Round 1 Review – NPL 2 Women’s
Match of the Round: Marconi Stallions 0 defeated by Sydney Olympic FC 4
Picking up where they left off last season, Sydney Olympic punished a naïve Marconi Stallions in a 4-nil victory on a very hot afternoon at Marconi Stadium.
Last year’s Golden Boot Madelaine Costanzo quickly established herself as a force again this season, with a brace of goals with defender Amanda Amberg and Danielle Calvi finding the net in the second half glut of goals.
Marconi Stallions competed well in the first half, but as captain Hannah Volodor lamented “they let their guard down four times and were caught.”
It was an even first half, as both sides carved open good chances. For Olympic FC striker Costanzo had a hatful of chances as her pace created mayhem for the Stallions back four.
The home side relied on the combination of Summar Richardson and Jessica Beale as they tested Waston-Carr on several occasions.
Once the conditions had settled, Olympic FC controlled much of the ball, as Costanzo combined well with new signings Lieke Bever and Siahn Bozanic as they cut through with a quick passing game.
Costanzo had the best effort of the half on the half hour, as a sublime pass from Lieke Bever cut through a pair of Stallions defenders, as it found the striker in stride but she arrowed the effort wide of the right post.
Stalllions had custodian Kira Maggio to thank for the score being deadlocked at the break. First she provided a highlight reel save from a Bozanic free-kick then denied Olympic FC in a mad scramble in the box.
Bozanic popped up with another effort right after the break, as she crashed an effort against the post as Olympic FC looked to rectify the goal-less first half. A minute later, they were successful as Costanzo burst into the box and finished well.
Ten minutes later, Siahn Bozanic added the second with a powerful shot that Maggio couldn’t handle as it trickled into the net.
From there Olympic FC were in complete control. Costanzo added her second from a well flighted diagonal ball, for Olympic’s third then substitute Amanda Amberg prodded home well for a dominant 4-nil scoreline.
As the game wound down, Marconi Stallions kept the Olympic FC keepers honest with a handful of chances but the reigning premiers saw out the contest to start the season with three points.
Afterwards Olympic FC coach Bill Papas enjoyed the execution from the team in the second half.
“We found our feet late in the first half. We knew what was needed to be done and exploited the Stallions weaknesses. It was the first time a lot of the girls had played together, due to injuries and such, so it was good overall.” Said Papas.
“Maddy knows how to find the back of the net,” added the Olympic FC boss but also admitted they have added firepower across the field to help the striker which can only serve as a warning to the rest of the competition.
For Stallions captain Hannah Voloder it was disappointing to be caught so often after a competitive first half but they knew the quality of Olympic FC going in, and know they need to improve.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 11th March 2018
Marconi Stadium
Marconi Stallions 0
Sydney Olympic FC 4 (Costanzo ’49 and ’64, Bozanic ’59 and Amberg ’72)
Marconi Stallions: 1. MAGGIO Kira(CLARK ’45), 2. VOLODER Hannah, 4. CONNORS Mia, 8. CAMBAS Ceyda, 9. HOWARD Demelza, 10. VOLODER Emma, 13. BEALE Jessica, 14. LAURIC Amanda(CIABATTI ’79), 15. WALTON Talie, 24. RICHARDSON Summar and 25. RICHARDSON Crystal(HOPE ’59)
Subs not used: 18. VARRIAS Jacqueline and 31. HANNA Melina
Yellow cards: H. Voloder
Red cards: nil
Sydney Olympic FC: 1. WATSON-CARR Grace(HORAFIOS ’79), 2. TAYLOR Eloise, 3. MIRKOVIC Madeleine, 4. BARHAM Deirdre, 7. CALVI Danielle, 8. BOZANIC Siahn, 9. COSTANZO Madelaine, 10. KUNOVSKI Kristy(AMBERG ’55), 11. ROHRER Kristy, 12. BEVER Lieke(KHOURY ’45) and 13. VITEK Amelia(JOHNSON ’70)
Subs not used: 19. CHEN Lily
Yellow cards: Taylor
Red cards: nil
Nepean FC 3 defeated Inter Lions 1
Under the bright sunshine at Cook Park, Nepean FC took home a valuable three points against a committed Inter Lions side.
The shrill of the whistle was still reverberating across the field, as Nepean FC had the ball in the back of the net twice.
Stefanie Travato got herself in position twice from diagonal balls before she slotted into the back of the net for a quickfire 2-nil lead. It got even better for the girls from the west as 15-year old Imogen Lane subbed on for her debut and added the third.
Alan Tasses called it a rusty performance afterwards but it could’ve been much more for some spectacular saves from the Lions keeper. Tasses was pleased to collect three points in tough conditions though.
Despite being on the losing side, Inter Lions coach Danny Abboud remained upbeat as he declared “we lost on the scoreboard, but won on the field. The early goal burnt us and it left us chasing the game.”
Inter Lions did find themselves a consolation from Jessica Thorley to round out the 3-1 scoreline on a hot afternoon that took it’s toll on both sides.
Gladesville Ravens 1 defeated SD Raiders 0
Gladesville Ravens have moved halfway to equaling their 2017 points tally with a narrow 1-nil ictory over promoted SD Raiders this afternoon.
Annalise Schiraldi scored the lone goal of the afternoon for the Ravens that delivered new First Grade coach Albert Disciancio three valuable points.
For SD Raiders, they competed well but now, have to dust themselves off and prepare for their first home game in National Premier Leagues 2 against St George FC next week.
UNSW FC 1 defeated Western NSW Mariners FC 0
The students passed their first test in the National Premier Leagues 2 Womens as they overcome a well drilled Western NSW Mariners FC 1-nil.
Amy Altman scored the decisive goal in a tight contest this afternoon at Hensley Athletic Field which the three points will please coach Renato Jelen.
Western NSW Mariners will be disappointed to have lost their opening contest but they head home for their first home game next weekend.
Southern Branch FC 0 defeated by APIA Leichhardt Tigers 4
APIA Leichhardt Tigers made a dream debut to life in NPL2 after they cruised to a four-goal victory down in Nowra on a perfect afternoon for football.
New signings Ashleigh Palombi and Karen Saavendra got themselves on the scoresheet with a brace each, while Sarah Urquhart and Samantha Scarlato controlled the contest from the midfield.
Their coach Matteo Maiorana was delighted that the work in on the training field carried over into a match situation also “pleased with the performance at the furthest game in round one and we played extremely well.”
For Southern Branch, their first-grade group is still coming together but there were positive signs in the form of the trio of Jackie Milani, Britany Anderson and Meredith Cheyanne as 2018 is all about opportunity for the country side.
St George FC 1 defeated by Central Coast Mariners 3
Down by the sea, it was the Mariners that struck gold and took an opening round three points against a talented St George FC side this afternoon at St George Stadium.
The players were so buoyed to get back onto the field, the net was bulging before the clock could move into the minutes. Jordan Evans arrowed home for a Mariners 1-nil lead.
Stalwarts from last season, Gabrielle Blanch and Candice Phelan added the second and third goals in a solid performance from the yellow and navy.
Mariners coach Dan Barrett was “delighted to get the three points. It was a solid performance from the girls but we still have a long way to go this season.”
For St George FC – last season’s State League Women’s golden boot Yadira Renfigo got off the mark this season to make it 3-1.
By Justin Davies
