Round 14 Review – State League Women’s
In another exciting round in the Women’s State League St George FC hosted top of the table APIA Leichardt Tigers FC while UNSW travelled to face Western NSW Mariners FC and bottom placed Parramatta FC welcomed SD Raiders FC.
Match of the Round
St George FC vs APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC Sunday July 9th 3pm, St George Stadium
In the match of the round St George FC recorded their biggest result of the year as they defeated the previously undefeated APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC 2-1.
In a game which was crucial for St George’s top 4 hopes, the girls defended resolutely to hold off a fast finishing APIA team which were looking to preserve their unbeaten run in 2017.
St George though began the better of the teams as APIA struggled to find their usual rhythm.
St George created an opportunity barely a minute in as Marissa Nicopoulos saw her shot well smothered well by the APIA goalkeeper.
St George continued to press and harass APIA in possession as they dominated territory and possession.
The next chance again fell to St George but Amy Bennett could only direct her shot straight at the APIA keeper.
St George caused APIA issues out wide as they utilised their pace to get in behind and whip in dangerous crosses.
This mode of attack by St George enabled them to open the scoring in the 23rd minute as they took a deserved lead. Bennett, who had been causing headaches for the APIA defence all day, swung in a dangerous ball from the right before Antonia Sarikakis finished off with a smart first time shot.
In truth St George were unlucky not to extend their lead further before the break as Bennett again was denied in the 31st and then 35th minute.
APIA started the second half trying to press St George and were nearly rewarded in the 52nd minute when Christina Ferreyra saw her shot come off the post before her rebound was cleared off the line.
APIA slowly began to gain a footing in the game as the pressed St George back and took control of possession.
This dominance though did not see a creation of enough goal scoring chances as St Gorge defended outstandingly.
Ferreyra had another chance in the 67th minute but saw her toe poked effort well saved by the St George keeper.
APIA’s inability to create chances was punished in the 84th minute as St George added a second through a lightning counter attack where second half substitute Juliet Browner tucked home a neat finish from an angle.
Browner nearly added a second a couple of minutes later as she turned her defender but saw her shot well saved by the APIA keeper.
St George were nearly made to regret their missed chances as APIA pulled a goal back in the 87th minute through Erin Clout and pressed late for an equaliser but St George held on for a crucial three points.
St George coach Carlo Tini was understandably happy with his team as he was proud of the team performance and believed his team deserved the win as they dominated the game and the midfield.
Match Stats
St George FC 2 (Antonia Sarikakis 23’, Juliet Browner 84’)
APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC 1 (Erin Clout 87’)
Sunday 9th of July 2017
St George Stadium
St George FC: 6. Amy Bennett, 25. Jacklyn Gabriel, 3. Lauren Gardner, 17. Jacobi Kitchen-Gurney, 23. Peta Koinis, 24. Julia Mamo, 26. Ashley Miller(15.Juliet Browner 73’), 9. Marissa Nicopoulos, 4. Antonia Sarikakis(2.Serena Bornze 82’), 12. Paloma Shrestha, 78. Emily Upstone
Unused Substitutes: 11.Indira Bogaljevic, 40.Natasha Gadd, 22.Osowwuana Nathouras
APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC: 22. Nicole Carmichael, 5. Olivia Cicco, 7. Erin Clout, 9. Christine Ferreyra, 6. Lucy Gilfedder(12.Madeline Latham 25’),2. Stephanie Glanville-Fyfe, 20. Gillian Raymond, 4. Samantha Scarlato, 13. Marie Sim-Sing, 38. Sarah Urquhart, 11. Rachelle Wang(19.Jessica Martinez 66’)
Unused Substitutes: 16. Jennifer Bennett, 1. Courtney Halpin
Western NSW Mariners FC 0 vs UNSW 2 (Yadira Rengifo x2) Sunday July 9th 3pm, Glen Willow Stadium
In a game which pitched two teams in the top four it was always going to be a highly competitive and close contest.
UNSW proved to be too strong for the Mariners as two first half goals from Yadira Rengifo meant UNSW came away with all three points.
In a first half which UNSW dominated possession and chances, they were able to take a 2-0 lead to the break as Yadira grabbed a double. The second half was a more even contest as the Mariners attempted to get themselves back into the contest.
UNSW though proved too strong however as they held onto their 2-0 halftime lead and consolidated their second position on the table, while the Mariners held onto fourth but will be disappointed with dropping three crucial points at home.
Parramatta FC vs SD Raiders FC 12 (Nicky Caridad x5, Dana Butigieg x6, Lara White) Sunday July 9th 4.30pm, Melita Stadium
SD Raiders FC recorded a resounding win over bottom placed Parramatta FC and in doing so consolidated third position on the table.
Parramatta gave little resistance as the Raiders controlled the game from the beginning to end.
Nicky Caridad helped herself to 5 goals while Dana Butigieg grabbed 6.
The scoreline though could prove crucial in the final four standings as it very well may come down to goal difference.
Raiders coach Catherine Cannuli was pleased with her team’s ability to continue to push forward and create chances.
-By Sebastian Kalos
