Round 17 Review – League One Women’s
Round 17 of the Football NSW League One Womens competition was another week filled with fantastic football, drama and some upsets across the eight clashes.
It was highlighted by the top of the table Match of the Round between Hills United FC and Gladesville Ravens.
Let’s get onto the review!
Match of the Round: Hills United FC 0 defeated by Gladesville Ravens 1
Gladesville Ravens edged a tense top of the table clash in their 1-0 win against Hills United FC in this week’s Match of the Round.
Hills United FC must be thinking what they need to do to get themselves back in the winner’s circle after another good performance produced no points. The hosts did hit the bar twice from corners which probably underlines their luck.
For Gladesville Ravens, it is another big three points in their mammoth streak which has stretched into 15 weeks now. Striker Gemma Woolley was the only goal scorer in the top of the table clash which gives the Ravens a three-point lead now.
Between two of the heavyweight sides the game was cagey in the opening stages with the first real chance came from the set piece. Ravens Georgia Vlangos flayed her free-kick wide as a warning shot in the contest.
Next, there was a chance for Hills United FC. Striker Stefanie Trovato tried her luck from range but her shot was gobbled up by Ravens custodian Romina Parraguirre.
It was Gladesville Raven’s number seven that was next to fire a shot. The ball bounced towards the feet of Gemma Woolley who drove towards goal and right into the hands of Hills United FC goal keeper Sarah Easthope.
The set piece was one place Hills United FC found joy in the contest this afternoon. Annie Halls struck her free-kick into the wall and away for a corner. The resulted corner fell to the head of captain Desiree Galea who couldn’t direct the header.
Headed towards half-time, both teams had a golden chance to open the scoring. Ravens Maggie O’Reilly was on the end of a flowing move which was saved near post then Galea rattled the crossbar for Hills United FC as the teams went into the break, 0-0.
Coming out of the break, Ravens were the first side that created a chance. It was another set piece, this time for Woolley. She struck the set piece well but again it was directed right at Hills United FC custodian Easthope.
Just after the hour mark, there was a flurry of chances for Hills United FC. First Alix Roberts’ free-kick was saved from deep then Emma Jackson flashed over from a corner. Finally, Annie Halls curled one wide of the mark.
The game did find the opener in the 67th minute. A wonderful threaded ball through found Woolley in stride. She went low with her shot and it rolled into the net to make it 1-0 and the Ravens contingent went wild.
Ravens almost made it double delight three minutes later. Vlangos stood over a free-kick again which she curled over the wall and needed a diving save from Easthope.
Just to underline the barren run from Hills United FC in recent weeks, they rattled the bar again from a corner. It was another header but it managed to stay out as Gladesville Ravens held on for a vital three points.
Speaking post-match Hills United FC coach Alan Tasses remained in disbelief in how his side didn’t pick up anything from the game tonight:
“I don’t know what we need to do to win a game. I thought we did enough to get something out of the game tonight. We hit the underside of the crossbar and on another day it would go in.” said Tasses.
“We’ll find our mojo again but for now it is a bitter pill to swallow. It was a real battle for the Minor Premiership tonight. They took their chance and we didn’t. It is what it is.” finished Tasses.
For Gladesville Ravens coach Andrew Galbraith, he was delighted with his side’s work in this tight contest and remaining on top of the League One Womens ladder:
“It was what we expected. We knew they would came at us after dropping some points in recent weeks. We trained very well during the week and created quite a few chances tonight. For most of the game we kept them having long range chances.” said Galbraith.
“It gives us a cushion at the top but it is a long season. A couple of dropped points can change things around so we’re going to focus on working hard to keep up our standard because we know Hills United and the others will challenge us.” added Galbraith.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 12 June 2022
Bella Vista Public School, Bella Vista
Referee: Mitchell Renton
Assistant Referees: Andrew Bernacki & Caleb Ashton
Hills United FC 0
Gladesville Ravens 1 (Woolley ‘67)
Hills United FC: 1. EASTHOPE Sarah, 2. JACKSON Emma, 3. DAVIDSON Aisling, 4. ROBERTS Alix, 7. TROVATO Stefanie, 8. GALAYINI Bianca (19. HASTIE ‘77), 10. HALLS Annie, 13. GALEA Desiree, 14. BERIOS Ellen (9. LANE ‘62), 15. WHEELER Cassandra, 18. TALLON Leah (5. HANSEN ‘77)
Unused subs: 16. BRIEN Bridget, 21. WHOLOHAN Emma, 22. TROVATO Chantelle
Yellow cards: Lane, Hastie
Red cards: nil
Gladesville Ravens: 5. TANAKA Keiko, 6. SEETO Anja, 7. WOOLLEY Gemma, 8. VLANGOS Georgia, 9. ZACZEK Zoe, 11. BREWIS Lara, 12. DARBY Astreia, 15. GILBANE Elizabeth, 22. PARAGUIRRE Romina, 24. DAVEY Kimberley, 26. O’REILLY Maggie
Unused subs: 2. HARKIN Amy, 4. LIDBETTER Eleanor, 13. WALKER Chloe, 18. LONG Teagan, 21. MILROY Amelie, 25. HANSEN Eloise
Yellow cards: Vlangos, Darby
Red cards: nil
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 0 defeated by Blacktown City FC 3
Derby bragging rights went to Blacktown City FC again in their 3-0 win against a spirited Mt Druitt Town Rangers side on Sunday afternoon.
Blacktown City FC were made to work for their third straight win against the Town Rangers and scored three goals in the second half to seal the win. Goals from striker Claire Szymoniczek, Nicola Ciocca and substitute Alyse McCutcheon settled the game.
Coach David O’Keefe was delighted with the recent work from his team after a frustrating first half of the campaign. He also singled out Yasmin Aloisio and Lexy Thorpe for their tremendous performances as Blacktown City FC recorded a third straight clean sheet.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers battled hard and kept Blacktown City FC at bay for 45 minutes, going into half-time locked up at 0-0. The Town Rangers ran out of steam in the second half but can build on their first half performance.
Marconi Stallions 1 drew with St George FC 1
In a spirited battle Marconi Stallions and St George FC were forced to share the points in a 1-1 draw on Sunday afternoon at Marconi Stadium.
These two sides played out a 0-0 draw earlier this season and they shared the spoils again this afternoon in a score draw. The point will benefit St George FC slightly more as they continue their strong recent run of form.
Marconi Stallions put in a full 90 minute performance which pleased coach Dino Severin as he praised it as their best in recent years. Their goal was scored by Candace Sciberras in the first half to give the hosts the lead.
For St George FC, after over 100 minutes scoreless against Marconi Stallions it took a spectacular goal to snap the streak. Unsurprisingly it was a long range effort from Jordan Baker which struck the underside of the bar for her 26th of the year made it 1-1.
Nepean FC 1 defeated Central Coast Mariners 0
It was a first win under their new leadership for Nepean FC with their 1-0 victory against Central Coast Mariners at Cook Park.
Nepean FC coach Ben Gough will be happy to get the first win under his leadership against one of the toughest teams in League One Womens. That is Nepean FC’s third win of the season and a huge display of their character and grit.
It was a special goal which split the two sides on a brisk Sunday afternoon. Jamaica Marshall unfurled a long-range effort which flew past Mariners custodian Kyara O’Brien. Nepean FC were solid in defence and held out the visitors.
For Central Coast Mariners, it is one of those afternoons. The yellow-and-navy huffed and puffed but were unable to blow Nepean FC’s house down. Mariners coach was happy with their performance besides their finishing in front of goal.
Camden Tigers 1 defeated by South Coast Flame FC 2
South Coast Flame travelled to Camden Tigers ground and took home a 2-1 win at Ron Dine Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Flame bounced back with a solid win against a dogged Tigers side. The south coast side remain in equal ninth spot alongside Sutherland Shire FA as their solid debut campaign continues to roll on and pushes forward.
Darby Walsh scored in the first 10 minutes for South Coast Flame FC then substitute Sairah Wilson handed the visitors all three points with her late goal. Coach Daniel Naumovski will be happy to take four points against their fellow debutants.
Camden Tigers battled hard and equalised just after half-time through a wonderfully taken free-kick from Claire Witton. Coach Troy Witton was happy with their second half after a sloppy first half and just one moment cost them.
South East Phoenix FC 0 defeated by Northbridge Bulls FC 7
The Northbridge Bulls FC were on parade in their 7-0 win against South East Phoenix FC down at South Nowra Football Complex on Sunday afternoon.
Goals flowed like water this week for Northbridge Bulls FC. They have scored 12 goals in the last four days which included their 5-1 win against Camden Tigers in their catch-up game. Tamires Souza with a brace in that win.
This afternoon was a demolition job from Souza. She scored six goals in Northbridge Bulls FC’s huge win and is quickly catching up to Golden Boot leader Jordan Baker. Evelyn Chronis added the other goal at the hour mark.
SD Raiders FC 4 defeated Inter Lions 0
SD Raiders FC bounced back in style with a 4-0 win against Inter Lions on Sunday afternoon at Ernie Smith Reserve.
It was the perfect response for SD Raiders FC after their back-to-back losses. Sarah Mandile continued her fine goal scoring form with a first half brace which had the hosts leading 2-0 at half-time. It also took the striker’s tally to 14 goals for the season and counting.
The other two goals for SD Raiders FC were scored by Tahlia Vousden and substitute Elana Topalidis in a comfortable result. It also keeps SD Raiders FC firmly in the hunt for a League One Womens finals appearance.
Inter Lions were beaten which will bruise the confidence slightly after their recent uptick in form which included their second win of the season. Coach Adrian Contarino is still rebuilding the side and trying out options for the future.
UNSW FC 2 defeated Sutherland Shire FA 0
Rounding off week 17 is a closely fought 2-0 win for UNSW FC against Sutherland Shire FA at Hensley Athletic Field on Sunday night.
The students made it back-to-back wins with three points on a cold evening at Hensley but the important thing for UNSW FC coach Guillermo Rubio will be the side keeping another clean sheet and stay in the hunt for the finals.
Both goals for UNSW FC were scored in the first half through Marcella Santos and Hannah Charak which gave them the 2-0 lead. The students continue to show they will be right in the fight for the finals towards the end of the season.
Sutherland Shire FA provided a nuisance for the UNSW FC side. They once again took it to their much more fancied opponents and continue to build their experience. Coach Jon Long hopes his side continues their upward swing and start converting some of their chances.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
