From having five across the top locked in a share of first place, there are only two after round seven action in the #NPLWNSW competition. 

There was a first win of the season for Spirit, while the Northern Tigers showed characted to come from behind to take the points on Sunday night. 

Football NSW Institute 1-2 Northern Tigers 

The Northern Tigers overturned an early deficit to come away with all three points on Sunday night against the Football NSW Institute at Valentine Sports Park.

The home team were in search of their first win of the season and got off to a great start through Isabella Chidiac only for Claudia Bunge to equalise shortly.after.

Annalise Brewster secured the points for Jake Stephenson’s team with a goal with just over 10 minutes remaining.

It was a match with minimal chances at both ends but it was the Institute who started the better. The Tigers struggled to deal with the early high press from their young counterparts and the home team took a deserved lead on 10 minutes.

Anabelle Ghabach received possession on the right before finding Chidiac on the edge of the area who scored a fantastic goal. Using the inside of her foot on the half volley, Chidiac swept the ball into the top corner and beyond an outstretched Morgan Acquino.

It didn’t take the Tigers long to respond, six minutes to be exact. Abbey Green picking up the ball on the right and crossing in a teasing ball which was well headed by Claudia Bunge, giving Tahlia Franco no chance in the Institute goal.

If the Tigers responded quick, the Institute were almost faster. Chidiac again the culprit, this time her top corner bound free kick was well saved by Acquino.

As the half wore on, the Tigers improved and kept that momentum going into the second half. Total dominance in the second period but without an end product.

First, Ash Brodigan had a fine opportunity from a set piece, but her effort sailed high over the bar.

With the match heading toward a share of the spoils, it was the visitor’s that responded with 10 minutes to go. Having been on for only minutes, substitute Annalise Brewster popped up unmarked in the box to tap the ball home following a delightful cross from right back Josie Wilson.

The Tigers could have made it 3-1 late on but again Brodigan could not get her free kick from the edge of the box on target.

Blacktown Spartans 5-1 Emerging Jets 

The Blacktown Spartans continued their undefeated start to the season with a commanding 5-1 win over the Emerging Jets.

The visitors held out for 41 minutes before they capitulated. The Spartans hit the front after the Jets keeper spilled an effort from Hana Lowry, allowing Ash Crofts to tap home.

Susanna Behn-Smith then gave away possession, allowing Crofts to pick the ball up and place it into an open goal only a minute later.

Crofts had her hat-trick 13 minutes after the restart, cutting onto her right from the left and finding the bottom left corner.

The next would come with five to go to you guessed it, Ash Crofts. Fine work by Maja Markovski to set her team mate up as Crofts unleashed at goal from just inside the box.

The goals rained down as the Spartans conceded their first goal of the season with four minutes to go. Some neat footwork and individual brilliance from Claire Adams forced Sally James into a save which she couldn’t hold, allowing Brinley Gentle to tap home.

Substitute Kate Duffy rounded off the scoring after Behne-Smith made a fantastic save off the original effort to make it 5-1.

Bankstown City Lions 1-2 NWS Spirit 

NWS Spirit’s hard work over the last few weeks was rewarded Sunday afternoon after they took their first three points, defeating Bankstown City at Jensen Park.

A strong start by the visitors saw them take the lead after just 13 minutes. A poor interception from Brianna Edwards from a corner saw Victoria Martin pop up at the back post and put the ball in.

Spirit managed to weather the Bankstown storm following that to take a one-goal lead into the break.

With half an hour to go, Morgan Roberts thought she secured the points for Spirit. Getting onto a low cross from the right, Roberts got just enough on the ball to get it over the line after it hit the post.

The Bankstown barrage came again and they had a goal with four minutes to go to make for a grand stand finish. Paige Hayward managed to get one back after a scramble in the box to give the home team a chance.

Spirit stood firm though and secured their first win of the season.

Manly United 2-2 APIA Leichhardt 

It was spoils shared at Cromer Park on Sunday night as Manly United and APIA Leichhardt played out an entertaining 2-2 draw.

It was somewhat against the run of play that the home team hit the front on 35 minutes. Maddison Zahra has been in fabulous form and she continued that here with a contender for goal of the season, scoring from almost 30 metres out, her strike hitting the underside of the bar and going in.

It didn’t take APIA long to respond and four minutes later they were level. Leah Davidson struck a fine volley into the bottom left corner of the goal.

Minutes later and they had turned the result around through top scorer Shea Connors. Picking up the ball on the right, Connors cut onto her left before beating Simonsen at her near post.

With 15 minutes left on the clock the home team were level after a fantastic run down the right by substitute Tegan Biasi. Biasi beat her marker with pace before cutting back to Caitlin Jarvie who placed the ball home from near the penalty spot.

Emily Minett could have won it in stoppage time but Sophie Magus did well to repel the Manly attack and secure a point for APIA.

With only two wins from six and three consecutive games without a victory, along with the quality squad assembled at Lambert Park, the pressure must be mounting on Spencer Prior from the APIA hierarchy.

Macarthur Rams 1-1 Illawarra Stingrays 

Just when they thought they would finally host their first home match of the season, the Illawarra Stingrays were away once more, this time at Lynwood Park as they faced the Macarthur Rams.

It was a tight game with chances at either end, both teams having to settle for a point at the end of the 90.

The Stingrays took the lead 5 minutes after the restart after bundling home the ball after a corner was not dealt with by the Rams.

As was the case in most games this round, the opposition hit back immediately. Mel Caceres was fed a perfect ball through the Rams defence before placing the ball beyond the keeper and into the net.

It’s Macarthur’s third game without a win while the Stignrays have now made it three games without defeat.

Sydney Olympic v Sydney University – Washed Out 

-By NPL NSW Women’s Chief Writer and Commentator Nikola Pozder

 

 

Six Rounds into the #NPLWNSW competition and we have five teams locked on 10 points at the top of the table as Female Football Week for 2022 drew to a close.

Yes, you read correctly, five teams! 

It is without doubt the closest competition within the Football NSW banner and literally the strongest, most competitive season we have come to witness. 

Macarthur Rams 0-2 Sydney Olympic 

Sydney Olympic made it four games without defeat with a commanding 2-0 victory over the Macarthur Rams at Lynwood Park on Sunday night.

Since their opening day defeat against Manly, Olympic have been growing week in, week out and look the real deal.

For their opponents, two straight defeats will send Stephen Peters back to the drawing board.

A goal in each half for Olympic was enough with Angelique Hristodoulou opening the scoring from the spot, while Cortnee Vine sealed the win the second.

And it was Vine once again creating problems (getting repetitive every week). Both the attacker and Olympic started on the front foot, pressing right across the park.

The first opportunity came as Vine did well on the right, crossing into the box, only for Sarah Yatim to let fly with a wonderful volley on the turn, rattling the crossbar in the process.

Izzy Foletta had her hands full as Vine once more wreaked havoc down the right, this time crossing for Claudia Cholakian who also could only hit the cross bar.

It would be third time lucky though for Vine and Olympic as the winger this time left Foletta and Holly Williams for dead, before squaring the ball across goal for Cholakian. The Olympic attacker could only send her effort over the goal from a yard out but was adjudged to have been fouled in the process, giving Hristodoulou the opportunity from the spot to make it 1-0.

Olympic almost made it two not long after, Kiara De Domizio put through one-on-one with Brianna Clarke only for the Rams keeper to make a fine save.

The Rams had their best chance of the first half as it came to a close. Mel Caceres picked up the ball outside the area, created herself some space before trying to curl one into the top corner, the ball clipping the top of the bar and going over.

Peters tried to freshen things up in the second half, bringing on Lauren Keir and Kylie Ledbrook but it was still the visitors who looked more likely.

Vine, now playing more central, burst the offside trap and looked odds on to score, only for a phenomenal challenge from Beth Gordan to save the day.

The Rams were still in it somehow at this point but weren’t able to challenge and test Jada Whyman in the Olympic goal.

As the game was heading toward full time, Vine again sprung the offside trap, rounded Clarke and and slotted the ball into the back of the net to make it 2-0.

With the Rams pushing to at least get on the board, Whyman lept through the air and plucked the ball out of the air before setting off the pacey Vine who once more rounded Clarke, only for the Rams keeper to get a vital touch to put Vine off.

It was a fine performance from Olympic to send them to the top of the competition ladder, all without superstar Charlie Rule.

On the other side, the Rams found it tough without their little magician Patty Charalambous and Peters will be eager to get her back as soon as possible.

Sydney University 1-1 Bankstown City 

Bankstown City held on for a massive point at Sydney University Football Ground having been reduced to 10 against Sydney University.

Bankstown seemed the more dangerous in the opening 45, peppering the Uni goal but unable to find the breakthrough.

But on 56 minutes that all changed. Emma Ilijoski shot toward goal following a corner, only for Emma Stanbury to save the ball on the line with her hand. Rola Badawiya stepped up to take the spot kick but Brianna Edwards read the Uni striker well and saved to her right.

Uni couldn’t believe their luck with 10 to go as they were awarded another penalty. Bawawiya’s wild effort struck the arm of Baxter Thew as the referee pointed to the spot. This time Rachel Lowe stepped up to take the kick but she also couldn’t find the back of the net, cannoning her effort against the bar. Fortunatley for Uni, Sarah Morgan reacted quickest and bundled the ball home.

At this point, Uni definitely thought they had the points sewn up but it was not to be.

Four minutes from the end of the 90, a poor Uni giveaway in midfield was pounced on by Emily Condon who fed through Paige Hayward. Hayward then fed a ball into the box to Siobhan Edwards whose deflected shot found it’s way into the goal.

A well-deserved point for Bankstown away from home.

Emerging Jets 3-4 Manly United 

A seven-goal thriller at Lake Macquarie went the way of Manly United against the Emerging Jets.

It was the youngsters that would hit the front inside the first minute through Claire Adams in some style, catching everyone by surprise from some 35 metres out at least.

On 11 minutes Manly was level, Yuka Honda received the ball just inside the box, turned and shot to find the bottom corner.

10 minutes before the break the visitors turned the result around. Emily Minett found space in the box and with a powerful effort, hit the roof of the net.

Soon after the break, it was 3-1. Nicole Stuart picked up the ball in an advanced position, just outside the box, took a touch before unleashing a thunderbolt to extend Manly’s lead.

The Young Jets team were right back into it a few minutes later. Lara Gooch went on a fantastic run before what looked a cross flew into the back of the net to cut the lead.

Gooch showed the first was no fluke, scoring one of the goals of the season and the equaliser with 15 minutes to go. Gooch stole the ball in midfield before catching the keeper off her line and letting go with a shot from almost halfway.

The Jets were on their way to their first points of the season before Polly Doran stole it from them. It was heartbreak for the Jets as Dorran’s fine run was completed with a neat finish, catching the keeper out.

It was a fine performance from the Jets who can be proud of their comeback and battle they put up, while United move to equal first on the ladder.

NWS Spirit 1-2 Illawarra Stingrays 

The Stingrays secured their first win of the season with a tight victory against fellow strugglers NWS Spirit in the final game on Sunday night.

Two early girls helped the Stingrays get the job done as they held on for their first win of the season.

Illawarra opened the scoring almost immediately from the kick off, 15 seconds to be exact. Michelle Carney getting onto the end of a Caitlin Cooper goal for the perfect start to the match for the visitors.

Eight minutes later and it was two as the guests doubled their advantage. This time Cooper took advantage of some poor defending from Spirit who failed to clear their lines, sending a thunderbolt into the back of the net.

Spirit then gave themselves enough time to get back into the game, scoring with just over 10 to go. A long ball over the top saw Morgan Roberts springing the offside trap and halving the deficit.

They couldn’t find another though as the Stingrays held on to claim an important three points.

-By NPL NSW Women’s Chief Writer and Commentator Nikola Pozder

After Round 5 of the #NPLWNSW there is one less undefeated team left in the competition with some shock results.  

Only one team remain pointless after this round of games with a new leader at the top of the competition as well. 

Sydney Olympic 5-0 Emerging Jets 

The action kicked off at Belmore Sports Ground on Saturday afternoon as Sydney Olympic dismantled the Emerging Jets 5-0.

It was the second straight high scoring defeat for the Jets, while Olympic are starting to flex their muscles.

It didn’t take long for the home team to assert their dominance and hit the front. Mackenzie Hawkesby opened her account for the season, getting on the end of a Teigan Collister cross and heading the ball into the back of the net.

The Jets improved from their performance from last week and made it difficult for the home team to break them down.

That was all until Claudia Cholakian doubled Olympic’s lead. Picking up the ball after a delightful pass from Hawkesby, curling her effort into the far corner of the goal.

Just after the half hour mark, some exquisite one-touch football by Olympic could not be finished off by Cortnee Vine who lobbed the ball wide of the target.

Suzanna Behn-Smith then made some important saves to keep the Jets in the game, one in particular from Sarah Yatim.

15 minutes into the second half and it was 3-0. Cortnee Vine, who has been Olympic’s best so far this season, opened her account for the campaign after springing the offside trap, rounding the keeper and tapping the ball home.

The pick of the goals came five minutes later through Charlotte McLean in some style. The right back picked the ball up outside of the box and made a perfect connection to give Behn-Smith no chance in the Jets goal.

Olympic substitute Georgia Koutzoumis was fantastic after coming off the bench, setting up Sarah Yatim with a phenomenal pass, only for the later to miss the chance to score.

Yatim, who could have had a few goals, rounded off the scoring in stoppage time from the penalty spot. Koutzoumis again in the thick of it was brought down in the box following some quick feet inside the area, giving the referee no choice but to award the spot kick.

Bankstown City 0-1 Blacktown Spartans 

The Blacktown Spartans secured a huge three points after a tough away game against Bankstown City at Jensen Park.

An early first half goal to Hana Lowry was enough for the girls from Blacktown to take the spoils.

There were only six minutes on the clock when Lowry received the ball outside the area before taking one touch and placing it into the bottom right corner of the goal.

With Sally James unavailable, Anna Norton was tested early but the Spartans keeper did well.

Maja Markovski then had a chance for the Spartans but could not get enough on her strike to trouble the Bankstown keeper.

Just before the break ,Bankstown thought they had equalised. A corner was not cleared by the visitors, allowing Steph Ambrose to pop up at the back post, but her head went inches wide.

Bankstown pushed hard for an equaliser in the second half but reward for their hard work would not come. Instead, they were dealt a further blow in stoppage time when Tiana Jaber received her marching orders.

Still, Brad Attard’s Spartans side are yet to concede a goal after 360 minutes of football.

 

Football NSW Institute 1-1 Illawarra Stingrays 

It was first points of the season on the board for the Illawarra Stingrays as they drew 1-1 with the Football NSW Institute at Valentine Sports Park.

The young Institute team were in front just after the half hour mark. Sienna Saveska picked up possession 20 metres out, cut inside and curled her shot into the back of the net.

The visitors struck back almost immediately after the break. Michelle Carney with all her experience pinched the ball off the Institute defence and placed her effort beyond the Institute keeper.

Neither side could find the winner despite both teams having their own chances.

 

Manly United 3-3 NWS Spirit 

Finally, the NWS Spirit managed to get their first point of the season in an amazing comeback against local rivals Manly United.

As the case has been already this season, high pressure and a strong start hasn’t been rewarded for Spirit.

Just like in their previous games, they were punished on 22 minutes. Kahli Johnson picked up a loose ball in the area for Manly and on the turn smacked it into the bottom corner to give the home team the lead.

Playing with fire in her belly against her former side, Sunny Franco let fly with a thunderbolt for Spirit from some 30 metres out, her shot crashing against the bar before Rachael Patterson took a touch and volleyed her shot against the underside of the bar and in to put Spirit level.

Confident they would be heading into the break level, Manly had other ideas. Manly were back in front after Emily Minnett tapped the ball in from close range after Johnson’s original header was saved.

15 minutes after half time and Manly thought they had the points sealed. A fine team move that started with their keeper, ended up at the other end where Yuka Honda on the turn made it 3-1.

Spirit pushed hard to get back into the game and had their reward 13 minutes from time. A great ball into the box by Sasha Grove found substitute Bianca Radman who headed the ball into the back of the net.

Spirit was level minutes later. Sophie Harding was terrorising down the left flank, crossing in a fantastic cross which was not dealt with by the Manly defence, only for Radman to volley home a powerful effort.

Both teams had chances to win it in the end, Bella Whitton pulling off a fabulous save against her former team to ensure Spirit went home with a point.

 

Northern Tigers 1-0 Macarthur Rams 

The Northern Tigers inflicted the Macarthur Rams’ first defeat of the season on Sunday night, an early goal the difference.

It took only six minutes for the Tigers to hit the front. A heavy challenge on Aideen Keane was sanctioned with a free kick just outside the area which Ashlee Brodigan took full of advantage of, blasting her effort into the back of the net.

Morgan Aquino was the hero at the end of the day for the Tigers. The Tigers number one pulling off consecutive saves from Kylie Ledbrook in the dying embers of the game to secure all three points for the home team.

Jake Stephenson’s team moved to the top of the ladder with this victory while it doesn’t get any easier for Stephen Peters who will need his Rams to bounce back next week against Sydney Olympic.

 

Sydney University 2-0 APIA Leichhardt 

Slow starts seem the way to go for Spencer Prior’s APIA team as two goals inside the first 10 minutes were enough for Sydney University to secure all three points.

Similarly to last week, APIA went down early but this time could not recover against a disciplined Uni team.

There were only two minutes on the clock when Emily Husband’s team hit the front. A cross from Sarah Morgan found an unmarked Taren King at the far post who had the easy job of volleying the ball into the back of the net.

Five minutes later and the home team doubled their advantage. Cushla Rue found space down the right wing before squaring the ball for Holly Caspers who did well to guide her shot over Sophie Magus and into the goal.

Uni weathered a late APIA storm but Courtney Newbon was never really tested in between the home teams sticks.

The victory pushes Uni ahead of APIA on the ladder and into third place, only one defeat to their name so far this campaign.

-By NPL NSW Women’s Chief Writer and Commentator Nikola Pozder

Talk about the Festival of Football, it was a festival of goals in the #NPLWNSW competition with an incredible 26 goals scored across five matches. 

Round Four kicked off in style at Belmore Sports Ground with a mouth-watering clash and the action just kept getting better.

Sydney Olympic 3-3 APIA Leichhardt 

A bumper crowd for a bumper event at Belmore Sports Ground as Sydney Olympic and APIA kicked off the Festival of Football double header.

The teams could not be separated after 90 minutes with a late equaliser for the visitors ensuring both teams would share the spoils.

Olympic came out firing and raced off to a two-goal lead early courtesy of Charlie Rule before Sophie Hoban pegged them back.

APIA then equalised on the other side of half time before substitute Georgia Koutzoumis thought she had one it for the home team with only minutes remaining.

But Shea Connors spoiled the party, scoring in the 90^th minute to secure her team a draw.

As mentioned earlier, Olympic started the better of the two with APIA struggling to contain Cortnee Vine down the right wing.

It took only nine minutes for the home team to hit the front as Vine got beyond two defenders before cutting the ball back for Rule who expertly dispatched it into the back of the net from the penalty spot.

The home team’s confidence grew with the goal and minutes later it was two. Winonah Heatley rattling the crossbar from just in front before the APIA defence struggled to deal with the rebounded ball, allowing who else but Rule to pop up and smash it home.

The visitors needed a reaction and it came just before the half hour mark. Sophie Hoban bursting into the box, beating one defender before curling the ball into the far post with a nice finish.

It was all APIA from here as they started creating chances. The best of those falling to Rhianna Pollicina who was unmarked following a quick free kick and forcing Jada Whyman into a fantastic fingertip save.

If someone thought that Whyman save was special, well the one on the stroke of half time was even better. The ball dropped in the six-yard box for She Connors who snapped her shot toward goal, already thinking she had scored, only for the Olympic keeper to somehow get down to her right and save.

APIA continued that pressure into the second half as Connors and Leah Davidson tested Whyman.

It was the prelude into what was to come in the 55^th minute. A ball over the Olympic defence was misjudged by Whyman as Hoban lobbed the on-rushing keeper with the ball bouncing over the line to make it two and secure a brace for the APIA striker.

Sophie Magus was then called into action at the other end, pulling off her own special save to deny Vine as Olympic started to come back at APIA.

Four minutes from time Olympic thought they had taken the three points. A strong challenge in midfield had the ball at substitute Georgia Koutzoumis’ feet who first beat one defender before placing the ball into the bottom corner of Magus’ goal.

The lead would be short lived as American import Connors got in on the act. Connors did it all on her own, picking the ball up wide left before using her pace to get into the box and calmly lift it over Whyman and into the side netting, securing APIA a point.

These two competition favourites put up an absolute classic and a display that will only add even more excitement to this competition.

Emerging Jets 1-7 Bankstown City

Bankstown City took out all of their last week’s frustrations on a sorry Emerging Jets at Lake Macquarie, coming away with a massive 7-1 victory.

It took the visitors only five minutes to hit the front as Daisy Arrowsmith scored her first goal in the red and black of Bankstown.

Continuing on from last week, Baxter Thew had another, this time with her head finding the back of the net.

Arrowsmith soon had three and four, securing a first half hat-trick with two neat finishes as the visitors went into the break 4-0 to the good.

The home side started the second half brightly, pegging one back minutes after the restart. Molly Salvador picking up a rebound and slotting the ball home.

Paige Hayward shortly after extended the advantage back to four with a fine goal, curling the ball from the right into the top corner with her left foot.

It was 6-1 when some individual brilliance from Olivia Price had her find the back of the net with a powerful finish.

Arrowsmith rounded off the scoring with her fourth of the afternoon, slotting the ball home to make it 7-1.

Northern Tigers 3-3 Manly United 

A six-goal thriller and an incredible final 15 minutes meant that the Northern Tigers and Manly United would share the points at North Turramurra.

The two exchanged early shots at each others goal before the visitors took the lead.

Kahli Johnson reacting quickest in the box to a bouncing ball, striking it home with authority to give Manly a 17^th minute lead.

It wouldn’t take long for a response as the Tigers equalised on 30 minutes. Aideen Keane went down in the box with the referee pointing to the spot. Hannah McNulty stepped up and slotted the spot kick into the back of the net despite Nicole Simonsen going the right way.

The real action would start with just under 15 minutes left on the clock.

A training ground set piece had Keane in the box, firing toward goal and giving Simonsen no chance with a fine effort, putting the Tigers in front.

Less than five minutes later and we were level once more. Maddison Zahra picking up the ball in the box, turning her defender inside out before placing it in the bottom corner.

Almost from the kick off, the Tigers were in front again. Manly struggled to clear their lines before the ball fell to Shadeene Evans. Evans let rip with a thunderous shot, the ball hitting the underside of the bar and slamming into the back of the net.

Manly’s night looked to be done and dusted on 86 minutes when Tegan Biasi saw red for an overzealous challenge.

But like in years past, you can’t expect Manly to lie down that easy. In the 91^st minute Zahra took a free kick from the right and caught Morgan Acquino out as the ball found it’s place in the top left corner.

The Tigers had one last chance to steal the win but Manly hung on to take a point back to Cromer Park.

A big congrats to Hannah McNulty who celebrated her 100th match for the club as well.

Macarthur Rams 2-1 Football NSW Institute 

At Lynwood Park the Macarthur Rams made it three wins from three starts after a tight 2-1 victory over the Football NSW Institute.

Two goals either side of the break did the trick for the Rams as they moved back to the top of the table.

It would be Japanese import Miku Sonaga who opened the scoring after a great run and delightful one-two, squeezing the ball into the back of the net for a 1-0 Rams half time lead.

Just after the break it was two and in some style. Direct from the corner, Patty Charalambous swung her cross beyond the Institute keeper and into the goal.

The Institute made a contest of it late as Daniela Galic rounded the goalkeeper before slotting the ball over the line and into an empty net.

But Macarthur would hold on and secure another three points for Stephen Peters’ team.

NWS Spirit 1-2 Sydney University 

The final match of round four took our attention to Christie Park as NWS Spirit went searching for their first points of the campaign against Sydney University.

It would be the Students though that would come away with the points as Adam Keramea’s team still waits to get points on the board.

Uni opened the scoring on 23 minutes through Sarah Morgan. A cross from the right was completely misjudged by Katie Offer in the Spirit goal, falling to the feet of Morgan who had the easiest job of tapping it over the line.

Holding possession well throughout the first half and creating chances, the home side was rewarded on 34 minutes. A marauding run down the left flank by Sophie Harding had her square up a ball for Tahlia Macri who finished at the far post to equalise for the Koalas.

With the match heading for a draw, Uni’s pressure told with 10 minutes to go. A poor giveaway of possession by Spirit was pounced upon by the visitors as Holly Caspers broke through in the box before finding the back of the net to win it for Uni.

Illawarra Stingrays v Blacktown Spartans W/O 

-By NPL NSW Women’s Chief Writer and Commentator Nikola Pozder

 

Only four games took place in round three of the NPL NSW Women’s competition but that did not mean that we were robbed of the action we’ve grown to expect in this amazing league. 

NWS Spirit 1-2 Northern Tigers 

The Northern Tigers made it two wins from two starts with a tight 2-1 derby victory over NWS Spirit at Christie Park on Saturday night.

A double header in Sydney’s North West saw the League One Men’s clash between the same two teams lead us into the NPL NSW Women’s match.

A great atmosphere with a raucous crowd saw the visitors hit the front after only eight minutes. Ashlee Brodigan took an in-swinging corner from the left and in superb style, beat Katie Offer and curled the ball directly into the goal.

Spirit reacted well and tested the Tigers keeper through Sunny Franco and Sasha Grove.

The visitors held their lead until half time as the teams went into the break at 1-0 for the Tigers.

Only four minutes into the second period and the away team doubled their advantage. Some fine work by Malia Steinmetz down the left flank saw her get to the by-line before cutting the ball back for Maddie Bart who made no mistake with her finish beyond Offer.

It was the worst possible start for Spirit and reminiscent to what happened less than a week ago.

Almost from the kick off though Spirit were back in the contest.

Lucy Johnson picked up the ball in midfield and played it through delightfully for Franco. Spirit’s striker picked the ball up inside the box and smashed it beyond Aquino in the Tigers goal.

Spirit could not create a proper chance for the remaining forty minutes as the visitors controlled the game.

The Tigers themselves created opportunities mostly through Brodigan who was a danger all game on the Spirit goal.

It was a memorable match for Nat Tobin who celebrated her 150^th match with the NWS Spirit FC side, congrats again on an amazing feat!

 

Blacktown Spartans 0-0 Manly United 

The Blacktown Spartans and Manly United could not be separated Sunday evening at Blacktown Football Park.

The goal scorers weren’t up to the task as neither team could break the deadlock.

It was the home team that had the first real chance of the game, Rosie Galea’s effort was somehow kept out by Manly custodian Nicole Simonsen.

It took almost an hour for the next real chance to fall.

Simonsen spilled a shot from the left before Maja Markovski missed what seemed easier to score from only a few yards out.

Neither side was able to create a real chance in what was left of the game and had to share the points.

 

Bankstown City 1-2 Sydney Olympic 

For much of this match the home side looked to be heading for a massive three points at Jensen Park until Sydney Olympic turned it all around in the final 10 minutes.

Bankstown hit the front in incredible fashion after only four minutes on the clock. Baxter Thew had a go from where nobody expected and with no right to score from so far out but she did, finding the top corner of Jada Whyman’s goal.

Olympic then piled on the pressure from there, creating many chances without properly testing Brianna Edwards.

Cortnee Vine was causing all sorts of issues for the home team but Olympic could not break the deadlock.

Olympic’s evening almost came to an end as substitute Siobhan Edwards broke through the visitor’s defence, got beyond Whyman but could only hit her shot against the upright.

Almost immediately from there, Olympic was level.

Vine was the architect, electric down the right wing before cutting back for Charlie Rule who finished first time into the far top corner.

The home side tried to respond, went close on a couple occasions but the points were going back to Belmore.

In the 89th minute as the rain poured at Jensen Park, Rule set up Claudia Cholakian who placed the ball beyond Edwards to secure the win.

It was Cholakian’s first match back for the Blues following her call-up to the Armenian National Team, and what a way to kick start her Olympic season with a winner and three points.

 

APIA Leichhardt FC 3-1 Illawarra Stingrays 

APIA Leichhardt secured a massive three points on the back of a fine Shea Connors performance, defeating the Illawarra Stingrays 3-1 at Lambert Park.

Connors was in sensational form, scoring a hat-trick and was a real menace to the Stingrays defence who could not deal with her speed and fine technique.

It was the Stingrays though that started the better without properly testing Sophie Magus in the APIA goal.

APIA would create the first chance, a great determined run by Connors saw her beat her defender before slamming her shot against the upright from a tight angle.

Connors was at it again shortly after, this time Sian Fryer-McLaren was quick off her line to force the APIA striker into a rushed shot which sailed over the bar.

The American would cap off a fine team move minutes before the break.

It started from the defence, before Princess Ibini stormed down the right flank, cutting the ball back for Rhianna Pollicina whose deft touch found Connors. Connors rounded Fryer-McLaren before stopping and allowing for the Stingrays keeper and defence to set themselves up before calmly slotting the ball home.

Less than a minute after the break, APIA should have been two-nil up but Sophie Hoban could only hit the crossbar from an ideal position.

Fifteen minutes later and APIA doubled their advantage.

Pollicina played through Connors who once more finished with ease, hitting her shot against the inside of the upright before crossing the line.

Shortly after, the Stingrays had a lifeline.

APIA was struggling to deal with corners all night and this situation was no different as Tayleah Handcock reacted quickest in the box to volley home.

Any Stingrays hope of a comeback were put to bed less than 60 seconds later as Connors rounded off her hat-trick. Picking up the ball inside the area, it was a one-two bang as she placed the ball beyond Fryer-McLaren with her second touch.

APIA continued to dominate the game as it moved on and gave the Stingrays no chance of getting back into the game.

-By NPL NSW Women’s Chief Writer and Commentator Nikola Pozder