Round 23 Review – League One Women’s
Round 22 in the League One Womens saw the race for the finals get packed tighter than a can of tuna between the top five sides.
The rain cruelled two games but the six left had some exciting action and drama to enjoy.
Let’s get onto the review!
Match of the Round: Northbridge Bulls FC 4 defeated UNSW FC 0
The Bulls were on parade in a 4-0 win by Northbridge against UNSW FC at Northbridge Oval in this week’s Match of the Round.
Northbridge Bulls FC have got their mojo back and move within a point of UNSW FC after their comfortable win. Cate Gyzen opened the scoring alongside second half goals from Tamires Souza, Jessica Seaman and Evelyn Chronis.
For UNSW FC, they were unable to fire much of a shot in the Match of the Round but do remain in fourth spot headed into the final six weeks. Coach Guillermo Rubio was disappointed to lose but remained hopeful for his side’s prospects.
On a bright afternoon, these two sides had their eyes set on three points. Northbridge Bulls FC started brighter of the two with some half chances from the set piece.
UNSW FC had their first chance when a cross found the head of Sarah Ferris who looped her effort close to goal but it was swept away by the Bulls defence.
Next, Hannah Beard had a shot which was turned over the bar quickly followed by a wicked free-kick from Kiara Farquhar which crashed against the crossbar from the head of a Bulls attacker.
Northbridge Bulls FC found the opener just after the half hour mark and converted their dominance in the contest. Cate Gyzen tapped home from a Tamires Souza cutback to make it 1-0.
Gyzen was central to much of the positive work the Bulls did in the first half. She cushioned a wonderful pass into the path of Evelyn Chronis who scuffed her shot wide of the mark.
The Bulls were keen to double their delight before the break. Beard combined well with Souza inside the box for the striker to fire straight at UNSW FC custodian Tiahna Robertson.
After the break, Northbridge Bulls FC did double their advantage from the spot. A handball from a corner meant that Souza stepped up and rolled home to make it 2-0.
The students had a pair of chances back-to-back to pull back a goal. Eve Hess put a free-kick right at Bulls keeper Trudy Burke then Burke was called upon again to tip a shot from Ferris over the bar.
The Bulls keep pushing forward looking to add to their advantage. Gyzen craned a header right at UNSW FC keeper Robertson as they look to add to their goal difference.
UNSW FC’s final chance of the contest fell to Amanda Levaskevich who whipped an effort into the side netting. Levaskevich did have a rousing cheer squad to motivate her throughout the contest.
Northbridge Bulls FC added a third just before stoppage time. A corner was swung in and Jessica Seaman reacted quickest to sweep the ball into the back of the net for 3-0.
Chronis added the icing on top of the victory cake for Northbridge Bulls FC. She weaved into the cross and bent an effort beyond Robertson for 4-0 and a comfortable Bulls win.
Post match a delighted Northbridge Bulls FC coach Bill Papas remarked that his side had found their mojo and dominated the contest:
“I thought we were outstanding today. The girls played out the gameplan to a 10/10 and we were a notch above the opposition. I think we’ve started to get our mojo back and play some entertaining football.” said Papas.
For UNSW FC coach Guillermo Rubio, it was disappointing to lose the match but he remained hopeful for their chances to make the finals:
“It was a complicated game. Northbridge were very good and were on fire which is hard to stop. We didn’t play to our game and didn’t settle. We’ve been doing really good and this is only a loss which shouldn’t get in our way.” said Rubio.
“I’d rather one big loss than to string them together at this point in the season. We are still up there for the finals and we’ll keep going for the last few weeks.” added Rubio.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 24th July 2022
Northbridge Oval, Northbridge
Referee: Simon Foster
Assistant Referees: Kieran Rees-Bevan & Angus Wong
Northbridge Bulls FC 4 (Gyzen ‘31, Souza ‘58, Seaman ‘89, Chronis ‘92)
UNSW FC 0
Northbridge Bulls FC: 1. BURKE Trudy, 4. SEAMAN Jessica, 6. FARQUHAR Kiara (18. COWARD ‘72), 8. CHRONIS Evelyn, 10. SOUZA Tamires, 11. GREY Elizabeth, 12. BEARD Hannah, 15. MANOS Angelina (35. BROWNE ‘60), 16. DI SCIASCIO Erika, 19. CLOUT Tessa (37. FISHER ‘90), 24. GYZEN Cate (7. MACRI ‘90)
Unused subs: 21. SEGAVCIC Keeley
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
UNSW FC: 1. ROBERTSON Tiahna, 2. FERRIS Sarah, 3. MULLINS Jesse, 4. BLAYNEY Ashley (16. MORRIS ‘62), 7. DARLASTON Rio (17. SUMMERSBY-MITCHELL ‘62), 8. MURPHY Sonja, 9. RODRIGUEZ Sasha, 11. SANTOS Marcella, 12. HESS Eve, 19. MCCORMICK Grace, 28. LEVASKEVICH Amanda
Unused subs: 13. ADAM Nicole, 21. HOWELL Akala, 25. BINIARES Georgia, 50. MCCARTHY Tessa
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
South Coast Flame FC 7 defeated Mt Druitt Town Rangers 0
South Coast Flame FC were red hot with a 7-0 win against Mt Druitt Town Rangers on Saturday afternoon at Sir Ian McLennan Park.
The Flame put together a second half blitz of goals which saw them overwhelm the visiting Town Rangers in the Saturday daylight. Jessica Cruickshank continued her strong form this season with a goal in each half.
Alongside Cruickshank’s double the goals were shared around by South Coast Flame FC. Emilia Skopal got the party started in the 63rd minute followed by Monique Koloski, Lulu Lozano, Ebony Freeman and Emily Kostovski as three substitutes scored in the one-sided affair.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers did well in the first half only being down 1-0 going into the sheds. The second half was a diabolical performance from the side. Coach Neil Ross called it unacceptable for his side as they prepare for next week.
St George FC 1 defeated Hills United FC 0
One of the bigger shocks of the season happened when St George FC defeated Hills United FC 1-0 on a crisp afternoon at Fraser Park.
The Saints move into third spot with their big three points and just make the race for the top four in League One Womens tighter. The only goal in the contest came from Maddison Farmer just before the half hour mark.
Hills United FC were frustrated as it was one of those afternoons where they did everything but put the ball in the back of the net. Coach Alan Tasses will have the team doing shooting practice during the week to make up for it.
St George FC had to buckle down in the second half and hold on with gritted teeth for the points which could be vital to their top four hopes come seasons end. For Hills United FC, it hurts their chances to take out the Premiership and keeps them three points behind Gladesville Ravens.
Inter Lions 1 drew with Blacktown City FC 1
It was points shared between Inter Lions and Blacktown City FC in their 1-1 draw at Majors Bay Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
Blacktown City FC were down on troops but not on spirit in taking a point tonight. Their goal came from the spot with captain Rachel Chalhoub firing home for her third goal of the season. Coach David O’Keefe was proud of the side to get something from the game.
O’Keefe gave some praise to goalkeeper Ana Ivanovic who was between the sticks and made some superb saves in the contest. He also was positive on Jessica Harkin, Maeve Goehner and a debuting Hayley Hemmons in the game.
For Inter Lions, they have added another point to their bank. The hosts had most of the possession in the contest and put in a better shift than their first encounter. Jenna Smith was their goal scorer in the draw.
South East Phoenix FC 0 defeated by Camden Tigers 2
Camden Tigers took the road trip down to Nowra and returned with a 2-0 win against South East Phoenix FC on Sunday afternoon.
That is back-to-back wins for Camden Tigers who moved within a point of Nepean FC on the League One Womens table. Bianca Noble gave them the perfect start with a goal in the first 60 seconds with Kristy Rohrer also scoring in the second half.
Tigers coach Troy Witton admitted it wasn’t the prettiest win for the side who had to withstand some heavy fire from the hosts in the final half hour. They were able to repel them due to some fantastic saves from Alexandra Witton between the sticks.
South East Phoenix FC started slow but found their rhythm in the second half and flew home with a wet sail but were unable to find the back of the net. Unfortunately, it is another loss for the regional side who face Hills United FC next week.
Nepean FC 1 defeated by Sutherland Shire FA 3
Our night cap featured Sutherland Shire FA winning 3-1 against Nepean FC at Jamison Park on Sunday night.
Sutherland Shire FA have won fourth games on the bounce after their latest success which moves them into tenth spot on the League One Womens ladder. Violet Keelan added another goal to her tally which made it 11 for the season.
Alina Stojcevski and Lacie Bowling were the other goal scorers in the comfortable win for Sutherland Shire FA. Coach Jon Long was happy to get the win as the side dominated possession but were slightly wasteful in front of goal.
Nepean FC did pull a goal back through Holly Dalrymble in the first half. She fired home for the hosts after some good pressure on the Sutherland Shire FA keeper. Nepean FC were also forced to finish the game with nine players due to injury.
Marconi Stallions vs SD Raiders FC & Central Coast Mariners vs Gladesville Ravens was washed out
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
