Round 16 Review – State League Women’s
The action continued in another thrilling round of State League Women’s football highlighted by a cracking match of the round between UNSW Lions and SD Raiders.
Match of the Round: University of NSW Lions 4 defeated SD Raiders 1
UNSW Lions have produced a quality display to put away a disappointing SD Raiders side on a chilly afternoon at David Phillips Field.
The visitors started off quite well as they pressed the Lions to prevent them playing out from the back well.
Sarah Bittner was a highlight before injury forced her off. Her tenacious efforts in defense helped heap the pressure on the home side which produced the opening goal.
A sublime cross from Caterina Moio found Georgia Klapos in the box as the forward swivled and finished well to give the Raiders the lead.
For UNSW Georgia Goulding was her usual energetic self as she hustled in the midfield and fired a warning shot across the SD Raiders defense.
It was second time is a charm for Goulding, as she rolled her defender well in the 34th minute before she rocketed an effort into the top corner to restore parity.
Once they equalised – it was all UNSW Lions for the rest of the first half bar some set piece work from Dominique Caridad in the 37th miinute.
Rachelle Godman added the second goal for the Lions in the 39th minute. Godman combined well with first goalscorer Goulding to sweep home the ball for a 2-1 lead.
Caridad had a chance just before the break to bring the Raiders back on terms but her free-kick sailed high as the half time whistle drew near.
Once again the best chances for SD Raiders came through Moio. She linked up with Klapos again but Moio’s first time effort rippled the side netting.
UNSW Lions made the Raiders pay for missing their chances in the 55th minute though, as a dangerous corner was swung from Goulding and after a scramble Godman prodded it home for a 3-1 lead.
Godman was in rare form all afternoon as she tormented the Raiders defence, she should’ve completed her hat-trick in the 64th minute but scooped it wide.
With a two goal buffer – the Lions were playing with freedom and Godman was central to the action again as she forced a diving effort from Karrinda Moodley.
Eventually the four goal came in the 88th minute. Goulding was afforded space again in the midfield and fired a shot that cracked the post and trickled in to complete the victory.
Afterwards the SD Raiders coach was disappointed in his side losing their way.
"We started well but we lost our way then couldn’t find our way back really."
"They play well out from the back and lost three foot races which is disappointing." Finished the coach.
Conversely Renato Jelen was pleased in the Lions all-round effort on a good afternoon.
"Today we were confident in getting the three points. We did well and have a strong squad with 36 players who are good players."
‘We did our thing in playing out from the back and Rachelle Godman stuck the ball in the net. In the second we moved to a 4-3-3 to give more space for Georgia [Goulding] and it worked a treat." Finished Jelen.
MATCH STATS
UNSW Lions 4 (Godman ’39 and 55 and Goulding ’34 and ’88)
AMBERG Amanda, HEWSON Emily(VINER ’78), GOULDING Georgia, ORR Helen, ABEL Danielle(BRUNO ’78), GODMAN Rochelle, KAVA Lauren-Clare, CALLION Mayliss(ROWLAND ’71), SKEOCH Kelsey, FARDELL Emily and HELM Donna
Unused Subs: OLARTE
Yellow cards: Fardell ’36 and Amberg ’47
SD Raiders 1 (Klapos ’27)
MOODLEY Karrinda, BITTNER Sarah(MONTI ’16(NGAUORA ’65), HAMMOUD Sasha, D’MELLO Rhea, MOIO Caterina(MUSCAT ’87), HANKIN Brooke, CARIDAD Dominque, KROPE Courtney, KLAPOS Georgia, CONEJEROS-BERJERIE Stephanie(MUSSETT ’73) and IGNJATOVIC Natalia
Unused Subs: HANCOCK
St George FC 1 defeated Gladesville Ravens 0
St George FC moved into fifth position after a gritty 1-nil victory at George Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Lily Chen got the only goal of the contest as the Saints recorded their first victory after a barren run of results.
Ravens coach John Cook praised the pressing game of the home side and it made for an immense struggle for his side.
APIA Leichhardt Tigers 9 defeated Parramatta FC 0
Parramatta FC were the unfortunate victims of the APIA Leichhardt Tigers best attacking performance of the season.
The damage was done by the front two as Christina Ferreyra and Filiz Urkanci shared six goals between them in a superb performance.
Dione King added a brace in first grade after two in the reserve grade game while Erin Clout capped her performance with the last.
Afterwards APIA coach Matteo Maiorana praised the never give up spirit of the Parramatta FC side up against their best attacking performance of the season.
Washed out: Western NSW Mariners vs Mt Druitt Town Rangers
By Justin Davies, State League Women’s reporter
