Women’s State League Round 6 Review
Just under twenty goals were scored over four matches in this week’s round of Women’s State League football, which saw the Western NSW Mariners FC continue to establish their dominant lead on the table.
MATCH OF THE WEEK – APIA Leichhardt Tigers vs. Bankstown City FC: 1-4
A chilly Sunday night at Lambert Park saw the APIA Leichhardt Tigers look for their first win of the season, taking on an in form Bankstown City.
Bankstown took immediate control of midfield, with Maniso Micheal and Liana Babic patiently dictating play. Their first opportunity came through fullback Allegra Vickas who found herself with time in the box, launching a shot at the near post which flew over the bar. Shortly after, Vickas was again involved, sending a tantalising cross into the box from the left wing, but a powerful shot was put wide by Kristen Mcmahon.
Leichhardt defended well in the early stages of the game, however sat extremely deep, inviting Bankstown into their half before trying to hit back on the counter. As the game proceeded, Bankstown tried to get the skilful Samantha Muscat further into the game. Playing up front, Muscat looked a constant menace, but was closed down tightly by APIA.
In the nineteenth minute, Muscat broke through clear on goal and ripped a powerful shot at the target, however APIA goalkeeper Tarni Bene made a superb double save to keep the teams on level terms. APIA sent the ball straight down the other end and won a corner. Maddison Gray headed agonisingly wide.
However, the Tigers were soon rewarded for their perseverance, scoring their first goal of the season in the twenty ninth minute to take a shock lead. A lung-busting run saw Dione King retrieve the ball near the Bankstown City base line. King crossed the ball superbly to the back post, where Amar Hadid, recently promoted from the youth squad, managed to head it into the back of the net, evading a scrambling Bankstown City defence.
Bankstown looked shocked, and despite dominating the rest of the half could not put together anything worthwhile in the final third. Leichhardt keeper Tarni Bene was a standout, looking unbeatable between the posts. At half time, the Tigers could not be happier, leading 1-0.
Bankstown City got off to the perfect start in the second half, scoring just a minute after the recommencement of play. It was the side’s two best performers in the first half who combined beautifully; Maniso Micheal played a superb chip over the Tigers’ back four to Samantha Muscat, who smartly chipped the keeper with her first touch.
This put the winds into Bankstown’s sails, and they dominated the next period of play. In the 50th minute, Babic smashed a shot from the edge of the box which rattled off the crossbar. The City midfield took it up a further gear, playing high tempo football which had the Tigers chasing shadows. Like in the first half, the Leichhardt defence fought valiantly to endure the onslaught.
However, Bankstown could not be stopped. In the sixty sixth minute, Tania Baban scored a much deserved goal, deftly controlling the ball past her defender before slotting it to the side of the Bene in goal. This opened the flood banks. Just four minutes later, Micheals played a superb through ball that completely split the Tigers defence down the middle. Muscat outpaced her centre back and coolly finished, securing a two goal buffer for Bankstown.
Captain Lucy Gilfedder for APIA looked to step up, challenging the Bankstown City goalkeeper numerous times over the next ten minutes, in search for a way back into the game. However, the Bankstown City goalkeeper made no mistakes.
Eventually one such attack from Leichhardt allowed Bankstown City to counter attack quickly. A long pass forward to Baban saw her flick the ball over the APIA centrebacks to the ever dangerous Muscat. Muscat took down the ball without skipping a beat and secured her hat trick in the seventy ninth minute with a thunderous finish.
And that’s how the game eventually ended, with Bankstown City FC winning 4-1. APIA Leichhardt will be happy with their efforts, holding back an extremely strong City for most of the game, scoring their first goal of the season and holding a lead at halftime. With progress, their first points of the season will come. Bankstown have continued their impressive string of form and looked to have the goods right across the park.
Match Stats
APIA Leichhardt Tigers 1 (Amar Hadid 29’)
Bankstown City FC 4 (Samantha Muscat 47’ / 70’ / 79’, Tania Baban 66’)
Sunday, 17th of May, 2015
Lambert Park, Leichhardt
APIA Leichhardt Tigers: 9. Angela Francis, 5. Lucy Gilfedder, 2. Stephanie Glanville-Fyfe, 6. Maddison Gray, 30. Courtney Halpin, 11. Dione King, 16. Emma Mason, 14. Rhianna Muscat (8. Amar Hadid 17’) , 21. Anna Rushmer, 15. Karen Thomson, 22. Tarni Bene.
Substitutes Not Used: 13. Lucy Friend, 28. Penelope Nash, 29. Georgia Royds.
Yellow Cards: 5. Lucy Gilfedder (61’), 14. Rhianna Muscat (10’)
Red Cards: Nil
Bankstown City FC : 8. Jessica Abrahim (9. Jami-Lee Mussett 65’), 5. Abir Awad, 17. Tania Baban, 4. Liana Babic, 26. Jessica Burgess (7. Melissah Parlato 58’), 1. Lana Ferreira, 39. Kristen McMahon, 10. Maniso Micheal, 21. Samantha Muscat, 14. Angalene Pavlovic, 6. Allegra Vickas.
Substitutes Not Used: 13. Marie Sim-Sing,
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Round 6 Summaries
Parramatta FC vs. Mt. Druitt Town Rangers FC: 2-1
Playing at home in Melita Stadium, Parramatta FC claimed a very important three points against the Mt. Druitt Town Rangers in what proved the tightest fixture of Round 6. Parramatta’s second win of the season has them well in the mix of things, where Mt. Druitt will rue another missed opportunity to claim three points, collecting their fourth loss of the season.
Western NSW Mariners FC vs. Gladesville Ravens: 4-0
It was a battle between first and second place, but the game seemed very one sided as an unstoppable Mariners outfit cruised past the Gladesville Ravens this weekend at Proctor Park. They have now won all five of their games this season, conceding only two goals in the process. The Ravens were always going to struggle against a strong team, far away from home, but will still be disappointed to have endured their first loss of the season. Collingridge continued her impressive form this season, scoring two goals for the Mariners. Jess Salamoni, who also can not stop scoring, tallied another. Morris got her first goal of the season for the Mariners.
St. George FC vs. Southern Districts SFA: 5-2
St. George appeared to have finally gotten their attacking unit in fine shape during the last couple of fixtures, but were prone to leaking soft goals. This was very much the story again this weekend against Southern Districts, but the Emeralds were unable to handle St. George’s offensive onslaught as well as the Ravens last week. Koinis, Gallagher (two), Gardner and Carosi all found the back of the net for the home team. Tangira and Bryant scored for Southern Districts. St. George now sit at third place, beating the Ravens on goal difference by a considerable amount. Southern Districts are not out of contention, third from bottom, but with a lot of work to do.
-by Daniel Palmer, Women’s State League Reporter
