A new round, a new leader as Sydney Olympic race to the front of the pack of the NPL NSW Women’s competition. 

Manly United has started put in a dominant performance while the Illawarra Stingrays are starting to put a run together.

APIA are slowly becoming the draw specialists, while the Rams and Koalas also shared the spoils.

Sydney Uni also secured a massive three points against a top five rival.

 

Sydney University 2-0 Blacktown Spartans 

Sydney University faced a tough task against the in form Blacktown Spartans at Arlington Oval.

But two first goals were enough for the Students to register an important three points.

The points were made all the more important after Uni was defeated mid-week against Sydney Olympic.

Uni hit the front just after 10 minutes on the clock.

Sarah Morgan fed in Uni top scorer Kaitlyn Torpey who easily played the ball beyond the goal keeper.

Just before the half hour mark the home side doubled their advantage.

Bianca Galic picked up a loose ball on the edge of the area before scoring a spectacular goal on the half volley into the top corner.

The win moved Uni ahead of the Spartans and into the top five while Blacktown dropped to eighth place.

 

Bankstown City 1-4 Manly United 

Bankstown needed to bounce back on Sunday against Manly United at Jensen Park but the visitor’s wouldn’t have it.

After a tight first half, Manly steam rolled the Lions in the second half.

It took Manly 60-seconds to hit the front.

An Elizabeth Copus-Brown corner wasn’t dealt with as Emily Minnett volleyed the ball home.

With half time approaching, Bankstown drew level.

Georgia Plessas picked up the ball on the edge of the area, let fly, as her shot deflected off a Manly defender before looping in over Whitton.

You wouldn’t believe it if someone told you but it took 60-seconds again for Manly to go back in front in the second half.

A free kick was headed back by Remy Siemsen as Tara Andrews volleyed her effort into the back of the net.

It was 3-1 10 minutes later as Remy Siemsen scored one of the goals of the season with a piledriver from distance.

The points were safe shortly after as Tara Andrews picked up her second, tapping home her own saved effort.

 

Macarthur Rams 0-0 NWS Koalas 

At Lynwood Park, Macarthur was desperate to find their way back to the top of the league as the NWS Koalas visited.

When the two met earlier in the campaign, it was the Rams that came away with a dominant 3-0 victory.

It was a different story this time though on Sunday afternoon.

Patty Charalambous had a fine opportunity to open the scoring after an excellent Leena Khamis run but couldn’t direct her shot on target.

Despite the Rams dominating the first 45 minutes, neither side could break the deadlock.

It was more even in the second half but the same scenario with the full time score remaining at 0-0.

 

Northern Tigers 1-1 APIA Leichhardt  

It was an interesting clash at North Turramurra between the Northern Tigers and APIA Leichhardt.

As the rain continuously fell, it was a fine tactical battle between two sides fighting for the Premiership.

It would be the visitor’s that would hit the front though mid-way through the first half.

Youngster Claudia Chicco took advantage of a ball in the box before blasting home to give APIA a lead they’d take into the break.

Just as APIA looked set to claim all three points, the home team struck.

A ball to the far post saw Hannah McNulty pop up and volley into the goal to give Jason Eagar’s side a valuable point.

 

Emerging Jets 1-5 Illawarra Stingrays 

The Illawarra Stingrays travelled north on Sunday in search of all three points against the Emerging Jets.

It took the visitors until first half stoppage time to hit the front with Kaelah Austin scoring a thunderbolt after the Jets failed to clear the ball.

In the second half, Michelle Carney showed all her experience to double the Stingrays advantage.

Sheridan Gallagher then extended the Stingrays advantage, scoring at the near post to make it three.

Not long after Austin had her second and the Rays fourth as she stuck a foot in to poke the ball home.

The Jets had one back through Milan Hammond who powered a header into the back of the net.

Late on Talitha Kramer rounded off the scoring with a goal of her own to make it 5-1.

 

Sydney Olympic 5-0 Football NSW Institute 

The new league leaders, Sydney Olympic, knew that a victory would push them further in front of the chasers against the Football NSW Institute.

You would’ve expected them to learn a lesson from the last time they met with the Institute and they certainly did, coming away with a 5-0 victory at Belmore Sports Ground.

They needed to get off to a fast start and did exactly that, going into half time three goals to the good.

The Institute, who had 11 players attend a Junior Matildas Camp this week, couldn’t respond and they were visibly tired.

Two more goals in the second half to the home team were enough for George Beltsos’ team to run away with a dominant victory and grab some revenge for the defeat they suffered last time the two met.

Five different scorers for Olympic on the day as Kiara De Domizio, Teigan Collister, Aimee Phillips, Alexia Karrys-Stahl and Sarah Yatim all found the back of the net.

It seems Olympic are hitting their stride at the right time and now look favourites to secure the Premiership with 10 games to go.

BY: NIKOLA POZDER, CHIEF NPL NSW WOMEN’S WRITER  

It’s taken 11 rounds in the NPL NSW Women’s competition but we have a different league leader with the Macarthur Rams surrendering first place. 

Sydney Uni and Sydney Olympic set up their mid-week fixture to be a blockbuster with wins on Sunday while Blacktown continued their solid form.

APIA also snapped their three-match losing streak with a last-gasp win.

While it’s the Northern Tigers who sit atop the competition ladder with one game remaining in the first half of the season after their victory.

 

Bankstown City 0-4 Sydney University 

Bankstown City were hoping to make it three wins on the bounce on Sunday afternoon at Jensen Park but it wasn’t to be against Sydney University.

Bianca Galic got the party started before Kaitlyn Torpey picked up a brace and Demi Koulizakis rounded off the scoring.

From start to finish, it was a dominant Uni victory and never looked in serious trouble against the hosts.

It would be the home team with the first chance early on, the inform Olivia Price crossing for Isabella DI Sipio who headed over from point blank range.

The away side went close next with their high press bearing fruit, forcing Liana Danaskos to cough up possession as Torpey fired toward goal, only for Annalee Grove to save well.

Again Bankstown was an aerial threat, this time Maryam Mostaghimi at the far post couldn’t direct her effort on target.

Uni had the lead from their next chance.

Galic had a free kick from the corner of the box. With everyone expecting a cross, including the Bankstown custodian, Galic surprised all with her effort at the near post coming off the woodwork and into the goal.

That’s where the chances lined up for Uni.

First Rachel Lowe let fly from outside of the box, her shot smashing against the bar. Next Laura Hughes hit the upright before Maxine Peak did the same.

It wasn’t to be though and the Students went into half time one-goal to the good.

Emily Husband wanted her side to finish the match off as early as possible but the Lions had other ideas, coming out more aggressive for the second 45.

But five minutes in and Uni should’ve doubled their lead.

First Torpey had her shot blocked before Peak picked up the loose ball and fired it across goal for Torpey, only for the striker to completely miss the target from a yard out, reminiscent of her miss a couple weeks ago against APIA.

And when you thought she couldn’t do it again, she did.

This time some fine skill by substitute Koulizakis and a neat cross into the middle of the six-yard box had Torpey stretching and again shoot high and over the goal.

Torpey would have her goal shortly after, sticking a foot in front of Grove before rounding her and placing the ball into an empty goal.

The striker grew in confidence following that goal and had her second 10 minutes later.

A fine cross from the right was begging to be attacked and that’s exactly what Torpey did with a perfect header into the bottom corner.

The scoring was completed in stoppage time when the away side were awarded a spot kick.

Koulizakis, who was fouled, stepped up and sent her powerful effort into the bottom left corner.

It was a fine performance from the premiers, holding a masterclass with some fine pressing, ball possession and most importantly, goal-scoring.

 

Blacktown Spartans 2-0 Emerging Jets 

The Blacktown Spartans knew that to get closer to the top five, they needed to be the Emerging Jets and that’s exactly what they did.

Two first half goals were enough for the Spartans to secure all three points.

The first coming with a spectacular team move as Emily Kos whipped a perfect ball in for Ash Crofts who scored her second goal in as many weeks.

Just before half time the Spartans had their second, Leticia McKenna with a fabulous corner found Ash Calvar at the far post and she powered a header into goal.

The win puts Attard’s team only a point outside the five now.

 

Football NSW Institute 0-1 Northern Tigers 

A massive match took place at Valentine Sports Park as the Northern Tigers travelled to take on the Football NSW Institute.

It’d be the away team that would take all three points with an odd-goal victory,

That goal came in the first half courtesy of inform Shadeene Evans from the spot.

Evans was brought down in the box, dusted herself off and rolled the ball into the bottom corner giving Franco no chance.

The victory pushed Jason Eagar’s side to the top of the competition ladder at the turn of the halfway point.

 

Manly United 0-1 Illawarra Stingrays 

In one of the shocks of the round, the Illawarra Stingrays came away with all the points against Manly United at Cromer Park.

Struggling with form in recent times, a first half goal was enough for the Stingrays.

That sole goal came as early as the fifth minute through who else but Michelle Carney.

Carney’s free kick from the edge of the area took a deflection and sent the keeper the opposite direction as the ball bounced over the line.

The win keeps the Stingrays hopes of finals football alive while for Manly, well they are in serious trouble and will need to turn the form around soon.

 

NWS Koalas 2-3 APIA Leichhardt 

Two teams desperate for victories met on Sunday night at Christie Park and it was the away team, APIA Leichhardt, who took the spoils in a five-goal thriller against the North West Sydney Koalas.

Just after the halfway mark of the first half APIA had the perfect chance to hit the front courtesy of a penalty.

Pollicina was bundled over in the box and Georgia Yeoman-Dale stepped up to take the set piece.

Katie Offer saved the penalty and then the follow up from Claudia Cicco, before Cicco squared the ball up for Zoe Halpin who tapped home.

10 minutes from half time the lead was doubled in some style.

It was APIA’s midfield magician Rhianna Pollicina who picked the ball up outside the box and with her back to goal, turned and let fly with a bullet over Offer.

The Koalas responded after the break and Adam Keramea’s side had one back eight minutes into the second half.

Sophie Harding went on a fantastic run through a barrage of APIA players before setting up Tahlia Macri who finished well on the left.

Only minutes later and the comeback was complete.

Nat Tobin this time letting fly from outside the box, her shot coming off the bar before crossing the line, 2-2.

With both teams pushing hard for the winner, it would be APIA who found it in the dying minutes of the game.

Grace Maher whipped in a tasing ball into the box, allowing Julia De Angelis to get onto the end of it to tap home and give Spencer Prior’s team all three points.

 

Macarthur Rams 0-1 Sydney Olympic 

The league leaders Macarthur Rams hosted Sydney Olympic at Lynwood Park in the final match of round 11.

It was the away side that came away with the victory, a sole goal enough for all three points.

Neither side was able to break the deadlock in the opening 45 minutes, going into the sheds locked at 0-0.

It took until the 86^th minute for Olympic to break the stalemate, although it really was the home side that gifted them the goal.

It all started with an unexplainable pass straight into the feet of Sarah Yatim who then crossed across goal, only for Hayley Taylor-Young to volley into her own goal.

And it was enough for Olympic to hold on and register a massive win to push them into fourth place on the ladder with a game in hand and opportunity to move into first place should they win it.

BY: NIKOLA POZDER, CHIEF NPL NSW WOMEN’S WRITER  

What a round of football in the NPL NSW Women’s competition, thrills, spills and goals galore. 

Northern Tigers had a win and a loss in their double up week, while the same can be said for Sydney Olympic.

APIA Leichhardt are now three games without a win, but it’s a first loss in some time for Sydney Uni.

Bankstown City have now notched up two straight wins and are catching those in front of them.

Six points separate second all the way down to ninth in what is the closest season ever and we are still not at half way!

 

Northern Tigers 2-0 Macarthur Rams 

The Northern Tigers moved into second place on the competition table after defeating the league leaders Macarthur Rams 2-0 at North Turramurra.

After arguably their worst performance of the season mid-week, Jason Eagar had his girls eager to bounce back immediately.

It was the home side that probably started the better, racking up a large number of early corners.

The deadlock was broken with five minutes to go in the first half.

Malia Steinmetz took the ball outside the area and let fly on the half volley, into the top corner giving Khamis no chance.

20 minutes from full time the points were secure.

Shay Evan picked up a loose ball at the far post before blasting the ball beyond Khamis to make it 2-0.

 

Emerging Jets 1-3 Bankstown City 

Bankstown City made it two wins on the bounce when they defeated the Emerging Jets on Sunday afternoon.

Matthew Costatini’s side remain in 11^th place but have edged closer to those in front of them on the ladder.

On the half hour mark, the away side hit the front.

For the umpteenth time this season, the Jets gave a goal away, this time Panayiota Petratos closing down the keeper to deflect the ball into the back of the net.

Things got worse for the home side as Bankstown doubled their advantage.

Some silky skills from Logan Garard slide in Olivia Price who dinked the ball over the keeper in expert fashion.

The Jets started the second half in the best possible way, scoring after only five minutes.

A ball cut back to the edge of the area had Brianna Williams smacking her shot into the top corner and beyond Annie Grove.

Just as the Jets began creating and pressing, they were brought right back down.

Olivia Price moved into the box before being brought down.

Price dusted herself to find the back of the net from the spot and claim all three points with less than 15 minutes remaining.

 

Football NSW Institute 1-1 APIA Leichhardt 

A fine game at Valentine Sports Park saw the Football NSW Institute and APIA Leichhardt share the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

It’s the third straight game now APIA have failed to win and their premiership hopes have taken quite a hit.

Sophie Hoban looked most likely for the away side, going close on a couple occasions.

22 minutes in though, the Institute punished APIA for a defensive error.

In fine form this season, Charlie Rule made no mistake with her finish on the edge of the area, putting away her sixth of the season.

APIA continued pressing as they were early on but couldn’t find a goal before the break.

Despite APIA’s pressure, the Institute should’ve doubled their lead as Rule hit her shot over from only a meter or so in front.

With 25 minutes remaining, Grace Maher had APIA on level terms.

With her second goal in as many games, Maher did well to get through the Institute defence before placing the ball into the bottom corner.

Hoban had a chance to win it for APIA late on but her effort went just wide of the goal.

 

Sydney Olympic 1-2 North West Sydney Koalas 

The North West Sydney Koalas broke a horrid run of form, scoring the biggest shock victory of the round against Sydney Olympic at Belmore Sports Ground.

After picking up four straight wins, including a mid-week win over the Northern Tigers, Olympic were one of the competition’s form teams.

And they continued in that fashion, taking the lead on 14 minutes through Mackenzie Hawkesby.

A ball through by De Domizio had Hawkesby beat her defender with speed before placing beyond Offer.

Only one minute later and the Koalas equalised in some style through Sophie Harding.

The Koalas striker burst through the Olympic defence, getting passed her markers with ease before dribbling passed Jada Mathyssen and sliding the ball into an empty goal.

Despite the early goals, neither side could add to the score line in the first half.

In the 57^th minute, Harding became creator as she crossed across goal for Rachel Soutar who blasted the ball home from inside the six-yard box.

Olympic pushed but the Koalas stood firm to secure their first win in seven matches.

 

Illawarra Stingrays 2-5 Blacktown Spartans 

Goals galore at JJ Kelly Park but it would be the visitors that had more, the Blacktown Spartans winning 5-2 against the Illawarra Stingrays.

It was the home side that hit the front from the spot as the ever-reliable Michelle Carney slotted the ball home in some style.

Talitha Kramer then had a couple chances to extend the Stingrays lead but wasn’t able to.

On the stroke of half time, the Spartans would punish the Stingrays for their missed opportunities.

Ash Crofts finally broke her duck with a smart finish on the edge of the area to secure her first goal of the season.

Five minutes into the second period and the away side over-turned the deficit, Rosie Galea playing a superb ball across goal for Tiarne Flavin who had her second in as many weeks.

This time though, the home side equalised.

Carney found herself with a golden opportunity inside the box, forcing Sally James into an incredible save before slamming the ball home on the rebound.

Not long after, the Spartans were back in front.

Maja Markovski continued her fine form in front of goal in some style, turning her marker before placing the ball into the back of the net.

Minutes later the lead was doubled with a goal of the season contender.

Hannah Lowry picked up the ball from more than 35 metres out before letting fly, her effort coming off the underside of the bar before hitting the back of the net.

The points were sewn up five minutes from half time, Maja Markovski brought down in the box with the referee awarding a penalty.

Markovski took the resulting penalty and despite the Stingrays keeper picking the right side, the penalty had too much power, hitting the back of the net.

 

Manly United 2-1 Sydney University 

We’ve been eagerly waiting for the champions to kick into gear and this week it looks like it has as Manly United defeated the premiers 2-1 at Cromer Park in the 2020 grand final rematch.

A tight first half with not many chance meant that the two sides entered the break locked at 0-0.

Supporters hadn’t even returned from the half time break when Manly hit the front, 12 seconds into the second half.

Remy Siemsen getting onto the end of a ball into the area before blasting a powerful volley beyond Boric who had no chance.

Sydney Uni have been dangerous from set pieces all year and with 10 minutes left, they had their equaliser.

Taren King rose the highest from the corner, powering her header into the back of the net.

As the clock ticked, Manly re-took the lead.

Siemsen laying off the ball for Caitlin Jarvie, as the latter side footed it beyond Boric to secure all three points for Tom Hopley’s side.

 

Round 2 rescheduled fixture reviews

Sydney Olympic 2-1 Northern Tigers 

Sydney Olympic welcomed the Northern Tigers to Valentine Sports Park on Thursday night after a last-minute change of venue.

It was the away side that got off to a great start when Aideen Keane muscled her way through before tapping the ball home.

But it was all Sydney Olympic in the first half.

Chance after chance came and went until Mackenzie Hawkesby changed that.

What seemed a nothing ball from the centre of defence, went all the way through to Hawkesby who made no mistake with her finish to equalise.

The Tigers came out better in the second period but couldn’t break down a stubborn Olympic defence.

Aimee Phillips then made a fine run down the right before crossing across goal for Teigen Collister who sent the ball into the back of the net.

It’d be Olympic that would look more likely after that, going close through Sarah Yatim and Hawkesby. Securing a massive three points.

 

Sydney University 1-1 APIA Leichhardt  

Sydney University and APIA shared the spoils at Sydney Uni Football game in the other rescheduled match last week.

APIA hit the front from after Grace Maher saw her penalty get saved before being quickest to the rebound to bundle the ball home.

Uni responded in the second half an should’ve equalised in the second period through Torpey.

Shortly after, Sarah Morgan had the home side level, popping up at the far post.

Both teams had opportunities to win it, Maher hit the bar from distance while Demi Koulizakis missed a sitter from right in front.

BY: NIKOLA POZDER, CHIEF NPL NSW WOMEN’S WRITER  

 

There would be no change at the top of the competition ladder after round nine action in the NPL NSW Women’s competition. 

The Macarthur Rams got back to winning ways this week in the top of the table clash, while there was a first win of the season for Bankstown City.

A superb turnaround at Blacktown Football Park has the Spartans edging closer to the top five, while Sydney Olympic scored a massive victory in a direct clash with a premiership rival.

While the Northern Tigers and Sydney University kept the pressure on the league leaders with victories.

 

North West Sydney Koalas 2-3 Northern Tigers

In front of a packed crowd at Christie Park on Saturday night, it was the Northern Tigers that took the points in a five-goal thriller.

The first half got off to a timid start with both sides looking to expose the other tactically.

It took up until 10 minutes from half time for the away side to be gifted the perfect opportunity to hit the front from the penalty spot.

Lauren Allan made no mistake from the spot, finding the bottom left corner.

It seemed the goal brought the game to life as the Tigers soon doubled their advantage.

Aideen Keane showed all her skill and speed as she danced through the Koalas defence before slotting a ball across goal for Allan who made no mistake and secured her second of the evening.

Minutes later and the home side was back in the game.

It was a case of ‘whatever you can do I can do better’ from Sophie Harding, slaloming through the Tigers defence as the ball dropped for Isabella Volkanovski who blasted the ball home.

Eight minutes into the second half, in confusing circumstances it was 3-1 for the Tigers.

Malia Steinmetz let fly with an absolute piledriver which came off the underside of the bar and according to the assistant referee, over the line.

It was a perfect strike for the Tigers midfield.

Keane should’ve made it 4-1 not long after but she pulled her shot wide.

Just on the hour mark and once more the Koalas pulled themselves back into the contest.

A nice team move saw the pace of Sophie Harding explode through the Tigers defence and then roll the ball into the goal to make it 3-2.

The home side ran out of energy though and couldn’t find an equalising goal.

 

Blacktown Spartans 4-2 Manly United 

In an incredible come back, the Blacktown Spartans overturned a two-goal deficit to go home 4-2 victors.

Tara Andrews scored two goals inside the first 35 minutes before Maja Markovski halved the score right on half time.

Markovski scored two more after the break to complete her hat-trick as substitute Tiarne Flavin rounded off the scoring late in the piece.

Blacktown had the first chance, Maja Markovski forcing Isabella Whitton into a save.

It was the away team that struck first just after 10 minutes.

Emily Minnett one the ball off Courtney Nevin inside the Spartans box, cutting the ball back for Tara Andrews who placed the ball into the back of the net.

They almost doubled their lead after a fantastic diagonal ball from Sophie Nenadovic for Remy Siemsen who took her touch into the box and fired toward goals, forcing Sally James to tip the ball onto the bar.

Annie Daczko then made a penalty in a freak moment, clearing the ball onto her hand, giving the referee no choice but to point to the spot.

Andrews stepped up to take the spot kick and even though James picked the side and almost pulled off an incredible save, the shot went into the top corner.

Siemsen again thought she had scored, this time forcing James to make another unbelievable save, literally plucking the ball out of the top corner.

On the stroke of half time though, the Spartans had a lifeline.

Kyra Cooney-Cross delivered a free kick into the box which Hana Lowry flicked onto to Markovski who finished with ease.

The Spartans carried that form into the second half, Cooney-Cross delivering toward Lowry who couldn’t direct her volley goal wards.

In an almost identical move on the hour mark, Rosie Galea played in Cooney-Cross who this time found Markovski who placed the ball into the far corner.

Cooney-Cross was everywhere and almost scored a spectacular goal, catching Whitton off her line from more than 40 metres out, only for her shot to come off the bar. The rebound fell to Markovski who headed over the bar.

With 15 minutes to go, the Spartans were in front.

The home side’s striker rounded off her hat-trick with a thunderbolt from outside the area, giving Whitton no chance.

Spartans substitute Tiarne Flavin completed the victory after pinching the ball off the Manly defence before finishing in the bottom corner.

‘Resilience’ was the key word for Brad Attard.

“We weren’t in the game for the first 35 minutes, but we showed great resilience to score four goals in 46 minutes and turn it around,” said the Spartans coach.

There was one word for Tom Hopley to describe his sides performance.

“Devastating. I thought they tactically didn’t change anything but when you got players like Cooney-Cross, who I thought we were brilliant against in the first 45 and then we just went flat and got punished,” said Hopley.

 

APIA Leichhardt 2-3 Sydney Olympic 

A late strike insured that Sydney Olympic will go home with three points against APIA Leichhardt in a massive match in front of  a healthy crowd as part of the ‘Festival of Football’ festivities at Lambert Park.

The home side started the brighter and hit the front inside 10 minutes as Lisa De Vanna blasted home a shot from inside the box.

Less than two minutes later Olympic were level as Alexia Karrys-Stahl finished off a fine team move in style.

The away side turned the score line around as Taylor Ray placed a fine shot into the back of the net.

On the hour mark the home side were level after an excellent shot from Grace Maher from just outside the area.

The game look destined for a draw until the best goal of the afternoon from Sarah Yatim had Olympic returning to Belmore with all three points.

 

Sydney University 3-0 Emerging Jets 

Sydney University made light work of the Emerging Jets on Sunday afternoon, taking all three points with a 3-0 victory.

It took 10 minutes for Uni to hit the front, Clare Wheeler pouncing on a goalkeeping area to put Uni in front.

Holly Caspers doubled the advantage before the half hour mark with a smart finish into the back of the net.

Caspers then had her second in fortuitous circumstances, her cross came shot found the top corner and settled the points for Uni.

 

Bankstown City 1-0 Illawarra Stingrays 

There was something to sing about finally at Jensen Park as Bankstown City defeated the Illawarra Stingrays.

It was Matthew Costatini’s first win of 2021 with the Lions as the team will now look to build on that success.

It was the away side who had the earlier chances, unable to break the deadlock.

But it was Meleri Mullan who took the ball from within her own half before placing the ball expertly into the back of the net.

They didn’t really look like conceding after that goal and held onto to that solitary goal advantage to secure their first three points of the season.

 

Macarthur Rams 2-0 Football NSW Institute 

It was always going to be a test of character for the Rams after last week’s defeat but they showed great resolve to come back and record a 2-0 victory against the Football NSW Institute.

The top of the table clash got off to a perfect start for the home side.

Inside the first 10 minutes the Rams were in front as Leena Khamis took advantage of some sloppy defending after a good cross in by Rachael Goldstein.

Khamis turned provider on 25 minutes, picking out Hayley Taylor-Young who made no mistake with her finish, doubling the home side’s advantage.

There’d be no adjustments to the score line for the rest of the match as the Rams remain on top of the competition ladder.

BY: NIKOLA POZDER, CHIEF NPL NSW WOMEN’S WRITER 

Well, after eight rounds, there are no remaining undefeated teams in the NPL NSW Women’s competition. 

APIA showed their power and dismantled the league leaders while Uni is showing all their strength with a fine victory away from home.

Manly is back on the winners wagon after a convincing victory, as is Olympic who scored four with Aimee Phillips in form.

The Institute continue their fine start to the season while the points were shared at North Turramurra.

 

APIA Leichhardt 4-2 Macarthur Rams 

APIA Leichhardt inflicted the Macarthur Rams with their first defeat in 2021 after a 4-2 victory Sunday night at Lambert Park.

They got off to a flyer, hitting the lead after only three minutes, taking the one goal lead into the break.

Lisa De Vanna doubled the lead two minutes after the break before Kylie Ledbrook received her marching orders for an off the ball incident.

Against the odds, Patty Charalambous brought the league leaders back in it but the home side struck back with two quick goals from De Vanna and Georgia Yeoman-Dale.

Leena Khamis scored a late consolation to round off the scoring.

The spectators hadn’t even settled in their seats when the home side hit the front.

Deborah-Anne De La Harpe found Sophie Hoban who turned and curled the ball past Khamis in the Rams goal.

Grace Maher then hit a stinging free kick, forcing Khamis to tip over the bar.

De Vanna then was next to test Khamis, cutting infield from the right and letting rip with her left.

The Rams thought they were level when Leena Khamis headed home after a Lauren Keir free kick, only for the assistant referee’s flag to be raised.

Much like the start of the game, the second began the same way, with APIA scoring early.

This time two minutes in De La Harpe and De Vanna pounced on a Rams defensive error as the Matilda De Vanna expertly finished beyond Khamis.

De La Harpe could’ve made it 3-0 only a minute later but her shot was comfortably saved.

And things went from bad to worse 60 seconds later as Kylie Ledbrook saw red for an off the ball incident.

Macarthur re-grouped though and almost halved the deficit through Laura Murtagh but Sophie Magus pulled off a top draw save.

Shortly later, it was 2-1.

Patty Charalambous found herself getting onto the end of a fine header from Khamis, riffling home a volley beyond Magus.

Another defensive error, this time by captain Renee Rollason was pounced on by Georgia Yeoman-Dale who moved in on Khamis, forcing the keeper into a save, only for De Vanna to secure her brace, tapping home the rebound.

Eight-minutes from the end the points were safe as Yeoman-Dale made it 4-1 in style.

Played through by De Vanna, Yeoman-Dale chipped a stranded Sham Khamis to extend APIA’s lead further.

With only minutes remaining, Charalambous forced Magus into a save before Leena Khamis volleyed home the consolation.

 

Illawarra Stingrays 2-4 Sydney University 

At JJ Kelly Park, Sydney University registered a massive three points, defeating the Illawarra Stingrays 4-2.

Sarah Morgan put Uni in front with a left foot belter from some way out, catching everyone off guard.

Only a minute later and Michelle Carney had the Stingrays level from the penalty spot.

15 minutes into the second half and Kaitlyn Torpey put Uni back in front after the away time took a quick free kick.

Not long after, substitute Holly Caspers made it 3-1 after another quick counter attack caught the Stingrays out.

Again though, the Stingrays clawed their way back into the game as Talitha Kramer poked the ball home.

Torpey had her second though and settled the results with a fourth 15 minutes from full time.

Sheridan Gallagher received her second yellow card in the dying stages of the match for the Stingrays.

 

Manly United 4-1 Emerging Jets 

Manly United finally broke their winless run with a 4-1 win against the Emerging jets at Cromer Park.

But it was the away side that stunned Manly with a sensational strike from Milan Hammond to take the lead.

Emily Minnett had Manly level just before the break, volleying home from inside the box.

15 minutes into the second half, a free kick from Libby Copus-Brown found its way into the back of the net.

With full time approaching, Remy SIemsen made it 3-1 with a fantastic half volley, blasting the ball home.

Siemsen had her second deep in stoppage time, finishing at the far post to round off the 4-1 win for Tom Hopley’s side.

 

Football NSW Institute 3-1 NWS Koalas 

The Football NSW Institute moved within one point behind the league leaders with another win for Jaime Gomez’s side, this time against the North West Sydney Koalas.

It was the home side that struck first, as Sarah Hunter blasted home her finish to give the Institute the lead.

How the Institute didn’t score a minute later no one knows but it felt like a scene from FIFA 21.

It took the Koalas less than a minute after the restart to equalise after Rachel Perrins finished after a Rachael Soutar corner.

Charlie Rule continued her good goal scoring run with a classy finish into the top corner with the outside of her foot.

The game was wrapped up in the 70^th minute as Cushla Rue headed home to make it 3-1.

 

Sydney Olympic 4-0 Bankstown City 

At Peter Moore Field Sydney Olympic put four passed a hapless Bankstown City to push themselves just outside the top five.

Neither side could find a goal before the break as they went into the sheds locked at 0-0.

Bankstown’s hard work in the first half was undone after only 35-seconds in the second as Kiara De Domizio scored a bomb from distance.

It was two shortly after as Aimee Phillips snuck in at the back post to add another to her season tally.

Two became three as Mackenzie Hawkesby scored with a well placed driven shot from outside the box.

The fourth came in stoppage time as Aimee Phillips completed her brace with another calm finish.

 

Northern Tigers 1-1 Blacktown Spartans 

At North Turramurra the Northern Tigers and Blacktown Spartans couldn’t be separated in a 1-1 draw.

It was the home team that took the lead as the inform Aideen Keane put them in front early in the fixture.

The Tigers held the lead moving into the break.

They looked set to hang on to the tight victory but the Spartans struck late to Brad Attard’s delight.

It means the Spartans remain within touching distance of finals football and are well in the battle.

By: NIKOLA POZDER, CHIEF NPL NSW WOMEN’S WRITER