Round 1 Review – Football NSW League One Women’s
The Football NSW League One Womens competition kicked off with an almighty bang for 2022.
The eight contests across Sunday were full of exciting football and surprising results.
Both Hills United FC and Camden Tigers registered their maiden wins while there were also wins for St George FC, SD Raiders FC, UNSW FC, Gladesville Ravens, Marconi Stallions and Central Coast Mariners.
Let’s get onto the review.
Match of the Round: Hills United FC 2 defeated Northbridge Bulls FC 1
Oh what a night. Hills United FC have said they want to ‘make history’ and they did so, defeating Northbridge Bulls FC, 2-1, tonight at Blacktown City Sports Centre.
Hills United FC showed heart in their comeback win, scoring twice in the second half through captain Desiree Galea with a thumping header and attacking midfielder Annie Halls to make it a historic night for the club.
For Northbridge Bulls FC, they will lament their finishing in the first half despite the goal from Tamires Souza from a corner. The Bulls have been one of the top contenders in recent history and will bounce back next weekend against South East Phoenix FC.
Both sides took their time to find their feet after a long off-season and dealing with the hot conditions in Sydney’s west. The first chance fell to Hills United FC when Annie Halls blasted over a free-kick in the 14th minute.
Northbridge Bulls FC settled quickly and found the opening goal of the contest. Rochelle Johnson forced the shot with a weaving run on the right. After it was swung in, it fell to Tamires Souza, who poked home to make it 1-nil.
The visitors looked to build on their lead with chances to Caitlin Campbell and Tamires who weren’t able to put their effort on goal. Tamires and Johnson continued to find space behind the Hills United FC defense in the first half.
There were chances for Hills United FC which mostly came through Isabella Sciberras who had two close range efforts in the first half but wasn’t able to find the back of the net. It left them taking a deficit into the half-time whistle.
Coming out of the break, Hills United FC were feeling just fine. They created a big chance through sharpshooter Stefanie Trovato who fired over. Soon, they did find the equaliser when Desiree Galea thumped home a header for 1-1.
Next there was a pair of chances for Halls. Firstly, she sprung free from the defense and forced Bulls custodian Trudy Burke into a good save then repeated the dose from a free-kick two minutes later as they pushed for the winner.
That winner came as the clock ticked into the final 15 minutes of the contest. Once again, Halls was on the spot to smash home from inside the box, making it 2-1 with Hills United FC on course for a historic win.
Champions know how to respond to adversity, and they pushed forward looking to find the equaliser and salvage a point from the contest. Alanna Fisher went closest for the visitors with a volley that was blocked well.
The roar that went up at the full-time whistle was enough to wake the neighbours as Hills United FC recorded a fantastic result against one of the top teams in the Football NSW League One Womens competition.
Speaking post-match, Hills United FC coach Alan Tasses was jubilant about the result and said that his side were keen to “make history” in their inaugural season.
“It was a great first up battle. It meant a lot for the club and the girls did the job tonight and everyone did their role tonight.
“The big thing the club has said is that they want to create history. It took a while but nice to get one against Northbridge Bulls FC.”
For Northbridge Bulls FC coach Bruce Tilt, he remarked about the good quality of the football tonight and lamented his side’s finishing in the first half.
“I thought it was a good, tough game. Typical of the first game outside of pre-season with both teams feeling it out. I thought we created enough chances and our finishing needs to improve moving forward from night.”
MATCH STATS
Sunday 20th Feburary 2022
Blacktown City Sports Centre
Hills United FC 2 (Annie Halls ‘74, Desiree Galea ‘54)
Northbridge FC 1 (Tamires Souza ‘17)
Hills United FC: 1. EASTHOPE Sarah, 2. JACKSON Emma, 3. DAVIDSON Aisling, 6. HANSEN Janie, 7. TROVATO Stefanie (11. CHAPLIN ‘66), 8. GALAYINI Bianca, (14. BERIOS ‘66 9. LANE Imogen, 10. HALLS Annie, 13. GALEA Desiree, 15. WHEELER Cassandra, 17. SCIBERRAS Isabella
Unused subs: 4. ROBERTS Alix, 18. TALLON Leah, 21. WHOLOHAN Emma
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Northbridge Bulls FC: 1. BURKE Trudy, 5. IKONOMOU Carlie, 6. FARQUHAR Kiara, 7. CAMPBELL Caitlin, 10. SOUZA Tamires, 11. GREY Elizabeth, 12. BEARD Hannah, 16. DI SCIASCIO Erica, 19. CLOUT Tessa, 24. JOHNSON Rochelle, 37. FISHER Alanna
Unused subs: 13. COWARD Lara, 18. MACRI Hannah, 21. SEGAVCIC Keeley, 25. GYZEN Cate, 64. TALBOT Jessica
Yellow cards: Carlie Ikonomou, Tamirez Sousa
Red cards: nil
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 1 defeated by Central Coast Mariners 3
Kicking off the round was Central Coast Mariners who took all three precious points in a 3-1 victory against Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Valentine Sports Park.
Central Coast Mariners drew first blood via the return of striker Candice Phelan, a former Golden Boot winner, who opened up her account early in the first 45 minutes of the season.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers had trouble with the hot conditions but did have a moment of magic in the first half which helped them equalise. They pressed high enough to force the Mariners defence into an error and put it in their own net.
The second half was a yellow-and-navy washed half with Rachel Glendenning scoring a memorable brace to drive the result home for the Mariners.
Coach Peter Preston was happy with a solid performance first up in a long season.
UNSW FC 3 defeated South Coast Flame FC 2
The Students passed their first exam in the League One Women’s season with a 3-2 win against a gallant South Coast Flame FC side at Seymour Shaw.
In hot conditions, the football matched the game. Both teams went into a much-needed break locked at 2-2 in a pulsating game of football. UNSW FC’s scored twice while South Coast Flame responded through Rachelle Wang and Jessica Cruikshank.
For the second half, it was a much tighter tussle between the two sides. UNSW FC were able to find the only goal and the winner through Issey Morris.
South Coast Flame made a respectable entrance to the competition. Coach Daniel Naumovski no doubt drew some positives in what was a good start to the club’s 2022 campaign with some promising signs. Now they head home for their first home game against Camden Tigers next weekend.
Camden Tigers 3 defeated Inter Lions 1
It was a debut home game to remember for Camden Tigers as they had a stirring comeback to defeat Inter Lions 3-1 at Ron Dine Stadium.
After a big off-season for Inter Lions, the visitors got off to a perfect start with the opening goal through some wonderful link up play from Jess Wooton. She provided the pass for Natalie Pajor to slide home for the first goal of the match.
The Tigers roared back into the contest just before half-time through Mel Parlato to make it 1-1 at the break. Parlato completed her brace after the break to complete the comeback then one of the Tigers off-season signings in Ashlee Taff added a third goal for insurance.
Camden Tigers celebrated being one of two League One Women’s debutant sides to get a win in their first game. For Inter Lions, their wait for that breakthrough win continues but they remain upbeat about the season.
Sutherland Shire FA 1 defeated by Gladesville Ravens 5
The Gladesville Ravens left an early statement with a 5-1 thumping of Sutherland Shire FA on a hot afternoon down at Harrie Denning Centre.
Gladesville Ravens were in fine form in tough conditions in the Shire. The Ravens opened up the scoring through club captain Zoe Zaczek with a well-placed shot from the edge of the box. Gemma Woolley helped stretch the lead with her goal alongside Lara Brewis.
The visitors continued to soar with two more goals to drive home the three points. It was a moment to remember for Maggie O’Reilly, who scored her first goal in First Grade with a glanced effort then Woolley rounded off the performance with her brace to make it 5-1.
Sutherland Shire FA did find some consolation in the first half through Lacie Bowling to bring it back to 3-1 and keep their hope alive. Whilst it isn’t the ideal start for Sutherland Shire FA, they know it is a long season and there is plenty of time for improvement.
Nepean FC 0 defeated by St George FC 4
St George FC picked up right where they left off with a comfortable 4-0 win against Nepean FC at Cook Park.
The Saints were rampant against Nepean FC this afternoon with ace striker Jordan Baker taking a starring role and got her season off to a promising start. Baker has been a regular in the Golden Boot charts in recent years and fired home an amazing hat-trick which helped to secure the three points.
Cook Park is a tough place to visit, and St George FC were comfortable in taking the three-points home tonight. The fourth goal came through Lara Nicholls to round of the performance and delight coach Mark Cupitt.
It is a new era at Nepean FC. They have a whole new side and new coach in Albert Di Sciascio which will take time to build into the season. Di Sciascio is a proven coach so they have a solid hand to work with and recover from this week’s result.
SD Raiders FC 1 defeated Blacktown City FC 0
SD Raiders FC opened their season with a tense 1-0 success against a spirited Blacktown City FC side at Ernie Smith Reserve.
Both sides battled hard and fought until the bitter end. SD Raiders FC edged the contest with a late goal via new signing Trudy Camelleri which gave them all three points. It is the perfect start for SD Raiders FC at their fortress of Ernie Smith Reserve.
For Blacktown City FC, they were defeated but not disgraced. The young side kept themselves in the contest against one of the competition heavyweights. Coach David O’Keefe singled out their defence in their work across the game and striker Clare Symoniczek for their performances.
Marconi Stallions 4 defeated South East Phoenix FC 3
Marconi Stallions were on the right side of a seven-goal thriller in a 4-3 win against South East Phoenix FC at Marconi Stadium.
The Stallions were quick out of the gates, they galloped to a 3-0 lead inside the opening half hour of the contest through Tania Baban, who got a brace alongside goal poacher Ceyda Cambaz. The crowd at Marconi Stadium were in high spirits after this quickfire flurry of goals.
South East Phoenix FC showed the grit and determination needed and got themselves back into the contest. The Phoenix rose back into the fight with a pair of penalties from Amanda Carney and Maddy Carter to make it 3-2.
The comeback was complete when Jorgi Webb fired home to make it 3-3 in a barnstorming contest to open up the Football NSW League One Womens competition. Marconi broke the Phenix hearts with a late winner on the breakthrough Montana Bolzan to take home all three points.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
