Round 24 Review – League One Women’s
I do love playing away was the catch cry from League One Womens Round 24 as there were six (technically seven) away wins from the eight contests.
We also had some dramatic upsets and big wins across the Sunday set to dig into.
Let’s get into the review!
Match of the Round: St George FC 2 defeated by Central Coast Mariners 3
Central Coast Mariners pulled off a big result in their 3-2 win over St George FC in the Match of the Round at Fraser Park on Sunday afternoon.
St George FC will be disappointed not to be able to build on their huge win against Hills United FC last weekend and cement their spot in the top four. Maddison Farmer opened the scoring before they were pegged back and made it 3-2 late through Paris Alcorn.
For the yellow-and-navy, it is a big three points for them and a big scalp after their mid-week loss to Gladesville Ravens. Chloe Smith got them going before a brace from Kiera Bainsfair settled the game for the visitors.
The Saints started in quick fashion opening the scoring with their first shot of the game. A ball from defensive midfield setting a move in motion which Jordy Baker picked up releasing Maddison Farmer beyond the defense. Farmer sliding it past the keeper into the bottom right corner
At the other end, Chloe Smith was the main threat, Smith taking her first shot of the game soon after which drifted wide of the left post.
The Saints have a chance to double their lead approaching the 20th minute. Goal scorer Maddison Farmer with a low shot which draws a save from the keeper down low diving forward.
Chloe Smith continuing to prove the main threat for the visitors, she has another chance soon after, St George keeper making sure turning it around the post. The Mariners have their best chance of the match from the resulting corner, Indianna Auddino denied by a goal saving clearance on the line.
Mariners have their tails up and their captain Sophie Nenadovic nearly grabs the equalizer with a good effort from 25 yards. A swerving shot forcing Chloe Avgoustou into a good save palming it over the bar.
Although a Saints corner nearly stopped them in their tracks, with Maddison Farmer heading the ball goalward with the ball hitting the inside of the left post before the Mariners keeper claims it.
After the resumption, the Mariners opened the half in terms of chances, Chloe Smith heading just wide of the target after Indianna Auddino sent a ball across. A chance which was followed by Gabrielle Blanch having a one on one denied by Avgoutou.
Mariners were the more threatening at this point and grabbed a deserved equalizer on the hour mark. A wonderful strike from Chloe Smith from outside the area beating the keeper as it flew into net to bring things level.
Indeed the away side took a surprise lead with twenty minutes remaining. Keira Bainsfair finding room outside her marker capitalizing on a mistake before finishing emphatically on the half volley to send them into the lead.
Keira Bainsfair adding a third just after the 75th minute, with another stunning effort from distance after she received the ball in an attacking midfield position. Bainsfair sizing up her options before finding the top right corner.
St George needed a response and it came from a Paris Alcorn goal after a series of set pieces put pressure on the Mariners. Alcorn opting for power to beat a desperate Mariners defense on the line.
However they wouldn’t be able to grab the coveted equalizer with a brave Mariners side seeing the game out.
Speaking post-match St George FC coach Mark Cupitt was disappointed with the loss especially after their big win last week but St George FC are still in a good position to get back into the top four in the next few weeks.
Central Coast Mariners coach Pete Edwards was proud of his side with their response in recent weeks and it shows the belief in the squad:
“The girls have had a bad run but we’ve broken that back with the win today. The girls battled hard and got their reward. We made some adjustments in the second half and pressed which led to our three goals in that period.” said Edwards.
“For the girls to respond that way after going a goal down shows there is a belief in the squad and that hard work will help them towards their results. That showed in our win today and hopefully lead to a few more this season.” finished Edwards.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 31st July 2022
Fraser Park, Sydenham
Referee: Sean Thomson
Assistant Referee: Haythem Aguilera
St George FC 2 (Farmer ‘7 Alcorn ‘83)
Central Coast Mariners 3 (Smith ‘61, Bainsfair ‘66, ‘76)
St George FC: 1. AVGOUSTOU Chloe, 2. BESZ Nicole, 5. MAXWELL Morgan, 7. LEE Alicia, 9. BAKER Jordan, 12. DALE Kate (15. PEZZOTTA ‘70), 14. MAGUIRE Jasmine (32. ALCORN ‘48), 18. MEADS Jess, 21. NICOLLS Lara (28. HUTTON ‘45), 23. FARMER Maddison (25. VANDERLAAN ‘65), 31. CRYER Abbie-Rose
Unused subs: 3. MINAS Joanna, 20. ORPHANIDES Amalia
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Central Coast Mariners: 4. DOUGLAS Teagan, 6. SMITH Chloe, 8. NENADOVIC Sophie, 9. BAINSFAIR Keira, 11. GLENDENNING Rachel, 12. DRSYDALE Jordyn, 13. BOELHOUWER Kasey, 16. MCFARLANE Mia, 17. CARMODY Kia, 18. AUDDINO Indianna, 20. O’BRIEN Kyara
Unused subs: 1. HINES Rhiannon, 14. CATTLEY Chloe, 24. HANSEN Stephanie
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Big thanks to Justin Smith, League One Mens extraordinaire for compiling this report
Blacktown City FC 1 defeated by South Coast Flame FC 2
Back-to-back wins for South Coast Flame FC as they visited Blacktown City FC in their 2-1 win on Sunday afternoon at Blacktown City Sports Centre.
South Coast Flame FC found the back of the net through regular goal contributor Jessica Cruickshank in the first half and another from substitute Darby Walsh in the win. Coach Daniel Naumovski will be pleased for his side to register back-to-back wins.
Blacktown City FC equalised in the first half through Nicola Ciocca as she continues her purple patch of goal scoring with her fifth goal of the season. The hosts pushed forward in the second half but were unable to find another equaliser despite several close calls.
The Flame have continued their hold on tenth position in the League One Womens table in a good end to their debut campaign. Blacktown City FC coach David O’Keefe praised Ciocca, Kiara Rochaix and a returning Yasmin Aloisio on their end.
Camden Tigers 0 defeated by UNSW FC 3
The students remain in fourth place after their 3-0 win against Camden Tigers at Ron Dine Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
UNSW FC rebounded from their Match of the Round loss in comfortable style against a gallant Tigers side. It was Amanda Levaskevich who got the scoring under way for the students after a scoreless first half between the sides.
Eve Hess and Sasha Rodrigez were the other goal scorers in the second half for UNSW FC in a win which boosts their chances at the top four in the League One Womens competition. Coach Guillermo Rubio will be pleased at the response from his side after their display last week.
Camden Tigers will remain positive despite a defeat which snaps their two-game winning streak. The Tigers were made to pay for some defensive lapses but also had two efforts cleared off the line but coach Troy Witton was happy with his side.
Nepean FC 0 defeated by Gladesville Ravens 2
Gladesville Ravens won their 21st game of the season in a 2-0 win against a defiant Nepean FC at Cook Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Ravens built on their mid-week win up at Pluim Park with another win which keeps their six-point gap at the top of the League One Womens ladder. Gladesville have one hand on the Premiership trophy with their consistent record.
Ravens mid-season signing Jess Wootton was once again the star for Gladesville Ravens. She fired home a brace either side of half-time to secure the three points. It takes Wootton to double figures for goals this season.
Nepean FC dug deep and kept the score line from becoming a much larger problem against one of League One Womens best sides. Much of that was due to a good performance on debut from 17-year-old keeper Evangeline Papalia between the sticks.
Sutherland Shire FA 3 defeated Marconi Stallions 1
The streak goes on for Sutherland Shire FA in their 3-1 win against Marconi Stallions played at historic Marconi Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Sutherland Shire FA continue their rise up the League One Womens ladder after they picked up their eleventh win of the campaign. Lily Hart got their opener and had Sutherland Shire FA lead 1-0 for much of the first half.
In-form striker Violet Keelan added another goal to her impressive tally in the second half alongside a strike from Janan Codmani from a good combination move. Coach Jon Long was happy with the performance from his side.
Marconi Stallions have endured a tough League One Womens campaign and might be out of the running for the finals now. The Stallions did score through Emma Voloder to make sure it wasn’t a duck egg on the scoreboard.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 1 drew with Inter Lions 1
Mt Druitt Town Rangers picked up another point in their 1-1 draw against Inter Lions at Popondetta Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Town Rangers will feel much better this weekend compared to their performance last week against South Coast Flame FC. Angel Lynch was the provider for their goal with a good cutback for Holly Pender to find the back of the net.
Afterwards coach Neil Ross conceded it was a game which got away from the side. Veronica Dimo was denied twice from good saves from Inter keeper Cristina Esposito then had another effort crash against the crossbar after being subbed on.
For Inter Lions, it is back-to-back draws for them. Their goal was scored by Marissa Papoulidis for another goal for her tally. The Lions remain in 11th spot on the ladder and can play spoiler for the rest of the League One Womens season.
South East Phoenix FC 1 defeated by Hills United FC 3
It was a return to winning ways for Hills United FC in their 3-1 win down at South Nowra Football Complex against South East Phoenix FC.
Hills United FC rebounded from their shock loss to St George in comfortable fashion which had them leading 3-0 at the break. Isabella Sciberras scored in the 4th minute before Bianca Galayini and Ellen Berios completed the scoring.
Coach Alan Tasses was happy to take three points but reminded them they have to play for the full 90 minutes against teams. Hills United FC also keep up the pressure on leaders Gladesville Ravens headed into the final stretch.
For South East Phoenix FC, they found a late consolation through Lillian Skelley despite not having their full compliment due to injuries and illness. Skelley came on in the last half hour and the youngster will remember her First Grade debut for a long time.
SD Raiders FC 2 defeated by Northbridge Bulls FC 4
Northbridge Bulls continue their strong run with a comeback 4-2 win against SD Raiders FC at Ernie Smith Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
Ernie Smith Reserve is a hard place to get a result and even harder when SD Raiders FC strike first like they did on Sunday afternoon through Rojin Polat. SD Raiders FC were pegged back but find the back of the net again through Jessica Neville.
The Bulls found their goals in the second half with sharpshooter Tamires Souza registered a hat-trick to bolster her goal tally. Siahn Bozanic scored the other goal with the only blight for Northbridge being the red card to Hannah Beard late in the contest.
This result keeps Northbridge Bulls FC firmly in pole position for third spot in the League One Womens competition with a big game against Gladesville Ravens next weekend. SD Raiders FC are six points adrift and need to find results quickly.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
