Round 4 Review – League One Women’s

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Round 4 saw a full fixture list and a deluge of goals from the eight fixtures which played out across the weekend.

There were 36 goals despite there being a 0-0 draw as well.

Victories for SD Raiders FC, Hills United FC, Sutherland Shire FA, UNSW FC, St George FC, Gladesville Ravens and South East Phoenix FC were also seen.

Let’s get onto the review!

Match of the Round: SD Raiders FC 3 defeated Camden Tigers FC 1

SD Raiders FC rebounded in perfect fashion with a 3-1 win against Camden Tigers FC under Friday night lights at Wanderers Football Park.

Friday night’s delight completed a fruitful first month of League One Womens action for SD Raiders FC with three wins and one loss on their record. Rojin Polat scored a pair of well taken strikes in the game while Milica Aleksic picked one up after a goalmouth scramble.

Camden Tigers were shocked by the three goals in the first half but found some late life  when Ashlee Taff was inventive to make it 3-1. The Tigers improved their effort in the second half but fell to back-to-back defeats.

Playing a rare Friday night contest, both sides were out to impress.

SD Raiders FC started off on the front foot and dominated possession in the opening stages and quickly found the opener.

The home side swung in a ball which created chaos in the box and it fell to the feet of Milica Aleksic to turn home and make the best possible start for SD Raiders FC.

Buoyed by the goal, SD Raiders FC continued to have a series of chances. Aleksic thundered a shot which was saved by Camden custodian Alexandria Witton for a corner. Aleksic popped up from the corner to fire over.

At points in the first half, it looked like SD Raiders FC were completing a crossbar challenge. They hit the bar three times in as many minutes. The first effort almost allowed Jemma Brakell to score but her header went over the bar.

SD Raiders FC did have their second goal just before the half hour mark. Rojin Polat, who was a dangerous prospect all game, found space on the left side. She chipped an effort well enough above Witton’s head to make it 2-0.

Much like Sydney buses, you wait for a goal then two come in quick succession. Once again, Polat showed her ability to weave past defenders. She went past several Tigers defenders then slotted the ball into the net, 3-0.

Camden Tigers did find a lifeline just before half-time. It was an inventive effort from Ashlee Taff who was on the ground in the area, but had the sense to get boot to ball, making it 3-1 heading into the sheds at the break.

Refreshed by the goal, Camden Tigers started the second half with a renewed vigor. Taff did well to find some space.. Her effort went wide but it was a positive sign for the visitors as they aimed to replicate their comeback against South Coast Flame.

The Tigers kept roaring forward to find another goal as the game started to open up.  Bianca Noble rattled the crossbar then Indiana Hernandez followed up and blasted over the bar.

SD Raiders FC weren’t about to go in their shell with a two-goal lead. Jessica Neville threaded through a cushioned ball to find Polat. On her hat-trick, Polat forced Tigers custodian Witton into another diving save to keep her team in the contest.

Kiara Coscia put a free-kick over the bar for SD Raiders FC then substitute Amanda Radmillo flayed an effort wide as the home side tried to add to their three goals tonight. Noble almost caught out SD Raiders FC keeper Natasha Pentecost but the game ended 3-1 to the home side.

Speaking post-match SD Raiders FC coach Catherine Cannuli was delighted with her side’s response after last weekend’s loss and happy to see them pick up the points:

“I thought the girls played really well.

“They adapted to the conditions really well and got the three points which is the important thing. When you get wins on the board, it will help your confidence and help going into next week.” said Cannuli.

While Camden Tigers coach Troy Witton although disappointed, was happy with how his side responded in the second half.

“It was a game of two halves.

“The first half we were average and that was being nice. We kept the ball better in the second half and forced a few saves. If you give away three, you get what you deserve in this game.

“There have been good moments for us in this first month. We are getting there slowly but we want to be competitive in all our matches this season.”

Match Stats

Friday 11 March 2022

Wanderers Football Park

SD Raiders FC 3 (Polat 2, Aleksic)

Camden Tigers 1 (A Taff)

SD Raiders FC: 1. PENTECOST Natasha, 2. CAMELLERI Trudy (22. RADMILLO ‘45), 8. PHELAN Erin (11. TUCKER ‘80), 9. BRAKELL Jemma, 10. COSCIA Kiara (24. LOPEZ ‘78), 12. NEVILLE Jessica, 13. ALEKSIC Milica, 14. MANDILE Sarah, 16. DI TOMMASO Talia, 23. VOUSDEN Alexandra, 32. POLAT Rojin

Unused subs: 40. MAIR Grace

Yellow cards: nil

Red cards: nil

Camden Tigers FC: 1. WITTON Alexandria, 6. TAFF Ashlee, 7. WILSON Eve (15. HALIM ‘66), 8. WILSON Charlotte, 11. ROHRER Kristy, 14. TAYLOR Charlotte (33. HUTCHINSON ‘66), 17. TAFF Montanna, 23. O’FLYNN Charlotte, 26. PARLATO Melissa (9. HERNANDEZ ‘55), 27. OSTOJIC Aleksia (12. NOBLE ‘55), 28. ZAMPROGNO Natalie

Unused subs: 12. CONSTANCE Jade, 42. NOBLE Olivia

Yellow cards: nil

Red cards: nil

Central Coast Mariners 2 defeated by Sutherland Shire FA 3

In a pulsating contest Sutherland Shire FA edged out Central Coast Mariners 3-2 on a bright Sunday afternoon at Pluim Park.

Coming off a pair of washouts, this was a famous come from behind result for Sutherland Shire FA to pick up their first points of the season. It was quite the even contest between the two sides which was shown in the score line.

Central Coast Mariners were able to find the front twice through captain Kaitlin Murphy and Chloe Smith but were unable to keep out the Sutherland Shire FA attack. Coach Peter Preston called it an even contest where the visitors took their chances.

For Sutherland Shire FA, their goals came through Janan Codmani, Zoe Hart and Jasmine Stretton in a big win for the young side. These three points will serve as a big platform for Sutherland Shire FA to springboard their season. They do have a catch-up match against UNSW FC on Wednesday night.

Blacktown City FC 0 defeated by Hills United FC 5

Another five-star performance from Hills United meant they remained undefeated in the 2022 season following their 5-0 demolition against derby rivals Blacktown City FC at Blacktown City Sports Centre.

The goals were shared around by the Hills United FC side. Bianca Galayini scored a brace while Stefanie Trovato, Imogen Lane and Isabella Sciberras all found the back of the net in the 5-0 success.

UNSW FC 6 defeated Mt Druitt Town Rangers 0

UNSW FC hit Mt Druitt Town Rangers for six in their dominant 6-0 victory on Sunday afternoon at Seymour Shaw.

The students built on their tough 2-2 draw last week with an outstanding performance which saw them pile in the goals against the Rangers. Marcella Santos put the sting in the UNSW FC attack with a hat-trick to go with her goal last week.

Putting up six goals will be a huge boost for the young side as they sit in fourth spot after the first month of the competition. Their other goals came via Issey Morris, Hannah Charak and a first goal to Lara Joffe in the rout.

Inter Lions 0 drew with Nepean FC 0

Both sides opened their account for the 2022 season in a 0-0 draw between Inter Lions and Nepean FC at Majors Bay Reserve on Sunday afternoon.

In a match that could have gone either way, both sides battled for the three precious points but came away with the one.

Gladesville Ravens 2 defeated Marconi Stallions 1

It was the late, late show for Gladesville Ravens as they edged out Marconi Stallions 2-1 in a heavyweight contest at Christie Park.

The Stallions galloped into the lead in the first half through Candace Scibberas who scored a screamer just before the half hour mark. The visitors worked their guts out in the contest, but fatigue hit them in the late stages of the contest.

The Ravens found a response in the 68th minute when Gemma Woolley fired home to make it 1-1 to set up a grandstand finish. The hosts then snatched the victory in the final minute after Elizabeth Gilbane was fouled.

Woolley stepped up and slotted home the spot kick for Gladesville Ravens. That made it a 2-1 win for the home side. That result moves them into fifth position while Marconi Stallions will lament letting two points slip away.

South East Phoenix FC 5 defeated South Coast Flame FC 2

Local bragging rights went to South East Phoenix FC after a 5-2 victory against South Coast Flame  at Ison Park.

South Coast Phoenix FC got their first three points of the season in impressive fashion after a five-goal blitz put them in a dominant position. The highlight was a hat-trick to Madison Carter who has been in fine form thus far.

The other two goals were scored by her fellow strike partner in Amanda Carney to complete a wonderful afternoon out for the South Coast side. After some battling performances in previous weeks South East Phoenix FC will be delighted with three points.

South Coast Flame FC got themselves some consolation with a pair of goals to complete the 5-2 score line. Jessica Cruickshank added another goal to her record while Kellie McIntyre opened her account for the season with a strike.

Northbridge Bulls FC 2 defeated by St George FC 4

St George FC picked up a high-quality win against Northbridge Bulls FC 4-2 in an exciting clash played out at Valentine Sports Park #2

The first half was a whirlwind of action. Sarah Nachar opened the scoring for St George FC before who else but Northbridge Bulls FC goal poacher Tamires Souza equalised just after the half hour mark to make it 1-1.

Just before half-time the game turned on its head when Northbridge Bulls FC custodian Keeley Segavcic was sent off and left the Bulls with ten. St George FC made use of the extra player just after the break with Jordan Baker slotting home twice to make it 3-1, her second from a super pass from Zoe Yeats.

There was a brief hope of a comeback when Souza added another goal just after the hour mark to 3-2 and add to her already impressive tally. The Saints extinguished the comeback when Baker completed her hat-trick in a wild contest.

By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)