the way of the Tigers, Nemoto almost getting caught out but recovering quick enough.
Dominikovich was causing issues down the left and delivered a fine cross to the far post but Lily McMahon could not get enough purchase on her effort.
McMahon would test Nemoto again with the home side’s best chance with 25 minutes remaining, only for the Spirit keeper to save well again.
The luck wouldn’t change for McMahon, as the next chance fell her way again, flicking a header inches wide of the target.
The Tigers halved the deficit with just over 15 minutes left.
Dominikovich took advantage of some lax defending before slipping the ball beyond Nemoto with a calm finish.
With minutes left, the home side was level.
Some excellent work by McMahon on the left saw her beat her marker by the by-line before delivering the ball into the box where substitute Ameera Mukanja pounced, heading the ball in off the underside of the cross bar.
Mukanja, also scoring on debut, had been on the pitch for just over 10 minutes before scoring.
In the time remaining, neither side was able to pinch the win, having to settle for a point apiece on their season opener.
Match Stats
Northern Tigers 2 (Dominikovich 73’, Makunja 91’)
NWS Spirit FC 2 (Holder 13, Roberts 23’)
North Turramurra Recreation Area, North Turramurra
Saturday 3rd March 2024
Northern Tigers: 39. Hall, 3. Gattorna, 4. Keech, 5. Wharepouri (48. Witham), 8. Mcatamney (14. Bernardi), 10. Hislop, 11. McMahon, 12. Grass, 15. Middleton, 16. Cartwright (13. Makunja), 18. Dominikovich.
Subs Not Used: 1. Drever, 34. Henebery, 35. Cara Harris.
NWS Spirit FC: 1. Nemoto, 5. Martin, 7. K. Buchanan, 13. Roberts, 15. Murray, 16, Osborn, 18. Casha, 23. Holder (27. T. Buchanan), 34. Hawkins, 48. Fazzari, 53. Sullivan.
Subs Not Used: 20. Bonovas, 28. Addison, 41. Offer, 49. Finnerty, 51. Harris.
Don’t miss a game! Subscribe to Football NSW’s YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/footballnsw
By – Nikola Pozder