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Round 3 Review – NPL NSW Women’s

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Three rounds in and we have a four-way tie for first place in the NPL NSW Women’s competition.

Macarthur Rams 1-3 Illawarra Stingrays

A clash of the titans took place at Lynwood Park as the Macarthur Rams and Illawarra Stingrays did battle.

It was the travelling South Coast side thought who came away with all three points, pushing the Stingrays to second place on the ladder.

For the Rams, it’s two straight losses and Norm Boardman will be looking for a reaction as soon as possible.

The match started at a high intensity with half chances for both teams in an end to end affair.

But it was the away team that pounced on a Rams defensive error.

A quick free kick from half way caught the home side unawares as Erica Halloway pounced, volleying beyond the onrushing Sham Khamis.

Macarthur struggled to get into the game and as half time approached things got worse for the home team.

Khalia Hogg this time tested Khamis with the keeper saving well but unable to hold the ball, allowing Hannah Beard to arrive first to the scene to place the ball into the back of the net.

The second half saw the Stingrays have the first chance and they should’ve settled the game.

First Halloway should’ve scored but Khamis made an amazing save before Beard had a chance, only for the Rams keeper to come out on top again.

The home side found a way back into the game half way through the first half.

Rosie Galea stepped up to take a corner, curling the ball into the back of the net direct from the set piece, beating Trudy Burke in the Stingrays goals.

The goal gave the Rams a spring in their step as they began pushing forward in search of an equaliser.

All hope was extinguished though when Halloway had her second.

A low corner was poorly defended by the Rams, allowing the attacker to back heel the ball into the back of the net and restore the two-goal buffer.

Scott Chipperfield’s side comfortably held out the Rams till the end of the game to record an important win.

Manly United 0-3 FNSW Institute

First game of the day took us to Cromer Park as Manly United hosted the FNSW Institute.

It was the Institute that went home happy, taking all three points from a difficult away fixture.

Three goals, two from AIdeen Keane and one from Isabella Chidiac had them over the line.

The win pushed them up in to the top five with two wins from three.

North Shore Mariners 2-3 Emerging Jets

It was derby day as the North Shore Mariners took on the Emerging Jets at Valentine Sports Park.

Brooke Kennedy headed the Jets in front early in the first half.

Gab Marzano soon had the Jets level though before Renee Poutney restored the Jets advantage.

Poutney then had the Jets on their way to a massive victory with a neat finish to make it 3-1 for the Jets.

Marzano cut the deficit to 3-2 but that was all the Mariners could muster in what was the shock of the round.

Northern Tigers 2-1 Blacktown Spartans

At North Turramurra Recreational Area, the Northern Tigers welcomed the Blacktown Spartans.

It was the away side that got off to the perfect start, taking a 1-0 lead through Ash Crofts which they held till the break.

But the Tigers hit back in the second period and recorded a come from behind win thanks to goals from Daisy Arrowsmith and Josie Wilson.

It’s two in a row for the Tigers and their definitely throwing themselves about in the talk for a finals place.

The Spartans are getting closer but David Saliba needs to insure heads don’t drop.

Sydney University 2-2 Sydney Olympic

It was a top of the table clash between Sydney University and Sydney Olympic at Sydney University Football Ground.

It was the newly promoted side though that got things rolling.

Georgia Plessas put them in front as early as the eighth minute before Susan Phonsongkham doubled the advantage.

Alex Epakis required his girls to come from behind again and that they did.

First Nikki Flannery halved the deficit before Julie-Anne Russel picked up a late goal to secure a point for Uni.

The two are joined at the top of the table along with the Illawarra Stingrays after three games.

Bankstown City 1-2 NWS Koalas

At Jensen Park, the North West Sydney Koalas travelled to take on Bankstown City.

Sophie Harding had the Koalas in front after pouncing on a Bankstown error, calmly placing the ball into the back of the net.

Bankstown had their equaliser through an own goal and were right back into the game.

But Emma Stanbury soon had the Koalas back in front, placing the ball into the back of the net.

The win puts them in equal first place on the ladder.

-By NPL NSW Women’s Writer Nikola Pozder

 

Round 2 Review – NPL NSW Women’s

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If Round one didn’t have you hooked, round two definitely with.

Comebacks, shocks and 27 goals across six games in the NPL NSW Women’s competition.

Blacktown Spartans v Sydney University

The rain didn’t miss Blacktown Football Ground as the Blacktown Spartans and Sydney University  did battle.

Blacktown went into this one with a game plan that worked till the closing stages of the game.

They even took the lead before Uni equalised late in the first half and then completed the turn around in the second period.

Uni threatened first through Courtnee Vine and then soon after with Mackenzie Hawkesby.

But it was a defensive error which the home side pounced on.

Ash Crofts was presented with a gift in the 17th minute before taking a touch and blasting beyond Newbon with the ball clipping the under side of the bar on it’s way in.

Only 10 minutes later though, all the Spartans good work came undone as Clare Wheeler was brought down in the box.

Vine stepped up and made no mistake with her penalty, finding the bottom right corner.

The second period started much the same way as the second with Uni looking to break down a resolute Spartans defence.

It was Crofts that almost had the Spartans back in front but Newbon made a fine save.

Alex Epakis turned to the bench and threw on Stephanie Augoustis.

It’d be the substitute that would find the next goal, latching onto a fine ball from Vine before rounding. Dumont and playing the ball into the back of the net.

Only a minute later and Augoustis had her second, tapping into an empty net after a square ball from Hawkesby.

There would be no change to the scoreline for the remainder of the clash but definitely a disappointing result for Saliba’s side after all the good effort they put in.

 

NWS Koalas 2-2 Illawarra Stingrays

The Illawarra Stingrays travelled to Christie Park on Sunday to take on the North West Sydney Koalas.

The home side hit the front mid-way through the second half after a scoreless first 45 minutes.

Sophie Harding crossed from the right as Caitlin Cooper lost her bearing and finished beyond her own keeper.

Shortly after it was two, this time Deborah-Anne De La Harpe tapped in the rebound after Morgan Roberts’ effort came back off the bar.

The Koalas seemed to be cruising before Hannah Beard bundled the ball home with nine minutes left on the clock.

It was the captain Michelle Carney though who would secure the Stingrays a point, capitalising on some questionable Koalas defending.

 

Macarthur Rams 0-2 Northern Tigers

Champions Macarthur Rams welcomed the Northern Tigers to Lynwood Park on Sunday.

The Rams were expected to come away with all three points in this one with little questions asked.

But Daisy Arrowsmith and her Tigers had different ideas.

Arrowsmith first put her side in front before bagging her brace 15 minutes from the end with an end to end superb move, securing a major victory for the Tigers.

This result will give the Tigers confidence moving forward while the Rams go back to the drawing board.

 

FNSW Institute 2-3 Sydney Olympic

Valentine Sports Park played host to the FNSW Institute and Sydney Olympic in what was a thriller.

It was Olympic who hit the front on 21 minutes as Teresa Polias’ shot came off Sarah Yatim before hitting the back of the net.

Polias turned villain shortly after, scoring a freak own goal to level the scores at 1-1.

Sheridan Gallagher then had the Institute in front with a neat header 10 minutes before the break.

But it’d be Susan Phonsongkham who’d come back to haunt her former club, scoring two second half goals, including a late penalty.

It means Olympic go two from two in a perfect start to life in the top tier.

 

North Shore Mariners 2-4 Manly United

The North Sydney derby made it’s way to Sydney’s west at Jensen Park as the North Shore Mariners and Manly United faced off.

It was Manly that would go into half time leading though, 2-1 in front.

They controlled the second period and managed to hold out till full time, taking all three points with a 4-2 victory.

Remy Siemsen was the star of the show, marking her return to the United line-up with a hat-trick while Claudia Cholakian got the other.

For the Mariners, Gab Marzano and Jordan Evans got their goals.

 

Emerging Jets 2-4 Bankstown City

At Lake Macquarie Football Facility, the Emerging Jets took on Bankstown City.

Steph Ambrose had Bankstown in front on 22 minutes before Renee Poutney had the Jets level after somehow getting the ball into the back of the net.

Mary Fowler had Bankstown back in the lead with a neat finish to make it 2-1.

Only minutes later it was 3-1 as Fowler had her second, pouncing on an error from the Jets defence.

Hannah Jones then had the Jets back in the game, pulling a goal back in the second half.

Amy Dahdah would secure all three points for Bankstown late on with a penalty to make it 4-2.

-By NPL NSW Women’s writer Nikola Pozder

 

 

Round 1 Review – NPL NSW Women’s

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What a way for the NPL Women’s NSW competition to kick off! There was plenty to see across the five live streamed games.

Football NSW Institute v Northern Tigers

It was the perfect start to the season for Leah Blayney’s side, coming away with all three points in their clash with the Northern Tigers at Valentine Sports Park.

The first goal of the game came after only eight minutes as Aideen Keane’s high press saw her disposes Servet Uzunlar and bare down on Eliza Campbell.

Her placed shot beat the keeper but rebounded off the post into the path of Bryleeh Henry who placed the ball into the back of the net.

The Tigers held most of the possession and tried to create something through Uzunlar on various occasions but the Young Institute side stood firm in defence.

For the home side, they sat deep and waited for their opportunity on the counter attack and looked to threaten Campbell on the break.

It took the Tigers less than a minute in the second half to find the equaliser as Daisy Arrowsmith crossed for Maddie Bart who headed well into the back of the net.

Gallagher seems to be ‘one to watch’ from the Institute this season and she continued to create issues for the Tigers left side in the second period.

AIdeen Keane should’ve had the Institute back in front in the 67th minute after a fine pass from Gallagher, only to get her bearing all wrong and shoot wide.

But right on 70 minutes it was 2-1 for the home side.

Scarlet Thomas received the ball on the edge of the box and found the top corner, giving an outstretched Campbell no chance.

With 10 minutes to go the Tigers should’ve been level once more.

Aimee Phillips got onto the end of a neat team move, moved in on Olivia Riddel but once again the Institute defence reacted well to avert the danger.

In the 86th minute Campbell kept the Tigers in the game with a fine save.

Some fine combination play from the home side had Keane in on goal but Campbell stuck a leg out to save.

Campbell showed safe hands a minute later, this time saving from Paris Kambouris.

The away side couldn’t create one final chance to find an equaliser as the depleted Institute recorded a excellent opening day win.

FNSW Institute 2 (Henry 7’, Thomas 70’)

Northern Tigers 1 (Bart 46’)

 

NWS Koalas 5 – 0 Emerging Jets

At Christie Park the North West Sydney Koalas faced off against the Emerging Jets.

Morgan Roberts had the Koalas in front seven minutes before half time, easing Jaime Gomez’s half time team talk.

As the second half wore on, the Jets began to tire as the home side took full advantage.

First Ariella Cabezas doubled the Koalas advantage with a neat finish after a good original save by Susanna Behne-Smith in the 78th minute.

Emma Stanbury made it three in the 83rd minute before another defensive blunder allowed Sophie Harding to make it 4-0 two minutes later.

Stanbury then had her second and the Koalas fifth from the penalty spot in the 90th minute to round off a 5-0 victory.

 

Sydney Olympic 5-2 Blacktown Spartans

They may be the new girls on the block but they sent warning signs across the competition, showing they won’t be push arounds.

It didn’t take long for Olympic to find their first goal in the top tier, courtesy of Panagiota Petratos.

Susan Phonsongkham soon doubled their advantage after a fine team move.

Sarah Yatim had her first goal in the Olympic blue, extending the lead to 3-0 just before half time.

Petratos then had her second just after the break, making it 4-0 for the home side.

And she completed her hat-trick with a fine shot into the bottom corner to have the home side cruising at 5-0.

Two late goals to the Spartans made the score 5-2.

 

Manly United 1-2 Macarthur Rams

It was always going to be a big game at Cromer Park as Manly United welcomed the champions Macarthur Rams.

And they kicked off the campaign in stunning style, with Rosie Galea scoring an absolute screamer after only four minutes.

On the half hour mark though, the home side was level after Claudia Cholakian rounded off a fine team move.

Both sides pushed hard for the winner and United thought they had it but the ball crashed off the cross bar.

In typical Rams fashion, they had the winner in the third minute of stoppage time.

And it was another stunning goal, this Time by Elizabeth Ralston as she found the top corner herself, an unlikely goal scorer.

 

Bankstown City 0-5 Sydney University 

Bankstown City hosted Sydney University to Jensen Park on Sunday afternoon.

It took until the half hour mark for the away side to hit the front and it was after some fine skill down the left by Julia Vignes who did it all herself, scoring a fine individual goal.

Cortnee Vine continued where she left off from last season, making it 2-0 from the spot.

Just before half time Julie-Ann Russel added a third for the away side.

Mackenzie Hawkesbury had Uni 4-0 up soon after half time, following up on a rebound.

They made it five mid-way through the second period as Nikki Flannery got herself on the scoresheet.

 

Illawarra Stingrays v North Shore Mariners – 13/03/19

-By NPL Women’s NSW writer Nikola Pozder

Final Series Week Two – National Premier League NSW Women

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The Macarthur Rams booked their place in the 2018 grand final in the NPL NSW Women’s competition.

 

Illawarra Stingrays 1-6 Football NSW Institute

Football NSW Institute are one step away from a dream grand final after dismantling the Illawarra Stingrays 6-1 at Seymour Shaw.

Three first half goals had the youngsters in control at the break.

When it seemed the Stingrays could make an astonishing comeback with an early second half goal, the Institute scored another three for the emphatic win.

The Institute had the lead just after the quarter hour mark.

Holly Mcnamara received a defence splitting pass from Susan Phonsongkham and easily slid the ball into the back of the net.

Only a minute later the Stingrays went close off a corner but Caitlin Cooper’s volley was cleared away.

Phonsonghkham wanted in on the act and let fly with a pile driver from distance, only for her shot to go inches wide.

But the Institute doubled their advantage in some style.

We spoke about Courtney Nevin’s deadly left foot in the pre-game and she didn’t disappoint in the 28th minute.

A well worked short corner had the ball at Nevin’s feet 30 metres out before she smacked her shot into the top left corner of the goal.

The Institute’s perfect start was tainted by Phonsongkham’s injury as she had to be replaced.

It didn’t matter though as the Institute went a further goal ahead 1o minutes from half time.

Mcnamara got her head onto a deep free kick as the ball came off the post and bounced in.

Michelle Carney could’ve had the Stingrays back in the game seven minute from the break but the missed her volley.

Straight after the break Carney looked to cut the margin but her free kick in the 51st minute cracked against the woodwork.

With 12 minutes being played in the second period, the Stingrays were back in it.

A long throw by Talitha Kramer wasn’t dealt with by the Institute defence as Caitlin Cooper used her strength to make space and shoot at goal.

Her shot bounced back off the post, right in the path of Erica Halloway who made no mistake with her finish.

With 15 minutes to go though, the Institue put a dagger through Stingrays hopes.

Some fine work by Kyra Cooney-Cross saw her slip in Melindaj Barbieri who blasted her finish into the back of the net.

It was almost five in the 78th minute but Kaelah Austin made a fine save from Cooney-Cross.

From the resulting corner though, Aideen Keane made it 5-1, rising at the far post to bundle the ball home.

They soon added a sixth as Mcnamara found her third of the game to complete her hat-trick, easily placing the ball into the back of the net.

 

Sydney University 1-2 Macarthur Rams

The premiers were looking to book their spot in the final when they faced off against the Macarthur Rams at Arlington Oval.

It wasn’t to be though as the Rams cemented yet another grand final with an impressive 2-1 victory.

They started well and hit the front in the first half courtesy of a Kylie Ledbrook free kick.

Macarthur doubled their advantage in the second period as Caitlin Campbell scored a goal worthy of winning any match.

The premiers wouldn’t go away that easy and halved the Rams’ lead through Rachel Soutar.

That would be all they could conjure though as Macarthur look to finally secure that elusive championship.

Uni will have it all to do in a do or die clash with the Institute next week.

 

By Nikola Pozder

Finals Week One – National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s Review

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The National Premier League NSW Women’s competition entered into their first week of finals over the weekend, with Manly United FC being the first team to exit from the 2018 finals series

 

Illawarra Stingrays 2-2 (AET 3-3 Pens 1-3) Macarthur Rams

 

The Macarthur Rams lead twice in normal time but were pegged back both times by the Illawarra Stingrays to send the game to extra time.

Talitha Kramer then had the Rays headed for the major semi final before the experienced Renee Rollason turned on the style and assisted Kate Hensman for the equaliser.

Sham Khamis was the star in the shoot out though, saving two spot kicks to send the Rams to the next stage.

The first big chance of the game fell the way of the Rams as Georgia Yeoman-Dale hit a low shot just wide of the far post.

Blaize Kendis then went close in the 14th minute but Sham Khamis saved well.

Yeoman-Dale was back in again on 17 minutes and really should’ve scored but she could only hit the keeper.

10 minutes from half time the Rams were in front.

A great low ball in from Yeoman-Dale found Leena Khamis in the middle as the striker slid the ball into the back of the net.

12 minutes after the break the Stingrays threatened through Erica Halloway but Khamis came out well to thwart the danger.

Caitlin Cooper should’ve had the Stingrays level on 66 minutes but couldn’t find the target with her sweeping volley.

A minute later Evelyn Chronis went close as the Rams got away with another.

And the pressure finally payed off in the 69th minute.

The Rams defence was all over the place as Chronis ran straight through the defence, shooting first time, with the ball clipping the post on its way in.

Two minutes later and the Rams were back in the lead.

A fine touch and burst of speed from Yeoman-Dale saw her get around her defender before calmly slotting the ball into the back of the net.

Kylie Ledbrook once again reminded everyone of her quality, cracking a free kick against the bar with 10 minutes to go.

But three minutes from full time the Stingrays were back in it.

Talitha Kramer beat her defender, cut in and curled the ball beyond Khamis into the top corner.

Sham Khamis kept the scores level four minutes into extra time with an incredible double save.

First she came out and stopped Cooper in a one on one before pulling off a fine save from Chronis from the rebound.

In the 109th minute the Stingrays hit the front for the first time.

Mackenzie Hawkesby found space outside the box before setting herself and curling the ball into the top corner.

Five minutes from full time it was vintage Renne Rollason as she showed fine skill to beat two defenders before laying the ball up for Kate Hensman who made no mistake with her finish.

The game moved into penalties and the Stingrays sent their first attempt over the bar before Rollason snuck hers into the bottom left corner.

Katelyn Leadbeatter made it 1-1 in the shoot out but Leena Khamis had the Rams back in front, converting her effort.

Sham Khamis then saved Evelyn Chronis’ attempt as Georgia Yeoman-Dale made no mistake, making it 3-1.

Cooper had the chance to keep the Stingrays in the shoot out but Khamis again saved to send Macarthur into the major semi final.

 

Manly United 1-2 Football NSW Institute

At Valentine Sports Park, it was elimination football time as Manly United took on the Football NSW Institute.

The Institute got off to a better start, and had the lead just after 20 minutes as Courtney Nevin found the back of the net from the penalty spot.

Kyra Cooney-Cross then gave the fans something special in first half stoppage time, hitting a screamer from more than 30 metres out and catching the Manly keeper off her line.

Claudia Cholakian then had Manly back in with a shout mid-way through the second period, pouncing on an Institute error.

Susan Phonsongkham almost settled the result when her shot hit the post.

The Institute continued to press and didn’t hold back but couldn’t find the goal to seal the victory.

It didn’t matter though with Manly unable to find a goal to send them game into extra time.

 

By Nikola Pozder