Womens State League Round 18 Review

The final month of the State League started with a bang, as the two competition heavyweights, Nepean FC and Bankstown City FC romped their way home to continue their fight at the top. Mount Druitt knocked over a fellow challenger and Southern Districts were impressive.

Bankstown City FC 9 defeat Parramatta Ladyhawks 1
Bankstown City have flexed their muscles again, in the run home of the Women’s State League, taking care of Parramatta to the tune of nine-one, to keep the pressure on Nepean FC at the top of the table.
The contest was over after the opening forty-five minutes, as the Lionesses put five goals away, piling on more misery on the lowly Ladyhawks. Lindsay Kohlet had another standout performance for the away side.
The second placed City side continued to add to their tally in the second half, as they added four more goals to round out the nine. Sammy Muscat had some mix fortunes in front of goal, as she motored towards a half century of goals for the season.

Nepean FC 5 defeated Gladesville Ravens 1
It was a weekend for the two heavyweights of the Women’s State League to trade some opening blows in the final month. Nepean FC officially put Gladesville out of the finals, as they put them away five-one at Peel Park.
Nepean blasted out to a two goal lead, in the opening half, to quell any resistance from the Ravens who are playing for nuisance value and pride in the last few weeks. Nepean at the break, were on course to maintain their three point gap at the summit.
They added three more goals in the second half to complete the afternoon. Gladesville would get one back, as Alex Beattie got herself on the scoresheet with a late effort to give the Ravens something to crow about.

Mount Druitt Town Rangers 3 defeat St George FC 2
Mount Druitt have bounced back into third place with a three-two win over fellow finals bound St George FC. It was marked as an important game for both teams momentum, as the finals loom large on the horizon.
July was a mixed month for the Town Rangers, who were dominant in putting away the bottom sides but struggled against the heavyweights. They put that to bed with two goals in the first half from Elise Robins and Natasha Vaccari.
St George, who were on a five game winning streak, coming into this afternoon, rediscovered their goal-scoring form, Stephanie Rizoski and Georgia Koinis pulled goals back. It would be Mount Druitt who would prevail though, as Brooke Conroy scored the winner to snuff out the St George hopes and give them a moral boosting win.

Southern Districts Emeralds vs APIA Leichhardt
Southern Districts have kept their slim hopes, of breaking into the established top four alive after a two-one home victory over the struggling APIA Leichhardt side.
It was an afternoon to remember, for Vanessa Ciabatti at Ernie Smith Reserve, as her brace of goals put the Tigers away with comfortable ease. Despite a late flurry from the away side that resulted in them scoring only once again.

NOTE: Parramatta and Nepean FC played their rescheduled Round 10 fixture on Thursday. Nepean FC ran out 5-0 winners.
– by Justin Davies