Round 8 Review – State League Women’s
As the weather got colder the football only heated up, as another round of furious State League Women’s action continued highlighted by a dominant UNSW Lions in our Match of the Round.
MATCH OF THE ROUND: UNSW Lions 7 defeat Mt Druitt Town Rangers 1
It was afternoon delight for USNW Lions after a spectacular performance from Georgia Goulding helped them maintain their two-point lead at the top of the table this afternoon at David Phillips Sports Complex.
The opening ten minutes was robust as the Town Rangers coming off back-to-back victories held their own with the Lions as the two midfields battled for control.
UNSW Lions got control of the contest and opened the scoring in the 11th minute. Georgia Goulding weaved into the box, breezed past several defenders before she ripped her effort into the net for 1-nil.
It was double delight for Goulding in the 16th minute. Once again she eluded her would be defenders and dipped a shot over Town Rangers ‘keeper Toni-Rae Talbot.
A spate of chances for Town Ranger’s Nubia Lopez after the second goal tested the Lions resolve. Her rolled effort in the 19th minute narrowly rolled past a scrambling Donna Helm’s post.
The Town Rangers were made to pay for their missed chances just before the half hour mark, as Goulding turned provider. She broke down the right side and laid on a cross for Jean Chakmakas to fire home in her first game of the season.
Goulding completed her hat-trick five minutes after the second half kicked off. She wiggled free from defenders and tried to place a cross again but it sailed close enough that it banged off the post and into the net for 4-nil.
She added a fourth to complete her display with a one-two with Godman gave her enough space and angle for a composed finish in the 69th minute. Goulding left the field to a generous round of applause for a well earned break.
The Lions were in fine fettle now and Rachelle Godman got into the act. In the 63rd minute when she created some separation from her marker to head the ball right at Talbot.
Godman wouldn’t spurn her next chance, and finished off a Mayliss Caillon cross then followed it up with a neat interplay with Carol Breen late on to score the final two goals of the rout for the Lions.
Danny Abboud’s side wouldn’t go home empty-handed though – a series of corners allowed Brooke Conroy to pop up and volley home to get the Town Rangers on the scoreboard.
"I thought we competed well throughout the whole game but they are a quality side that kept their structure"
"We’re a young team and we’ll look forward to the next meeting with them." added Town Rangers coach Danny Abboud.
"Today was one of those days where I could sit back and enjoy the outcomes from the training. When you have such quality players it makes it a much easier job" said Renato Jelen of the victorious Lions.
"At the end of the day I try to give them some structure and it leaves us at the top." Finished Jelen.
MATCH STATS
UNSW Lions 7 (Goulding ’11, ’16, ’50 and ’69, Godman ’70 and ’87, Chakmakas ’29)
BRUNO Claudia(MARAS ’26), BREEN Carol(, AMBERG Amanda(OLARTE ’78), CHAKMAKAS Jean, GOULDING Georgia(FARDELL ’78), ORR Helen, ABEL Danielle, GODMAN Rachelle, KAVA Lauren-Clare, SKEOCH Kelsey and HELM Donna
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 1 (Conroy ’83)
MURRAY Melanie, FRASER Oliva, CONROY Brooke, LOPEZ Nubia, FRESSARD Lisa(TRIGG ’71), TROVATO Stephanie, VACCARI Natasha, MANNA Melina, STRICEK Jessica(KAKALI ’71), TALBOT Toni-Rae and REA Ashley
Western NSW Mariners FC 4 defeated Parramatta FC 3
Western NSW were made to battle for all three points as they triumphed in a seven-goal thriller in Bathurst this afternoon.
A double to Jess Salomoni started the goal scoring for Mariners with cameos from Samantha Wood and Katy Pakai-Kelly for their four as coach Michael Godbier admitted the home side weren’t at their best.
Parramatta FC coach Paul Fitzpatrick was delighted in "the heart the girls showed to score three against the league’s tightest defense"
Loredana got a brace for the visitors with scoreboard regular Yadira Renfigo added the other in an encouraging display.
St George FC 0 defeated by SD Raiders 3
SD Raiders rebounded from their first loss of the season with a clinical 3-nil away at St George Stadium.
Dominique Caridad and Courtney Krope fired the visitors into a 2-nil halftime lead reminiscent of their game in the first weekend.
Catherine Cannuli came on and put the icing on the game with the third in what the Raiders coach hailed "a great win to stay near the top of the competition"
For St George FC they made improvements but are starting to lose touch with the top four race.
APIA Leichhardt Tigers 2 defeated Gladesville Ravens 0
On a cold night at Lambert Park, APIA saw off a spirited Gladesville Ravens to continue nipping at the heels of the leaders.
Despite losing two players early to serious injuries – APIA continued to play their style of football in a thrilling game of football.
Dione King who played came on as a substitute for one of the early injuries backed up her full reserves game with two well taken goals to seal all three points.
Coach Matteo Maiorana senses "something special is happening at APIA with a huge crowd that willed the girls on to victory. I am so proud of them and what we’ve created at this club"
-By Justin Davies, State League Women’s reporter
