The second half of the season kicked off yesterday in the NPL NSW Women’s competition and it remains as close as ever.

 

Match of the Round – Macarthur Rams FC 3-1 Manly United FC

Macarthur Rams had to respond after last week’s defeat against a plucky Many United and that they did, coming away with a 3-1 victory at Lynwood Park.

It was the away side that probably opened the game the better, pressing the Rams deep in their half.

They probably should’ve had the lead on 15 minutes but Sham Khamis pulled off an incredible save from Emily Minett’s header.

So it was a real kick in the teeth for Chris Williams’ side when some telling pressure from the Rams saw them hit the front just after the half hour mark.

Leena Khamis slipped in Rosie Galea with the winger calmly slotting the ball passed Nicole Simonsen for a 1-0 lead.

The home sides confidence grew from here and their chances began to pile up.

10 minutes after their opening goal, the experience of Renee Rolason saw the Rams double their lead.

The defender stepped up to take a free kick just outside the box and found the bottom left corner of Simonsen’s goal.

Manly started the second half on the front foot and tried to get back into the game immediately.

With just over 20 minutes to go, United threw themselves right back into the game.

A fine free kick by Patty Charalambous found Minett at the far post who headed in perfectly to the far post, giving Khamis no chance in the Rams goal.

It didn’t take the home side too long to restore the two-goal advantage.

Nikola Orgill picked up the ball and crossed into the box but it took a wicked deflection, leaving Simonsen stranded as the ball bounced into the back of the net.

Manly couldn’t get back into the game as the home side held out to sit only three points outside of the top five.

 

Sydney University 3-2 Bankstown City

It was quite the game at Sydney University Football Ground as the home side came away with all three points in a five-goal thriller against Bankstown City.

Mel Caceres had Uni in front after only 14 seconds of the game! Stealing the ball off the Bankstown right back, she then took on another defender before slotting the ball home.

Just before half time, Vesna Milivojevic had Bankstown level, winning the ball in the Uni box before despatching it into the back of the net.

But only minutes into the second half, Uni were in front again after Julie-Ann Russell slotted a fine volley into the back of the net.

Bankstown wouldn’t give up though and equalised once more in style, Stefani Skerlevska picking out the top corner with a special goal.

The game went end to end as both teams tried frantically to find a winner.

It would come from an unlikely source minutes from the end with Taren King curling the ball into the top corner to roundoff a spectacular 3-2 victory.

 

North Shore Mariners 0-3 Illawarra Stingrays

The Illawarra Stingrays made light work of the North Shore Mariners, coming away with a 3-0 win at Northbridge Oval.

The Stingrays three goals came from Michelle Carney, Chloe Middleton and Talitha Kramer.

Three points for the Stingrays keeps them in fourth position.

 

Northern Tigers 4-0 FNSW Institute

Another win for the Northern Tigers meant they moved to outright first on the competition ladder.

A four-goal haul saw them come away with a commanding 4-0 victory.

Maddie Bart picked up a brace while Hannah McNulty scored one and Daisy Arrowsmith got the other, keeping up her great goalscoring form.

 

Blacktown Spartans 2-1 Sydney Olympic

It was a special afternoon for the Blacktown Spartans as they knocked off league leaders Sydney Olympic 2-1.

With new signings Mackenzie Hawkesby and Demi Koulizakis both in the squad, the away side would’ve been confident they could take all three points.

Instead, it was the home side that took the lead minutes from half time.

Ash Crofts was played in by Linda Dudek as she poked the ball beyond Jada Mathyssen.

Olympic would find their way back into the game on 63 minutes through Teresa Polias.

With the game looking set for a draw Crofts thought she had missed a golden opportunity, only for Beth Gordon to score the winner and a massive three points for the Spartans.

BY – Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s Writer

We’ve reached the half-way point of the NPL NSW Women’s competition and it’s never been tighter at the top.

Blacktown Spartans v North Shore Mariners

The bottom placed North Shore Mariners travelled to Blacktown Football Park to take on the Blacktown Spartans.

It was the home side that would make it eight games without defeat, seven of those victories.

The incredible run was continued with three first half goals to Linda Dudek, Hannah Bourke and Olivia Price.

For the away side, throughout the season, the concession of early goals has been a major problem.

They were almost behind once more only minutes in but Alix Roberts couldn’t poke the ball home before Ash Crofts missed an open goal, albeit from a tight angle.

It wouldn’t take the Spartans long to hit the front and soon after, an excellent ball from Casey Dumont found Dudek in midfield.

With acres of space, the striker looked to have played the wrong pass, only for the pace of Roberts down the right saw her get passed her defender before squaring the ball back for Dudek who finished off the move, 1-0.

The Spartans continued to press the Mariners high up field and doubled their advantage mid-way through the first period.

Olivia Price crossed in a perfect in-swinging ball from the left, finding Hannah Bourke at the far post who put the ball away.

When it seemed that would be that for the first half, the unstoppable Price popped up again.

First she beat her defender before calmly placing the ball beyond Ashleigh Hughes to make it 3-0 to the Spartans.

The second saw the Mariners improve and have their first real effort from distance through Gab Marzano but Dumont wasn’t too worried about the shot.

Blacktown created a few more chances as the game wore on but were missing the final touch or shot to add to their three-goal lead.

Sitting just one point now behind first place, the Spartans have made themselves real premiership contenders.

Illawarra Stingrays 0-0 Sydney University

At JJ Kelly Park, first placed Sydney University travelled to take on the Illawarra Stingrays in a massive match for both sides.

It was always going to be a tight game between two competition heavyweights and it’s exactly what we got.

Neither side could break the deadlock in the first 45 minutes with the sides going into the break locked at 0-0.

The stalemate continued in the second period with the Rays and Uni having to settle for a point apiece.

Emerging Jets 0-2 Manly United

Manly United faced off with the Emerging Jets at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility.

It’s been a frustrating season so far for Manly United and Chris Williams as the side looked to turn their fortunes around against the Jets.

Without a win in their last three outings, United picked up a valuable three points with a 2-0 victory.

FNSW Institute 3-2 Macarthur Rams

At VSP, the Football NSW Institute entertained the Macarthur Rams.

There were chances at both ends of the pitch until the Rams hit the front.

The experienced Leena Khamis slipped in behind the Institute defence and calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net.

Early in the second period, Emma Ralston made it two with a fine header and the Rams looked on their way to another victory.

But the young side wouldn’t lie down and Isabel Gomez put them back into the match.

Aideen Keane then brought the home side level after a powerful run, rounding Khamis and placing the ball into the back of the net.

With both sides opening right up and going for the win, it was the Institute that would complete an amazing turnaround.

Keane once more picked up the ball down the left, beat her defender and put the ball beyond Khamis to make it 3-2 in the dying embers of the game.

The win snapped a five-game losing streak for the Institute, reviving their hopes of finals football.

Northern Tigers 1-0 Bankstown City

The Northern Tigers and Bankstown City faced off at NTRA.

It was a tight half with the sides heading into the break locked at 0-0.

But only eight minutes into the second half, the Tigers had the lead.

A corner to the far post was met by Maddie Bart who headed in powerfully beyond Krstanovska.

Neither side could add to the score line with another huge victory for the Tigers moving them to equal first.

NWS Koalas 0-2 Sydney Olympic

At Christie Park in the late kick off on Sunday night, the North West Sydney Koalas hosted Sydney Olympic.

Olympic knew that a win would put them top of the league while a defeat for the home side would put them further away from a finals place.

With neither side able to find the back of the net in the first 45 minutes, both teams moved into half time at 0-0.

In the 54^th minute, the away side made it 1-0.

After combining with Susan Phonsongkham, Panagiota Petratos finished well from just outside the box for the first goal of the game.

With 10 minutes to go, Olympic secured the points in spectacular fashion.

Teresa Polias spotted Romina Parraguirre off her line and from almost half way let fly, beating the Koalas keeper from some distance.

By – Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s

Only two points separate the top five teams in the NPL NSW Women’s competition after round 10 action.

Sydney University 1-0 NWS Koalas

Sydney University made it a special Mothers Day, hitting the summit of the competition with a tight 1-0 win over the North West Sydney Koalas.

The win places Alex Epakis’ side one point in front of their nearest rivals on the ladder.

It wasn’t the sort of game we’re used to in the NPL NSW Women’s competition and the timid start showed to tactical coaches trying to figure one another out.

Uni’s greatest threats in the first period came from Rachel Soutar free kicks but none dangerous enough to trouble Romina Parraguirre.

The best two chances fell the way of Teigan Collister in quick succession.

The first saw her break into the box but cross a poor ball from a great position.

Only minutes later, again Collister crossed, this time perfectly across goal but no yellow and blue shirts could get a foot onto the ball.

It took the away side till late in the half to challenge Uni but they managed to clear their lines as Princess Ibini looked set to launch an effort toward goal.

The second started much like the first with the home side edging the possession and dominating somewhat.

Nicki Flannery went closest when she dribbled in from the left and let fly with conviction, only for her shot to sail just over the bar.

Epakis then looked to his bench and introduced Clare Hunt and Carla Trimboli in a double substitution.

It proved to be a masterstroke.

Flannery did ever so well to get beyond Kim Davey before delivering a pin point cross into the box from the left, finding the head of Hunt who couldn’t miss from right in front.

With only 15 to go, the home side never looked like conceding with the central defensive pairing of King-Tumeth proving unbreakable.

Jaime Gomez tried to get the Koalas going with his own substitution of Sophie Harding but he didn’t get the same return.

Defeat for Gomez’s team meant they dropped to seventh on the ladder.

Manly United 1-2 Blacktown Spartans

At Cromer Park, Manly United hosted the red hot Blacktown Spartans.

It was the home side who had a dream start, taking a first half lead through Ruby Jackson in spectacular fashion.

Jackson let fly with a well hit volley from some distance, giving Casey Dumont no chance.

Then, guess who.

Alix Roberts again, this time with an even more special free kick than her previous two, finding the back of the net in some style from 25 metres out.

The complete turn around came only minutes later as Ash Crofts scored a goal she’ll remember for a long time.

Picking up the ball from within her half, she beat three defenders before placing the ball into the back of the net.

It was enough for the Spartans to take all three points and move into the top five.

Macarthur Rams 2-1 Emerging Jets

Macarthur Rams hosted the Emerging Jets at Lynwood Park on Sunday.

Rosie Galea got the Rams running with a fine finish mid-way through the first half.

But Lilly-Jane Babic had the Jets on level terms with a great goal of her own, giving Sham Khamis no chance on the stroke of half time.

Galea would turn provider in the second half, finding Nicola Orgill at the far post as she tapped the ball home for a 2-1 Rams victory.

North Shore Mariners 1-3 Bankstown City

Two teams desperate for points did battle at Northbridge oval as the North Shore Mariners took on Bankstown City.

It was the away side who took the lead with their star player Vesna Milivojevic dancing through the Mariners defence before placing the ball into the top corner.

Milivojevic then became provider, squaring up a ball for Amy Dahdah who had the simple task who tapped the ball home.

Dahdah then grabbed another after the break to make it 3-0.

Gab Marzano pulled one back for the Mariners with a trademark finish to finalise the 3-1 score.

Sydney Olympic 0-2 Northern Tigers

It was a top of the table clash at Peter Moore Field as Sydney Olympic entertained the Northern Tigers.

The away side would come away with a massive victory.

Daisy Arrowsmith picked up the first before adding another to make it 2-0 to the Tigers and scoring a brace.

The win puts the Tigers on equal points with Olympic.

Football NSW Institute 0-3 Illawarra Stingrays

At VSP Football NSW Institute hosted the Illawarra Stingrays.

It was the travelling team that would take a two-goal lead into half time.

Chloe Middleton and Erica Halloway both getting themselves on the score sheet.

Caitlin Cooper then added a third in the second period to close out a convincing 3-0 win for the Stingrays.

By – Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s Writer

 

 

Sydney Olympic are back on top of the league after nine rounds of the NPL NSW Women’s competition.

Bankstown City 1-4 Blacktown Spartans

The run continue for the Blacktown Spartans, six games without defeat, this time Bankstown City was put to the sword.

Four goals in the first half had this one done before the break with Bankstown scoring a second half consolation.

It was the Spartans who started the better, going close in the opening minutes through Beth Gordon, only for her effort to hit the bar.

Bankstown slowly grew into the game and just as they seemed to take the initiative, Blacktown hit the front.

Ash Crofts did well to burst into the box before cutting back for Linda Dudek who finished beyond Renne Krstanovska.

The Lions re-gathered and had a couple half chances through Vesna Milivojevic and Amy Dahdah before lightning struck twice.

Crofts outmuscled her defender before calmly sliding the ball into the back of the net to double Blacktown’s lead.

The home team needed to make sure they didn’t concede further before half time but they couldn’t hold out.

Alix Roberts stepped up to take a free kick in the 43rd minute just outside the box and blasted a ball into the back of the net, giving Krstanovska no chance.

Two minutes later things went from bad to worse.

Some nice combination play had Crofts with the ball in the box, scoring her second of the game and the Spartans’ fourth.

It was the home side who started the second half better and Milivojevic pulled one goal back.

A nice one-two between the midfielder and Dahdah saw Milivojevic place the ball into the back of the net.

Bankstown couldn’t do anymore though with Crofts’ hat-trick also getting away from her, the score finishing 4-1 to the visitors.

Emerging Jets 0-5 Sydney Olympic

Sydney Olympic travelled north to take on the Emerging Jets.

There was only one side in this one with Sydney Olympic scoring five and running away with a 5-0 victory.

The win puts Olympic back on top of the ladder.

Macarthur Rams 4-2 North Shore Mariners

The Macarthur Rams hosted the North Shore Mariners at Lynwood Park.

In the 20th minute the home side had the lead, a sublime finish from Emma Ralston.

Sham Khamis then made a foul inside the box and gave the Mariners the champ to equalise from the spot.

Jordan Evans stepped up and made no mistake with the spot kick.

It didn’t take the Rams long to hit the front in the second half as Ralston grabbed her second.

Soon after it was 3-1 as Nicola Orgill added another and then Leena Khamis made it four.

Jasmine Maguire picked up a consolation in stoppage time for the Mariners.

FNSW Institute 1-2 NWS Koalas

Football NSW Institute and the North West Sydney Koalas did battle at VSP.

It was the away side that took the lead in some style through Deborah-Anne De La Harpe, who volleyed an unstoppable shot into the back of the net.

Isabella Chidiac equalised just before the break with a shot from distance that Parraguirre fumbled into the goal.

Princess Ibini scored the winner in the second half though to complete a massive victory for the Koalas.

Northern Tigers 0-2 Illawarra Stingrays

North Turramurra Rec Area hosted the clash between the Northern Tigers and Illawarra Stingrays.

A goal either side of half time was enough for the Stingrays to register all three points away from home.

Michelle Carney had the first with an experienced first time finish, showing all her class.

Kahlia Hogg made the points secure with a fine effort from distance in the 57th minute.

It was a first defeat since round one for the Tigers.

Sydney University 2-1 Manly United

Sydney Uni and manly United faced off at Sydney University Football Ground.

Julie Anne Russell opened the scoring with a neat shot from just outside the box for Uni.

Hannah Peric had Manly level with just over 10 minutes to go, heading in a free kick.

But the home side wouldn’t allow for a surprise result, Sarah Morgan capitalising on a Nicole Simonsen fumble.

By – Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s writer

 

A new round, a new leader in the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s competition.

Sydney Olympic 2-1 Manly United

Sydney Olympic and Manly United rounded off a double header on Anzac Day at Belmore Sports Ground.

It was the home side that got off to a better start and led 2-0 at the break. Manly managed to score a late goal but it was only a consolation.

Patty Charalambous had the first real chance of the game, finding space in the Olympic defence but unable to test Jada Whyman.

United were punished almost immediately when Sarah Yatim scored in the sixth minute.

Nicole Simonsen fumbled what seemed an easy catch, allowing Yatim to poke the ball into the back of the net.

Another error in defence from Manly almost had Olympic in  again but Sienna Fraser must still be wondering how she managed to miss that opportunity.

Claudia Cholakian thought she had Manly level on 14 minutes but the assistants flag halted any celebrations.

Olympic then looked to capitalise on another defensive calamity, Fraser with an opportunity again.

Once more though, the striker couldn’t find the goal with Simonsen doing well to save.

Fraser finally had her goal four minutes from half time, receiving the ball in the box, turning well and scoring at the second attempt.

The second half saw Chris Williams’ side come out somewhat more focused with Emily Minnett going close.

Charalambous and Cholakian were next to try their luck for the away side but neither could get United back into the game.

That was until the first minute of stoppage time.

Ally Green picked up the ball in midfield, dribbled forward and unleashed from some way out, beating Whyman and smashing the ball into the back of the net.

With little time remaining, United had one final chance from a corner and were only inches away from getting an unlikely equaliser as Minnett and Sunny Franco couldn’t find the target.

The win had George Beltsos’ side on top of the ladder at least until Sunday afternoon.

Northern Tigers 0-0 Sydney University

At North Turramurra Recreational Area it was the Northern Tigers and Sydney University doing battle.

The two toughest defences in the competition faced off and it was always going to be difficult to separate the two.

That’s how it ended up, with neither side able to break the other down in a 0-0 draw.

Blacktown Spartans 2-1 Illawarra Stingrays

The Illawarra Stingrays travelled to Blacktown Football Park to take on the Blacktown Spartans.

It was the away side that hit the front in the first half after bundling in a corner, with Talitha Kramer getting the final touch.

Blacktown pushed in the second period and were rewarded with about half an hour to go as Linda Dudek found the back of the net.

Minutes later the Spartans had a shock lead.

Captain Alix Roberts blasted in an effort from the edge of the area, giving Trudy Burke no chance in the Stingrays goal.

The win means Blacktown are now five games without defeat, sitting in sixth place.

Football NSW Institute 2-3 Emerging Jets

Battle of the young guns took place at Valentine Sports Park as the Football NSW Institute welcomed the Emerging Jets.

And it was the Jets that would go into the break one-goal up thanks to Kiarnie Latham.

Sheridan Gallagher is making these long distance free kicks a thing and picked up another to make the scores 1-1 in the second half.

The Institute looked set for three points when Isabel Gomez made it 2-1 with a confident penalty.

But the Jets had other ideas and Lilly-Jane Babic found an equaliser on the volley.

Babic then had her second and the Jets in the lead after a complete mix up at the back from the Institute.

That was enough for the Jets’ second victory of the season, while it’s three in a row without a win for the Institute.

North Shore Mariners 6-2 NWS Koalas

Derby day at Northbridge Oval as the North Shore Mariners hosted the North West Sydney Koalas.

And it was the away side who got off to the perfect start, a 5-0 half time lead.

It started off with an incredible 11-second goal from Sophie Harding after the Mariners kicked off!

Believe it or not, after 135 seconds it was two as Ariella Cabezas punted on another Mariners error.

Deborah-Anne de la Harpe then added two quick goals to make it 4-0 before Kiara Farqhuar made it five.

Rochelle Johnson pulled one back on the stroke of half time with a well taken goal.

Arguably the goal of the season was scored with 20 minutes to go, ala Shervin Adeli in the FFA Cup from almost the same spot on Wednesday night.

This time it was the North Shore Mariners’ Gab Marzano with an absolute pile driver!

Emma Stanbury rounded off the 6-2 score line with a late goal.

Macarthur Rams 3-3 Bankstown City

Bankstown City met the Macarthur Rams at Lynwood Park on Sunday afternoon.

Leena Khamis had the home side in front early with a good finish.

Tania Baban then equalised for Bankstown, finishing calmly after going beyond Khamis.

Sham Khamis was in inspired form, pulling off some remarkable saves to keep the Rams in the game.

Vesna Milivojevic showed why she is one of the best in the competition, beating Khamis with a stunner from distance.

But the home side would hit back, this time through Nicola Orgill.

The action continued though, this time Naomi Nguyen putting the away side back in front with the clocking ticking to full time.

Champions don’t give up though and with almost the last kick of the game, Leena Khamis had her second and Macarthur’s equaliser.

By – Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s Writer