We’re one round closer to crowning our 2019 premiers in the NPL NSW Women’s competition.

Sydney University 2-0 Northern Tigers

It was a clash for the premiership and it was the home side that would come away with the points in a 2-0 victory.

Two second half goals, one each to Rachel Soutar and Annabelle Martin were enough for Uni.

Alex Epakis’ team are now ever closer to securing first place with only three rounds remaining.

Uni dominated early, starving the Tigers of the ball and moving it from side to side waiting for an opportunity.

On 11 minutes Julie-Ann Russell had a chance after turning her defender well but shooting just wide of the far post.

Five minutes later Cortnee Vine had a speculative effort from distance but her half volley went inches over the bar.

The chances kept coming and again Vine was in the thick of it, shooting well over from the penalty spot.

Just before the break Mel Caceres went down for the home team in what looked a serious injury.

Daisy Arrowsmith had the first chance for The Tigers inside the first minute of the second half but she headed over the bar.

Clare Wheeler then stung the palms of Eliza Campbell who made a good save with 30 minutes to go.

Uni thought they hit the front only minutes later but the referee chalked the goal off.

And with the match heading for a draw, Uni hit the front in ridiculous fashion.

Soutar let fly from distance and as her shot took a deflection, the wicked bounce of the ball saw it bizarrely go over Campbell and into the back of the net.

Wheeler went close again with just over five remaining, forcing Campbell into a fingertip save.

With the away side pushing desperately hard to find an equaliser, Uni secured the win in the 3rd minute of stoppage time.

Martin picked up the ball on the left, dribbled into the box before letting fly with a fine left footed strike, giving Campbell no chance.

Manly United 0-3 Sydney Olympic

Manly United has become a side that’s done damage in this run to the finish line but Sydney Olympic weren’t in the mood for any surprises.

It was a tight first half though with neither creating much and going into the break scoreless.

In the 57th minute Olympic had the lead as a cross come shot by Georgia Plessas found the top corner of Nicole SImonsen’s goal.

Not long later it was 2-0 as Susan Phonsongkham danced her way though the United defence before finding the back of the net.

Kiara De Domizio then came off the bench to wrap up the 3-0 scoreline after Phonsongkham played her in.

Illawarra Stingrays 1-0 Blacktown Spartans 

The Illawarra Stingrays came away with all three points in a tight contest against the Blacktown Spartans.

It was the home side who were quick out of the blocks and hit the front inside the first 10 minutes.

Caitlin Cooper’s effort was parried by Casey Dumont as Chloe Middleton was first on the scene to tap the ball home.

It was all the Stingrays needed, going a step closer to confirming finals football for the club.

Emerging Jets 0-2 Football NSW Institute

Lots of talent was on show at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility as the two academies clashed.

It was the Institute though that would come away with the spoils, winning 2-0.

The win was important for the Institute as it kept the above the Jets on the ladder.

NWS Koalas 4-0 North Shore Mariners

With finals all but done for the North West Sydney Koalas, they made sure they’d finish their season on a high, defeating the North Shore Mariners 4-0.

Two goals in each half were enough at Christie Park for the Koalas, leaving them with a mathematical chance of making finals football.

Deborah-Anne De La Harpe, Annika Clayton, Princess Ibini and Kiara Karqhuar all found the back of the net for the Koalas.

Bankstown City 1-5 Macarthur Rams

Nothing but Ws will keep the Macarthur Rams season alive and they got one off with a comprehensive victory against Bankstown City.

Leena Khamis opened the scoreng for the away team, taking advantage of some poor defending.

10 minutes later Khamis had her second after a fine turn and powerful shot that gave Renee Krstanovska no chance.

Kylie Ledbrook made it 3-0 before half time with a neat finish, this time the on form Khamis setting her up.

The Rams number 10 then secured her brace in with an acrobatic finish to make it 4-0.

Bankstown pulled a goal back in some style with probably the goal of the evening.

But Khamis then completed her hat-trick and wrapped up the 5-1 win with a goal 15 minutes from half time.

By – Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s writer

 

It’s a three-way battle for the premiership in the NPL NSW Women’s competition with only four games remaining.

Blacktown Spartans 1-0 NWS Koalas

The Blacktown Spartans took a huge step toward finals football on Sunday with a tight 1-0 victory over the North West Sydney Koalas.

It was obvious whichever team scored first would take the spoils and it would be the home side late on, as Beth Gordon found the back of the net.

For Jaime Gomez’s side, it means dreams of making the five are all but over now.

Gordon had the first attempt of the game but Romina Parraguirre saved.

The first chance of the game for the away side fell the way of Sophie Harding but she couldn’t get enough from her volley to beat Casey Dumont.

Again the Koalas pushed and Deborah De La Harpe’s cross found Amy Sayer but the silky midfielder couldn’t score.

That was all the first half offered as the teams went locked at 0-0 into half time.

In the second 45, the Koalas came out to play and Emma Stanbury replaced Erin Pridmore.

Morgan Roberts looked in and set to score but for Tanya Borazzio who made a great block.

They continued to push forward and this time Roberts crossed but Ibini couldn’t send the away side into the lead.

Sophie Harding was having a real battle against Alix Roberts and as she got beyond her, she crossed to the near post as Stanbury flicked a shot toward goal, only for Dumont to save again.

Gomez welcomed back Nat Tobin into the squad and she almost scored direct from the corner had it not been for Hannah Bourke’s goal line clearance.

Then, against the run of play, the home side hit the lead.

Olivia Prica and Linda Dudek combined well with some neat combination play.

Price broke through and moved onto Parraguirre only for the keeper to make a fantastic save.

The rebound came the way of Beth Gordon who chipped her shot from the edge of the area over a defender and into the back of the net.

Stanbury had a chance to equalise late on but she couldn’t score.

Sydney Olympic 2-1 Bankstown City

Sydney Olympic kept up their premiership hopes with a 2-1 win over Bankstown City at VSP.

Georgia Plessas had the home team in front with a scrappy goal just before the break.

Early on in the second period, Vesna Milivojevic took advantage and scored a fine volley to put the sides level.

As the game was moving toward a draw, Rochelle Borromeo scored a fantastic goal, capping off great build up play.

That goal was enough to secure all three points for Olympic.

Illawarra Stingrays 0-0 Manly United

The Illawarra Stingrays couldn’t afford to drop points against Manly United on Sunday.

Having already put a shot through the Koalas finals hopes, United looked to disrupt the Stingrays’ premiership dreams.

So they did, holding out for a 0-0 draw against Scott Chipperfield’s team.

Northern Tigers 2-1 Emerging Jets

At NTRA the second placed Northern Tigers needed to take all three points to keep the pressure on Sydney University.

Daisy Arrowsmith got them off to a great start as they went into half time leading 1-0.

The Jets though have showed vast improvements over the last few weeks and pushed the home team to the edge.

It’d be Arrowsmith who picked up another as the Tigers recorded a tight 2-1 victory.

North Shore Mariners 1-2 Football NSW Institute

Two struggling sides were desperate for points at Northbridge Oval on Sunday as the North Shore Mariners hosted the Football NSW Institute.

The bottom-placed Mariners would take a first half lead as Hannah Brewer put them in front and on their way.

But the tide would change in the second 45 as the Institute came out a different side.

First Jayme Millard had them on level terms before Charlie Rule turned the score around and brought the Institute a great come back victory.

Macarthur Rams 0-2 Sydney University

A loss would put the Macarthur Rams in a bad position in terms of finals football while Sydney Uni needed the points to remain on top of the competition ladder.

Holly Caspers had the away side in front, reacting best inside the six-yard box following a corner 10 minutes from the break.

The points were sealed with just over 15 minutes remaining as Cortnee Vine played a perfect ball through for Rachel Soutar who made no mistake with a calm and controlled finish.

By – Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s Writer

Goals galore in round 17 of the NPL NSW Women’s competition with the Blacktown Spartans finding a way back into the top five.

 

Macarthur Rams 3-4 Sydney Olympic

Lynwood Park hosted an enthralling match between the Macarthur Rams and Sydney Olympic as the visitors came out victors in a seven-goal thriller, 4-3.

The away side led 4-1 with just over 15 minutes remaining and looked to be cruising to victory. You can never rule out the never-say-die Rams and they almost got themselves on level terms but ran out of time.

Susan Phonsongkham was the star of the show but she was followed well by Teresa Polias and Sarah Yatim.

Macarthur had the first chance of the game early after Leena Khamis used her body well to lay off a ball for Kirrilee Cameron but the winger couldn’t beat Jada Whyman.

And down the other end Olympic hit the front.

Caitlin Campbell, back in the Rams squad, was robbed of possession by Phonsongkham who moved in on goal, beat Khamis and with the help of the upright, had the visitors in front.

A few half chances followed from both teams but nothing serious enough to challenge either keeper.

That was until Ledbrook and Khamis combined.

A smart comeback from Ledbrook had Khamis volleying first time from the edge of the area, finding the bottom left corner for the equaliser.

Instead of the home team picking up momentum, they were pegged back immediately after another defensive error.

Sienna Fraser profited from the lapse in concentration, squaring up Yatim who squeezed her shot beyond Sham Khamis who couldn’t keep the ball out.

Yatim should’ve had her second shortly after but Khamis this time came out on top.

As half time beckoned, the Rams could’ve went into the break level.

Campbell crossed in a fine ball for Khamis whose header went agonisingly close to finding the back of the net.

Olympic was on their way to victory after capitalising on a quick counter.

Yatim had the ball on the right and crossed perfectly for Teresa Polias who was unforgiving from 10 metres out, giving Khamis no chance with a composed finish.

Phonsongkham then went on one of her mazy runs before playing in Georgia Plessas to make it four but the winger missed when it seemed easier to score.

Olympic summed up their day soon after though with an incredible goal.

A Polias free-kick found Yatim at the far post whose smart first time cross gave Fraser the opportunity to score and she made no mistake, making it 4-1.

The game seemed over until Nikola Orgill stepped up the plate.

Two inch perfect crosses from the right and two goals.

First she found Cameron at the far post who the ball practically hit before bouncing into the back of the net.

And then almost a carbine copy cross, this time for Khamis who rose well to headed beyond Whyman for 4-3 and a tense finish.

The Rams pushed in the last 10 but it was Olympic with the best chance.

Substitute Kiara De Domizio should settled the game but she missed a fine opportunity, shooting right at Khamis.

Macarthur ran out of energy and time as Olympic took an important three points back to Belmore.

 

Blacktown Spartans 3-0 FNSW Institute

After four straight losses, the Blacktown Spartans bounced back on Sunday to take all three points against the Football NSW Institute.

David Saliba’s team got off to a good start and went into half time leading 2-0 thanks to goals from Ash Crofts and Linda Dudek.

Olivia Price rounded off the victory with a goal in the second 45 to make it 3-0.

The win puts the Spartans back in the top five.

 

Emerging Jets 0-1 Sydney University

The Emerging Jets have improved drastically over the last few rounds and it was never going to be easy for the league leaders Sydney University.

That’s exactly how it went with Rachel Soutar scoring the only goal of the game,worthy of all three points at Lake Macquarie Regional Facility.

It means Uni remain in first place with the chasing pack hot on their heals.

 

Northern Tigers 6-0 North Shore Mariners

Another win for the Northern Tigers, this time convincing over the North Shore Mariners, keeps them right in the hunt for the premiership.

Three goals in each half gave the Tigers a 6-0 win at NTRA.

Two goals each to Hannah McNulty and Daisy Arrowsmith as well as a goal apiece for Emma Smith and Aimee Phillips keep the Tigers within touching distance of Sydney Uni.

 

NWS Koalas 1-1 Manly United

The North West Sydney Koalas missed a golden chance to move even closer to a top five spot on Sunday when they were held to a draw by a brave Manly United side.

It was the home side that dominated the first period but they couldn’t find a breakthrough as the teams went into half time locked at 0-0.

And it only took six minutes in the second half for the away side to take the lead after Claudia Cholakian capitalised on a defensive error to make it 1-0.

Only 10 minutes later though, Sophie Harding capped off a fine team move to find the equaliser in what would be the full time score, 1-1.

 

Bankstown City 1-6 Illawarra Stingrays

Bankstown City needed all three points to keep their finals hopes alive but instead completely collapsed against the Illawarra Stingrays.

The home team had a dream start though, taking an early lead through Joanna Martino after a corner.

But that’s where it ended as the Stingrays equalised through Talitha Kramer before Hannah Beard made it 2-1 only three minutes later.

Michelle Carney blasted home 10 minutes from half time to give the away side a 3-1 lead at the break.

Any hopes of a Bankstown were extinguished early as Beard added a second before completing her hat-trick 15 minutes from full time.

Carney made it six late on to complete the 6-1 rout.

 

By – Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s Writer

A round of shocks is the best way to describe round 16 of NPL NSW Women’s competition.

Macarthur Rams 0-1 NWS Koalas

It was a win worthy of keeping alive the North West Sydney Koalas finals hopes as they came away from Lynwood Park with all three points.

A fortuitous first half header from Koalas captain Erin Pridmore gave Jaime Gomez’s team the victory.

It meant that the win puts the Koalas only two points behind the Rams in fifth place and with a real chance of finding themselves playing play-off football.

Macarthur had welcomed back Sham Khamis into the team as well as Renee Rollason who had only arrived at Sydney Airport at 6:04am Sunday morning from France.

For the Koalas, they had their own issues with both Princess Ibini out injured and Nat Tobin unavailable.

It was the away team that started the better, holding the ball and stepping up onto their opponents.

Annika Clayton looked to test Khamis first and had two efforts that were well held by the Rams keeper.

On 22 minutes the Koalas had the lead.

A corner by Deborah-Anne De La Harpe found Pridmore at the far post. Her header hit the upright and bounced across goal, spinning over the line.

Four minutes later and the Koalas should’ve doubled their lead.

A great ball across goal from Sophie Harding found Morgan Roberts at the far post but the wingers effort, despite beating Khamis, lacked power and was cleared off the line by Kirrilee Cameron.

Amy Sayer started pulling the strings in midfield and the Koalas looked even more threatening.

10 minutes from half time Sayer and Emma Stanbury combined, allowing the midfield some space before forcing Khamis into a fingertip save onto the cross bar.

From here it was all Macarthur as the Koalas struggled to cope.

First a Kylie Ledbrook free kick was hardly cleared after Romina Parraguirre saved the initial effort.

In the 39th minute it was the woodwork that came to the away side’s rescue.

A fine ball in from Nikola Orgill from the right found Leena Khamis in the box but the strikers header smashed against the right hand post.

Khamis the turned provider for Rosie Galea but she couldn’t get her effort on target as the Koalas held onto a first half lead.

Only two minutes into the second period Sophie harding showed some magic.

Some fine skill got her beyond Emma Fattore before forcing Sham Khamis into a fantastic save.

The Koalas continued to pepper the Rams but couldn’t find the final pass.

Erin Pridmore than had a golden chance with 30 minutes to go but again Khamis pulled off another fine save.

With just under 20 minutes to go, Emma Rolston slipped in Leena Khamis who was odds on to score.

But out of nowhere, Kim Davey slid in to make one of the tackles of the season and deny the veteran striker.

Only minutes later and after some neat work by Rolston, Orgill played in a delightful ball across goal but no one could get a toe on the inviting cross.

In the 80th minute Rollason had a fine chance from a set piece but her well placed effort was tipped onto the post by Parraguirre.

Khamis had one final chance in the dying stages of the game but she headed wide of the goal.

Blacktown Spartans 0-2 Emerging Jets

There was a shock at Blacktown Football Park on Sunday afternoon.

Two goals for the Emerging Jets were enough to get the passed the sixth placed Blacktown Spartans.

The win confirms the Jets’ fine form in the last few weeks and throws a real spanner into the works for the Spartans who could’ve moved back into the top five with a victory.

Manly United 0-1 Northern Tigers

The Northern Tigers made the short trip to Cromer Park in search of three points against Manly United.

Emma Watkins had her first goal of the season and the Tigers well on their way in the first half.

They held onto their lead to keep the pressure on first placed Sydney Uni to move into outright second place.

Sydney University 4-0 North Shore Mariners

This one was over at half time as Sydney University hosted the North Shore Mariners at Mason Park.

Four first half goals from Teigan Collister, Nikki Flannery, Annabelle Martin and Cortnee Vine had the home team in front 4-0 at the break.

No score was added in the second period as Uni held onto their two-point lead at the top of the table.

Sydney Olympic 0-4 Illawarra Stingrays

Sydney Olympic hosted the Illawarra Stingrays at Valentine Sports Park and it just wasn’t there afternoon as the Stingrays tore through them.

Hannah Beard had the visitors in front after 11 minutes after a swift team move.

Michelle Carney soon doubled the lead from the spot for the Stingrays.

They say two-nil is the worst half time score line but not on this occasion as Beard picked up her second in the 53rd minute.

Kaelah Austin wrapped up the rout in the 83rd minute with a simple finish to make it 4-0.

Football NSW Institute 1-1 Bankstown City

The spoils were shared at Valentine Sports Park as the Football NSW Institute and Bankstown City drew.

Midway through the first half the visitors had the lead as Vesna Milivojevic played in Jess Cirignano who poked the ball home to register her third goal in two games for her new club.

Shortly after the Institute was level in some style with a special strike from Zoe Dribbus who volleyed into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

By – Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s Writer

A new competition leader and an intensifying battle for fifth spot rounds up the latest instalment of NPL NSW Women’s competition.

NWS Koalas 1-0 Northern Tigers

With the league leaders coming down to Christie Park the North West Sydney Koalas knew they had to win to keep their finals hopes alive against the Northern Tigers.

A Sophie Harding goal was enough for the home team to inflict on the second loss of the season for the Tigers.

The loss saw them lose first place for the first time in over a month.

For Jaime Gomez’s team, the finals dream remains alive and they’re now five points from the five with seven games remaining.

The Koalas had the first chance of the game but Princess Ibini couldn’t convert  Deborah-Anne De La Harpe’s cut back.

It was the home side that was looking the better and keeping most of the possession.

Morgan Roberts really should’ve had the home side in front but she missed a golden opportunity from point blank range.

Again the Koalas threatened, this time from a corner but they didn’t challenge Eliza Campbell.

The start of the second half saw minimal chances created by either side.

With less than 30 minutes to go, a brain explosion from Romina Parraguirre almost had the Tigers in.

In the 70th minute Aimee Phillips had a great chance to put the Tigers in front but she couldn’t find the target.

And only a couple minutes later the home side was in front.

Harding rose highest from a corner and unmanned, she headed the ball into the back of the net.

The Tigers picked their game up after conceding and had many wandering where was this football for the previous 80 minutes.

They went close with 10 to go but somehow Parraguirre got the ball away.

Phillips had one last chance late but Parraguirre saved well to keep her clean sheet and take all three points.

Blacktown Spartans 1-3 Macarthur Rams

Macarthur knew prior to kick off how valuable three points were in this game and they didn’t disappoint, coming away with all three points and moving into the top five.

It didn’t start all their own way at Blacktown Football Park as the home side took an early lead.

A deep kick from Casey Dumont saw Linda Dudek flick a header on for Ash Crofts who made no mistake, lobbing the keeper and adding to her season tally of goals.

The Spartans took the lead into half time.

Without Renee Rollason, currently in France with the FNSW Institute Girls side and Sham Khamis, the Champions responded in style.

Some poor defending gifted the Rams the equaliser as Leena Khamis found the back of the net.

Only minutes later it was 2-1 as Nikola Orgill got onto the end of a Rosie Galea pass to put the ball beyond Dumont.

With the Spartans pushing for a late equaliser, Khamis broke their hearts in the dying embers of the game on the counter with a smart finish to make it 3-1.

Emerging Jets 1-1 Illawarra Stingrays

The Illawarra Stignrays travelled north expecting to take all three points against the Emerging Jets but it wasn’t to be.

Neither side could find a way to goal in the first period as they went into half time locked at 0-0.

Early in the second period the away side had the lead, Michelle Carney converting from the spot.

Soon after though the Jets had a golden chance from a penalty of their own.

Renee Pountney stepped up and made no mistake, finding the top right corner of the goal.

The south coast side pushed hard in the closing stages but couldn’t find the winner.

NS Mariners 1-3 Sydney Olympic

Sydney Olympic did what they had to do to move into second place on the ladder, taking all three points against the North Shore Mariners.

As has become standard for the Mariners, they went down early, Georgia Plessas putting Olympic in front.

Gab Marzano then had an opportunity from the penalty spot to bring the game level after a controversial call.

Jada Whyman dived the right way but there was too much pace on the ball and the teams went into half time locked at 1-1.

In an open game, both teams had their chance but it was Olympic that would strike next.

Some fine work by Sarah Yatim saw her square up Susan Phonsongkham who couldn’t miss with an open goal in front of her.

Only minutes later Phonsongkham made it two, capitalising on some poor marking to tap the ball home and wrap up all three points.

Football NSW Institute 0-2 Sydney University

Sydney University knew that a win could put them at the top of the table and they did just that, beating the Football NSW Institute 2-0.

Two first half goals from the in form Cortnee Vine were enough for Alex Epakis’ side to come away with the spoils.

Thanks to the NWS Koalas victory over the Northern Tigers, Uni moved to the top of the table.

Bankstown City 2-1 Manly United

Bankstown City kept their slim finals hopes alive with a tight 2-1 win over Manly United at Jensen Park.

The home team had the lead on 16 minuses as Nicole Simonsen spilled a Tanya Baban shot, into the path of Jess Cirignano who tapped home.

With the half time whistle beckoning, Bankstown doubled their advantage.

Vesna Milivojevic did well to win the ball before moving in on goal and beating Simonsen but not the post, with the rebound falling to Cirignano who was Johnny on the spot to put the ball into an empty net once more.

Manly pushed hard to get themselves back in the match and halved the deficit deep into stoppage time with a well controlled finish by Chloe O’Brien.

It’d only be a conciliation though as Bankstown registered an important victory.

 By – Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s writer