Round 19 Review – NPL 2 NSW Women’s
Round 19 saw the top five continue to flex their muscles and jockey for position as the fight for the finals continues in the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens competition.
There were plenty of goals that flew in across the five contests so let’s get onto the review!
Match of the Round: SD Raiders FC 1 defeated by Gladesville Ravens 3
Gladesville Ravens were made to work for it but took a 3-1 victory tonight against a stubborn SD Raiders FC down at a fresh Ernie Smith Reserve.
The visitors continue their chase for a top two finish, as Gladesville Ravens did enough through a double from striker Emily Diaz and a penalty from Carlie Ikonomou to make it back-to-back successes in their search for a smooth finish to the season.
It has been a tough season for SD Raiders FC. They have competed well and were back in the contest after Trudy Camelliri’s 56th minute goal but were unable to find more goals. Tonight’s result has extinguished their finals hopes, as Terry Gray’s side try to end the season on a high.
Emily Diaz got the Ravens off to the perfect start on a brisk night in Sydney’s south-west. A teasing cross from the right, came to the foot of the striker and she slotted home making it 1-nil after three minutes of the game.
SD Raiders FC responded well, the pairing of Samantha Muscat and Trudy Camelliri was a threat during the whole contest. Muscat had the home side’s first chance when a diagonal ball found the striker is stride but it bounced wide as half the crowd thought it nestled inside the net.
The Ravens found joy down either flank tonight, Annalise Schiraldi delivered a precise ball for Zoe Zaczek to hack wide then Kasia Wojtowicz was found well by Yume Kashima but thrashed the ball wide.
Muscat continued to find space between the lines of the Gladesville Ravens defense. Her best chance of the half came when she motored through, left one-on-one with Ravens keeper Eri Arikawa, tried to chip the custodian but her defenders mopped up before it crossed the line.
Two of the Ravens brightest attackers, Diaz and Carlie Ikonomou had chances to extend the visitors lead headed into half-time. Diaz turned well but fired straight then Ikonomou tried to catch out SD Raiders keeper Natasha Pentecost with a drive but clipped it over as the single goal lead held to the break.
Diaz continued to give the SD Raiders FC defenders a headache after the break. She was found well with a slide rule pass but took a heavy touch. Her next touch gave the striker her 17th goal of the season.
It was a poacher’s effort from Diaz, who found some space in the box, took a touch before she arrowed the ball home into the left corner of the net. 2-nil to Gladesville Ravens and the visitors were in firm control of the contest.
One of the hallmarks of SD Raiders FC has been their resillience this season. The ball bounced around the penalty area before Trudy Camelliri got the final touch. Her second goal in two appearances brought the score back to 2-1.
Just as the home side were celebrating, the Ravens had a chance to restore their two-goal buffer. A handball inside the box saw the referee point to the spot. Midfielder Ikonomou strode confidently to the spot and nestled it into the bottom corner for 3-1.
Not content to throw in the towel, SD Raiders FC dominated the latter stages of the contest. Kristi Pavlicevic thudded a free-kick into the wall then the follow up curved wide.
Kate Mateffy forced Ravens keeper Arikawa into a highlight reel save as she fizzed an effort that looked destined for the top left corner before an outstretched hand from Arikawa turned it wide.
Gladesville Ravens were able to see out the remainder of the contest without much incident although Wojtowicz had a late chance to add a fourth that was swept away. It was three goals, three points and a happy night for Gladesville.
Speaking afterwards Ravens coach Alex Di Sciascio was upbeat about the side’s result tonight and their growth as a side in 2019 after their narrow miss last season:
“It was hard to control ourselves tonight in the game, with players unavailable for a variety of reasons at this point of the season. We had a goal at the start of the season to improve our position after missing out by a point last season and we feel like we’ll make an impact in the finals.” he said.
For Terry Gray in the SD Raiders dugout, it has been a tough season but again, there was enough encouragement tonight and in previous weeks to hopefully see them challenge again next season:
“We just couldn’t find the target tonight. We went down early in the contest due to a soft goal that we have trained against then a penalty which killed us off tonight.” said the SD Raiders boss.
“It has been a tough season. We have shown that we can compete against these sides but they have been narrow losses with a little bit of luck that could have us right up there. That’s football and life though, hopefully we can rebuild and go again next season.” finished Gray.
Match Stats
Sunday 14 July 2019
Ernie Smith Reserve, Moorebank
Referee: J. Crawford
Assistant Referees: D. Broinsfield & S. Allum
SD Raiders FC 1 (Camelleri ‘56)
Gladesville Ravens 3 (Diaz ‘3, ‘52, Ikonomou ‘58)
SD Raiders FC: 1. PENTECOST Natasha, 9. BAUDANA Tara (28. COLEMAN ‘62), 10. MCGRATH Christina, 11. COOK Kirilee, 12. HANKIN Hankin (2. MUSSETT ‘89), 13. MATEFFY Kate, 15. PAVLICEVIC Kristi, 16. MANDILE Sarah, 27. MUSCAT Samantha, 30. VOUSDEN Alexandra, 33. CAMELLIRI Trudy
Unused subs: 17. MUSCAT Rhianna, 18. TORO Sabrina, 19. BRAKELL Jemma
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Gladesville Ravens: 1. ARIKAWA Eri, 2. TAYLOR Eloise (14. KINCHINGTON ‘88), 4. LIDBETTER Eleanor, 5. FISHER Alanna, 6. IKONOMOU Carlie, 7. DIAZ Emily, 8. ZACZEK Zoe, 9. SCHIRALDI Annalise, 10. KASHIMA Yume, 11. WOJTOWICZ Kasia, 23. GESTIER Hannah
Unused subs: 13. DOUGLAS-OLIVEIRA Emma, 19. GOLDSMITH Chloe, 24. SEETO Anja
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Nepean FC 11 defeated Inter Lions 0
Nepean FC steamrolled Inter Lions FC 11-nil on their way to back-to-back victories this afternoon at Cook Park to kick-off Round 19.
The home side were ruthless in their scoring against Inter Lions. Alix Waddell headlined the performance with four goals to take her tally to six for the season. Youngster Eri Namita and Stefanie Trovato both chipped in with a pair of goals each.
Rounding off their rout were strikes from defender Aisling Davidson, Annie Halls and Imogen Lane as Nepean FC posted their biggest score of the season. Coach Alan Tasses was glad to see his side execute their plans and cement themselves in fourth position.
Sutherland Shire FA 5 defeated UNSW FC 0
It was a five-star performance from Sutherland Shire FA with a 5-nil success against UNSW FC this afternoon at Harrie Denning Centre.
For those who witnessed it, the contest was the Jordan Baker show. The sharpshooter bagged four goals to boost her total for the season with a first-half hat-trick shown in for good measure. Ursula Bratjanscak also found herself on the scoresheet.
Baker showed her clinical nature in front of goal as she knocked home three wonderful crosses from Brittany Christie, Zoe Yeats and Bratjancsak as down the other end keeper Kellie Mutch was a brick wall to keep it at 3-nil.
In the second half, Bratjancsak got the ball rolling again with a curler from a corner to make it 4-nil. Baker put the icing on the performance after a strong run released her in front of goal to make it a five-star Sutherland Shire FA performance.
Whilst the result was a disappointment for UNSW FC coach Alex Nolan, he remained upbeat. The boss remarked how his side had their chances in the first half, couldn’t find the net but the belief to match it with the tougher teams is there, building to next year.
Southern Branch FC 1 defeated by Central Coast Mariners 7
Strengthening their grip on fifth spot, Central Coast Mariners triumphed 7-1 against Southern Branch FC down at South Nowra Football Complex on Sunday afternoon.
Central Coast Mariners had some fun in the sun to improve their goal difference. Danielle Wise moved into second spot on the Golden Boot standings with four goals to the striker’s name today. Her strike partner Gabrielle Blanch opened the scoring with her eighth of the year.
Midfielder Jade Mcatemney and youngster Mikala Tucker rounded off the scoring as the Mariners hold a healthy advantage on the chasing pack. Coach Dan Barrett called the success “a clinical display in tough windy conditions” as the Mariners rebounded from last week’s loss.
For Southern Branch FC, Jessica Muir scored in the first half to make it three goals in a fortnight for the attacker. Her strike came in the first half as something to celebrate for Southern Branch FC despite being unable to build on their victory last weekend.
St George FC 0 defeated by APIA Leichhardt Tigers 6
APIA Leichhardt Tigers remain at the top of the NPL2 Womens competition after a comfortable 6-nill success under the bright lights tonight against St George FC.
The Tigers were in control and comfortable from the opening whistle. Logan Garard opened up the scoring then Ash Palombi fired home her 27th goal of the season to make it 2-nil. The third member of their fearsome front three, Amy Dahdah knocked home a third as the Tigers cruised.
Sarah Urquhart scored from the spot then Georgia Bridges left her mark on the contest. The English attacker thrashed home a pair of bombs to singe the netting and make it 16 goals in her first season at APIA.
Speaking after the success, APIA coach Matt Constantini was overjoyed with the performance from the competition leaders: “We controlled the game from start to finish and I am very happy to take the three points in that manner.” The Tigers have the finish line in sight as they aim for the Premiership and Club Championship double.
Marconi Stallions were awarded a forfeit against Western NSW Mariners
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
