The PlayStation®4 NPL NSW Women’s competition finals race has just heated up with some shock results in round 12.
Sydney University SFC 3-2 NWS Koalas
It was a five-goal thriller at Sydney University Football Ground between last year’s grand finalists Sydney University and North West Sydney Koalas.
Like most clashes between these two, they’re hardly a dull affair and this one was no different.
The Koalas clawed their way back into the match after being two goals behind at the break, only for Clare Hunt to score the winner for Uni 15 minutes before then end.
It was the home side who struck first on 10 minutes.
Rachel Soutar did fantastically well in the left corner to first get passed her defender before crossing a low ball into the path of Kendall Fletcher who flicked the ball beyond Sarah Easthope.
It was the perfect start for Heather Garriock’s side.
Mel Caceres should’ve made it two on 19 minutes after a determined run down the right wing by Nikki Flannery.
Flannery moved down to the by-line and cut back for Caceres but the striker’s effort went agonizingly wide of Easthope’s goal.
Tara Andrews almost had the equalizer on 23 minutes but Georgia Boric saved well.
In the 35th minute though, Uni doubled their advantage.
A corner wasn’t dealt with well by Easthope and the Koalas defence as Clare Hunt pounced and placed the ball into the back of the net.
As the second half commenced on came the floodlights along with a different Koalas outfit.
Rachel Perrins had the Koalas first shot of the second half but she didn’t test Boric.
In the 56th minute the home side had another chance after a sweeping team move with Caceres playing in Flannery.
Under pressure, Flannery couldn’t get the power needed to place her shot beyond Easthop as the keeper saved well.
The Koalas had a golden chance to get back into the game on 60 minutes.
Morgan Roberts crossed in a testing ball toward Siahn Bozanic but the Koalas attacker couldn’t get her effort on target.
But on 62 minutes the away side had their goal.
A long throw wasn’t dealt with well as Tara Andrews used her body and skill well to get by two defenders before placing her shot in the bottom corner of the goal.
Nine Minutes later and Andrews had her second along with the Koalas equalizer.
A long ball from the defence saw Andrews get in front of her defender and expertly trick Boric to place the ball into an empty net.
The joy was short lived, two minutes to be exact as Uni hit the front again.
Another set piece wasn’t dealt with well and when Ambrose crossed the ball into the box, Hunt again rose highest, hammering her header into the back of the net, giving Easthope absolutely no chance.
Bethany Gordon should’ve finished the game for Uni seven minutes before full time after another great Uni move, blasting her effort from the edge of the area way over the bar.
Despite the Koalas pushing hard, they were unable to find a late equalizer.
Football NSW Institute 1-3 North Shore Mariners
At Valentine Sports Park on Saturday, the Football NSW Institute took on the North Shore Mariners.
Three points were imperative for the away side if they were to continue their surge and try and secure a finals place.
They started in the most perfect way possible, scoring three first half goals through Eliza Apps, captain Madeleine Bart and Ariela Cabezas.
The home side tried to rally in the second half but couldn’t do much against the Mariners, scoring only a consolation to make the score 3-1.
The win has thrown the Mariners right into the finals hunt, sitting four points behind fourth place and currently on a three-game win streak.
The Institute slip to fifth with the loss.
Northern Tigers 1-3 Macarthur Rams
North Turramurra Recreational area saw league leaders Macarthur Rams travel up to take on the Northern Tigers.
The Tigers, sitting in ninth place on the ladder, were not going to be pushovers and showed that after the first 45 minutes, moving into the break at 1-1.
Heidi Makrillos scored for the home side while Leena Khamis scored for the rams.
Goals to Kylie Ledbrook and Kristina Maksuti in the second period though were enough for the Rams to come away with all three points and keep a hold of top spot.
The premiership is closer than ever for the Rams, extending their lead at the top of the table to four points.
Blacktown Spartans 3-1 Emerging Jets
At Blacktown Football Park on Sunday afternoon, the Blacktown Spartans took on the merging Jets.
The bottom placed Jets gave the home side a fright, going into the sheds locked at half time.
Eliza Ammendolia scored for the home side while Indianna Asimus scored for the Jets.
With their finals hopes in the balance after a drop of form recently, the Spartans came out firing in the second period as two goals to Cassidy Chidgey secured them all three points.
The win puts Blacktown in sixth, only one point outside the top four.
Manly United FC 4-1 Illawarra Stingrays
In the late kick off at Cromer Park on Sunday night, Manly United hosted the Illawarra Stingrays.
Ally Green gave the home side a 16th minute lead before Emma Rolston equalised for the away side to send the sides into the break at 1-1.
But it was United that came out swinging in the second 45, finding the net another three times through Alice Wilson, Isabella Walker and Remy Siemsen.
The win lifts Manly above the Stingrays into third spot on the ladder, while the Stingrays sit just behind on goal difference.
-By Nikola Pozder