Round 5 Review: NSW Womens State League
There were no easy games this week in the Womens State League, with only one goal separating sides in all six matches around the grounds. However, despite the lack of goals, this was surely the most exciting round so far this season.
Match of the Round: Western NSW Mariners 1-0 Nepean FC. Proctor Park, 3pm.
The trip to Bathurst is never easy for visiting State League sides, and this week proved no exception for Nepean, who made the journey west for in search of their first points of the season.
On a sunny afternoon, the home side started aggressively, passing the ball confidently through the midfield and making good use of their target woman Gillian Rosconi. The tall number nine was at the centre of everything, holding up the ball well and bringing in her pacy wingers Georgia Bennett and Megan Embleton.
But while the home side had most of the possession, the Nepean defence was resolute, superbly organised by central defenders Stacy Fanella and Mikayla Mantouroglou. With midielders Kaitlin Hams and Cherie Flusk working overtime in the centre of the park, Nepean proved hard to break down, marking tighly and keeping space at a premium. The Mariners were forced to spread the ball wide, but with Bridgitte Potter holding her position superbly at right back, the Mariners were caught offside several times in the first half.
Potter also put in a solid effort on the ball for Nepean, combining well with Amy Hay down the right wing. However, there wasn’t a lot of attacking play from the visitors, who spent considerable energy keeping tabs on a mobile Mariners side.
Despite the lack of goals, the home side played the best football, with Lydia Nancarrow, Lisa Matthews and Morgan Sherman all combining well in the midfield. Nancarrow in particular impressed with her superb passing, always looking to play the ball forward and along the ground to her teammates.
After neither side was able to break the deadlock before half-time, Nepean came out of the sheds even more confident against a tiring Western NSW, who had several players backing up from reserve grade. But with Jane Hanrahan and Holly Hays marshalling the Mariners’ defence, there seemed no way through for the visitors. Special mention to the Mariners’ goalkeeper Jessica Daymond, who despite not having many saves to make, was vocal throughout the match, helping the home side maintain their defensive shape. Nepean’s strikers Ashleigh Stanford and Jasmine Sargent chased down ever ball, but were largely isolated up front.
Midway through the second half, the pressure started to take its toll on the players. After chasing down a charging Gillian Rosconi, defender Megan Johnson threw herself bravely into a sliding challenge, whisking the ball off her opponent’s toe with superb timing. The goal-saving tackle was to be her last play of the day, however, as she limped off clutching her hamstring.
Not long after, Stacy Fanella emulated her injured partner’s gut-busting chase, again tracking the ever-dangerous Rosconi, before being fouled by the striker, causing the referee to produce his first card of the day. Fanella and Johnson’s commitment was typical of the visitors’ brave display, but much to the dismay of their traveling fans, it wasn’t to last for long.
Instead, it was Gillian Rosconi and the Western NSW Mariners who had the last laugh. Collecting the ball down the left channel, Megan Embleton’s dangerous ball across the box was met by a lurking Rosconi at the back post. The Mariners striker is deadly from these positions, and she duly buried the ball in the back of the net, with it burying Nepean’s chances.
Elsewhere in the Competition
Southern Branch 3-2 APIA Leichhardt. South Nowra Football Complex, 3pm.
It was survival of the fittest in Nowra this weekend, with the ambulance called on two occasions to attend to injured players on both sides. Despite the casualties, there was some good football played, with the home team Southern Branch eventually coming out on top. Goals for Southern Branch came from Madeline Costanzo, Danielle Wise and Maddison Cornell, while Willow Shorrocks and Constance Kikitis were on the score sheet for a hardworking but luckless APIA side. Notable mention also to young Jaymee Elbourne, who stepped up from the Under 14s to play in goals for APIA. A big future ahead for her it seems.
St George Saints 2-1 Parramatta Ladyhawks. St. George Stadium, 3pm.
After last week’s thrilling draw with Southern Branch, St. George this week faced Parramatta Ladyhawks at their home ground. After putting in a tireless performance, the Saints were too good for the visitors in a close encounter. There were goals to Samantha Scarlato and Melissa Toumbelekis for Saints, while Desiree Vassallo scored for the Ladyhawks. After two losses in a row on the road, Parramatta will look forward to returning to their home ground, Melita Stadium.
Sydney Olympic 3-2 Bankstown City FC. Blick Oval, 3pm.
Bankstown against Olympic promised to be a tight game, with both teams in great form so far this season. The players didn’t disappoint, serving up some great football. Bankstown had much of the possession, but Olympic were the more decisive of the two sides, finishing off their chances early to go ahead by two goals. Goals for Bankstown came through Georgina Stylianou and Georgia Klapos were not enough for visitors Bankstown.
UNSW Lions 2-1 Mt. Druitt Town Rangers. David Phillips Complex, 3pm.
Uni’s star striker Ayse Adalis was the difference between the two sides, scoring a brace to edge out the visiting Mt. Druitt side. The Rangers battled hard against a strong UNSW side, but couldn’t steal a point away from home. Next week they face the high-flying Southern Districts, while UNSW make the trip to Nowra to play Southern Branch.
Gladesville Ravens 0-1 Southern Districts Emeralds. Peel Park, 3pm.
A gripping game at Peel Park saw Southern Districts maintain their winning form. Emeralds’ coach Sam Lentini was happy with the three points away from home, but conceded that the Emeralds weren’t at their best. Still, Kristy Rohrer was ever reliable, scoring the only goal of the match with a cracking shot from outside the box.
Reserve Grade:
There were big wins for Southern Branch, Sydney Olympic and Western NSW Mariners this week in Reserve Grade, while Parramatta Ladyhawks and UNSW edged out St George and Mt. Druitt Town respectively. In Gladesville, the Ravens and Southern Districts Emeralds drew 1-1.
-By Joe Gorman
