MATCH OF THE ROUND
CHARLESTOWN AZZURRI 0-3 WARNERS BAY FC
Warners Bay are one step closer to securing the inaugural NPL Women’s NNSW premiership after defeating Charlestown Azzurri 3-0 on Sunday.
It was an important win for Warners Bay who moved three points clear of premiership rivals Broadmeadow Magic after 19 games.
Warners Bay dominated from the first whistle at Allen Davis Field in what was an extremely comfortable outing for the Panthers.
Tara Andrews opened the scoring after just five minutes when her long-distance strike left Taylah Gray with no chance.
Newcastle Jets captain Cassidy Davis made it 2-0 in the 25th minute when her volleyed effort from a corner allowed the Panthers to take a two-goal advantage into half-time.
Central midfielder Lauren Allen should have made it 3-0 to the away side in the 57th minute when Elodie Dagg played her in behind only for Allen to put her effort over.
Panthers keeper Ally Boertje was forced to make a difficult save when Courtney Andersen was provided space on the edge of the penalty area in the 59th minute but the Warners Bay custodian dove down to her right to palm away the shot.
It would be salivation for Allen as she capped off a resounding performance for Warners Bay in the 69th minute with a brilliant strike from long distance, securing a clean sheet and extremely important three points for Craig Atkins’ side.
Andrews had an opportunity to grab a brace in the closing stages of the match but the Newcastle Jets striker squandered her chance to make it 19 goals so far this season for the Panthers.
After taking one-step closer to securing the NPL Women’s NNSW title, Atkins was not happy with his side’s performance despite claiming a 3-0 shutout win.
“It probably wasn’t our best performance and the girls knew that. I thought it was a bit scrappy at times and we weren’t executing as well as I would have liked us to do,” Atkins said.
“We had some really good passages of play at times and we scored some really nice goals but back to the drawing board against Maitland next week.
“The clean sheet was definitely exciting for the girls. They had to work out there defensively because Azzurri were pressing very hard and created some opportunities but the girls work hard together and were desperate in defence.
“I thought that was a real positive and at times our ball movement was really promising. That is something we just need to have a look at now and make sure we do that consistently over 90 minutes.
“I thought Sophia Laurie was fantastic again. She was outstanding against Broadmeadow and she did very well in the six role today.”
Warners Bay will now meet Maitland FC with one eye on securing the inaugural NPL Women’s NNSW title at John Street Oval on Saturday night, while Charlestown Azzurri will return to action against New Lambton on Saturday.
BROADMEADOW MAGIC 15-0 NEW LAMBTON FC
Broadmeadow Magic kept in touch with Warners Bay after thumping New Lambton FC 15-0 at Magic Park on Saturday.
After being defeated 5-0 in their last outing against Warners Bay, Jake Curley’s side scored a total of 15 goals shared between six goal scorers.
Kristin Pearce scored a hat-trick while Rhali Dobson netted five goals, two of which included impressive solo runs while Jordan Evans and Lucy Jerram netted a brace each.
Chelsea Liptus and Sunny Mitchell were also able to grab goals in the thrashing.
The gap between Broadmeadow Magic and Warners Bay remains three points with only two games remaining.
Magic Coach Jake Curley was extremely pleased with his side’s cutting-edge performance against the Eagles.
“I’m extremely happy with the performance and the tempo the girls played,” Curley said.
“It was what I was looking for and we created good goalscoring opportunities.”
Magic next make the trip up to Taree to face Mid Coast FC on Sunday while New Lambton will meet Charlestown.
NEWCASTLE OLYMPIC 6-0 MID COAST FC
Newcastle Olympic leapfrogged over Charlestown Azzurri into third as they secured a dominant 6-0 win at Darling St Oval on Saturday afternoon.
After a comfortable win over Mid Coast Olympic are now five points in front of Maitland with one game in hand still to be played.
Defender Alisha Clifford netted an impressive hat-trick after 60 minutes of action, first breaking the deadlock from a corner before rounding out the goals with two long distance free kicks.
Olympic took the game from 3-0 to 6-0 in a three-minute burst.
Sophie Walmsley, Tori Johnson and Keaa Parish all found the back of the net within the space of three minutes to add their names onto the score sheet.
The victory now puts Paul Devitis and his side in pole position to secure third place after Azzurri were beaten 4-1 by leaders Warners Bay.
Devitis was happy with how his squad performed in the second half following a sub-par opening 45 minutes from his side.
“We had a week off last week and I don't think we started the game with enough energy but then as the game got going, we grew into it quite good,” Devitis said.
“Georgia Hogg was brilliant, she played out of position because we have a lot of wide girls unavailable and I thought she was probably the best on the ground tonight.
“The second half was very dominant, very high intensity play and we got some nice goals at the end there, we put it in for the full 90 which is good.
“I think in attack we look quite dangerous. We've lost George Little, she's going to America so obviously we need to try and replace her but we have got players that are stepping up which is great.
“I’m looking forward to next week now and we know it’s going to be a big game and big challenge because they are a very fit side so we just need to recover and go again.”
Mid Coast FC where without regular goalkeeper Xanthe Parsons who suffered an injury during the reserve grade match. Middies instead fielded under-17s goalkeeper Grace Davies and despite conceding six goals the youngster put in a solid performance.
The youngster pulled off a number of saves across 90 minutes in an impressive first grade debut.
Emily Stanford had a chance to pull one back for the travelling side but her chipped effort sailed over Natalie Wiseman’s goal.
Jorja Hollowbrow had an opportunity grab one back late on when she found herself one-on-one with Wiseman, however Hollowbrow’s effort rattled off the post following a save from the Olympic custodian.
Newcastle Olympic will face off against Adamstown Rosebud JFC at Darling St Oval on Sunday, while Mid Coast FC will return home against second-placed Broadmeadow Magic.
MAITLAND FC 0-6 ADAMSTOWN ROSEBUD JFC
Adamstown Rosebud thrashed Maitland 6-0 as they ended the Magpies’ finals hopes at Cooks Square Park on Saturday.
Rosebud now sit on 23 points after 19 games to sit sixth on the table, five points behind the fifth-placed Magpies.
Kimberly Trappett scored a double in the win while Ellen Hughes, Leia Puxty, Mia Bales and Lana Kearney all got their names onto the scoresheet for Ryan Campbell’s side.
Campbell was impressed with how his side played throughout their 6-0 victory.
“Overall I thought the girls did a great job at executing the way we trained to play,” Campbell said.
“We had a certain way we wanted to play heading into the match and it came off perfectly.
“The girls have been working really hard and the result was a reward for their hard work.”
Adamstown will travel to Darling St Oval to meet Newcastle Olympic while Maitland will look to bounce back against league leaders Warners Bay on Saturday night.