Round 5 Review – Futsal Premier League 2 Open Women’s
Round 5 delivered goals and exciting contests in spades as the Futsal Premier League 2 Open Womens competition starts to move into a fine rhythm. Dural Warriors continue to lead the way but they are being chased by South Coast Taipans and Sydney Futsal Club.
Match of the Round: Phoenix Futsal Club 3 defeated Sydney City Eagles 1
Phoenix Futsal Club moved into the top four after they eased to a 3-1 result against Sydney City Eagles today in the Match of the Round at PCYC Hornsby.
The result was done off the back of a superb hat-trick from Isobel Gomez for Phoenix Futsal Club. She struck twice in the first half before she completed the feat within one minute of the second half restart. Phoenix now move into the top four with back-to-back successes and ten goals scored.
Sydney City Eagles battled hard in the contest but couldn’t find a way past Phoenix Futsal custodian which included a first half penalty missed by Lauren Featherstone. They did score in the second half through Melina Manna in the defeat.
Phoenix Futsal Club set out their plan early with Alexa Elford and Isobel Gomez both having early chances for the home side which were denied.
Gomez who has been on a white-hot run of scoring found the back of the net with her second effort. The attacker weaved through the middle of the Eagles defense then lashed the ball home for 1-nil after three minutes.
Eagles chances were scarce through the first half. Melina Manna latched onto the end of an incisive move but her shot rolled to the keeper then Alannah Nicholas’ free-kick was tipped over the bar by the Phoenix keeper.
Much of Phoenix’s attack was channeled through Gomez. She was the fastest to react to a quick throw from the custodian but sliced wide. Next, she was denied by a pair of saves from Eagles keeper Laura Morabito in the 19th minute.
Gomez wasn’t to be denied. She doubled her delight when she broke downfield on a solo run and whipped the ball into the back of the net, 2-nil and her eighth goal of the season.
Eagles looked to finish the half strong with a cushioned pass that put Nicholas into space but her effort crashed against the bar. They also had a free-kick routine which almost squeezed inside the post but was swept clear.
The last action of the half came through a ten-metre penalty. Eagles had a prime chance to claw one back and Lauren Featherstone stepped up to take. She tried to place it into the left corner but it rolled right into the keeper’s hands to maintain Phoenix’s two-goal advantage.
Phoenix wasted no time extending their lead after the break. Gomez showed her strength to hold off a defender then arrowed an effort into the bottom corner with the aid of the post, 3-nil to the home side.
The home side continued to keep their foot on the throat with Gomez turned provider to set up a chance which was sent wide. Phoenix Futsal Club remained comfortable and kept the Eagles at arm’s length to hold their advantage.
Saying that, Eagles finished the game with a flurry. Montana Bolzan had a pair of chances, the first from a Kayla Spurway back heel went wide then a follow up effort was saved. Featherstone went close twice late in the contest but they flew wide.
Eagles did find a way to get on the scoresheet. Manna who was bright across the contest, had her first effort saved but was given a second chance and swept the ball into the net, 3-1.
A late red card to Gomez did end her evening on a sour note which gifted Eagles a kick-in routine which hit the post and a final minute shot from Nicholas that was blocked. Eagles remain anchored to the bottom of the Futsal Premier League 2.
Phoenix Futsal Club recorded back-to-back successes and it has seen them rise to fourth position and currently holding onto the final semi-finals spot.
Match Stats
Saturday 19 October 2019
Referee: K. Hockings
2nd Referee: J. Brett
3rd Referee: P. Di Matteo
Phoenix Futsal Club 3 (Gomez 3)
Sydney City Eagles 1 (Manna)
Phoenix Futsal Club: 2. MOORE Sarah, 3. MAJOK Naomi, 5. JANDAGI Anahid, 6. SHUETRIM Eleanor, 75. ELFORD Alexa, 76. GOMEZ Isobel, 77. WATSON Kate, 80. VANDERVELDE Emma, 86. HOGAN Brenda, 87. COWARD Lara
Yellow cards: Gomez
Red cards: Gomez
Sydney City Eagles: 1. MORABITO Laura, 3. ANDERSON-SHARP Belinda, 4. MANNA Melina, 5. BOLZAN Montana, 6. SPURWAY Kayla, 10. THOMPSON Abigail, 12, SOLLECITO Isabella, 18. NICHOLAS Alannah, 26. FEATHERSTONE Lauren
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
SD Raiders Futsal 1 defeated by South Coast Taipans 3
South Coast Taipans responded to their first loss with a comfortable 3-1 success against SD Raiders Futsal at Fairfield Youth & Leisure Centre on Saturday afternoon.
The Taipans were keen to make amends from their four-goal loss last weekend and looked in control across the whole contest. Danika Matos scored the opener for them which made it 1-nil at the break for the visitors.
In the second half, Kya Stewart and Lisa Prior found the back of the net to complete the Taipans third success of the season. For SD Raiders Futsal, Mikala Tucker fired home her fourth goal of the season in the losing effort.
Dural Warriors 6 defeated West City Crusaders 1
The train continues to roll on for Dural Warriors. A 6-1 success against West City Crusaders has kept their unbeaten start to the campaign at The Centre – Dural.
Dural Warriors scored three goals in each half to keep their lead at the top of the table to three points after a fourth win on the trot. Rachel Perrins extended her gap in Golden Boot standings with a hat-trick that takes her into double figures.
Emma Hurley, Estelle Fragale and Abbey Lemon were the others to feature on the scoresheet for the dominant Warriors. Dural continues to set the standard for the others sides in the competition to chase and will take a huge performance to reel them in.
For West City Crusaders, Dione King found the back of the net again for a consolation goal in the second half which was only the third goal the Warriors had conceded thus far. After their fast start, Crusaders are sat in seventh spot.
Raiders Futsal Club 3 defeated by Sydney Futsal Club 4
It was back-to-back successes for Sydney Futsal Club with their 4-3 result against Raiders Futsal Club at Thomas Hassell Anglican College on Saturday afternoon.
Looking to bounce back, Raiders Futsal Club sprung out to a 2-nil half-time lead. Their three goals in the contest to Nicole Ossio, Sophia Hamilton and Amanda Radmillo looked to help them to get the three points.
Sydney Futsal Club showed they can score in bunches and proved it again in the second half. All four of theirs came in the second half with Morgan Maxwell leading the line with a brace alongside strikes from Jess Meads and Abbey Harrison.
That result consolidates the visitors in equal second position with South Coast Taipans. For Raiders Futsal Club it is a tough result to swallow with their second half collapse which has pushed them down to sixth position on the ladder.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
