Womens State League Round 19 Review
As the season draws to a close, this week’s round of matches separated the top teams from the stragglers.
There were thumping wins for Western NSW Mariners, Bankstown, Sydney Olympic and UNSW, while Southern Branch battled hard for an important victory over Mt Druitt Town Rangers. In Moorebank, Southern Districts sent out a warning shot to the rest of the competition with a dramatic win over Parramatta Ladyhawks.
Match of the Round
Southern Districts Emeralds 2-1 Parramatta Ladyhawks. Ernie Smith Reserve, 3pm.
Blue skies and warm weather greeted both sides, but after a second half fightback it was Southern Districts that exited the field in good spirits. Southern Districts’ elegant number ten Kristy Rohrer was a marked woman for the entire match, but she and Vanessa Ciabatti combined in the final twenty minutes to earn the home side a courageous victory.
Onlookers could tell that Rohrer was in the mood from the opening whistle, as she created two chances in the first five minutes, one for herself and another for striker Sherie Bryant.
The home side were dominant in the first 15 minutes, as Rohrer, Bryant and Holly McPherson combined well in attack. However, with Desiree Vassallo, Jessica Elliot and Alisha Dudman patrolling the centre of the park for the Ladyhawks, Southern Districts’ attacks were pushed to the flanks.
Despite home side’s early possession, there was an early sign of danger from Parramatta’s Alix Waddell, who broke free on goal before blasting her shot just over the bar with only the keeper to beat.
Southern Districts then created two chances in the space of five minutes, with Kristy Rohrer again at the centre of both. Her quick throw-in on the left wing released Vanessa Ciabatti, but Ciabatti could only rasp the keeper’s gloves from a tight angle. Moments later Rohrer put Holly McPherson through on goal, but Desiree Vassallo tracked back superbly, putting enough pressure on the striker to close down the space.
And then, against the run of play, Alix Waddell and Alix Roberts combined, with Roberts’ pinpoint cross from the right wing calmly finished off from close range by Waddell.
The visitors started the second half with a lead and a greater share of possession, as Alisha Dudman, Alix Roberts and Tori Axisa started to boss the midfield. On 60 minutes, Roberts whipped in a dangerous cross to Sarah Mason-Trybell, but with only the keeper to beat the striker nodded just wide.
With time fast running out, Southern Districts brought on reinforcements from the bench, and Ashleigh Danielson almost scored with her first touch on 70 minutes, shooting straight into the arms of Danielle Bartels in the Ladyhawks’ goal.
It mattered little, however, as the home side drew level just moments later. Vanessa Ciabatti’s inswinging corner was nodded home by Kristy Rohrer. Wheeling away in celebration, Rohrer looked as relieved as she did happy to get the goal that she deserved.
With the tables suddenly turned and Alisha Dudman sitting on the bench, the Ladyhawks were forced to push Vassallo further forward to try and regain their lead. However, with the momentum lost, Southern Districts’ second half substitute Caterina Inzitari was brought down in the penalty box, leaving the referee little choice but to point to the spot.
Without a hint of hesitation, Ciabatti buried the spot kick into the bottom right hand corner, rounding out a famous comeback by Southern Districts Emeralds.
Elsewhere in the Competition
In other news, UNSW thrashed Nepean at their home ground, putting six past the visitors in the second half to round out an 8-0 victory. Star striker Ayse Adalis scored three, Gabrielle Marzano and Monica Kavanagh both bagged a double, while the ever-reliable Claire Stephan pitched in with one goal.
In Gladesville, Western NSW thrashed the Ravens 7-2, with Meaghan Kempson and Megan McFarland scoring two each, while Teigan Cox and Aimee Morris were both on the scoresheet. There were similar scenes at St George Stadium, as Sydney Olympic put five past Saints. Star striker Danielle Calvi bagged a brace, while hard-working midfielder Kalista Tsoupis scored a hat-trick, keeping Olympic yapping at the heels of Western NSW Mariners.
At Lambert Park, Bankstown City Lions mauled APIA, putting six goals past the home side. The goal-scorers were a veritable who’s who of Bankstown’s star performers, with Liana Babic, Georgia Klapos, Amy Dahdah, Samantha Muscat and Paulina Labra all finding the back of the net. In Nowra, Southern Branch were too strong for Mt Druitt Town Rangers. Tallara Shaw scored the only goal of the match to secure victory for the home side.
Reserves
In the reserves, Parramatta Ladyhawks, UNSW and Sydney Olympic all earnt victories over Southern Districts Emeralds, Nepean and St George Saints. APIA and Bankstown drew 1-1, while there was a 1-1 draw between Southern Branch and Mt Druitt Town Rangers.
-By Joe Gorman
