Round 2 Review – Football NSW League One Women’s
It was another fantastic and thrilling weekend of Football NSW League One Womens competition football as round two produced some epic matches and results.
Blacktown City FC picked up their first win of the campaign while SD Raiders FC and Hills United FC made it two-for-two in an action-packed weekend of games impacted by the weather.
Let’s get onto the review!
Match of the Round: St George FC 0 drew with Marconi Stallions 0
In the battle of the sharpshooters, both St George FC and Marconi drew blanks in a 0-0 draw on Sunday afternoon at Fraser Park.
St George FC were left ruing their chance of what could have been as they spurred several chances to break the deadlock as the hosts failed to capitalize.
For the Stallions, it was a good point to pick up against one of the competition heavy hitters. Coach Dino Severin praised his side for their resilience after a tough week and heaped some extra praise on the Stallions defense to keep out the Saints.
From the offset, both sides tried to find their footing in midfield with Sara Pezzotta the first St George FC player to try her luck as her effort strayed wide.
Next up was Maddison Farmer who did all the hard work and rounded Marconi Stallions custodian Renee Krstanovska but failed to finish off a huge chance.
The always reliable Jordan Baker got herself into the act with a superb touch and shot which was gobbled up by Krstanovska.
The Stallions slowly worked their way into the game. Tania Baban was an energetic presence upfront. Marconi then went close through the combined efforts of Emma Voloder and Montana Bolzan which tested Saints keeper Chloe Avgoustou.
Leading into half-time, St George FC started to rack up corners like they were coins in a Sonic the Hedgehog game but couldn’t convert. Lara Nicholls had the final chance of the half but sliced it wide.
After the break, the dangerous Baker had a huge chance after a mix-up in the Stallions defence but like much of the first half, the ball was caught by Krstanovska. Baker followed up with a swiveled effort that arrowed wide on the hour mark. To complete her hat-trick of chances, she toe-poked at goal after being put through expertly.
As the game started to stretch, Baban went close for Marconi Stallions. She turned well and produced an innovative effort that bounced like a cricket ball and almost bowled everyone, floating over the crossbar.
Much of the Saints attack came through Baker but she turned provider for Nicholls in the 76th minute as she opened up the space for her but the shot, much like the rest of the game, went wide of the mark and straight to Krstanovska.
Heading into the final few minutes, Marconi Stallions had the chance to snatch the game when Carla Abou-Haidar laid on a well-timed cushioned ball that sent Ceyda Cambaz through on goal. The striker was denied as the game ended in a 0-0 draw.
Speaking post-match St George FC coach Mark Cupitt was happy with the effort from the side but was left a little frustrated with the many missed chances his side experienced.
“It was a missed opportunity this game today. We had some chances but couldn’t find the back of the net.
“It has been a theme for the side in the first two games for us. It’s not a bad point but being at home, you prefer to win.” said Cupitt.
For Stallions coach Dino Severin, he remained upbeat about his side’s performance who blooded in many youngsters and failed to train once this week due to the poor weather Sydney had experienced.
“It wasn’t a bad game,” Severin stated to Football NSW.
“For the players we have it was a good effort.
“We didn’t train all week due to the weather and I was pleased with the 0-0 draw.
“We could’ve snatched it at the end but hat’s off to them.
“We had a 15-year-old centre back which was good. We have some good young players come through which is pleasing to see. Coming to a place like this, I’ll take getting a point anytime,” said Severin.
Match Stats
Sunday 27th February 2022
Fraser Park, Sydenham
St George FC 0
Marconi Stallions 0
St George FC: 1. AVGOUSTOU Chloe, 2. BESZ Nicole, 4. NACHAR Sarah (11. DONOUGHER ‘60), 8. BENNETT Amy (18. MEADS ‘72), 9. BAKER Jordan, 14. MAGUIRE Jasmine (32. ALCORN ‘84), 15. PEZZOTTA Sara, 17. YEATS Zoe, 21. NICHOLLS Lara, 23. FARMER Maddison, 28. HUTTON Bek
Unused subs: 3. MINAS Joanna, 19. NELSON Melody 20. ORPHANIDES Amalia
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Marconi Stallions: 1. KRSTANOVSKA Renee, 3. AITKEN Natasha, 4. HUYNH Samantha, 8. CAMBAZ Ceyda, 9. BABAN Tania, 10. VOLODER Emma, 11. ABOU-HAIDAR Carla, 12. BREKIC Daniela, 15. WALTON Talie, 18. MANNA Melina, 24. BOLZAN Montana (34. ‘58)
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Gladesville Ravens 0 defeated by Hills United FC 1
Back-to-back wins was a great way for Hills United FC to start the 2022 season following their tense 1-0 win against the luckless Gladesville Ravens at Christie Park.
Gladesville Ravens did everything but score against their opponents as they threw everything at them but failed to capitalize.
It was a short-handed Hills United FC that rocked up to Christie Park, missing five of their players which included last weekend’s game winner Annie Halls. The visitors dug deep and kept the good times rolling with a solid defensive performance.
Hills United FC provided the moment of magic in the game when former Nepean FC duo Stefanie Trovato and Imogen Lane combined to create the space for Ellen Berios.
The attakcker latched onto the chance and made it two-for-two for the new club.
Blacktown City FC 3 defeated Mt Druitt Town Rangers 0
Local derby bragging rights belonged to Blacktown City as they defeated local rivals Mt Druitt Town Rangers 3-0 in a convincing victory at Blacktown City Sports Centre.
Buoyed by their strong effort first up against SD Raiders, the hosts went into their first derby against Mt Druitt Town Rangers full of confidence.
This was shown on the get go as Blacktown City raced to a 3-0 lead at the break.
Goals from Yasmin Aloisio, Ella Morris and Casey Shannon sent the home fans into raptures as Blacktown City recorded a famous first up derby victory that certainly pleased coach David O’Keefe.
Inter Lions 1 defeated by SD Raiders FC 2
SD Raiders FC made it two wins on the bounce after a 2-1 victory against Inter Lions on Sunday afternoon at Majors Bay Reserve.
The visitors were made to work for the three points against a determined Inter side on a mild afternoon.
Inter Lions battled through not having their most influential player in Jess Wootton and restrictions on Chloe O’Brien’s minutes to stay in the contest.
The Raiders drew first blood before Bella Donaldson poked home from close range to make it 1-1 as the match began to open up.
The Lions were then reduced to ten players after goalkeeper Ashley Purcell was sent off which led to their late heartbreak as the SD Raiders celebrated taking full advantage with a 2-1 win.
Northbridge Bulls FC 6 defeated South East Phoenix FC 2
Northbridge Bulls made light work of the South East Phoenix FC as they took all the spoils with a 6-2 victory at Valentine Sports Park.
After not having their shooting boots last week, Northbridge Bulls FC found them in this clash as they took home all three precious points.
Tamires Souza stole the headlines completing a stunning hat-trick following last week’s goal which has given her an early lead in the Golden Boot stakes.
The rest of the Bulls goals were shared with Rita Boateng, Cate Gyzen and Alanna Fisher all getting in on the goalscoring act. The Bulls were tested in the opening stages by the South East Phoenix FC side.
South East Phoenix FC again were gallant in defeat. They had periods in the contest where they threatened the Bulls defence. They did score twice through Maddie Carter and Amanda Carney to give them some consolation
South Coast Flame FC 3 drew with Camden Tigers FC 3
In the round’s final match, South Coast Flame and Camden Tigers shared the points in a pulsating 3-3 draw at Ian McLennan Park on Sunday night.
The Furnace was blazing after a red hot first half from South Coast Flame.
Jessica Cruickshank scored in the 5th and 37th minute to make it 2-0.
Piper Cowan then added a goal after half-time to have the Flame cruising towards three points.
The game looked over but the graft of the Camden Tigers shone through.
Ashlee Taff made it 3-1 with her second goal of the season before another one of the Camden Tigers off-season recruits in Kristy Rohrer made things interesting.
The memorable comeback was capped off in style when Aleksia Ostojic fired home in a wonderful advertisement for the League One Womens football.
Sutherland Shire FA vs UNSW FC and Central Coast Mariners vs Nepean FC were washed out.
-By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
