Round 8 Review – League One Women’s
Round 8 was billed a double feature and it didn’t disappoint with some entertaining fixtures which included a six-goal thriller between UNSW FC and Northbridge Bulls FC.
It was another weekend where the goals flowed like a river so let’s get onto the review!
Match of the Round: Blacktown City FC 4 defeated Inter Lions FC 1
Blacktown City FC registered a huge 4-1 win against Inter Lions FC on a hot Sunday afternoon at Blacktown City Sports Centre.
The home side got due reward for some recent performances and picked up a vital three points against a fellow cellar dweller. Rachel Chalhoub opened the scoring from the spot then Clare Szymoniczek made it 2-0 just after half-time before keeper-turned-striker Kiara Rochaix added a late brace for the icing on the cake.
Inter Lions FC pulled it back to 1-1 through Belinda Anderson Sharp in the first half but were unable to find any further goals. The Lions had enough chances on goal but were unable to find a way past Anna Ivanovic to salvage some points.
On a rare bright afternoon during the recent wild weather in Sydney. Both sides were desperate for three points and got stuck into the contest in the early stages.
The first chances came from Inter Lions FC corners. Marissa Papoulidis was on point with her delivery throughout the contest. She put this effort in a dangerous area where Blacktown City keeper Anna Ivanovic had to punch out.
Inter Lions continued to push forward through Jess Wootton. The striker had a chance which she thrashed wide then showed off her pace to get past defenders. Her shot was then blocked as we searched for the opener.
The visitors racked up the chances but Blacktown City FC found success through their press which allowed them to open up the scoring. After a foul in the box, Rachel Chalhoub strode up confidently to take the spot kick and made it 1-0.
After being surprised with conceding first, Inter Lions did find an equaliser before half-time. Some dogged work from Belinda Anderson-Sharp. She retrieved the ball and arrowed into the bottom corner for 1-1.
There was a chance for Inter Lions FC to snatch the lead before the break through Wootton. From another well delivered corner from Papoulidis found her head but it was cleared off the line by some scrappy Blacktown City FC defence to ensure it was 1-1 at the break.
Blacktown City FC took the lead again just after half-time. A strong run from Clare Szymoniczek got her into the area before she arrowed an effort into the net to make it 2-1.
Buoyed by their form, Inter Lions had the first two chances of the second half through Amelia Griffin with a soft shot then Zoe Katsionis weaved through some defenders and couldn’t find the back of the net.
On the hour mark, Blacktown City FC had a chance to add to their lead further when they found room on the counter. The final ball fell to Ella Morris who put her effort straight at Inter Lions FC custodian Ashley Purcell.
The hosts did extend their lead in the 75th minute. Substitute Kiara Rochaix who is usually the goalkeeper for Blacktown City FC fired home. She took the ball close to the goal line before she cushioned the ball into the net from an acute angle to make it 3-1.
Rochaix made it a brace two minutes later. She was on the receiving end of a cushioned pass from Yasmine Aloisio and fired home strongly to make it 4-1. The young side were on course for their second win of the season.
Inter Lions rung the changes to try and get themselves some late consolation. Wootton went closest for them with another header which flashed wide of the post. The final whistle brought huge celebrations for the home side.
Speaking post-match Blacktown City FC coach David O’Keefe was pleased that the effort that his side have put in recently turned into a positive result tonight:
“We’ve been building for the last few games. Our only bad performance was against Ravens I thought we’ve performed well otherwise. Second half we were dominant and got their reward. Hopefully that will give them some confidence.” said O’Keefe.
On super substitute Kiara Rochaix: “She did her wrist during training and we asked her to have a go at number nine. She is a great kid and I’ve coached her for ages so it was nice to see her enjoying her football and scoring goals.” he finished.
For Inter Lions FC coach Michael Cunningham, it was another afternoon of missed chances for his side as they search for that elusive win:
“It was a tough game. We didn’t put away our chances tonight. There were enough to win the game missing those hurt in us in the end. Being unable to find a way to put goals to bed is affecting their confidence at the moment.” said Cunningham.
MATCH STATS
Sunday April 10 2022
Blacktown City Sports Centre, Seven Hills
Blacktown City FC 4 (Chalhoub ‘35, Szymoniczek ‘51, Rochaix ‘75, ‘77)
Inter Lions FC 1 (Anderson Sharp ‘40)
Blacktown City FC: 2. KRAUSSE Hannah, 4. CHALHOUB Rachel, 5. THORPE Lexy, 7. SZYMONICZEK Clare, 8. SHANNON Kaylie, 11. ALOISIO Yasmin, 13. TILSED Bronte (12. KLENKA ‘80), 15. IVANOVIC Anna, 16. MORRIS Ella (9. ROCHAIX ‘73), 28. CICCIO Nicola (31. PIERIBONI ‘73), 29. BYRNE Ainsley
Unused subs: 6. HARKIN Jessica
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Inter Lions FC: 1. PURCELL Ashley (111. ESPOSITO ‘83), 5. DUGGAN Brittany, 6. DONALDSON Bella (23. SMITH ‘83), 7. PAPOULIDIS Marissa, 8. GRIFFIN Amelia (3. MARCHESE ‘62), 9. WOOTTON Jess, 10. DENNIS Rebecca, 12. KATSIONIS Zoe (14. POLETANOVIC ‘83), 13. ANDERSON SHARP Belinda (35. SCHUMAN ‘59), 17. PAJOR Natalie (15. WEBSTER ‘59), 22. MASCARO Lara
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
UNSW FC 2 defeated by Northbridge Bulls FC 4
Northbridge Bulls FC edged the battle of two fantastic sides defeating UNSW FC 4-2 on a bright afternoon at Seymour Shaw.
The Bulls have stampeded up the League One Womens competition and sit in second spot after their fourth straight win. Northbridge Bulls FC spread out their scoring on Sunday afternoon in another big performance.
Fixtures on the scoresheet Tamires Souza and Evelyn Chronis both found the back of the net once again to add to their already impressive tally. Alanna Fisher opened the scoring while Jessica Seaman added the other in the shire.
For UNSW FC, they put up a good performance which had positives even in defeat. The students matched it with their opponents. Their goals came either side of half-time through Eve Hess and Rio Darlaston.
Hills United FC 2 defeated St George FC 0
It continues to be all sunshine for Hills United FC as they strode to a 2-0 win against St George FC on Sunday afternoon at Bella Vista Public School.
The undefeated Hills United FC side scored either side of half-time to secure the win against a strong St George FC side. Ellen Berios opened the scoring before Annie Halls added the second in the 56th minute to make it eight straight.
St George FC suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time this season which has pushed them back into the chasing pack of the League One Womens competition. Coach Mark Cupitt’s side will dust themselves off and get back at it next week.
One big aspect of Hills United FC’s fabulous start to the season has been their rock solid defence which has kept six clean sheets in eight weeks. Coach Alan Tasses was very happy to add another to their tally in a dominant performance.
SD Raiders FC 1 defeated Marconi Stallions FC 0
SD Raiders FC took the points in a thrilling affair at Ernie Smith Reserve in a 1-0 victory against Marconi Stallions on Sunday afternoon.
For the home side, it was another close result ended up in their favour. The only goal came through Milica Aleksic in a game which was dominated by the two goal keepers. SD Raiders FC maintain their strong form and stay in the race for the finals.
Marconi Stallions put up a good shift against SD Raiders FC but were unable to find a way past their custodian Natasha Pentecost. Coach Dino Severin was upbeat about his side and hopefully will start to find the back of the net.
Gladesville Ravens 2 defeated Central Coast Mariners 1
It was the late show for Gladesville Ravens as they won 2-1 late on against a spirited Central Coast Mariners side Sunday tonight at Christie Park.
Central Coast Mariners thought they were on the way to three huge points when they held a 1-0 lead late in the contest due to an own goal. The young side conceded twice to lose two valuable points against one of the league’s heavyweights.
The Ravens found their two late goals through a former staple of the League One Womens competition. Ash Palombi was a driving force in APIA Leichhardt’s promotion a few years back. She scored in the 80th and 92nd minute to send the locals home happy.
Gladesville Ravens now have won four straight games which has helped them solidify their position near the top of the League One Womens competition. They have recovered from a poor start to soar up the ladder as we head near the halfway mark.
Sutherland Shire FA 1 defeated Nepean FC 0
In the night cap for Round 8, Sutherland Shire FA downed Nepean FC, 1-0 on Sunday night at Kareela Oval.
Sutherland Shire FA recovered from their midweek loss at the hands of UNSW FC to take home three points tonight. The result keeps the shire side inside the top half of the League One Womens competition.
The only goal in the contest came on the hour mark through Ariane Brown for the home side with her first goal of the season. Sutherland Shire FA have found their groove in recent weeks after a slow start to the season.
Nepean FC fell to another close defeat which keeps them in 14th spot in the League One Womens competition. They now have a busy Easter weekend ahead with two games to be made up on Friday and Monday.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers vs South Coast Flame FC & South East Phoenix FC vs Camden Tigers FC were washed out
-By Justin Davies
