Womens State League Round 12 Review
Round 12 of the Womens State League saw the top half of the ladder battle the bottom half which provided some amazing results and upsets. A huge win for Mt Druitt firmed up second spot on the ladder, whilst Nepean moved into third.
APIA Leichhardt Tigers 0 – 2 Nepean FC
The Tigers high from their first victory of the season last week took Lambert Park on with high hopes and confidence. Facing a Nepean side that has struggled in the past month, APIA had every reason to be positive for a result.
The trip to Lambert Park is certainly not an easy one anymore as Nepean needed to show full grit and focus to get away with the win. Their two goals sealed their second straight win and as a result leapfrog St George to third place behind Bankstown City and Mt Druitt Town Rangers respectively.
Despite the result there were a number of positives to be taken out of this game for APIA as they look to win their second game next week against league leaders Bankstown City.
Parramatta Lady Hawks 0 – 9 Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC
The league’s last placed team Parramatta are having a somewhat forgettable season so far after only winning one game. They faced a re-vitalised Mt Druitt side who recovered well after losing to Bankstown two weeks ago with a strong performance against St George in the last round.
Despite the difference on the ladder, the prospect of travelling to Melita Stadium is never an easy one. But as the match progressed the Town Rangers showed why they sit second on the league ladder. Their structure and organisation was perfect as they scored on either side of the half.
Three goals from Stefanie Trovato demonstrated her class while Elise Robbins and Brooke Conroy bagged a double as the Town Rangers recorded their second best goal tally of the season. In two matches against the Lady Hawks, the Town Rangers have scored 19 goals and have conceded none.
Gladesville Ravens 3 – 3 Bankstown City FC
Gladesville has snapped Bankstown City’s eight-game winning streak in an action packed match at Peel Park. The Ravens, who lost to Nepean last round has not won in four fixtures. They demonstrated great spirit in this display as they face a Bankstown side that has not lost a match since April 12.
The Ravens needed a near perfect performance to get a result against the league leaders and needed some luck to go their way. Eleanor Jones, Hannah Kimber and Belinda Kayser all scored for Gladesville as they look to recover and march their way into the top four.
Meanwhile it was a somewhat disappointing result for the girls from Bankstown as they concede three goals for the first time in four games. Having said that they have been flawless for a majority of the season and in the end one point is better than none. One of this year’s consistent performers Liana Babic netted two goals as Maniso Micheal who has been equally as impressive this season chipped in with one.
St George 2 – 3 Southern Districts Emeralds
The Saints have slipped to fourth place on the ladder after losing in the final seconds to Southern Districts at St George Soccer Stadium. St George have now lost successive games for the first time this season and are asking questions on how they lost to a side they beat by 11 goals the last time they played.
The Emeralds entered the game after losing to APIA last round after leading throughout the match. To their credit they bounced back in the best way possible with this victory to record their fourth of the season. Stephanie Cornejeros-Berjerie, Louise Howard and Natasha Portelli all got on the scoresheet as they look to work their way up the ladder.
St George scored through Melissa Toumbelekis and Lauren Gardner who equalised with a penalty. The Saints unfortunately could not keep their composure as they lose with just seconds to go.
– by Chris Doroudgar
