Round 14 Review – State League Women’s
The rain curtailed most of round 14 with three matches postponed with the only match played being Gladesville Ravens taking on Western NSW Mariners.
Match of the Round: Gladesville Ravens 3 drew with Western NSW Mariners 3
A stirring last 15 minute comeback earnt the Ravens a share of the points against a technical Western NSW Mariners this afternoon at Peel Park.
The visitors started off on the front foot, passing the ball around smoothly and forced the Ravens backline into some errors.
Mariners racked up the corners early doors due to this pressure on the Ravens but weren’t able to make the pressure toll.
Brianna Trappett was impressive as the winger constantly created space and narrowly sprayed an effort wide in the 18th minute.
The pressure tolled on the home side in the 22nd minute. Another corner found it’s way to Kayla Steeden who blasted home to give the Mariners the lead.
In response to this Ravens coach John Cook brought on captain Alex Beattie to help shore up the defense and calm down the midfield.
With the goal advantage, the Mariners pushed forward again to extend their advantage. Jess Salomoni teed up Wood in the 27th minute but it bounced wide.
Salmoni was a difficult prospect for the Ravens defense to handle and she pounced in the 36th minute to make it 2-nil. An error gave the forward room to cushion an effort in the left side of the net.
Gladesville worked their way back into the contest slowly and Peta Osmond had a free header just before the break but it was saved off the line by a courageous Mariners defender.
They would pull one back in the 44th minute – when Holly Gibbons was on the spot to mop up a rare Mariners error to make it 2-1 at the break.
Mariners restored their advantage with just twenty minutes to go with Brianna Trappett on the end of a well worked move to make it 3-1. It seemed like it would be a good weekend for the visitors on course to make it six points in two days.
The spirit shown by the Ravens didn’t allow them to be defeated. Young wonderkid midfielder Isabell Hatton tapped into an open net with 11 minutes to go.
This gave the home side hope and they pushed everyone forward in search of the equaliser. Hatton had another chance but couldn’t sort out her feet.
Substitute Sarah Morris almost quashed the Ravens hopes on the break but the Mariner couldn’t force the ball home.
The work ethic from the Ravens eventually paid off deep into stoppage time, as the ball once again found it’s way to Hatton and she volleyed home to steal a point at the death.
"It’s always a good contest against the [Western NSW] Mariners in my two years here." said Ravens coach John Cook. "They bring a hard and technically proficient style. They pegged us back in the first half but we worked into the contest."
"We came out in the second half and went toe to toe and despite going behind three times we got a point. Isabell Hatton has been a revelation since we brought her into the side and I am excited for her potential." Said Gladesville Ravens coach John Cook.
Similarly Mariners coach Michael Godbier was proud of his charges after a challenging weekend.
"The late goal was disappointing but in the context of the weekend I am pretty happy, to take four points from both games.
"We should’ve had a few more goals in the first half but credit to the Ravens, we clocked off in the second half and it cost us three points." Finished Godbier.
MATCH STATS
Gladesville Ravens 3 (Gibbons ’44 and Hatton ’79 and ’90+4)
GLENNIE Kasia, BIANCHINO Isabella(BEATTIE ’34), VANSAARLOOS Paige, GESTIER Hannah, BREUKELAAR Isabella, OSMOND Peta(JONES ’67), EVANS Emily, BOURIS Claudia(HAND ’66), SMITH Ashleigh(LOYZAGA ’70), HATTON Isabell and GIBBONS Holly
Subs not used: WADE
Western NSW Mariners 3 (Salomoni ’36, Steeden ’22 and Trappett ’67)
DAYMOND Jessica, ARMSTRONG Alyssa, COURTNEY Teegan, MEADLEY Annabel, COLLINGRIDGE Kristy, STEEDEN Kayla, GODBIER Kya, ANLEZARK Chloe, TRAPPETT Brianna(MORRIS ’77), LLOYD Tayla and SALOMONI Jessica (BURLING ’85)
Subs not used: COMISKEY and WHITTY
The other three matches were washed out: Parramatta FC vs Mt Druitt Town Rangers, SD Raiders vs APIA Leichhardt Tigers and St George FC vs UNSW Lions
By Justin Davies, State League Women’s reporter
