The Northern Tigers booked their place in next Sunday’s NPL NSW Women’s grand final against Premiers Sydney University at Valentine Sports Park after defeating Sydney Olympic 3-0.

For the second time in two weeks, the Tigers came away with Victory against Sydney Olympic.

Malia Steinmetz had the first real chance of the first half but her header went straight into the arms of Jada Whyman on 15 minutes.

Olympic responded with their first chance similarly through Angelique Hristodolou but her header didn’t trouble Eliza Campbell.

Olympic did hold much of the possession but without creating a great chance until two minutes from half time.

Panagiota Petratos let fly with a pile driver but Campbell reacted extremely well to tip the ball over the bar.

With that, the teams went into half time locked at 0-0.

Four minutes after half time, George Beltsos would’ve been thinking how his team wasn’t in front.

First Mackenzie Hawkesby had a great chance before a lay back to Petratos was expertly saved by Campbell with her feet.

And if you don’t take your chances, you get punished.

Exactly that happened in the 57th minute as Hannah McNulty picked up a loose ball in midfield, connecting with Daisy Arrowsmith before blasting toward goal.

Her powerful effort came back off the cross bar straight into the grateful path of Aimee Phillips who couldn’t miss from a metre out.

Olympic kept pressing, going close through Teresa Polias from distance.

On 69 minutes it was 2-0 to the Tigers.

McNulty took a free kick from the side of the box, the ball evaded all and made its way into the back of the net.

In the 78th minute the result was wrapped up.

Another free kick, this time through Servet Uzunlar, wasn’t well dealt with by Olympic with the ball falling to Steinmetz who gave Whyman no chance. Belting the ball into the top netting.

Saba Murray could’ve made it four in the 92nd minute but Whyman pulled off a fine save.

Olympic couldn’t find a consolation as their fantastic first season in the top flight came to an end.

Jason Eagar will now prepare his team for the daunting task against the premiers Sydney University.

By – Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s Writer

 

Sydney University became the first team to book their place in the 2019 NPL NSW Women’s Grand Final on Sunday afternoon.

Sydney Olympic (2nd) 2-1 Illawarra Stingrays (5th) 

In a drama filled afternoon at Valentine Sports Park on Saturday afternoon, Sydney Olympic kept their championships hopes alive with a 2-1 win over the Illawarra Stingrays.

The referee awarded an incredible three penalty through the match for Olympic with the regular season runners up scoring two.

A fantastic season came to an end for Scott Chipperfield’s girls while Olympic progress to take on the Northern Tigers, the team that beat them only a week ago.

Olympic had the majority of the play but it was the Stingrays who had the better chances early on.

First Michelle Carney, the Erica Halloway but neither could really test Jada Whyman.

With the team set to move into half time locked at 0-0, Talitha Kramer brought down Sarah Yatim in the box and the referee pointed to the spot.

Up stepped the experienced Teresa Polias but Trudy Burke read her well, diving the right way and tipping the ball out.

As the second half got underway, substitute Rochelle Borromeo’s persistence paid off as Kramer committed her second foul in the box of the game.

This time top-scorer Susan Phonsongkham stepped up and despite Burke picking the right way, too much power and precision on the ball saw it hit the back of the net.

As the game looked set to end 1-0, the Stingrays had other plans.

A corner wasn’t cleared by Olympic with the ball popping up for Caitlin Cooper who hit a sublime cross goal volley into the top corner for delirium amongst the Stingrays faithful.

Now the match looked destined for extra time.

But almost immediately it could’ve been 2-1 as Polias hit a piledriver which smacked back against the cross bar.

And then, Olympic were awarded their third penalty of the afternoon.

Polias saw Phonsongkham making a run and found her with a sublime ball as Burker this time brought her down in the box.

Young centre back Ange Hristodolou showed nerves of steal to las the ball down the middle and despite Burke getting a touch, their was no keeping that effort out.

Olympics game management was fantastic in the last few minutes as they held on to progress.

Sydney University (1st) 2-0 Northern Tigers (3rd)

Sydney University became the first team in the 2019 season to book their place in the season decider with a 2-0 win victory over the Northern Tigers.

Rachel Soutar was the star of the afternoon, scoring from two set-pieces in each half to confirm the win.

It meant Alex Epakis has now got his team to consecutive finals and will aim to go a step further in two weeks time.

For Jason Eagar, his team needs to regroup as they face off against Sydney Olympic to earn another coach at the Premiers.

It took Uni 15 minutes to hit the front and they did it in some style.

Soutar lined up a free kick from some distance out and let fly, finding the top corner and beating an outstretched Eliza Campbell.

The Tigers tried to respond but could only do so through deep free kicks from Servet Uzunlar that were easily dealt with by the Uni defence.

Five minutes before the break, Uni should’ve doubled their advantage.

A Soutar corner found Cortnee Vine at the far post, her volley came off the cross bar and into the path of Taren King but the centre back headed over from close range.

The second period started much the same as the first with Uni in control.

Uni’s high press throughout the whole game made problems for the Tigers and didn’t allow the to have any fluidity in their play.

Soutar almost had her second with another special effort from distance, this time the ball flying just over the bar.

Only minutes later, another wicked Soutar free kick was put into the back of the net by a Tigers defender and that was the game.

The Tigers pushed hard and went close in one scramble but Uni managed to clear the ball.

By – Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s Writer

 

 

Finals are up and running in the NPL NSW Women’s competition as one team’s dreams of lifting the Championship trophy came to an end this weekend.

Elimination Final

Blacktown Spartans (4th) 4-5 Illawarra Stingrays (5th)

What better way to start the finals series than with a nine-goal thriller at Valentine Sports Park as the Illawarra Stingrays overcame the Blacktown Spartans 5-4.

It was the Spartans that started like a house on fire, racing to a three-goal lead after 31 minutes.

With 15 minutes left in the first period, the Stingrays completed an absolutely incredible comeback to go into half time leading 4-3.

They added a fifth in the second half before the Spartans made for a tense finish with a late goal.

The first chance of the game fell early to Michelle Carney but her header was saved by Casey Dumont.

Ash Crofts had the first chance for the Spartans, but Trudy Burke saved her effort well.

Alix Roberts then had an opportunity from a free kick on the edge of the area, forcing Burke into another fine save.

From there, it was a 15 minute blitzkrieg from David Saliba’s side.

The Stingrays couldn’t clear their lines from a corner, with the ball bouncing to Crofts who let fly with a volley, finding the top corner and giving Burke no chance.

Only four minutes later and it was 2-0.

Roberts made a run down the right, what looked to be a cross, turned into a spectacular shot as the ball came off the far post and into the back of the net.

The Spartans right back will definitely tell you she meant it.

Crofts soon made it 3-0 as the Spartans looked to be cruising.

Played in one-on-one with Burke, Crofts rarely misses these chances and made up for her previous miss with a excellent finish into the bottom left corner.

Carney should’ve pulled one back but Dumont made another save off the striker.

Erica Halloway had a quiet game until the 34th minute when she turned her defender and shot toward goal.

Dumont’s initial save was tapped into the back of the net by the on-rushing Carney to kick start the come back.

Kristy Rohrer should’ve re-established the three-goal buffer but she headed onto the bar following a Roberts free kick.

And that’s where it fell apart for the girls in orange.

Michelle Carney returned the favour for Halloway this time as the winger had the easiest jobs of slotting the ball into the goal.

It was 3-3 in the first minute of stoppage time as Kaelah Austin slotted the ball home.

And Scott Chipperfield’s girls completed the sensation comeback only a minute later as Chloe Middleton took advantage of a defensive error to poke the ball beyond Dumont.

The start of the second half had the Stingrays again causing problems, again forcing Dumont into a fingertip save onto the cross bar.

Halloway was then fouled in the box with the referee pointing to the spot. Austin stepped up and sent Dumont the wrong way for a 5-3 lead.

Burke then gave the Spartans a lifeline when she carried Roberts’ cross over the line in the 83rd minute.

Carney thought she had settled it four minutes from full time but she was adjudged to have been in an offside position.

It didn’t matter as the Stingrays did enough to ensure they continued in the finals series while it meant the end for the Spartans who had a fantastic season.

Qualifying Final

Sydney Olympic (2nd) 0-1 Northern Tigers (3rd)

After the prior days spectacle, all eyes were on Arlington Oval for a potential flurry of goals.

Considering the two sides previous encounters though, it wasn’t expected and that is what we got, a goal in the dying embers of the game to put the Northern Tigers through to face Sydney University.

The first half didn’t offer much and the Tigers were most dangerous following dead balls from Servet Uzunlar.

Jada Whyman was untroubled though, plucking them out of the air like an AFL forward.

Georgia Plessas had Eliza Campbell back tracking with a shot from distance but the Tigers keeper was comfortable.

The Tigers looked most dangerous when top scorer Daisy Arrowsmith broke through the Olympic defence, only for Whyman to fly out at the Tigers striker and win the ball.

Teresa Polias was trying to pull the strings in midfield for Olympic but there weren’t enough forward options for her.

Susan Phonsongkham, one of Olympic’s most influential players, couldn’t get going, while Sarah Yatim when she did get the better of Josie Wilson, couldn’t find the final pass.

Olympic probably started the second period slightly better and had a period of extended pressure but without really testing Campbell.

As the game looked destined for extra time, Jess Frampton finally let fly with a rasping effort, forcing Campbell into a fine save.

With the clock ticking closer to 90, the Tigers ensured that there would be no extra time.

Maddie Bart broke through Olympic’s back line, again Whyman saved, only for the ball to fall invitingly for Arrowsmith who doesn’t miss from a few metres out, making it 1-0.

Olympic tried to rally with whatever minimal time was left but some fine game management in the final stages meant the Tigers would hold onto the victory.

For Olympic, they now face elimination next weekend when they come up against the Illawarra Stingrays.

The Tigers can book their Grand Final place should they beat the Premiers Sydney University.

By – Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s Writer

 

 

 

It wouldn’t be the top tier of women’s football if the final day of competition wasn’t drama filled and round 22 didn’t disappoint.

With five teams assured of final football, it was a battle for places three through to five.

The Northern Tigers would steal third place in a snatch and grab come back win, while the Spartans secured fourth spot and the Stingrays dropped to fifth.

MATCH OF THE ROUND 

Sydney University 2-0 Illawarra Stingrays

Having already secured the Premiership the week prior, the final game of the season was just a formality for Sydney University as they recorded another win over the Illawarra Stingrays.

A goal in each half for Alex Epakis’ side was enough to sweeten Premiership celebrations post game.

It isn’t to say the Stingrays didn’t have their own chances with both goal keepers pulling off fantastic saves throughout the fixture.

It was the away side that started the better though and Courtney Newbon was called into action.

Blaize Kendis hit a flat, powerful free kick from the edge of the area, forcing the Uni keeper into a low one handed save.

From the resulting corner, Caitlin Cooper should’ve made it 1-0 but the ball arrived to quickly at her as her effort went over the bar.

And do as they have, Uni took advantage of their first opportunity.

Clare Wheeler received the ball from a far distant out before cracking a snap shot toward goal, catching Trudy Burke out and finding the bottom right corner.

Burke may have seen the ball late but it shouldn’t take anything away from the midfielder’s finish.

Uni’s midfielders were in the mood and Bianca Galic soon tried her own luck, volleying just wide of Burke’s post.

Burke was called into action once more late in the first half, this time to tip over the bar a cross come shot by Annabelle Martin.

As the second period got underway, again it was the away side who had the first opportunity.

Talitha Kramer got on the end of a fine Hannah Beard free kick, only to head onto the post.

Beard her self was in with a fantastic opportunity but Courtney Newbon made a fantastic one-on-one save.

The clearance found its way straight to Chloe Middleton with the whole goal to to aim at but the winger couldn’t find the target, hitting the ball over the bar.

At the other end, the Students weren’t so forgiving.

Holy Caspers made a great run and was rewarded for it with a fine ball. She took her shot early and surprised Burke as the ball came off the upright and into the goal.

Doubling their lead, the game completely opened up.

First Beard forced Newbon into another fingertip save before Aofie Colvil almost made it 3-0 for the home team.

Substitute Julie Vignes for Burke into an incredible save as the game drew to a close.

The loss saw the Stingrays drop to fifth as Uni has a week off in the play offs.

Manly United 2-0 Emerging Jets

Manly United finished the season off in style with a 2-0 win over the Emerging Jets.

A goal in either half was enough for the home team to take all three points.

Emily Minett and Sophie Nenadovic were the goal scorers for United.

Manly finished the season in ninth, the Jets in 11th.

Bankstown City 3-4 Northern Tigers

Definitely the match of the day as the Northern Tigers secured third place and a dramatic win in the dying minutes against Bankstown City.

It was the home team that got off to a flyer as Monica Nolevski headed them in front inside the first 150 seconds.

Vesna Milivojevic then double the home teams lead with minutes left in the first half.

The Tigers reacted immediately after the break with Daisy Arrowsmith cutting the deficit from the spot.

Not long passed when Beth Bernardi had the Tigers level.

Almost from kick off, the home side were back in front, again through Bankstown star Milivojevic who scored a special goal.

With the Tigers set to finish in fifth spot, the table turned in the final five minutes.

First Maddie Bart tapped in from a metre out before Arrowsmith completed the remarkable turnaround in the 90th minute with her own very special goal.

Bankstown should’ve equalised in the 92nd minute but Eliza Campbell made an incredible triple save to give her side all three points.=

Macarthur Rams 5-2 FNSW Institute

It was a dead rubber at Lynwood Park but that didn’t stop the Macarthur Rams finishing the season in style.

They took a 2-0 lead into half time against the young Football NSW Institute team.

There were five more goals in the second 45 but the home team held out to come away 5-2 victors.

North Shore Mariners 0-2 Blacktown Spartans

The Blacktown Spartans completed a fine come back in the season to finish in fourth spot after victory against the North Shore Mariners.

Ash Crofts had the away side in front early in the first half as they took that lead into the break.

Crofts grabbed her second after the break to record a 2-0 victory for the Spartans.

Sydney Olympic 2-3 NWS Koalas

The North West Sydney Koalas showed their quality on Sunday, defeating Sydney Olympic 3-2.

Amy Sayer opened the scoring with a neat finish after a Princess Ibini cross.

It was soon 2-0 as Sayer once more was the star, her shot coming off the cross bar before hitting the back of the net.

Georgia Plessas then halved the deficit with a good finish of her own beyond Romina Parraguirre.

The Koalas restored their two-goal advantage through Ariella Cabezas and went into half time 3-1 up.

Olympic pushed in the second half and found a goal through Sarah Yatim but that would be as close as they got.

By – Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s Writer