Round 10 Review – League One Women’s Review
Round 10 was another action packed edition of the League One Womens competition on this long weekend.
There were upsets, goal fests and fiercely contested games for all to enjoy.
So let’s get onto the review!
Match of the Round: St George FC 1 defeated by South Coast Flame FC 4
The Flame was burning bright after South Coast Flame FC stunned St George FC 4-1 at Fraser Park on Sunday afternoon.
St George FC were blown away in the first half. The hosts weren’t at their usual best and were left stunned by the visitors. They did find a late consolation goal through Alicia Lee to get them on the scoresheet on an otherwise bad afternoon.
For South Coast Flame FC, they made it back-to-back wins in impressive fashion. It was a captain’s knock from Emilia Skopal, who fired home a hat-trick alongside another striker from Caley Tallon-Hennicker in the deserved win.
Both sides were keen to get three points in a vital clash so they game started off in a fast style between these two teams. Jordan Baker had the first chance for St George FC with her chip which was well recovered by Flame custodian Charlotte Palmisano.
St George FC kept pushing forward, looking to arrest their recent slide with the opening goal of the contest. Jasmine Maguire had a shot which went out for a corner which Baker then volleyed over the bar.
South Coast Flame FC were quite compact and solid in their work in the opening 15 minutes and found the opener. Caley Tallon-Hennicker cut the ball back perfectly for Emilia Skopal to drive into the bottom corner to make it 1-0, Flame.
After the opener, the game settled into a rhythm. South Coast Flame FC passed the ball around well, looking for an opening while St George FC aimed to get back into the contest but were blocked at all the avenues.
The visitors doubled their delight just before the break. Once again it was neat work from Tallon-Hennicker on the wing which opened space for Skopal to fire home. South Coast Flame FC took a 2-0 lead into the break.
Knowing they needed to fight a way back into the contest after half-time, St George FC almost had an instant response. Stood over a free-kick, Sarah Nachar rattled the bar then the follow up from Lara Nicholls was fizzed over.
Down the other end, Flame was clinical with their chances. After she assisted the first two goals, Tallon-Hennicker got into the action. She weaved past some static Saints defence before she arrowed home to make it 3-0.
St George FC kept pushing forward to find something out of this contest. Nicholls flayed wide then substitute Morgan Maxwell headed wide from a corner. Time was starting to run out for the home side this afternoon.
The Saints did pull a goal back just before the game headed into injury time. The ball was put into the mixer by St George then substitute Alicia Lee was on hand to bundle the ball home, making it 3-1 on the afternoon.
There was some icing on the cake for South Coast Flame FC. Skopal completed her hat-trick when she was played in well in injury time then she chipped the ball home to make it 4-1 and a fantastic afternoon for the visitors.
St George FC coach Mark Cupitt lamented another frustrating contest for his side who have started an alarming slide in recent weeks:
“We didn’t help ourselves tonight. It was disappointing for us. We started the second half well then conceded early which makes it hard. Now, we go back to the training field on Tuesday and do it all again.” said Cupitt.
For South Coast Flame FC coach Daniel Naumovski, he was delighted with the result and the way his side went about taking three points this afternoon:
“We executed perfectly. We were sound across the board against a good side. I think our all-round performance was the best this season. It feels good to win back-to-back, I think we have started to find our style of play in recent weeks.” said Naumovski.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 24 April 2022
Fraser Park, Sydenham
St George FC 1 (Lee ‘90)
South Coast Flame FC 4 (Skopal ‘18, ‘44, ‘91, Tallon-Hennicker ‘55)
St George FC: 4. NACHAR Sarah (35. PALMER ‘84), 8. BENNETT Amy (19. NELSON ‘62), 9. BAKER Jordan, 12. DALE Kate, 14. MAGUIRE Jasmine, 15. PEZZOTTA Sara (5. MAXWELL ‘72), 17. YEATS Zoe, 20. ORPHANIDES Amalia, 21. NICHOLLS Lara (37. MOORE ‘84), 23. FARMER Maddison (7. LEE ‘72), 28. HUTTON Bek
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
South Coast Flame FC: 1. PALMISANO Charlotte, 2. CRUICKSHANK Jessica (5. NIELSEN ‘87), 6. FREEMAN Ebony, 11. BLANCH Ruby (4. MALIZIS ‘61), 12. WILSON Sariah, 13. PRIOR Lisa (17. WALSH ‘61), 14. SKOPAL Emilia, 18. RUSSELL Caitlin (3. LOVEDAY ‘68), 31. MCINTYRE Kellie, 35. TALLON-HENNICKER Caley, 46. WANG Rachelle
Unused subs: 9. KOLOSKI Monique, 21. SHARROCK Tahlia
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Blacktown City FC 0 defeated UNSW FC 1
The Students passed their latest test in a tight 1-0 win against Blacktown City FC on a sunshine filled afternoon at Blacktown City Sports Centre.
UNSW FC secured their latest win in the campaign but the students were made to work for the three points against a dogged Blacktown City FC side. Cassandra Christopher went a wonderful solo run to score the only goal of the contest.
The hosts once again kept themselves in the contest across the whole 90 minutes but in a similar story couldn’t find the back of the net. Kiara Rochaix was back between the sticks and made some fabulous saves for Blacktown City FC.
That makes it back-to-back wins for UNSW FC. The students have found their consistency in the League One Womens competition and are well placed to finish in a final’s position in 2022. Which will please those around the club after a lean few years.
Nepean FC 2 defeated Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC 0
The drought is broken for Nepean FC after their 2-0 win against Mt Druitt Town Rangers on Sunday afternoon at Cook Park.
It has been a long wait for Nepean FC to get their first win of the season and they gave themselves the best chance when the hosts lead 2-0 at the break. Gemma Morgan scored both goals for Nepean FC which included one from the spot.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers were left to lament it being one of those days where football can be a cruel mistress. The Rangers dominated the contest but were unable to find the back of the net so the search for their first win goes on.
Marconi Stallions 2 defeated Inter Lions 1
They don’t write pictures in the score book but Marconi Stallions will take their 2-1 win against Inter Lions on Sunday afternoon at Marconi Stadium.
The Stallions have endured an inconsistent campaign thus far but will relish their third win of this League One Womens season which has them in ninth spot. Coach Dino Severin was pleased his side put away some of their chances in the game.
Both Stallions goals were scored by Tania Baban in the second half after they fell behind to Inter Lions in the first half. Marconi Stallions had further chances to add to the score line but were unable to convert although they will take the three points.
Inter Lions were dreaming of their first back-to-back successes in a long time when Caitlin Webster rounded the keeper in the first half to make it 1-0. The visitors also had goalkeeper Ashley Purcell to thank with some fantastic saves to keep them in the contest.
Northbridge Bulls FC 1 defeated by Gladesville Ravens 2
Gladesville Ravens claimed the big scalp of Northbridge Bulls FC in their 2-1 victory on Sunday afternoon at Northbridge Oval.
The visitors continue their soaring ascent up the League One Womens competition with another vital three points. Gladesville Ravens scored in either half through Ash Palombi in another fine performance from the striker.
Northbridge Bulls FC were unable to mount a comeback much like their loss to SD Raiders FC in the previous week for the Match of the Round. Caitilin Campbell did pull a goal back in the 78th minute to give them some hope but it wasn’t to be for the defending Premiers.
Gladesville Ravens are also indebted to Chilean goalkeeper Romina Parraguire who made some vital saves throughout the contest. Importantly, twice from the spot to deny Northbridge Bulls the comeback and to bank three vital points.
Hills United FC 3 defeated Central Coast Mariners 1
They were pushed and pulled but Hills United FC took their run to 10 games in a 3-1 win against Central Coast Mariners at Bella Vista Public School.
Hills United FC made it a perfect ten with the result tonight. The debutant side has lived up to their statement to make history as they sit eight points clear at the top. One feature of their success has been their rock solid defence which has only conceded four goals all season.
Their goals came from the usual suspects for Hills United FC. Imogen Lane, Ellen Berios and Stefanie Trovato all found the back of the net on a bright afternoon. Afterwards coach Alan Tasses praised his side in what was a fantastic contest in the northwest.
Central Coast Mariners felt they were in for a shock result when Kaitlin Murphy put them up 1-0 close to half-time. The skipper once again led from the front and added to her goal total, but it wasn’t to be for the yellow-and-navy against the rampant leaders.
SD Raiders FC 8 defeated South East Phoenix FC 0
SD Raiders FC were rampant in their 8-0 win against South East Phoenix FC on Sunday afternoon at Ernie Smith Reserve.
It was one-way traffic in the south-west with SD Raiders FC clinical in front of goal against a usually resolute South East Phoenix FC side. Mikala Tucker led the way for the hosts with her hat-trick to get back amongst the goals.
The rest of the SD Raiders FC goals came from a braces to Trudy Camilleri, Sarah Mandile and Erin Phelan to complete the 8-0 score line. Fortress Ernie Smith claimed another victim as the hosts remain in sixth spot.
For South East Phoenix FC, it was a road trip to forget. The regional side have shown they can compete against the heavyweight sides in the League One Womens competition, but they were blown away this weekend.
Sutherland Shire FA 3 defeated Camden Tigers FC 1
In the night cap, Sutherland Shire FA continued their strong form with a 3-1 win against Camden Tigers on Sunday night at Kareela.
Sutherland Shire FA moved into a share of seventh spot after their third game undefeated with their success tonight. Their goals came from Lacie Bowling and Alina Stojcevski in the first half then Janan Codmani added a third near the hour mark.
For Camden Tigers, it was a tough road for them tonight. The visitors received an early red card to Claire Witton which didn’t help their cause but they did find some consolation through Charlotte Taylor in the contest to give them something to take back to the south west.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
