Round 6 Review – League One Women’s
Round 6 was another blighted by washouts but there were six exciting contests that were played across the Football NSW League One Womens competition.
There were some top of the tables clashes to enjoy and impressive displays all round.
Let’s get onto the review!
Match of the Round: UNSW FC 0 defeated by St George FC 2
Goals in either half from Jordan Baker helped St George FC continued their undefeated start in 2022 with a 2-0 win against UNSW FC at Seymour Shaw.
St George FC kept their strong start to the season rolling with another three points with their performance on Sunday afternoon which pleased coach Mark Cupitt.
Baker scored a brace either side of half-time for their fifth win of the campaign.
For UNSW FC, it was their first defeat of the season but they won’t be too discouraged after going toe-to-toe with one of the competition heavyweights. Coach Guillermo Rubio was proud of the effort from his side after the contest.
In a contest between two high quality sides, it didn’t take long for the game to have it’s first chance through UNSW FC’s Marcella Santos. Her effort was arrowed wide of St George custodian Chloe Avgoustou’s net.
St George FC responded through Stevie Donougher. She pounced on a loose ball and threaded the ball to Baker whose shot was thrashed over the bar.
UNSW FC settled into the contest and had the next chance at goal. Eve Hess coming off her brace last weekend got the ball with her back to goal. Hess swerved and fizzed an effort just over the bar as the game searched for the opener.
On the half hour mark, St George FC were starting to pile up the chances. Amy Bennett had a chance on the penalty spot which went over then Jasmine Maguire couldn’t fashion a shot when faced by UNSW FC custodian Tiahna Robertson.
Both sides continued to search for the opener with UNSW FC going close once again.
From the corner, it fell to the head of Santos who forced Avgoustou into a fantastic save then the follow up was blazed over by Hess.
Just before the break, St George FC broke the deadlock.
It came through who else but star striker Jordan Baker. She was played through from a delightful ball which split the defence then arrowed an effort into the bottom corner for 1-0.
Coming out of the break, UNSW FC pushed forward again to find the equaliser. Maria Braco had a chance from outside the box which whistled wide then followed up a speculative effort from Santos which met the same fate.
Chasing the game, UNSW FC tried to get Santos more involved in the contest. She drove at the midfield before unfurling a shot which forced Avgoustou into another save. Although it was offside, she tried her luck from range that was picked up easily.
In such a tight contest, it took one moment to seal the contest. Baker stepped up again to deliver the killer blow for St George from a free kick. She stood over the ball about 20 yards out and floated an effort over the wall and into the net, 2-0.
As the game opened up, UNSW FC tried to find some late consolation in the 90th minute. A superb ball was teased into the area and fell to Gabrielle Burns at the near post. She wasn’t able to sneak the ball inside the post as it whistled wide.
Speaking after the game, St George FC coach Mark Cupitt was delighted with the team’s effort in such a close contest and the joy of having a pure goalscorer in the side.
“It came down to taking chances tonight. We took ours in the first half which was good. Having [Jordan] Baker score that free kick to give us the breathing room was good. She is the difference maker for the team.” said Cupitt.
UNSW FC coach Guillermo Rubio remained upbeat about his side despite the result as they just needed to add some polish to their performance.
“I think we put in a good effort today. The first half was quite even and we had our chances then we tried hard to get some more in the second half.
“I’m proud of the effort put in but we just need to fix some key decisions we make.” said Rubio.
-With help from Justin Smith
Match Stats
Sunday 27 March 2022
Seymour Shaw, Miranda
UNSW FC 0
St George FC 2 (Baker ‘44, ‘65)
UNSW FC: 1. ROBERTSON Tiahna, 2. FERRIS Sarah (15. JOFFE ‘68), 3. MULLINS Jessie, 7. DARLASTON Rio (13. ADAMS ‘78), 8. MURPHY Sonja, 10. BRACO Maria, 11. SANTOS Marcella, 12. HESS Eve, 16. MORRIS Issey (4. BLAYNEY ‘58), 19. MCCORMICK Grace (9. BURNS ‘78), 20. CHRISTOPHER Cassandra
Unused subs: 23. BELL Yoo Jin, 31. SHUTTLEWORTH Harriet
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
St George FC: 1. AVGOUSTOU Chloe, 2. BESZ Nicole, 4. NACHAR Sarah (16. ZOUROUDIS ‘89), 8. BENNETT Amy, 9. BAKER Jordan, 11. DONOUGHER Stevie (19. NELSON ‘36), 12. DALE Kate, 14. MAGUIRE Jasmine, 15. PEZZOTTA Sara (37. MOORE ‘59), 17. YEATS Zoe (10. CUPITT ‘89), 28. HUTTON Bek
Unused subs: 20. ORPHANIDES Amalia, 23. FARMER Maddison
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
South Coast Flame 2 defeated Sutherland Shire FA 1
South Coast Flame got their fire burning again after a 2-1 win against Sutherland Shire FA on Saturday afternoon at a wet Ian McLennan Park.
It was a wet and wild contest on the South Coast.
Both teams wanted to get back in the winner’s circle, but it was South Coast Flame that took the points. Emilia Skopal scored the opener for the Flame with her second goal of the season.
The other Flame goal went to who else but Jessica Cruickshank. The striker thumped home a header from a wonderful Sariah Wilson corner to add another goal to her tally. The result pleased coach Daniel Naumovski after their inconsistent showing last week.
Sutherland Shire FA battled hard but fell to another close defeat. The visitors did find an equaliser in the first half through Violet Keelan to make it 1-1. Sutherland Shire FA did find joy in mid-week with a 3-0 success against Blacktown City FC.
Central Coast Mariners FC 7 defeated Inter Lions FC 0
Central Coast Mariners were rampant against Inter Lions FC in a 7-0 win at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon.
The yellow-and-navy secured their first back-to-back results of the season in dominant fashion against a downbeat Inter Lions outfit. Once again, captain Kaitlin Murphy led from the front with a hat-trick as the Mariners led 6-0 at the break.
It was double delight for hat-tricks on the coast. Chloe Smith also bagged herself three goals for the yellow-and-navy and is becoming a regular fixture on the score sheet. Indianna Aismus added the only goal in the second half for the Mariners.
For Inter Lions, it was a short and sweet summary from coach Michael Cunningham following the end of the game. He detailed it as a “bad day at the office” for the side who still are searching for a drought breaking win.
Hills United FC 2 defeated Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC 0
The undefeated streak rolls on for Hills United FC after their 2-0 victory against a dogged Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Blacktown City Sports Centre.
Looking at the score line, it might have seemed another comfortable result for Hills United FC. The league leaders were made to work for the three points. Annie Halls found the back of the net again while it was a goal on return for Caitlin Bass.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers drew rave reviews for their defence and game plan. The new club were able to stifle the Hills United FC attack. The Rangers had a chance to snatch a point when Angel Webb was one-on-one but unable to convert.
It was also a welcome back to the pitch for Rangers captain Bree Webb helping to marshal the team across the park. For Hills United FC, coach Alan Tasses was delighted to bank another three points and remain at the top of the League One Womens ladder.
South East Phoenix FC 1 defeated Blacktown City FC 0
South East Phoenix FC have risen from the ashes with a 1-0 win against Blacktown City FC at South Nowra Football Complex.
South East Phoenix FC showed their defensive resolve against newcomers Blacktown City FC after they shipped seven goals last week. Jessica Abbott was the sole goal scorer in the first half to give the home side all three points.
The recent victoies are a huge momentum boost for South East Phoenix FC.
For seasons they have been near the bottom of the ladder but the regional side has found their groove and the squad is building towards their goals well.
For Blacktown City FC, it was a tough trip down the highway for them. The young side were in the contest all night but couldn’t find the back of the net. Coach David O’Keefe was happy with the side’s effort despite the result.
Northbridge Bulls FC 4 defeated Nepean FC 0
Northbridge Bulls FC continue to pile up victories after a 4-0 win against Nepean FC on Sunday afternoon at Valentine Sports Park #2.
It was tough conditions for football at Valentine Sports Park on Sunday afternoon but the Bulls were able to navigate that for another important three points. Former Golden Boot Evelyn Chronis scored a brace in the match-up.
The Bulls were ahead 4-0 at the break on their way to their third straight win of the season with gun striker Tamires Souza adding yet another one to her tally. Their other goal was an own goal from Kristen Prior from Nepean FC.
Nepean FC will be glad to see the back of this run of fixtures against the top clubs in League One Womens and onto more manageable games. Coach Albert Di Sciascio will remain upbeat and get the side ready for their next challenge.
Camden Tigers vs Marconi Stallions & SD Raiders FC vs Gladesville Ravens were washed out
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
