Round 6 Review – State League Women’s
In another intriguing round UNSW made the tricky trip out to face St George FC while Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC made the long journey to face Western NSW Mariners FC and APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC squared off against bottom of the table Parramatta FC.
Match of the Round
St George FC vs UNSW
UNSW made the trip out to face St George FC with both teams knowing the importance of three points.
In overcast conditions, UNSW started in a confident mood as they maintained the early possession.
St George FC though opened the scoring barely two minutes in as Amy Bennet used her pace to latch onto a threw ball which she slotted with aplomb past UNSW goalkeeper Bronte Finegan.
It was an ideal start for the young St George team as they looked to utilise their pace on the break especially through the always dangerous Bennet.
UNSW looked to maintain possession and fired their shot on target through midfielder Miranda Summersby-Mitchell which the St George goalkeeper did well to get down to.
St George provided a constant threat on the break and some lovely interplay between Bennet and Marissa Nicopoulos ended in Nicopoulos forcing a good save out of UNSW keeper Finegan as she lashed a shot in from a tight angle.
Chances were at a premium though as the first half went on as both teams struggled for any real fluency.
UNSW for all their possession failed to really test the St George keeper as St George’s defence held resolutely.
UNSW ‘s only real goal threats occurred from shots outside of the box as they struggled to get around the St George rearguard.
The final chance of the half fell to St George as Antonia Sarikakis held off the UNSW challenges to create enough space to hit a shot from the edge of the box. Her shot failed to test Finegan in goals though as it was hit straight at the UNSW goalkeeper.
The second half nearly started in horrible fashion for UNSW as an errant cross field pass nearly presented St George the chance to extend the margin if not for some desperate scrambling defence.
UNSW as in the first half quickly started to dominate possession and territory though as St George again looked to counter on the break.
St George’s counter attacking formation nearly paid dividends in the 53rd minute as Jess Fearns broke through only to see her heavy touch well smothered by Finegan in goals.
The game slowly began to stretch as UNSW continued to search for an equaliser which they nearly found in the 62nd minute through the head of Cassandra Christopher as she jumped to meet a cross only to see hear goal-bound header palmed wide.
UNSW continued to ramp up the pressure as Lara Campbell saw her free kick well saved in the 67th minute.
The equaliser though eventually did come in the 69th minute via the boot of UNSW number 10 Christine Lucantonio as she ran onto a superb threw ball before slotting her effort into the far corner.
UNSW pressed for a winner but St George continued to battle and scrap as they held on for point.
St George coach Carlo Tini was proud of his team for the courage they showed considering the injuries his team has had to contend with over the last few weeks.
“Score was 1-1, in true fairness it was a victory for us”.
Renato Jelen on the other hand was disappointed his UNSW team could not convert their possession and territorial dominance into three points.
Match Stats
St George FC 1( Amy Bennet 2’)
UNSW 1( Christine Lucantonio 69’)
Sunday 14th of May, 2017
St George Stadium
St George FC: 6. Amy Bennet, 3. Lauren Gardner, 17.Jacobi Kitchen-Gurney, 23. Peta Koinis, 24. Julia Mamo, 26. Ashley Miller, 9. Marissa Nicopoulos (2.Serena Bornze 69’), 4. Antonia Sarikakis, 12. Paloma Shrestha, 7. Carla Smith (30.Hayley Webster 50’), 5. Theoni Thimakis. 15. Jess Fearns
Substitutes not used: 22. Anastasia Lathouras O’ Sullivan, 21.Monica Bomze
Yellow Cards: 24.Julia Mamo 85, 17.Jacobi Kitchen-Gurney 89
UNSW: 3. Charlotte Bridson, 35.Lara Campbell, 4.Tara Casserly, 21.Cassandra Christopher(7.Ashlee Sutherland 83), 22.Heidi Cummings, 11.Summer Dann, 1.Bronte Finegan, 5.Donna Helm, 10.Christine Lucantonio, 36.Miranda Summersby-Mitchell, 8.Nicole Zwahlen
Substitutes not used: 2.Nicole Adam, 6.Claudia Bruno,20.Emma Mccarthy, 9.Tahlia Nolan
Western NSW Mariners FC 9 (Jasmin Courtenay 5, Tegan Courtenay 1, Chloe Lanham 1, Christie Collingridge 2) vs Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC 1 (Stephanie Trovato 1)
In a game of contrasting halves Western NSW Mariners FC ran out 9-1 victors over visitors Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC as Jasmin Courtenay continued her outstanding form by helping herself to five goals for the Mariners.
In what was a disappointing afternoon for Mt Druitt, the away side were unable to continue their positive performances of late as the loss of key players to injuries seemed to disrupt their flow.
In saying this Mt Druitt did create chances but were unable to convert a number if one-on-one opportunities which may have changed the direction of the contest.
The Mariners in contrast, continued their recent good run as they overran Mt Druitt in the second half.
Mariners coach Jason Payne was pleased with his teams application especially in the second half.
The first half was a tight affair as the Mariners found themselves 2-0 up at the break before running away with the contest in the second half.
Parramatta FC 0 vs APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC 13 ( Christy Ferreyra 8, Dana Buttegeig 2, Alina Stojevski 2, Lucy Gildfedder 1)
APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC continued their impressive unbeaten start to the year as they comprehensively defeated Parramatta FC 13-0.
In a game where APIA were never really challenged, last years golden boot winner Christy Ferreyra helped herself to 8 goals, while 15 year old debutant Alina Stojevski helped herself to a second half double.
In more positive news for APIA, 16-year-old Abbey Harrison also made her first half debut as a second half substitute.
Parramatta FC on the other hand continue to struggle and will be hoping for a better second half of the season.
-By Sebastian Kalos
