Round 16 Review – League One Women’s
Round 16 in the League One Womens competition saw the first change at the top in ages with Gladesville Ravens now at the highest perch.
There was a flurry of goals this weekend across the eight games which included plenty of excitement and furious action.
Let’s get onto the review!
Match of the Round: Gladesville Ravens 1 defeated Sutherland Shire FA 0
Gladesville Ravens moved to the top of the League One Womens competition with their 1-0 win against Sutherland Shire FA on Sunday night at Christie Park.
The result puts Gladesville Ravens at the top perch in the League One Womens competition but they were made to work for it against Sutherland Shire FA. Gemma Woolley scored the only goal with her flicked header in the first half of a pulsating game.
Sutherland Shire FA once again showed they aren’t a pushover and the young side improved on their opening round loss against the Ravens tonight. Coach Jon Long hopes his side will continue their journey over the second half of the season.
On a cold evening at what some have dubbed the ‘Artic Circle’ both sides were keen to warm up the hands of the custodians in the early exchanges. Some tame shots were exchanged but none really troubled the scorers.
Gladesville Ravens had the first true sight at the goal when Keiko Tanaka cut inside the defender and rasped an effort goal bound. It was easily taken by Sutherland Shire FA custodian Jasmin Lawler to remain 0-0.
Next Lara Brewis found some space inside the area and fired a shot right at Lawler which she had to dump out for a corner. The corner ended up coming to naught.
Sutherland Shire FA warmed into the contest with Alina Stojcevski and Lacie Bowling both ahd efforts which needed to be handled by Ravens keeper Romina Parraguirre.
It was the Ravens who struck first blood through who else but Gemma Woolley. Elizabeth Gilbane’s corner found enough of her head to nod home, 1-0 Ravens.
Looking to build on their lead, Ravens midfielder Georgia Vlangos stood over a free-kick on the right. She drove it across the face of goal but it whistled past the left post.
Coming out of the break, Ravens continued to push for a two-goal buffer and their fourteenth straight game unbeaten. Brewis had a trio of efforts which were all close but no cigar for the Ravens.
Stojcevski almost created an equaliser for Sutherland Shire FA from a set piece in the 72nd minute of the contest. It bounced around like a pinball before a foul was whistled on Ravens keeper Parraguirre.
It seemed like the second goal wouldn’t come for the Ravens. Woolley poked wide from close range then Tanaka had another tame shot which was easily taken.
Headed into stoppage time, Sutherland Shire FA went close to snatching a point twice through Janan Codmani. Her first effort was cutting inside a defender then the second came from further out which was taken safely as Ravens took three points.
Speaking post match Gladesville Ravens coach Andrew Galbraith was happy to take the win despite their wastefulness and move to the top of the ladder:
“I think we deserved the win, dominated the play but Sutherland Shire FA made it difficult for us tonight. We create a lot of chances but we need to put the finishing touches. When we play like we did and get the result, it is a positive sign.” said Galbraith.
“It is what the girls deserve. We have worked hard and been consistent. We deserve to be where we are and look forward to the second half of the season.” added Galbraith.
Sutherland Shire FA coach Jon Long remained positive about his side despite the loss as they continue their journey across the League One Womens season:
“It was a good test for my girls. Annoyed that we gave away a crappy goal from a corner, but the girls fought back in the second half. It is all a part of their journey which included having a fourteen-year-old coming on.” said Long.
“Our objective tonight was to make it tough for them and not let them win easily like the first round. In terms of improvement, it is great, and we continue next week.” finished Long.
MATCH STATS
Sunday June 5 2022
Christie Park, Macquarie Park
Gladesville Ravens 1 (Woolley ‘36)
Sutherland Shire FA 0
Gladesville Ravens: 5. TANAKA Kieko, 6. SEETO Anja, 7. WOOLLEY Gemma, 8. VLANGOS Georgia (4. LIDBETTER ‘53(25. HANSEN ‘90+1)), 9. ZACZEK Zoe, 11. BREWIS Lara, 12. DENBY Astreia, 15. GILBANE Elizabeth, 18. LONG Teagan, 22. PARRAGUIRRE Romina, 24. Davey Kimberley
Unused subs: 2. HARKIN Amy, 14. BRAUN Maya, 20. STEVENS Ashleigh
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Sutherland Shire FA: 1. LAWLER Jasmin, 2. NISBET Genevieve, 7. KEELAN Violet, 8. RAAD Isabella, 12. CODMANI Janan, 24. BROWN Ariane, 28. HILLIER Sienna, 30. HART Lily, 32. HART Zoe, 37. STOJCEVSKI Alina, 65. BOWLING Lacie (42. BOES ‘77)
Unused subs: 4. WASER Sarah, 15. LECHOWICZ Kira 19. WOOLNOUGH Imogen, 21. MADDOX Eva, 46. PIRES Ana
Yellow cards: Brown
Red cards: nil
South Coast Flame FC 0 defeated UNSW FC 2
UNSW FC took three points home from the south coast with their 2-0 win against South Coast Flame FC on Saturday afternoon.
The students joined the clump of sides on 28 points with their success on Saturday night which will please coach Guillermo Rubio. UNSW FC scored their goals through Amanda Levaskevich’s brace to break their run of three straight draws.
South Coast Flame FC were disappointed to lose after their strong win against Inter Lions last weekend in the Match of the Round. Coach Daniel Naumovski remained positive about his side’s chances of moving up the ladder in the second half of the season.
Blacktown City FC 3 defeated SD Raiders FC 0
There was sweet relief for Blacktown City FC in their 3-0 win against heavyweights SD Raiders FC on Sunday afternoon at Blacktown City Sports Centre.
The last few weeks had felt like Groundhog dog for Blacktown City FC coach David O’Keefe but this must’ve felt like a new dawn for his young side. A big upset at home which follows their midweek 2-0 win against Nepean FC.
Nicola Cioccia took top honours for Blacktown City FC with her first half brace for 2-0 halftime lead. Defender Rachel Chalhoub added the third in the surprise win. O’Keefe also noted that Bronte Tilsed, Ella Morris and substitute Alyse May-McCutcheon were crucial to the win.
For SD Raiders FC this defeat makes it back-to-back losses for the first time in 2022. The chasing pack has caught up to the side but coach Catherine Cannuli will have her side ready to bounce back in their next game to get back in the winner’s column.
Inter Lions 3 defeated Camden Tigers 2
Inter Lions picked up their second win of the season in a 3-2 thriller against Camden Tigers at Majors Bay Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
Three points will feel quite sweet for Inter Lions coach Adrian Contarino as he continues to rebuild his side since joining in recent weeks. The Lions showed great fight coming from behind twice to win the game on Sunday afternoon.
Striker Jess Wootton scored twice to draw Inter Lions level in the game then Caitlin Webster fired home the winner just before stoppage time. The goal sent the home crowd away happy and moved Inter Lions into 13th spot.
Camden Tigers led twice but couldn’t find a way to close out the contest against a spirited Inter Lions side. Coach Troy Witton was happy with the performance which saw Kristy Rohrer and Ashlee Taff on the scoresheet again.
Central Coast Mariners 7 defeated Mt Druitt Town Rangers 0
The Central Coast Mariners posted a 7-0 win against Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon.
Central Coast Mariners were in a ruthless mood in their home digs with a goal difference boosting win on a cool afternoon. Chloe Smith ran the show for the Mariners with her hat-trick of goals which included one within the first 60 seconds.
The other goals for the yellow-and-navy came from Indianna Auddino, Emily Garrett, Mia Macfarlane and Rachel Glendenning. The majority of those in the first half for their 5-0 lead and a performance coach Peter Preston praised for their control of the contest.
For Mt Druitt Town Rangers, they are a patched up side currently but the visitors stemmed the tide of goals in the second half for something to build upon for next week. Now they hope to get themselves that elusive win soon enough.
St George FC 7 defeated Nepean FC 0
St George FC were in seventh heaven after their 7-0 win against Nepean FC on Sunday afternoon at Fraser Park.
The Saints were in red hot form in the wintery conditions. No surprise that the headline act for them was striker Jordan Baker who piled home four goals. That takes her tally to 25 goals for the season and the favourite for the Golden Boot.
Morgan Maxwell scored the opener for St George FC while Melody Nelson and midfielder Sarah Nachar were the other goal scorers in the romp. St George FC are well positioned in third spot for a challenge at the finals.
For Nepean FC, it has been a tough week with new coach Ben Gough taking over the side for their midweek loss to Blacktown City FC. Gough praised the sides effort and enthusiasm in the defeat as they continue to work.
South East Phoenix FC 1 defeated by Marconi Stallions 8
It was a clinical display from Marconi Stallions to defeat South East Phoenix FC 8-1 on a blustery afternoon at South Nowra Football Complex.
The Stallions have always been a side that can find the back of the net quickly and they underlined that fact with a six goal second half in the thumping. Candance Sciberras and Charlotte Finnerty had braces in the win.
Natasha Aitken also joined the brace club with her strikes either side of half-time to continue to build her goal tally. Montana Bolzan and Ceyda Cambaz were the other scorers in a success that has the Stallions in equal fifth.
South East Phoenix FC came out and battled hard against the more experienced Marconi Stallions side and were only down 2-0 at the break. They did find some consolation through Amanda Carney in the 78th minute.
Northbridge Bulls FC 1 defeated Hills United FC 0
Northbridge Bulls FC handed Hills United FC their first loss of the season in a tight 1-0 victory at Northbridge Oval on Sunday afternoon.
This mouth-watering clash didn’t disappoint between two sides who should be fighting for top honours come the end of the season. Ultimately, Northbridge Bulls FC exacted their revenge and took home the three points.
The only goal of the contest came from Evelyn Chronis for her 11th goal of the season. The Bulls defensive structure remained resilient against the potent Hills United FC attack and repelled them for a crucial clean sheet as well.
Defeat is a bitter pill to swallow and it is the first time that Hills United FC has tasted that this season and saw them concede their position at the League One Womens summit. Coach Alan Tasses will have his strikers doing shooting practice after their wastefulness in front of goal.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
