Round 10 Review – State League Women’s
State League action got back underway with a festival of goals in the three matches completed over the weekend including our Match of the Round: St George FC vs Parramatta FC
Match of the Round: St George FC 3 defeated Parramatta FC 1
St George FC got themselves back into the winner’s circle with a timely 3-1 victory over the gallant Parramatta FC.
The home side dominated the opening fifteen minutes and were camped on the Parramatta FC box but weren’t able to make the final pass stick.
Marissa Nicopoulos was a constant threat through the middle as she combined well with Lily Chen several times to prise open the visitors defense.
Chen herself burst down the left side to create some opportunites but her final product let her down as she slid the ball past the post on several occasions.
After knocking on the door for the entire half St George FC finally broke through. Amy Bennett wweaved down the right before a cutback found Chen to sweep home. 1-0 to St George FC.
Much like buses, once the first chance was knocked in the Saints had their second. Jessica Carosi tucked an effort inside the left corner for a rapid fire 2-nil lead.
Parramatta FC had their chances in the first half, as Paula Julius almost profited from an errant back pass but didn’t put enough on her shot to test the St George keeper.
The visitors did find a route back into the contest five minutes after the resumption. Penelope Nash with a fanciful cross that drifted over the ‘keeper for 2-1.
Chen could’ve had a brace just before the hour mark when the net was gaping but a last ditch challenge from goalscorer Nash kept it at 2-1.
The Eagles started to get more of possession and were finding Nash and Yadira Renfigo behind the St George defense but they recovered enough to prevent any clear cut chances.
Nicopoulos had the chance to seal all three points in the 67th minute when she broke the offside trap and was one-on-one with the Parramatta keeper but was thwarted.
St George FC killed off the game just before full-time when all the Parramatta FC defenders stopped for offside but Carosi continued on and slotted home for a 3-1 victory.
Afterwards Saints coach Carlo Tini was happy to collect the points on a frustrating afternoon.
"We got the three points in a very scrappy and flat performance which was frustrating but we move on to Mt Druitt next week" said Tini.
"It could’ve been three or four more chances in that first half but it wasn’t meant to be" added Tini.
Parramatta FC assistant Enrico Biasucci praised his side who never gave up.
"I’m very happy with the display, we’re slowly turning the corner. I thought we actually played football" added Biasucci.
"I think we are starting to turn the corner now and with some people to come back we are right in this." Finished Biasucci.
MATCH STATS
St George FC 3 (Carosi 2 and Chen)
MANIAS Kylie, SMITH Carla, BENNETT Amy, CAROSI Jessica, NICOPOULOS Marissa(EMANUEL ’78), STANTON Vanessa, YOUNG Bronte, CHEN Lily(BAKRDANIKOSKA ’70), SUTHERLAND Loren(ROBINSON ’45), LARA Stephanie and LJUBISAVLJEVIC Tijana
Parramatta FC 1 (Nash)
NASH Penelope, O’SULLIVAN Erin, BIASUCCI Laura(PEPPER ’70), CALTANIDE Loredana(JULIUS ’45), DIMOPOULOS Mary(ERCIL ’64), BROWN Sheldon, COLOSIMO Alexandra, RENFIGO Yadira, KAPADIA Rajvi(PALCZEWSKI ’45), THOMSON Karen and ISSAC Margaret
SD Raiders 4 defeated Gladesville Ravens 1
SD Raiders extended their lead at the summit of State League Women’s with a professional 4-1 victory at Ernie Smith Reserve today.
Braces to Dominique Caridad and player coach Catherine Cannuli put the Ravens to the sword over the full ninety minutes.
Gladesville Ravens pulled one back late to get themselves on the scoresheet.
Cannuli praised her side for putting aside their slow start in the first half to really get moving in the second.
APIA Leichhardt Tigers 3 defeated Mt Druitt Town Rangers 0
APIA Leichhardt has continued strong run of form despite being down on form witha 3-nil win over Mt Druitt under lights at Lambert Park.
Christina Ferreyra, Lucy Gilfedder and Filiz Urkanci all got on the scoresheet in the performance which coach Matteo Maiorana described as disappointing.
He also hailed the defensive duo of Samantha Scarlato and Stephanie Fyfe who kept an energetic Mt Druitt at bay.
The result leaves the APIA side in fourth position only trailing Western NSW Mariners by one point.
Washed out: Western NSW Mariners FC vs UNSW Lions
By Justin Davies, State League Women’s reporter
