Round 4 Review – State League Women’s
Round 4 was headlined by the top of the table clash between SD Raiders FC playing APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC while Mt Druitt Rangers FC made the tricky trip to St George FC and Western NSW Mariners FC made the long trip out to face a Parramatta FC team looking for their first points.
Match of the Round
SD Raiders FC vs APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC, 3pm Sunday April 30th, Ernie Smith Reserve
This rounds match of the day took us out to the top of the table clash between SD Raiders FC and APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC – both teams with 100% records thus far.
In near perfect conditions, APIA started the game stronger as they looked to keep possession of the ball ensuring their opponents had to work hard.
SD Raiders defended resolutely as a flick on header from Dana Buttigieg from a throw in was really the only goal mouth action in the early stages.
The first goal of the match though did arrive after ten minutes as Rebecca Watts won possession of the ball and hit a dipping drive into that hit the far-left corner of the goal to put APIA Leichhardt Tigers 1-0 up.
It was a much deserved lead for APIA as they looked to double their advantage a few minutes later as Watts whipped in a cross from the right only to see Jennifer Bennett guide her header over the bar.
SD Raiders continued to push forward as Stephanie Berjerie Conejeros jumped on a rebound but could not keep her shot down as it flashed over the top.
This seemed to spur SD Raiders on as Jamie-Lee Mussett was presented with two good opportunities to bring the scores level as she guided a shot over in the 20th minute after connecting to a cross before a few minutes later seeing her shot crash off the bar.
APIA responded to this pressure though as they ended the half stronger as Buttigieg saw her leaping header tipped over the bar by SD Raiders FC goalkeeper Rhianna Muscat in the 25th minute before Watts blazed her effort over in the 36th minute after winning possession back.
The second started much like the first as APIA started the stronger of the teams as they looked to press for a second goal.
Lucy Gilfedder saw her shot rattle off the bar as APIA came close to extending their lead in the 54th minute.
SD Raiders created the next best goal scoring opportunity though as the usually clinical Caterina Moio blazed over the top.
The game began to stretch as both teams looked to push forward, APIA came close again to a second goals as in the 63rd minute Christina Ferreyra who had only recently come on saw her shot well tipped around the corner by Rhianna Muscat.
Barely a minute later, Ferreyra got even closer to putting herself on the scoresheet as she crashed a volley against the bar from an APIA corner.
APIA were punished for not converting their chances as in the 73rd minute a mix up in defence as APIA keeper Courtney Halpin inexplicably picked up a back pass from her own player. Dominique Caridad stepped up to the free kick and blasted it in with the help of a deflection to draw SD Raiders level.
SD Raiders all of a sudden looked the most likely to win as Nicole Monti sliced through the defence only to see her shot well saved by Courtney Halpin in the APIA goal.
APIA were not finished, as Ferreyra saw her double effort in the 81stminute superbly smothered by Muscat in the SD Raiders goal before she saw her powerful drive in the 85th minute saved again.
The final score ended 1-1 as both teams could not find the winner.
APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC coach Matteo Maiorana was disappointed his team could not come away with the three points.
“Overall I thought it was a great game, both teams were 100% committed and didn’t give an inch, as a coach you can’t ask for anymore than that”.
SD Raiders FC coach Catherine Cannuli was equally satisfied with the effort of her team in what she believes has been the most competitive game they’ve had to date.
Match Stats
SD Raiders FC 1 (Dominique Caridad 73’)
APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC 1 (Rebecca Watts, 10’)
Sunday 30th of April, 2017
Ernie Smith Reserve
SD Raiders FC:10. Dominique Caridad, 22. Stephanie Berijerie Conejeros, 4. Rhea D’Mello, 14. Brooke Hankin 26. Natalia Ignjatovic, 15. Courtney Krope, 11. Caterina Moio, 5. Nicole Monti, 1. Rhianna Muscat, 7. Jamie-Lee Mussett ( 2.Sarah Bittner 67’) (2 off Sarah Bittner, 12 Cara Ferns 88’)6. Sasha Hammoud
Substitutes Not Used: 33. Helena Ngauora, 25. Isabelle Bucher, 23. S. Kontogiorgis
Yellow Cards: 15.Courtney Krope 57’
APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC: 16. Jennifer Bennett, 3.Dana Buttigieg (11.Rachelle Wang 70’), 8.Carla Canini, 7. Erin Clout (9.Christina Ferreyra 56’), 6. Lucy Gilledder (22.Nicole Carmichael), 1. Courtney Halpin, 12.Madeline Latham, 15. Kylie Manias,(5.Olivia Cicco 75’) 4. Samantha Scarlato, 13. Marie Sim-Sing, 14. Rebecca Watts(2.Stephanie Glanville-Fyfe 75’)
St George FC vs Mt Druitt Rangers FC, 3pm Sunday April 30th, St George Stadium, 2-5
Mt Druitt Town Rangers made the tricky trip down to face St George FC as they looked to finish a positive week off for the club with three points after the announcement of former Hyundai A-League player Labinot Haliti will begin working alongside Women’s Club Technical Director Danny Abboud in helping to assist and mentor both the junior and senior players at Mt Druitt.
In what was a tough and tight tussle Mt Druitt Rangers FC eventually prevailed 5-2 as they registered an important three points.
St George FC coach Carlo Tini was disappointed with the turnover in possession of his side and will be wanting to bounce back immediately next week with a positive performance.
Parramatta FC vs Western NSW Mariners FC , 4.15pm Sunday April 30th, Melita Stadium, 0-7
In what was another disappointing result for Parramatta FC they found themselves again beaten convincingly by the travelling Western NSW Mariners FC.
In what was an important three points for the Mariners to keep them in touch with the leading teams.
In a wasteful first half, the Mariners found themselves 2-0 ahead but were much more clinical after the break as they ran out eventual 7-0 victors.
-By Sebastian Kalos
Sebastian Kalos
