Manly United Draw Again
By NPL NSW Women’s Chief Writer and Commentator Nikola Pozder
Manly United 1-1 Blacktown Spartans
Tom Hopley’s Manly United thought they were on their way to take all three points on Sunday at Cromer Park following Emily Minett’s early goal, only for Ash Crofts to find a late Blacktown Spartans equaliser.
The home team started the match the better and after only nine minutes were in front. Teagan Biasi was busy down the right, creating room for herself before crossing into the six-yard box. Confusion ensued as Emily Minett reacted quicker to stab the ball beyond Anna Norton.
From there, the Spartans improved creating some half chances with a high press, while Manly was dangerous on the counter with the teams heading into the sheds with United leading 1-0.
Minutes into the second half and Blacktown should have been level. Crofts did well to drop the ball for Maja Markovski at the penalty spot, the Spartans striker seemed surprised by how much time and space she had, rushing her shot and volleying well wide from an idea position.
The visitors continued with their pressure and Rosie Galea almost caught Sophia Varley put with a snap shot on the turn, her effort just going over the bar.
From there it was all Manly.
Yuka Honda was first to go close, Emily Minett squaring a ball, only for Jordan Jasnos to make a phenomenal last ditch challenge.
From the resulting corner Alexia Forner went close, her shot blocked.
Minett was next, her snap shot going inches wide of the target before the same player almost found the back of the net with a header.
Manly thought their pressure told with 20 minutes to go. After a corner, Honda found herself with the ball at her feet, slotting it home, only for the referee to call a foul on Norton in the Spartans goal.
A tactical substitution (only substitution of the match) by Brad Attard saw Jordan Jasnos move from right back to left wing and that’s where the game turned.
Jasnos did well on the left, getting to the by-line and crossing to the far post where an un marked Ash Crofts headed home to have the Spartans back on level terms.
It was now the Spartans in the ascendency and they really should have had the winner in the dying embers. Fine work by Bryleeh Henry down the right found Jasnos on the six-yard box, only for the winger to volley well over the bar.
It was a deserved point for both teams who in the end would have been disappointed they didn’t take all three points.