Round 7 Review – League One Women’s
It seems fitting in Round 7 that seven contests made up the Football NSW League One Womens weekend of action which included some fantastic games and surprise results to remind you football is one of the best games around.
Hills United FC remain the sole undefeated side after seven weeks so let’s crack onto the review!
Match of the Round: Marconi Stallions 1 defeated by Hills United FC 4
Another fine performance from Hills United FC as they triumphed 4-1 against a spirited Marconi Stallions side at Fairfield Showgrounds.
Hills United FC are in seventh heaven after starting the season with seven straight victories. They got off to a flyer with goals to Imogen Lane and Stefanie Trovato. Isabella Sciberras added a pair of goals late in the contest to round off the result.
For Marconi Stallions, they were swept away in the first half before they made it a contest in the second half through Natasha Aitken’s looping goal. The Stallions are fighting through injuries but have shown they can mix it with the top sides.
In the twilight kick-off, the bustling Hills United FC side were quick of the mark as they looked to continue their unbeaten start to the season. The visitors were the brighter side to start the contest and quickly found the back of the net.
The opener came in the 8th minute through Imogen Lane. Ellen Berios strode confidently into the box before her shot was saved by Marconi Stallions custodian Renee Krstanovska. The rebound fell at the feet of Lane who made it 1-0 Hills United FC.
It was double delight for Hills United FC within sixty seconds of the restart. A bouncing ball looped over Krstanovska then fell into the path of Stefanie Trovato. The striker showed her poacher’s instinct and fired it into the net for 2-0.
After the lightning quick start from the visitors, the game started to settle into a rhythm. Both sides tried to find some control on the midfield and chances at goal were at a premium. Both coaches urged their sides to push forward.
Marconi Stallions found their groove after the half hour mark. Natasha Aitken had a chance from a right side free-kick. She got it over the Hills United FC wall but the ball was clutched gratefully by visiting custodian Sarah Easthope.
Hills United FC had a pair of chances to extend their lead before half-time. Annie Halls trapped the ball well but arrowed wide then Halls had a late free-kick that found Aisling Davidson who thrashed her effort over.
Coming out of the break, Marconi Stallions were feeling just fine after they pulled a goal back. Aitken again was in the middle of the action. She found some space and looped her shot over Easthope to make it 2-1.
The visitors responded almost immediately through Halls again. She had an effort on goal but it was easily caught by Krstanovska. Halls also was standing over a set piece, but it was also gobbled up the Stallions custodian.
Tania Baban almost brought the host’s level in the 72nd minute. The striker was the first to react to a bouncing ball before she put her shot straight at Easthope. The contest started to stretch as Marconi searched for an equaliser.
Ultimately, Hills United FC would find the killer blow in the 83rd minute. Substitute Isabella Sciberras started a move with fellow substitute Alix Roberts with the two exchanging passes before Sciberras slotted home for 3-1.
Sciberras added some icing on the cake for Hills United FC deep in injury time. She outpaced her defender to reach the ball, was one-on-one with Krstanovska then slid home to make it 4-1 and maintain Hills United FC’s unbeaten start.
Speaking post-match, a delighted Hills United FC coach Alan Tasses thought his side’s first half was one of their best this season and enjoys the firepower they have on the bench:
“It was a great first half. It was outstanding and we didn’t let Marconi in. We let them in with some sloppy defending in the second half. Seven in a row which includes playing some of the big sides makes me supremely happy.” said Tasses.
Marconi Stallions coach Dino Severin thought his side were much better in the second half despite being undermanned headed into this game:
“It was a lot better second half from us. We are still missing a majority of our backline. At the end of the day we gave them a contest and missed a few opportunities. It is what it is but we’ll see them next round.” said Severin.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 3rd April 2022
Fairfield Showgrounds, Prairewood
Marconi Stallions 1 (Aitken ‘47)
Hills United FC 4 (Lane ‘8, Trovato ‘9, Sciberras ‘83, ‘93)
Marconi Stallions: 1. KRSTANOVSKA Renee, 2. VOLODER Hannah (26. BRIEN ‘86), 3. AITKEN Natasha, 8. CAMBAZ Ceyda, 9. BABAN Tania, 10. VOLODER Emma, 11. ABOU-HAIDER Carla, 12. BREKIC Daniela, 15. WALTON Tahlie, 24. BOLZAN Montanna (32. FINNERTY ‘76), 34. JACKSON Sienna
Unused subs: 21. SOLLECITO Isabella, 27. MASTOP Aimee, 29. FULLER Mikayla, 36. PERRE Alessia
Yellow cards: Aitken ‘45 Brekic ‘82
Red cards: nil
Hills United FC: 1. EASTHOPE Sarah, 3. DAVIDSON Aisling, 5. HANSEN Janie, 7. TROVATO Stefanie (17. SCIBERRAS ‘69), 8. GALAYINI Bianca (2. JACKSON ‘89), 9. LANE Imogen (4. ROBERTS ‘77), 10. HALLS Annie, 13. GALEA Desiree, 14. BERIOS Ellen (6. BASS ‘69), 15. WHEELER Cassandra, 18. TALLON Leah
Unused subs: 16. BRIEN Bridget, 21. WHOLOHAN Emma
Yellow cards: Davidson ‘60
Red cards: nil
Nepean FC 0 drew with Camden Tigers 0
Nepean FC and Camden Tigers shared the spoils in a tight tussle at Cook Park in a 0-0 draw on Sunday afternoon.
This is the second time this season Nepean FC have played out a 0-0 draw with the first being against Inter Lions FC back in March. The hosts had chances but couldn’t find a way past the Camden Tigers keeper.
For Camden Tigers, they will be happy to add another point to the bank. It was their first points picked up since their Round 2 comeback against South Coast Flame FC. Now, they move forward to hopefully get back into the winner’s circle.
Inter Lions 1 defeated by UNSW FC 6
It was another goal bonanza for UNSW FC in their 6-1 win against Inter Lions FC at a bright Majors Bay Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
The Students continue to be one of League One Women’s highest scoring sides after another big haul of goals at Majors Bay Reserve. Eve Hess kept up her purple patch of form with a brace either side of half time.
UNSW FC’s other goals came from Jesse Mullins, reliable striker Marcella Santos and one of their other sharp shooters in Hannah Charak. The students remain inside the top four and brought on goalkeeper Harriet Shuttleworth fresh from Young Matildas camp.
Inter Lions were battling injuries and illness headed into the game and it shows in the final score line on Sunday afternoon. The Lions did get a goal in the first half through Rebecca Dennis in another tough day at the office.
St George FC 0 defeated by Gladesville Ravens 1
The Ravens ended St George FCs’s unbeaten start to the season in a tense 1-0 win on Sunday afternoon at Fraser Park.
St George FC have been a strong side in the last few seasons but have tasted defeat for the first time in 2022 against a surging Ravens side. Coach Mark Cupitt remained upbeat despite the loss as they take on Hills United FC in a top of the table clash next week.
For Gladesville Ravens, after some close calls against the top sides, it must’ve felt nice to take a big scalp in today’s game. The visitors dominated the contest but couldn’t add further goals to their tally due to some scrambling defence from St George FC.
The only goal in the contest came from who else but Gemma Woolley. The Ravens striker is on a tear recently and added another Goal of the Season contender with her top draw striker which settled the contest at Fraser Park.
South East Phoenix FC 2 defeated by Sutherland Shire FA 3
Sutherland Shire FA were back in the winner’s column after a 3-2 win against South East Phoenix FC down at South Nowra Football Complex.
The visitors have started to pick up some momentum with two wins in their last three games which has rocketed them into eighth spot on the League One Women’s ladder. Sutherland Shire FA do have a catch-up game on Tuesday against UNSW FC which will be a big test.
South East Phoenix FC found the back of the net twice but couldn’t take anything from the contest at their home ground. Amanda Carney added another goal to her tally while Jorgi Webb was the other goal scorer in the defeat.
For Sutherland Shire FA, they have started to find the back of the net consistently and it is helping their results. Christina Dendrinos opened the scoring then it was followed by Violet Keenan and Janan Codmani goals to add three more points.
Northbridge Bulls FC 4 defeated Blacktown City FC 0
Northbridge Bulls FC took their streak to three after a 4-0 victory against a dogged Blacktown City FC side at Northbridge Oval.
The Bulls have started to find their steed after a slow start to the season. Evelyn Chronis led the scorers with a brace in her strong return to form. Northbridge Bulls FC remain neck and neck with the other contenders as the season heats up.
Tamires Souza has made a strong impression since she joined Northbridge Bulls FC this season and made it a baker’s dozen of goals with her strike in this contest. Hannah Beard rounded out the scorers in the huge success on their return to Northbridge Oval.
Blacktown City FC again have shown they aren’t going to be pushovers against any team in the League One Women’s competition. Coach David O’Keefe was impressed with his team’s effort especially Lexy Thorpe, Bronte Tilsed and Yasmin Aloiso in the defeat.
South Coast Flame FC 2 defeated by Central Coast Mariners FC 3
In the night cap, Central Coast Mariners downed South Coast Flame FC 3-2 in an entertaining contest at Ian McLennan Park.
The goals flowed in an exciting contest between two sides that can score goals for fun. Central Coast Mariners edged the result in a really pulsating contest as Mariners coach Pete Preston backed up that message post-match.
For Central Coast Mariners, Chloe Smith took the headlines. She scored a hat-trick in a superb performance as the striker continues her fabulous form. Smith scored twice in the first half before she completed the feat in the 56th minute.
South Coast Flame FC briefly equalised the game at 1-1 when Sariah Wilson fired home after Smith’s opener for the Mariners. They did add their second goal in the second half through Kellie McIntyre to make it 3-2.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC vs SD Raiders FC was washed out
