Women’s State League Round 8 Review
There was plenty of goals this week, as Bankstown City Lions, Sydney Olympic and Western NSW Mariners registered big wins in Round 8 of the Womens State League. Elsewhere, there were two draws and a close encounter between UNSW and Nepean at Cook Park.
Match of the Round
Western NSW Mariners 4-0 Gladesville Ravens, Marjorie Jackson Oval, 3pm
On a chilly afternoon for football in Lithgow, a second half hat trick from Western NSW Mariners winger Megan Embleton was the highlight in a dominant display by the home side over the Gladesville Ravens.
The Ravens started well, sitting deep and looking to exploit the pace of their wingers Holly Gibbons and Noelle Loyzaga. For the first fifteen minutes, Gladesville really took it too their opponents, with striker Fatty Agar and new signing Briony Mattouls working hard through the centre of the park.
However, as Western NSW settled, they started to have the better of the chances. Gillian Rosconi had a great opportunity in the 20th minute, but Gladesville’s captain courgeous Courtney Forbes was on hand to clear the ball of the line.
Rosconi turns up on the scoresheet every other week, but her presence of mind in the front third is what really makes her so valuable to the Mariners’ side. Strong and smart on the ball, she is always a handful for defenders as she chooses her moments to drop deeper, spread wide or stay high on the shoulder of the last defender. This awareness distinguishes her from many other strikers, and creates space for ball players around her.
On a flat surface, the Mariners’ midfielders Lydia Nancarrow, Lisa Matthews and Teigan Cox had a field day, passing quickly and along the ground at all times. The pace of their ball movement had the Gladesville backline stretched, although Courtney Forbes, Paige Vansaarloos, Bronte Black and Rosy Browell defended resolutely.
It wasn’t enough to keep the Mariners out, however, and just ten minutes before the break, Teigan Cox was on hand to finish off the rebound from a shot by Gillian Rosconi. The goal invigorated the Mariners, who came out even stronger in the second half.
Indeed, it was thanks to an inspired second half of football by Megan Embleton that the home side was so dominant The pacy number eleven seemed to be everywhere, doing her best impersonation of the famous ‘Lithgow Flash’ at the Marjorie Jackson Oval.
On 55 minutes, Embleton calmy collected a pass on the edge of the eighteen yard box, turned her defender with ease, and crashed her shot past the Gladesville keeper Nicola Simmons, who despite getting a hand on it, couldn’t keep the shot out.
A minute later, Embleton, Cox and Rosconi combined in a sweeping move down the right, which ended in a great save by Simmons in goal. With a two-goal cushion, the Mariners were swarming, and in the space of five minutes created three or four chances.
It wasn’t all attack, though for the home side. Defenders Rachel Mason, Megan McFarland, Jane Hanrahan and Aimee Morris held strong at the back, passing the ball patiently between them when necessary and linking well with the midfield.
Central midfielder Teigan Cox again played a starring role, and with ten minutes remaining it was her pass that set up Megan Embleton for her second goal. After a great first touch put her into space, Emblton casually slotted the ball into the bottom right hand corner, finishing off any chance of a late Gladesville comeback.
However, the drama didn’t end there. With only minutes left before full-time, substitute Georgia Bennett received the ball on her own penalty box after a Gladesville corner. Immediately, the Mariners went into transition, counter-attacking with speed. Bennett gave a smart ball to Rosconi, who put Embelton through on goal. Again, Embleton made no mistake, rounding out the win for Western NSW.
The win keeps the Mariners locked in a four-horse race in second spot behind Sydney Olympic, while Gladesville Ravens will have to regroup ahead of another long trip to Nowra, where they face Southern Branch.
Elsewhere in the Competition
Nepean FC 1-2 UNSW Lions. Cook Park, 3pm.
UNSW were too strong for Nepean, although it was a good contest at Cook Park this weekend. Nepean coach James Rankine conceded that UNSW were the better side on the day, but credited his players for a spirited team performance against such strong opposition. Jasmine Sargent’s new boots helped her score Nepean’s only goal of the match.
Bankstown City Lions 7-0 APIA Leichhardt Tigers. Jensen Park, 3pm.
Bankstown put on a show today for their home fans, winning convincingly over an APIA side that was reduced to ten men early in the match. There were hat tricks for Amy Dahdah and Samantha Muscat, while Maniso Michael chipped in with a goal in a dominant display for the Lions.
Parramatta Ladyhawks 2-2 Southern Districts Emeralds. Melita Stadium, 3pm.
Parramatta coach Don Robb wasn’t too impressed with his side’s performance, but the Ladyhawks managed a draw with the ever-consistent Southern Districts at home. For the visitors, Vanessa Ciabati and Sheree Bryant scored a goal each, while the Ladyhawks’ gun striker Alix Waddell bagged a double. (reserves 2-1 loss LH)
Sydney Olympic 7-0 St. George Saints. Peter Moore Field, 3pm.
It was all about Olympic today in Belmore, as the high-flying home side put seven past the Saints. Sydney Olympic were dominant in all areas of the match, putting four past St. George in the first half. After eight rounds without a loss, there can be no doubt that this Sydney Olympic side are firm favourites to finish at the top of the table.
Southern Branch 3-3 Mt. Druitt Town Rangers. South Nowra Football Complex, 3pm.
Another high scoring draw in Nowra this weekend, as Mt. Druitt and Southern Branch shared the spoils. At one-all going into half time, it was a close contest throughout. For the Rangers, Brooke Conroy was again on the score sheet, while Nubia Lopez scored a double for the second week in a row. Meanwhile, Angela Graham bagged a brace and Ashleigh Graham scored one for Southern Branch.
Reserves
A single penalty was enough to give Gladesville the edge over Western NSW Mariners, while Southern Branch and Parramatta Ladyhawks played out hard fought victories over Mt. Druitt Town Rangers and Southern Districts respectively. There were big wins for UNSW Lions and Sydney Olympic, while Bankstown and APIA Leichhardt drew two-all in an entertaining match at Jensen Park.
-By Joe Gorman
