Round 9 Review – League One Women’s
The Easter weekend of football in League One Womens competition didn’t disappoint with some cracking results across the weekend.
Hills United FC remain the frontrunners while SD Raiders FC, UNSW FC, Gladesville Ravens, Central Coast Mariners and South Coast Flame FC took the chocolates this weekend. Let’s get onto the review!
Match of the Round: Northbridge Bulls FC 1 defeated by SD Raiders FC 2
SD Raiders FC took the three points in a pulsating contest 2-1 against Northbridge Bulls FC on Monday afternoon at Cammeray Oval.
The hosts huffed and puffed but couldn’t blow the house down to get anything from contest against a fellow contender. Northbridge Bulls FC did everything but score in the first half then pulled one back through Tamires Souza late on to give themselves a chance.
For SD Raiders FC, they were resolute in defence and took their chances against a tough side which made it four straight wins on the bounce. Rojin Polat and Trudy Camelleri scored their goals either side of half-time.
On a hot afternoon in Sydney, both teams got stuck into their work quickly. Both midfields tried to find the control and limit the damage from the attack. Northbridge Bulls FC had the first chance with a free-kick from Caitlin Campbell which sailed over.
SD Raiders FC took their first chance and found the back of the net. Rojin Polat found herself in the right position from an errant pass, danced past the Bulls defence and nestled the ball home. 1-0 to SD Raiders FC.
Stung by conceding, Northbridge Bulls FC went straight on the front foot. Star striker Tamires Souza had a pair of chances back-to-back to restore parity. Her first one arrowed wide then the next one fell agonisingly the wrong side of the post.
Souza turned provider for the Bulls next chance. She chipped a delightful ball into the path of Siahn Bozanic, who was left one-on-one with SD Raiders custodian Natasha Pentecost. Her effort struck the post and fell gratefully to Pentecost.
The visitors had two opportunities to extend their lead just before the break. Last week’s goalscorer Millica Aleksic shot straight at Bulls keeper Keeley Segavcic then Erin Phelan almost slide one home but it remained 1-0 at the break.
As the temperature fell, the action continued to heat up. Evelyn Chronis almost equalised right from the restart but pulled the effort wide of the goal. SD Raiders FC once again with their first chance doubled their delight.
This time it fell to the foot of Trudy Camelleri. She was played through with a wonderful, cushioned ball from Polat which put her straight through on goal. Camelleri made no mistake and it was quickly, 2-0 to SD Raiders FC.
Campbell had the ball on a string from set pieces for Northbridge Bulls FC this afternoon. Her free-kicks and corners were the best route for the home side to get back into the contest. Kiara Farquhar went close with a near post volley which was saved.
Trying to inspire her side, Souza almost invented a goal. She took the goal right to the edge of the goal line then tried to poke it past Pentecost. The ball ultimately didn’t trickle over but the Bulls surged forward.
Heading into the final ten minutes, Northbridge Bulls FC pulled one back from the spot. Souza was fouled then took the responsibility upon herself. She stepped up and fired into the bottom right corner to make it 2-1.
Northbridge Bulls FC kept pushing forward for an equaliser as the game ticked over into injury time. They had a chance from a corner which was headed wide then late on, Evelyn Chronis was denied by a fantastic Isabella Coleman tackle to preserve the points for SD Raiders FC.
Following the game, Northbridge Bulls FC assistant coach Bill Papas bemoaned the slow start for his side and their ability to hit everything but the net today:
“I thought we created a lot in the first half and did enough to score. We couldn’t hit the back of the net and responded in the second half. Had a lot of enthusiasm but couldn’t find the equaliser. Now we move forward to next week.” said Papas.
For SD Raiders FC coach Catherine Cannuli, she was delighted to take three points tonight in a very tight clash against Northbridge Bulls FC:
“It was a great game and exciting for everyone. It was good to get the three points against a good side like Northbridge Bulls FC. They are a good group who work hard and train hard which gets them the reward.” said Cannuli.
It was good toMATCH STATS
Monday 18 April 2022
Cammeray Oval, Neutral Bay
Northbridge Bulls FC 1 (Souza ‘79)
SD Raiders FC 2 (Polat ‘11, Camelleri ‘50)
Northbridge Bulls FC: 4. SEAMAN Jessica, 6. FARQUHAR Kiara, 7. CAMPBELL Caitlin, 8. CHRONIS Evelyn, 10. SOUZA Tamires, 11. GREY Elizabeth, 15. BOZANIC Siahn (35. TALBOT ‘65), 16. DI SCIASCIO Erica (18. COWARD ‘76), 19. CLOUT Tessa (26. JOHNSON ‘56), 21. SEGAVCIC Keeley, 37. FISHER Alanna
Unused subs: 5. IKONOMOU Carlie, 24. GYZEN Cate, 31. HAYNES Aurelia
Yellow cards: Seaman
Red cards: nil
SD Raiders FC: 1. PENTECOST Natasha, 2. CAMELLERI Trudy, 4. COLEMAN Isabella, 7. PAHOR Emily 17. DOAN ‘86), 8. PHELAN Erin, 10. COSCIA Kiara (3. BOAG ‘24 (11. TUCKER ‘67)), 12. NEVILLE Jessica, 13. ALEKSIC Millica, 20. VOSKANIAN Tahlia, 22. RADMILLO Amanda, 32. POLAT Rojin
Unused subs: 24. LOPEZ Lotus, 30. BRITTON Caitlin
Yellow cards: Voskanian, Radmillo
Red cards: nil
South Coast Flame FC 3 defeated Blacktown City FC 1
The Flame burned bright on Saturday afternoon when South Coast Flame FC defeated Blacktown City FC 3-1 at Ian McLennan Park.
South Coast Flame FC were in fine fettle in this Saturday clash. They strode out to a 3-0 lead just after half-time to be on course for three points. Sariah Wilson and Caley Tallon-Hennicker struck within the first fifteen minutes followed by Rachelle Wang’s effort just after the restart.
Blacktown City FC did find some consolation late in the piece through Cassandra Borg to make it 3-1 and give them something for their trip back to the city. They will be disappointed not to build on their huge win from last weekend.
For the Flame it will be a welcome return to the winner’s circle after a downbeat few weeks for them which had them falling down the ladder. They now sit in tenth spot while Blacktown City FC remain in 12th on the League One Womens ladder.
Central Coast Mariners FC 1 defeated St George FC 0
Central Coast Mariners FC made it a fabulous Easter weekend after a 1-0 win against St George FC on Sunday afternoon at Pluim Park.
The Mariners were busy on this long weekend, they had a comfortable 5-0 success against Nepean FC in a catch-up game Friday night then backed it up with a tense 1-0 win on a bright Sunday afternoon against St George FC.
There was only one goal in the contest on the coast. Prolific goal scorer Chloe Smith found the back of the net for Central Coast Mariners. Smith has been a revelation for the blue-and-yellow this season and has the side comfortably in the top half.
For St George FC that makes it three straight losses for one of the side’s tipped to challenge in the League One Womens competition. Coach Mark Cupitt will hope to arrest the slide soon before they fall further down the ladder.
Marconi Stallions 1 drew with Sutherland Shire FA 1
Marconi Stallions and Sutherland Shire FA were forced to share the points in a 1-1 draw on Monday afternoon at Kareela Oval #3.
It will be another vital point to the Stallions tally. Their goal came in the 69th minute to Hannah Voloder to equalise after Sutherland Shire FA opened the scoring. For Stallions coach Dino Severin he will be happy to take a point.
Sutherland Shire FA will be glad for a point after their busy schedule recently which has included some catch up contests. They will be disappointed to not hold onto all three points after 15-year-old Violet Keenan who has taken like a duck to water in League One Womens struck for 1-0.
That result keeps Sutherland Shire FA in the top half of the League One Womens competition as we storm towards the halfway point of the competition. Marconi Stallions remain in 10th spot but still are waiting to strike.
Gladesville Ravens 2 defeated Nepean FC 0
Gladesville Ravens continue their soaring start with a 2-0 win against Nepean FC on a bright afternoon at Christie Park on Easter Monday.
The Ravens made it five wins on the trot with their win at home. The familiar name of Gemma Woolley featured once again on the scoresheet while Maggie O’Reilly was the other person to find the back of the net in a sunshine stroll for Gladesville Ravens.
Nepean FC were a busy team on the Easter weekend with a pair of fixtures which have both ended in defeat for the side. They were grateful to goalkeeper Kaydi Christie who helped to keep the Ravens at bay for a majority of the contest.
UNSW FC 4 defeated Camden Tigers FC 1
The students aced another exam with a 4-1 win down at Seymour Shaw against a competitive Camden Tigers FC side.
UNSW FC were back to their free scoring best after defeat last week. They were rampant and moved themselves into second spot on the ladder with this result. Hannah Charak was the highlight with her first half brace.
Amanda Levaskevich and Cassandra Christopher both found the back of the net in the second half to complete the scoring for the home side. Christopher with the pick of the strikes with her delightful chip over the Tigers keeper.
Camden Tigers pulled a goal back in the first half through Aleksia Ostojic but were unable to compete against the students attack in this contest. The Tigers will go back to the drawing board, hoping to get back in the winner’s column.
Inter Lions 3 defeated Mt Druitt Town Rangers 0
Inter Lions produced a drought breaking win with a 3-0 score line against Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Majors Bay Reserve on Monday afternoon.
It has been a long time coming for Inter Lions FC. They haven’t sung their winning song for a while and they will be bouncing off the walls at Majors Bay Reserve tonight after that result. Coach Michael Cunningham will also be delighted the response after their Match of the Round defeat.
Natalie Pajor was the hero for the afternoon with her brace. Caitlin Webster added the other goal in the three-goal success. Jess Wootton was impressive in her performance with a pair of assists after her strong performance last week.
For Mt Druitt Town Rangers, they were in the fight for a while but fell away late in the contest. Maybe due to the lack of games, the Rangers couldn’t find the back of the net then conceded a pair of costly goals either side of the break.
South East Phoenix FC 1 defeated by Hills United FC 4
It was a stroll on the south coast for Hills United FC as they won 4-1 against South East Phoenix FC on Monday afternoon at South Nowra Football Complex.
Hills United FC were made to work for their ninth straight win of the League One Womens campaign as they were held to 1-1 at the break. Eventually, the visitors ran away with the game and maintained their strong start to the season.
The goals for Hills United FC came from a brace to Isabella Sciberras in the second half after Imogen Lane had opened the scoring for them. Ellen Berios added a fourth late to complete the scoring for the visitors.
South East Phoenix FC started out bright but burnt out in the second half against some strong opposition tonight. Their lone goal came from Madison Carter in the first half to continue her strong goal scoring form this season.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
