In the face of inclement weather, Round 4 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s competition stormed ahead with relative aplomb.
Read on for the full breakdown of the weekend that was.
Match of the Round – Macarthur Rams 3 – 0 Blacktown Spartans at Lynwood Park – Full Match Report
The 2022 National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s Champions Macarthur Rams recorded their first win of the 2023 new season after a convincing 3-0 victory over the Blacktown Spartans at Lynwood Park on Sunday evening.
A first half wonder free kick from Tenealle Hay had the Rams on their way before Leena Khamis and Laura Murtagh wrapped the result up in the second half.
It was a dominant performance from start to finish from the Rams and coach Stephen Peters can finally breathe a sigh of relief after a tough start to the season.
Bulls FC Academy 0 – 1 Gladesville Ravens at Northbridge Oval
Gladesville Ravens secured their first win of the 2023 season against Bulls FC Academy at Northbridge Oval.
The delayed kick-off did not detract from either side’s ambitions heading into the match, as both teams aimed to imprint their foothold on the game early.
Gladesville were content to relinquish possession throughout the first half, often showcasing their strengths through the swiftness of their pressing and subsequent forays at goal through the likes of Georgia Vlangos.
As a result, Bulls’ defenders Elizabeth Gray and Claudia Valletta were kept busy impeding the Ravens’ many attacks down the left.
The Bulls composed several chances of their own in the first half, with the technical prowess of midfielder Avaani Prakash making for exciting viewing as the youngster linked up smartly with her teammates throughout the match.
As the heavy rain returned and made itself at home at Northbridge Oval the chances arrived in spades and allowed the game to open, with one heart-in-mouth moment seeing Ravens defender Alexandra Tims forced into clearing a late volley towards the Gladesville goal from Phoebe Handcock.
The second half began with a blitz from the Bulls who pressed with intent and were clearly fired up from a half-time team talk by their coach Jamie Gomez.
However, the Ravens were able to earn a free-kick against the run of play close to the eighteen-yard box which Jess Wootton just pranged the left post with. A few minutes later, lively Bulls winger Peta Trimis had a significant chance of her own on the left flank which was collected by the grateful arms of Ravens goalkeeper Romina Parraguirre.
A turnover by Gray in the 69th minute proved to be the perfect opportunity for Ravens Japanese star Keiko Tanaka to latch on to and chip goalkeeper Trudy Simmons, who did her best to parry it onto the crossbar, however she was to be left dismayed as the ball nestled its way into the back of the net.
Despite their best efforts (and some resolute goalkeeping by Parraguirre), the Bulls were unable to muster up an equaliser against a Ravens side determined to secure a first win of the season.
Though they were on the losing end, the Bulls will take some pride away from their industrious performance against a tough opponent. The Ravens will deem it a victory well-earnt that reaffirms their positive showings in previous rounds.
Manly United 2 – 0 Football NSW Institute at Cromer Park
Manly United celebrated ‘Back to Manly Day’ at Cromer Park with a 2-0 victory over the Football NSW Institute.
The first half saw numerous opportunities conjured up by both sides, with Football NSW Institute refusing to take a backwards step in front of the Cromer Park faithful.
Football NSW Institute midfielder Priya Sciuriaga was heavily involved throughout the match, often sparking her side into action by dictating play across the midfield.
Manly’s first half was not without chances as well, including a standout moment that saw defender Phoebe Gilbane leaving the energetic home crowd in awe by her sprightly dribble through the opposition’s midfield and subsequent pass to lay the ball on a platter for Sienna Dale who was then unable to move it beyond FNSW Institute right-back Megan Mifsud.
It was Nicole Stuart who arguably had the chance of the first half following up a marauding run up field by Manly’s Emily Minett, however her instinctive effort was sent just wide of the far post.
Maintaining the theme of the day, the second half saw rain clouds form over Cromer Park and give an added edge to an already tense affair.
From the offset of the second half Manly showcased a real intent to play out from the back and control the game against a plucky FNSW Institute side, leading to Sienna Dale picking up the ball on the right wing, shifting inside and laying it off to Paige Kingston-Hogg who then proceeded to unlock Minett for her opener.
Manly’s second goal of the day however was pure class. Reversing the sequence from the first goal, Minett began the attack by finding Kingston at the heart of midfield who was able to lose her marker briefly in order to play Dale through on the right wing for Manly’s second goal of the night via a sumptuous finish. It proved to be a solidifying moment from an experienced Manly side who reacted well after being tested by FNSW Institute in the first stanza.
The win ensures that Manly maintain their unbeaten to start the season, and leaves Football NSW Institute consigned to another loss following a win and a loss in their first two rounds.
NWS Spirit 0 – 1 APIA Leichhardt at Christie Park
An end-to-end ninety minutes played out at Christie Park on Sunday ended with APIA Leichardt defeating NWS Spirit 1-0.
The wet conditions did little to stave off either side from attacking, with the first real chance of the half falling to APIA and star winger Sophie Hoban who, upon beating Spirit defender Erin Pridmore, lofted a ball towards Ashlie Crofts who was unable to bury it into an open net.
Pridmore, playing in her 100th game for Spirit, was productive for her side and always sought to drive the ball forward for her team. One such moment saw the stalwart attempt an audacious header on for her teammates from just inside the 18-yard box, only to see it go wide.
The first half continued to see both APIA and NWS Spirit FC play dynamic football in an effort to summon a clear chance on goal.
Kaiya Buchanan would prove to be Spirit’s hero in the 23rd minute with a last-ditch clearance to prevent Crofts from handing APIA the lead.
It would be Sarah Morgan who would offer Spirit a tangible route to goal in the 35th minute as she made a direct run down the left flank and crossed for Ella Buchanan whose sliced effort went wide.
With the first half coming to a close, the game refused to slow down, as Crofts was handed a spectacular chance via a header on by Isabella Coco-Di Sipio to give APIA the lead, only to be denied by a close-range reflex save by Spirit keeper Rachel Perrins.
The second half would be where APIA came into their own, with the side from the Inner-West of Sydney opting to apply a higher press against NWS Spirit FC in an effort to keep the home side on their toes.
NWS Spirit FC began to navigate their own path back into the match, effectively going like-for-like with APIA in terms of chances and physicality.
However, the high press from Spencer Prior’s APIA would prove too formidable, leaving Hoban with a clear route towards goal and a tidy finish to boot.
The game would end 1-0 for APIA, ensuring that coach Spencer Prior and his APIA side remain undefeated in the first four rounds of the season.
Illawarra Stingrays 1 – 1 Bankstown City Lions at Seymour Shaw
Seymour Shaw played host for the match between Illawarra Stingrays and Bankstown City Lions as both teams settled for a point via a 1-1 draw.
Michelle Carney poked home the first goal of the match as the experienced campaigner slotted home from close range off a corner before Bankstown City Lions escaped with a point with a goal at the death thanks to the head of defender Jess Frampton.
Emerging Jets 3 v Sydney University SFC 5 at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility
It was a goal-fest at the Lake Macquarie Regional Complex as Sydney University SFC defeated the Emerging Jets 5-2 in the late kick-off match on Sunday.
The hosts took the lead in the 15th minute thanks to an audacious lob by Claire Adams that stunned the Uni faithful following a mix-up in the visitors back-line.
It didn’t take long till the visitors hit an equaliser in the 26th minute thanks to the head of Annabel Martin who latched onto a pin-point corner.
Emily Husband’s side then took the lead in the 33rd minute as Stephanie Augoustis provided a defence splitting pass to Jaime Beaufils who finished off superbly.
Uni’s lead was further extended in the 40th minute via Talia Kapetanellis before the Jets pegged one back with a fantastic goal by young gun Brinley Gentle with a top shot from outside the box.
The half-time break saw the visitors 3-2 ahead but it was Uni who flexed their muscles in the second half with two more goals through Martin and Augoustis, before the home side found the net with a late consolation goal from Alisha Ingrey to bring to final score to 5-3.
Sydney Olympic v Northern Tigers – WASHED OUT
-By Matthew Badrov