Round 15 Review – League One Women’s
Round 15 was the midway point of the League One Womens competition and the weekend threw up some surprising results which included dropped points for Hills United FC.
Our eight games featured plenty of goals across Sunday.
Let’s get onto the review!
Match of the Round: Inter Lions 1 defeated by South Coast Flame FC 3
South Coast Flame FC recorded a 3-1 win against a spirited Inter Lions side at Majors Bay Reserve in this week’s Match of the Round.
Inter Lions battled hard in the game but were unable to convert their chances. The hosts did get a goal back through Marissa Papoulidis to make it 2-1. Coach Adrian Contarino remained upbeat despite the loss as the side are finding their feet in recent weeks.
For South Coast Flame FC it was nice for them to get back in the winner’s circle after a lean few weeks. Jessica Cruickshank fired home a second half brace alongside a good strike from Sariah Wilson to take the points.
Both teams were aiming to get back inside the winner’s circle on a cool afternoon in Sydney’s inner west and the midfields went to work trying to establish their dominance.
The first chance of the contest fell to Inter Lions. From a dangerous corner it fell to Natalie Marchese who stepped inside her defender then blasted her effort over the bar.
Inter Lions were the dominant side in the first half and looked to find the opening goal but their best chance fell to Jess Wootton who blazed over the bar.
It was a first half where chances were rare between two sides. South Coast Flame FC’S best chance fell to Rachelle Wang. She charged down the right wing before hitting one onto the post then out as the teams went to the break, 0-0.
Coming out of the break, Flame were feeling just fine. Alexis Malizis was on the end of a good sequence from the visitors but prodded her effort wide of the post.
It didn’t take long for South Coast Flame FC to find the opener. A direct ball which lofted over the Lions defence went into the path of Jessica Cruickshank. She composed herself and slotted home to make it 1-0 for the Flame.
Stung by conceding, Inter Lions sprung into action. Marissa Papoulidis had a shot which went right at the Flame custodian. Next, Wootton had a free-kick in a dangerous area but she also directed it straight at the keeper.
As the game continued to open up, South Coast Flame FC started to rack up the chances through Caley Tallon-Henniker and Cruickshank both had efforts which weren’t able to find the back of the net.
Cruickshank made up for her earlier miss with her second goal of the contest in the 69th minute. She thrashed home from a narrow angle which made it 2-0 Flame.
Inter Lions showed impressive resolve to pull a goal back four minutes later. A mix up between the Flame defenders created the space for Marissa Papoulidis to tap home and make it 2-1 and bring them back into the contest.
The Flame extinguished their comeback with a third goal in the contest. Sairah Wilson strode through the midfield and finished strongly to make it 3-1 and give the visitors all three points to take back to the south coast.
Speaking afterwards, Inter Lions coach Adrian Contarino remained upbeat about his side despite the result as they start the building blocks for the team:
“We came out firing with high intensity with a lot of possession. We didn’t capitialise on our chances and when you do that it will come back to bite you. We got a bit deflated and our first touch let us down which let them capitalise.” said Contarino.
For South Coast Flame FC coach Daniel Naumovski, he was delighted to get back into the winner’s circle in what was a tough contest to round off the midway mark:
“It was a good game. They came out in the first half and battled hard. We got the job done in the second half with some good combination play and get back in the winner’s circle. That was good leading into the next battles to get into the top five.” said Naumovski.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 29 May 2022
Majors Bay Reserve, Concord
Referee:
Assistant Referees:
Inter Lions 1 (Papoulidis ‘72)
South Coast Flame FC 3 (Cruickshank ‘52, ‘68 Wilson ‘82)
Inter Lions: 3. MARCHESE Natalie (4. O’BRIEN ‘62), 5. DUGGAN Brittany, 7. PAPOULIDIS Marissa, 9. WOOTTON Jess, 10. DENIS Rebecca (6. DONALDSON ‘79), 12. KATSIONIS Zoe, 15. WEBSTER Caitlin, 17. PAJOR Natalie, 22. MASCARO Lara, 23. SMITH Ashleigh (31. LIMNIOS ‘67), 121. ESPOSITO Cristina (21. SWIFT ‘82)
Unused subs: 19. DRAZENOVIC Annalija
Yellow cards: Donaldson ‘81
Red cards: nil
South Coast Flame FC: 2. CRUICKSHANK Jessica, 4. MALIZIS Alexis, 6. FREEMAN Ebony, 7. WANG Rachelle, 11. BRANCH Ruby, 12. WILSON Sariah, 13. PRIOR Lisa, 17. WALSH Darby (28. HORTON ‘61), 31. MCINTYRE Kellie, 35. TALLON-HENNIKER Caley, 111. RUSSELL Caitlin
Unused subs: 3. LOVEDAY Libby, 8. LOVE Brooke, 21. SHARROCK Tahlia, 33. PARRY Ava
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
South East Phoenix FC 1 defeated by Gladesville Ravens 4
Gladesville Ravens won 4-1 against South East Phoenix FC on a brisk afternoon at Christie Park on Sunday.
The Ravens continue their huge run with another three points which has them within striking distance of the unbeaten Hills United FC side. Gladesville started off rocky but are cruising towards another finals appearance at the midway mark.
Goals from Gemma Woolley for her sixteenth of the season alongside strikes from Anja Seeto, Maggie O’Reilly and Georgia Vlangos completed the scoring this afternoon. The Ravens have shown on their 13-game unbeaten streak.
South East Phoenix FC weren’t pushovers in the game. They did get on the scoreboard through an own goal from Ravens custodian Romina Paraguirre but overall the side were happy with the effort and application against one of the tougher sides in League One Womens.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 3 drew with Camden Tigers 3
The points were shared in an entertaining 3-3 draw between Mt Druitt Town Rangers and Camden Tigers at Popondetta Park on Sunday afternoon.
It was a game which was a delight for the spectators at Popondetta Park with six goals scored between the two sides with the locals showing incredible spirit to comeback several times. Although both Mt Druitt Town Rangers and Camden Tigers will consider it points dropped.
Camden Tigers ended their run of outs with their point this afternoon. Their goals came through a double to Kristy Rohrer and one goal to Ashlee Taff. The Tigers were happy with their effort in patches but look to work on their decision making and keeping possession.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers embodied the spirit at the club with their performance after the disappointment midweek against SD Raiders FC. Angel Lynch, Isabella Williams and Veronica Dimo were the goal scorers in the pulsating contest.
Hills United FC 1 drew with Nepean FC 1
It might be one of the bigger shocks this season as Hills United FC drew with Nepean FC 1-1 at Bella Vista Public School on Sunday afternoon.
That is the first dropped points for Hills United FC this League One Womens season which will annoy coach Alan Tasses. His side dominated the contest but unable to back up their mid-week 2-0 win against Sutherland Shire FA.
Hills United FC goal came from captain Desiree Galea to open her account for the season. If you were a Football Manager player, it would be considered “one of those days” as the still unbeaten leaders couldn’t find the back of the net.
For Nepean FC, it is a massive point for their season. The goal came from the penalty spot and was tucked home by Gemma Morgan. Coach Albert Di Sciascio will be pleased for his team to continue their surge up the ladder.
SD Raiders FC 1 defeated by St George FC 3
In one of the blockbuster clashes of the weekend, St George FC have taken down SD Raiders FC 3-1 and breached Fortress Ernie Smith Reserve.
St George FC were made to work for the three points after they conceded the opening goal. The Saints recovered well to fire home three unanswered goals to consolidate their spot in the top five of the League One Womens competition.
Jordan Baker got the visitors first goal which takes her tally to 21 goals for the season. Maddison Farmer continued her recent strong run with another and it was rounded out by substitute Amy Bennett’s goal in the 72nd minute.
For SD Raiders FC, it was only the second time they have been defeated at Ernie Smith Reserve. The hosts got the ideal start when Sarah Mandile scored in the opening ten minutes but they were overrun by St George FC.
Blacktown City FC 0 defeated by Marconi Stallions 2
Marconi Stallions kept their strong recent run up with a 2-0 win against Blacktown City FC on Sunday afternoon at Blacktown City Sports Centre.
The Stallions were made to work for the three points against a dogged Blacktown City FC side in the twilight at Blacktown City Sports Centre. It was 0-0 at the break before the visitors ended up taking the three points.
Blacktown City FC coach David O’Keefe felt like a broken record taking about his side’s performance but also remained upbeat about his side’s chances in the second half of the competition. He also heralded defensive partnership of Bronte Tilsed and Ainsley Byrne for their composure against the Stallions attack.
Marconi Stallions have found the winning feeling in their recent travels and have moved right into contention for the finals series. Charlotte Finnerty and Tania Baban scored the goals for Stallions seventh win of the season.
Sutherland Shire FA 1 defeated Northbridge Bulls FC 3
Northbridge Bulls FC returned to the winner’s circle with a comfortable 3-1 win against Sutherland Shire FA on Sunday night at Seymour Shaw.
After a lean stretch in the late fortnight Northbridge Bulls took a valuable three points tonight. It was a highlight performance from former W-League star Hannah Beard who fired home a brace for the visitors tonight.
Their other goal came from striker Rita Boateng which was her third goal of the season and keeps Northbridge Bulls FC within striking distance of a finals position. That has put them in a good position headed into the second half of the League One Womens competition.
Sutherland Shire FA did find the back of the net through Alina Stojcevski in the contest. Coach Jon Long said the game was a good experience for the young side playing against one of the most experienced teams in the competition.
UNSW FC 1 drew with Central Coast Mariners 1
For our night cap, it was a 1-1 draw between UNSW FC and Central Coast Mariners at Hensley Athletic Field on Sunday night.
It was a fiercely contested contest to finish off Round 15. Both teams fought tooth and nail and went into the break at 0-0. The draw keeps both teams locked on 25 points headed into the second half of the League One Womens competition.
UNSW FC were the first side to find the back of the net. Striker Marcella Santos scored her twelfth goal of the season. The students were unable to hold onto their lead and go back to the drawing board for next weekend.
For the yellow-and-navy they were resolute to get back into the contest. Their goal was awarded to Gabrielle Blanch from a corner to share the points. Coach Peter Preston was happy with his side in a decent contest.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
