Round 12 Review – League One Women’s
Round 12 was another fantastic feature of football to celebrate Female Football Week and of course Mother’s Day.
We had eight fabulous fixtures which helped to shape the Football NSW League One Womens ladder.
Let’s get onto the review!
Match of the Round: Marconi Stallions 1 defeated Central Coast Mariners FC 0
The Match of the Round saw Marconi Stallions triumph 1-0 in a tense contest against Central Coast Mariners on Sunday afternoon at Marconi Stadium.
On the balance of play, Marconi Stallions deserved the three points tonight. The hosts made heavy work of the win with Natasha Aitken’s penalty in the second half was the difference and extended their unbeaten streak to four games.
Central Coast Mariners had some bright spots throughout the game but the yellow-and-navy couldn’t find a way past the Stallions defence. Coach Peter Preston remained upbeat as the young side have improved across the first half of the season.
It was a crisp afternoon in Sydney’s south-west and both sides got stuck into the contest early and tried to find the upper hand in midfield. Marconi were the first to have a shot through Ceyda Cambaz which fizzed wide of the post.
Next Daniela Brekic had the ball break to her inside the box but it was well gathered by Central Coast Mariners custodian Kyara O’Brien. On the half hour mark Brekic flayed another effort wide of the post as it remained 0-0.
Central Coast Mariners took their time to work into the contest, but the visitors found their rhythm and started to find their way into the Stallions box. Indianna Auddino had their first real shot on the 38th minute.
Just before half-time, the Mariners had another chance to open the scoring through Chloe Smith. She drove into the box well before she drove a shot right at Stallions keeper Renee Krstanovska as the game remained a stalemate.
Coming out the break, both teams were quick off the mark. Stallions defender Samantha Huynh glided wide from close range then Teagan Douglas nodded wide from a corner for the yellow-and-navy within five minutes of the restart.
Mariners again threatened through the set piece. A well flighted free-kick found the head of Leah O’Hagan whose header also flew wide of the post. They also struck the base of the post on the counter as another warning shot.
Marconi Stallions had their own free-kick from a wide range. Natasha Aitken stepped up and sailed the shot high over the bar. The game started to open up and needed a spark if either side was going to take three points.
It came in the 65th minute when Marconi Stallions were awarded a penalty for a foul on Talie Walton inside the box. Aitken stepped up and slotted home the spot kick to make it 1-0 for the home side.
Stung by going behind, Central Coast surged forward to look for the equaliser. They found space on the wing through Kaitlin Murphy. Her deliveries into the box created havoc for the Stallions defence but unable to find the back of the net.
Marconi Stallions did lose Brekic during a lengthy stoppage time which meant all hands to the pump for the hosts to keep all three points. They were able to see out the end of the contest and make it four games unbeaten.
Speaking post-match, Marconi Stallions coach Dino Severin was delighted to take the three points despite the late scare for his side:
“First half we had four or five chances and didn’t take them. They had a period in the first half but we took our gameplan into the second half. They’re a solid team but I don’t think they threatened us much tonight.” said Severin.
“Good home win for us. You need to win them if you want to be competitive in the League One Womens competition this year. Overall, I am quite happy with tonight.” added Severin.
For Central Coast Mariners coach Peter Preston, he was happy with how the side performed and how the Mariners have evolved across the first half of the season:
“It was very exciting and entertaining for both teams. A good spectacle for the fans tonight. The girls have grown nicely into the season, they’re a young group and I am excited to see how they go in the second half and see where we land.” said Preston.
MATCH STATS
Sunday May 8 2022
Marconi Stadium, Bossley Park
Marconi Stallions 1 (Aitken ‘65)
Central Coast Mariners FC 0
Marconi Stallions: 1. KRSTANOVSKA Renee, 2. VOLODER Hannah, 3. AITKEN Natasha, 4. HUYNH Samantha, 8. CAMBAZ Ceyda (32. FINNERTY ‘84), 9. BABAN Tania (34. JACKSON ‘84), 10. VOLODER Emma, 12. BREKIC Daniela, 15. WALTON Talie, 18. MANNA Melina, 24. BOLZAN Montana (26. BRIEN ‘67)
Unused subs: 21. SOLLECITO Isabella, 31. CONSTABLE Amilie
Yellow cards: Brekic ‘90
Red cards: Brekic ‘90
Central Coast Mariners: 2. MURPHY Kaitlin, 3. O’HAGAN Leah (15. DE MEYER ‘87), 4. DOUGLAS Teagan, 6. SMITH Chloe, 7. BRANCH Gabrielle, 8. NENADOVIC Sophie, 12. DRYSDALE Jordyn, 14. JONES Eloise, 17. CARMODY Kiah (11. GLENDENNING ‘72), 18. AUDDINO Indianna (16. MACFARLANE ‘67), 20. O’BRIEN Kyara
Unused subs: 1. HINES Rhiannon, 13. BOELHOUWER Kasey, 21. SMITH Trinity
Yellow cards: Nenadovic ‘81
Red cards: nil
St George FC 6 defeated Blacktown City FC 0
St George FC were in full flow again on Sunday night in their 6-0 win against Blacktown City FC at Fraser Park.
Some cricketers would be pleased to hit six in back-to-back games and St George FC have turned their form around in style. Jordan Baker fired home a hat-trick which takes the sharpshooter’s tally to 17 for the season already.
The hosts other goals came from Maddison Farmer, Jasmine Maguire and Melody Nelson in the one-sided affair. St George FC remain in third spot in the League One Womens ladder after their wobble and ready to challenge the top two.
For Blacktown City FC, it was another afternoon where they battled hair but couldn’t find a result against a well-drilled and structured Saints side. Coach David O’Keefe remained upbeat about his side gathering some results in the second half of the season.
SD Raiders FC 1 drew with UNSW FC 1
Both SD Raiders FC and UNSW FC were forced to share the points in their 1-1 draw on Sunday afternoon at Cirillo Reserve.
SD Raiders FC got off to a hot start with Rojin Polat scoring after eight minutes. The hosts couldn’t hold onto their lead and left with a draw. That point leaves SD Raiders FC in fifth spot and in the mix for a spot in the finals come the end of the season.
The students like their game against Hills United FC were in fine form but this time they found the back of the net in the second half. Sonja Murphy was the scorer in a close contest which was a highlight of Female Football Week.
South East Phoenix FC 2 defeated by Nepean FC 3
It was a goal fest down at Nowra where Nepean FC defeated South East Phoenix FC, 3-2 in a classic contest at South Nowra Football Complex.
Nepean FC recorded back-to-back victories for the first time on their travels to the south coast which pleased coach Albert Di Sciascio. Gemma Morgan added another goal to her tally after her brace last weekend.
The visitors also found the back of the net through Anabel Forbes and Hannah Haberman who both opened their accounts for the season. Nepean FC are in 11th position in the League One Womens ladder after their positive fortnight.
South East Phoenix FC gave them a fright after equalising twice in the contest. Firstly through Gabrielle Dickson then Madison Cater scored her eighth goal of the season which set up a grandstand finish. The hosts might’ve snatched a point or all three if not for their finishing in front of goal.
Northbridge Bulls FC 4 defeated South Coast Flame FC 2
Northbridge Bulls FC took out a six goal thriller 4-2 against a gallant South Coast Flame FC side on Sunday afternoon at Northbridge Oval.
The Bulls flew out of the gates in their success which broke their two-game losing streak. Tamires Souza scored twice in the opening ten minutes to make it 2-0. It also takes her goal total to 18 for the season which puts her firmly in the reckoning for signing of the season.
For their other goals, Northbridge Bulls turned to their other striker in Evelyn Chronis to fire home a brace which takes her past double digits in goals for the season. There was a wonderful moment pre match celebrating Mother’s Day where both sides entered the field with mothers before the whistle blew for game on.
South Coast Flame FC played their part in the exciting contest with a pair of goals in the first half which made it 3-2. Alexis Malizis and Rachelle Wang found the back of the net as the Flame showed they were going down swinging despite the loss.
Hills United FC 3 defeated Camden Tigers 0
The unbeaten run moves on to twelve for Hills United FC after their 3-0 victory against Camden Tigers on Sunday afternoon at Bella Vista Public School.
Hills United FC remain unblemished thus far in the League One Womens competition and might complete the whole first half of the season unbeaten. They have taken to the competition like a duck to water and are well positioned for a run at promotion.
Coach Alan Tasses was happy to add another three points to the bank but it could’ve been a higher score line for Hills United FC if they had their shooting boots on. Their three goals were scored by Ellen Berios, Imogen Lane and Annie Halls.
For Camden Tigers it was a week to forget. They were thrashed 7-1 midweek by Marconi Stallions in their catch-up fixture and had more goals put past them on Sunday afternoon. After their strong start the Tigers have lost their roar.
Gladesville Ravens 2 defeated Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC 0
In the twilight kick-off, Gladesville Ravens recorded a comfortable 2-0 win against Mt Druitt Town Rangers on Sunday afternoon at Christie Park.
The Ravens remain in second spot on their own after another week in the winner’s column. Gladesville had a goal of the season contender with Elizabeth Gilbane fired home into the top corner from outside the box.
Their other goal was another wonder strike from Teagan Long just low and through a crowd of defenders for her maiden goal of the season. Gladesville could’ve had more but for some wastefulness in front of goal.
Despite the loss tonight, it has been a solid week for the Town Rangers. They cracked their points duck egg with their 1-1 draw midweek against South Coast Flame FC. They were set up well and defended stoutly which frustrated the hosts at points which will serve them well for future contests.
Sutherland Shire FA 1 drew with Inter Lions 1
For the night cap in Round 12, Sutherland Shire FA and Inter Lions had a 1-1 draw down at Kareela Oval on Sunday night.
Sutherland Shire FA have been on a fine run recently and will be disappointed not to take full points from this fixture. Their goal was scored by Alina Stojcevski which was her fifth goal of the season and kept them level with Marconi Stallions in seventh.
Their coach Jon Long remarked on their lack of finishing tonight after their strong form in finding the back of the net recently. “We created some good opportunities but were unable to find the back of the net.” added Long.
Inter Lions will be delighted to add another point to their bank for 2022 and break their two-game losing streak which followed their lone win. Their goal was scored by Marissa Papoulidis which helped the visitors gain a share of the points tonight.
By Justin Davies (JustDavies90)
