Round 18 Review – League One Women’s
Round 18 saw some big results in the Football NSW League One Womens competition as the lead continues to change at the top while the fight for finals football continues unabated.
The eight contests played out across Saturday and Sunday were full of action, drama and of course goals.
Let’s get onto the Review!
Match of the Round: Central Coast Mariners 2 drew with Northbridge Bulls FC 2
A pair of second half goals were enough for Northbridge Bulls FC take a point in their 2-2 draw against Central Coast Mariners at Pluim Park.
Central Coast Mariners strode into a 2-0 lead in the first half with a goal from captain Kaitlin Murphy and a sumptuous strike from Sophie Nenadovic. The yellow-and-navy were unable to hold their lead but do take a point from the pulsating contest.
For Northbridge Bulls FC, it is a wonderful fightback to claw back a point. It started with who else but Tamires Souza pulling one back just after half-time. Substitute Cate Gyzen completed their comeback late on to keep them in the top four.
In an important clash for both sides, it was the visitors coming off their recent positive form which had the first chance through Jessica Talbot which was flayed wide.
Central Coast Mariners responded in emphatic fashion with a drive which rattled the post and fired a warning shot to the Bulls defence.
Bulls continued to pile up some chances through Rochelle Johnson and Caitlin Campbell but were unable to find a way past Mariners keeper Kyara O’Brien.
It was the Mariners who found the back of the net first. Captain Kaitlin Murphy fired home for her tenth goal of the season, making it 1-0 to Central Coast Mariners.
Just before half-time, Mariners doubled their delight. It came from a spectacular effort from Sophie Nenadovic who chipped one past Bulls custodian Trudy Burke to make it 2-0.
Needing a response after half-time, Northbridge Bulls FC were alert and pulled one back in the 48th minute. It was a nice finish from Tamires Souza to add to her tally and make it 2-1.
The goal motivated the Bulls to push forward and find an equaliser. Campbell stood over a free-kick which needed to be saved by O’Brien then the follow up was flayed wide.
Campbell continued to be a threat for the Mariners defence. She had another effort which was saved into the path of Hannah Beard who also fired wide.
After the hour mark, the Mariners tried to restore their two-goal advantage twice. Murphy had a driving run through the Bulls midfield but shot straight then Mia MacFarlane also had a chance.
It seemed like the goal was coming for Northbridge Bulls FC but they were continuing to fire shots including one for Talbot from a Souza set up.
The Bulls coach rang the changes and substitute Cate Gyzen stood up a cross which found the head of Souza which was nodded wide of the mark.
The game continued to swing like a pendulum with Murphy and Nenadovic both having chances for the Mariners while Souza continued to go close for the Bulls.
Northbridge Bulls FC did find an equaliser from substitute Gyzen. She strode down the wing before she drove into the box and rifled home to make it 2-2.
Just before stoppage time, Northbridge Bulls FC almost snatched all three points from the set piece. Souza stood over the free-kick which rattled the crossbar and the follow up couldn’t be turned home as the two sides split the points.
Central Coast Mariners coach Pete Preston was happy with his side’s performance in their draw against one of the contender sides in the League One Womens competition:
“Playing against a good side, I thought we hung tough for a long time. We played quite well in the first half and played our style which let us hit them in transition. We got off to a slow start in the second half which hurt us.” said Preston.
“We played just as well last week, created enough chances but the ball didn’t hit the back of the net for us. Nepean FC were on the improve and I think they will surprise some sides in the second half of the competition.” finished Preston.
For the Northbridge Bulls FC coach, he was delighted with the fightback from his side after conceding twice in the first half and taking home a point:
“It was a good tough game and the main thing everyone wanted to attack tonight and score some goals which brings the fans to the game. We had a lot of possession and territory which is good but you can’t give good teams a head start in this competition.” he said.
“We have been playing really well and not conceding silly goals which we did today. We are starting to produce some good young talent which is what the club is built on. I think we did that today.” he finished.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 19 June 2022
Pluim Park, Lisarow
Referee: Mariano Llana
Assistant Referees: Simon Burchett and Michael Shen
Central Coast Mariners 2 (Murphy ‘25, Nenadovic ‘43)
Northbridge Bulls FC 2 (Souza ‘46, Gyzen ‘86)
Central Coast Mariners: 2. MURPHY Kaitlin (11. GLENDENNING ‘82), 4. DOUGLASS Teagan, 5. SHORTER Elizabeth, 6. SMITH Chloe, 7. BLANCH Gabrielle (10. ASIMUS ‘45), 8. NENADOVIC Sophie, 12. DRYSDALE Jordyn, 14. JONES Eloise, 16. MACFARLANE Mia, 17. CARMODY Kia, 20. O’BRIEN Kyara
Unused subs: 1. HINES Rhiannon, 13. BOELHOUWER Kasey, 18. AUDDINO Indianna, 21. SMITH Trinity
Yellow cards: Jones
Red cards: nil
Northbridge Bulls FC: 1. BURKE Trudy, 4. SEAMAN Jessica, 7. CAMPBELL Caitlin (15. MACRI ‘66), 10. SOUZA Tamires, 11. GREY Elizabeth, 12. BEARD Hannah (24. GYZEN ‘66), 16. DI SCIASCIO Erica, 19. CLOUT Tessa, 26. JOHNSON Rochelle, 35. TALBOT Jessica (2. KING ‘89), 37. FISHER Alanna (18. COWARD ‘82)
Unused subs: 21. SEGAVCIC Keeley
Yellow cards: Campbell
Red cards: nil
South Coast Flame FC 1 drew with Nepean FC 1
The resurgence continues for Nepean FC after their 1-1 draw against South Coast Flame FC at Ian McLennan Park on Saturday afternoon.
South Coast Flame FC have picked up four points from their last two contests and remain consistent in tenth place in the League One Womens table. They did find the back of the net once to take their share of the points on Saturday afternoon.
Nepean FC keep their positive momentum from last weekend going with another point added to the bank and move to 13 points for the season. Coach Ben Gough has the young side clicking and they will play spoiler for the remainder.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 1 defeated by Marconi Stallions 3
Marconi Stallions stampede rolled on in their 3-1 win against a dogged Mt Druitt Town Rangers side at Popondetta Park in Sunday afternoon.
The visitors picked up six points in their two clashes against Mt Druitt Town Rangers this week which included their 3-0 midweek success. Marconi Stallions remain right in the hunt for the League One Womens finals.
Marconi Stallions showed off their skill at the set piece with a corner and free-kick goal in their win on Sunday afternoon. Hannah Voloder, Emma Voloder and a stoppage time strike from Nicole Ossio were the Stallions scorers.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers were brave against one of the heavyweight sides despite being a patched up side in recent weeks. Veronica Dimo scored to pull them back to 2-1 but they were unable to find another goal.
Inter Lions 3 defeated South East Phoenix FC 2
In the second half of the weekend double header Inter Lions triumphed 3-2 against South East Phoenix FC at Majors Bay Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
For the first half of the weekend, the spoils went to South East Phoenix FC. The hosts won 3-1 down at Nowra with Madison Cater, Jorgi Webb and Ella Simon all scoring in the first half while Bella Donaldson was the scorer for Inter Lions.
On Sunday, Inter Lions struck back and took the points. Back at Majors Bay Reserve Jess Wootton got a double in the contest while Bella Donaldson made it back-to-back games with a goal to round off the scoring.
For South East Phoenix FC, they will take three points away from the weekend and struck back twice on Sunday afternoon. Madison Cater and Ella Simon were once again on the scoresheet in the visitors loss away from home.
St George FC 6 defeated Camden Tigers 0
St George FC were clinical in their 6-0 drubbing of Camden Tigers down at Fraser Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Saints ran rampant in the first half and led 5-0 going into the half-time whistle. Jordan Baker continued her quest for the Golden Boot with a hat-trick which helped St George FC make it a dozen wins for the season.
Their other goals were scored by Maddison Farmer, Stevie Donougher and midfielder Sarah Nachar in the St George FC win. Coach Mark Cupitt was delighted with his side’s performance headed into the tougher part of their schedule coming up.
Camden Tigers were below their usual performance in the first half against a clinical St George FC side but put together a better showing in the second half where the visitors only conceded a single goal late in stoppage time.
Blacktown City FC 1 drew with Sutherland Shire FA 1
Both Blacktown City FC and Sutherland Shire FA shared the points in a 1-1 draw at Blacktown City Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon.
Blacktown City FC opened the scoring with a rocket from striker Claire Szymoniczek in the first half but were unable to hold onto the three points. The hosts did have a late free-kick from Lexy Thorpe which was tipped wide and some fantastic saves from custodian Kiara Rochaix to keep their point.
Sutherland Shire FA found an equaliser from youngster Violet Keelan in the second half but the visitors were wasteful in front of goal. Coach Jon Long was happy with their performance as they dominated the contest across the 90 minutes.
For Blacktown City FC coach David O’Keefe was happy with the performance from the aforementioned Szymoniczek and Rochaix alongside Ainsley Byrne and Lexy Thorpe. Sutherland Shire FA have continued their growth as a young side.
SD Raiders FC 1 defeated by Hills United FC 6
It was an emphatic return to form for Hills United FC in their 6-1 win against SD Raiders FC at Ernie Smith Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
Hills United FC had been missing their finishing touch in the last fortnight but rediscovered it in style with their demolition of fortress Ernie Smith Reserve. Coach Alan Tasses was relieved post match to be back to winning ways.
The goals were shared around for Hills United FC. Bianca Galayini got the party started with goal then Stefanie Trovato, Aisling Davidson and Alix Roberts all struck without reply. Isabella Sciberras and captain Desiree Galea were the other scorers in the big win.
SD Raiders FC did find a consolation goal in the second half. Rojin Polat added another goal to her tally to make it 4-1 at one point. The loss will see SD Raiders FC lose ground in their chase for finals football headed into the final stretch.
Gladesville Ravens 0 defeated by UNSW FC 1
For our Round 18 night cap UNSW FC produced a tremendous display in their 1-0 win against Gladesville Ravens at Christie Park on Sunday night.
The loss tonight snaps Gladesville Ravens long unbeaten streak which had stretched past three months and had them at the top of the League One Womens competition. Gladesville Ravens remain equal first but seeded top spot to Hills United FC.
Gladesville Ravens have been exceptional in their rise towards the top and their long streak will help them in their race for both promotion and the finals series coming up later this season. Coach Alex Galbraith will be back to the drawing board for another big clash next week.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
