Round 26 Review – League One Women’s
Round 26 gave us some clarity into the makeup of the League One Womens top four headed into the final month.
There were seven scintillating games which took places including a massive Match of the Round between Hills United FC and UNSW FC.
Let’s get onto the review!
Match of the Round: Hills United FC 0 defeated by UNSW FC 1
UNSW FC picked up three valuable points in their 1-0 win against Hills United FC at Bella Vista Public School on Sunday afternoon.
Hills United FC were taken out of their rhythm against the students and find a way past UNSW FC custodian Tiahna Robertson. The result is a massive blow for Hills United FC’s Premiership aspirations into the final month.
This result ends a massive week for UNSW FC on a high. They take six points from both their games this weekend and celebrated in due style after full-time. Eve Hess was the lone goal scorer in the first half to secure the three points.
In a top four clash, the action started predictably fast and furious. Amanda Levaskevich had a chance for UNSW FC within the first 60 seconds before Aisling Davidson responded with a nodded header wide of the mark.
UNSW FC were the side to make their hot start count. Eve Hess weaved past defenders and rounded Hills United FC custodian Sarah Easthope to drill home for 1-0 after ten minutes.
Building off their lead, Jesse Mullins had a shot from deep for UNSW FC which went wide followed by Marcella Santos thrashing wide after some smart work from Mullins.
The best chances for Hills United FC came from the set piece. Annie Halls stood over a mid-range free-kick which she whipped over the crossbar. UNSW FC had their own free-kick which Miranda Summersby-Mitchell also swept over.
Hills United FC finished the first half in a flurry. Bianca Galayini was in the thick of the action and had a pair of chances from inside the box which were both saved well by UNSW FC ‘keeper Tiahna Robertson.
Santos had the final chance of the first half for UNSW FC. She strode through several defenders before she put her shot right at Easthope.
Coming out of the break, UNSW FC were feeling just fine. Santos showed good skill to cut inside well before she forced Easthope into a fantastic save to tip it over the bar.
The students kept pushing forward for a second goal and went close again through Hess and Santos on the left side. They combined well before Hess shot straight at the keeper.Preview (opens in a new tab)
As the game inched into the final half hour, Hills United FC pushed forward for an equaliser. Alix Roberts and Davidson both tried their luck from out wide but neither tested the keeper.
Hills United FC had a golden chance late in the contest to equalise and set up a grandstand finish. The ball was cutback to Roberts who arrowed towards the left corner but was denied by a sprawling Robertson.
Both sides fought tooth and nail in a physical contest and through the seven minutes of additional time for further drama. It was UNSW FC that prevailed and they were joyous in their celebration after the final whistle.
Speaking post-match Hills United FC coach Alan Tasses lamented his side being taken out of their usual style in the first half and being unable to break through:
“They came out extremely physical and couldn’t break them down. They were sound at the back and we went away from our game plan. We lost some composure, and it is disappointing for us. We’re better than that which we have shown all year. It is a massive loss which might bite us at the end of the season in our chase against Gladesville Ravens.” said Tasses.
For UNSW FC coach Guillermo Rubio, he was delighted with the effort from his side in a busy week for the side and matching it with the heavyweight side:
“It was more than a game, it was a war. It is really difficult to play against them but I am happy we survived and the character they showed to win. This match puts us in a good position to play in the finals this season which was an aim.” said Rubio.
“We played on Thursday which didn’t help our fitness levels in a tough game. I am happy we took our chances and took three points tonight.” finished Rubio.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 14th August 2022
Bella Vista Public School, Bella Vista
Referee: Glen Stubbings
Assistant Referees: Alexandar Zastavnikovic & Caleb Ashton
Hills United FC 0
UNSW FC 1 (Eve Hess ‘10)
Hills United FC: 1. EASTHOPE Sarah, 2. JACKSON Emma, 3. DAVIDSON Aisling, 4. ROBERTS Alix, 7. TROVATO Stefanie, 8. GALAYINI Bianca (14. BERIOS ‘57), 10. HALLS Annie, 13. GALEA Desiree, 17. SCIBERRAS Isabella (27. BERRIDGE ‘78), 18. TALLON Leah, 19. HASTIE Brooke
Unused subs: 16. BREIN Bridget, 20. EDMONDS Maddison, 21. WHOLOHAN Emma, 22. TROVATO Chantelle
Yellow cards: Galayini
Red cards: nil
UNSW FC: 1. ROBERTSON Tiahna, 2. FERRIS Sarah (16. MORRIS ‘84), 3. MULLINS Jesse, 7. DARLASTON Rio, 8. MURPHY Sonja, 11. SANTOS Marcella (26. RAWSON ‘84), 12. HESS Eve, 17. SUMMERSBY-MITCHELL Miranda (4. BLAYNEY ‘66), 19. MCCORMICK Grace, 20. CHRISTOPHER Cassandra, 28. LEVASKEVICH Amanda (9. RODRIGUEZ ‘71)
Unused subs: 13. ADAM Nicole, 21. HOWELL Akala
Yellow cards: Hess, McCormick
Red cards: nil
Marconi Stallions 0 defeated by South Coast Flame FC 2
The roll continues for South Coast Flame FC after their 2-0 victory against Marconi Stallions at Marconi Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
South Coast Flame FC are finishing their debut campaign in style. They have reeled off five straight games unbeaten and might eye off a top half finish in the League One Womens table which would be a fine return.
The Flame scored both their goals in the second half after a tense battle in the first 45 minutes which saw them deadlocked. Jessica Cruickshank and Alexis Malizis were the goal scorers in their 11th win of the season.
Marconi Stallions huffed and puffed but the ball refused to find a way past the stubborn South Coast Flame FC defence on Sunday afternoon. They won’t have long to dwell before their catch-up game against Camden Tigers mid-week.
Sutherland Shire FA 3 defeated Mt Druitt Town Rangers 0
Sutherland Shire FA kept their impressive run going with a 3-0 win against Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Harrie Denning Centre on Sunday afternoon.
After their slow start, Sutherland Shire FA have rocketed into the top half of the League One Womens competition and will be looking to finish high as they can. Sunday afternoon saw them rise to sixth position on the ladder.
One aspect of their play has been the ability to share the goals around the side in recent weeks. Isabella Raad fired home a brace for Sutherland Shire FA while Janan Codmani also found the back of the net to continue her good form.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers have suffered one of the toughest League One Womens campaigns which has seen them beset by injuries and illness. The Town Rangers did have some good passages of play including a sequence right from kick-off and look to finish the season with a few more positive results.
Northbridge Bulls FC 3 defeated Camden Tigers 0
The Northbridge Bulls FC maintained their good recent form in a 3-0 win against Camden Tigers at Northbridge Oval on Sunday afternoon.
The Bulls remain in third spot on the League One Womens ladder and look set to defend their title after the two covid-affected seasons. Coach Bill Papas has the side firing after a slow start to the season and will be a tough side to beat.
Northbridge Bulls FC shared the goals around in the three-goal win. Cate Gyzen has started to make a habit of finding the back of the net while Siahn Bozanic and Jessica Seaman also got their name on the scoresheet.
For Camden Tigers, it was a better result than the 5-0 defeat they suffered in Round 11. The Tigers were unable to find their usual possession game and paid for it. There were some solid performances from Merryn Clarke, Ashlee Taff and Maddison Jones alongside custodian Alexandria Witton.
St George FC 6 defeated South East Phoenix FC 1
South East Phoenix FC were hit for six against St George FC in a 6-1 win for the hosts at Fraser Park on Sunday afternoon.
This result was a stunning return to form for St George FC after their back-to-back losses and kept their chase for the top four alive. It was scoring in bunches for the Saints with three players all scoring braces and they also led 2-1 at the break.
Jordan Baker fired home twice to take her tally to an impressive 36 goals for the season while Morgan Maxwell and Jasmine Maguire also found the back of the net twice. St George FC remain five points outside the top four.
Building off their draw last week, South East Phoenix FC were the first team to score in the seven-goal contest. Bronte Trew scored her second goal of the season before the Phoenix were blown away by the hosts.
SD Raiders FC 1 drew with Central Coast Mariners
Points were shared between SD Raiders FC and Central Coast Mariners in their 1-1 draw at Ernie Smith Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
A point each doesn’t do either of SD Raiders FC and Central Coast Mariners much help in their chase for finals football in the League One Womens season. It was a tight game which saw the two teams head into the break locked up at 0-0.
Central Coast Mariners found the back of the net on the hour mark through their captain Kaitlin Murphy for her 15th of the season. Afterwards coach Pete Edwards was happy with a point away but felt like they should’ve taken all three.
The hosts showed terrific resolve to comeback and snatch a point in this tight contest. SD Raiders FC equalised quickly after they conceded with an own goal making it 1-1. It helps them keep up their good record at Ernie Smith Reserve intact.
Gladesville Ravens 5 defeated Inter Lions 0
Our night cap finished with Gladesville Ravens cementing top spot with their 5-0 win against Inter Lions on Sunday night at Christie Park.
The Ravens have one hand on the League One Womens Premiership after a comfortable result which helped them record their 22nd win of the season. It also sees them win the Janine Ligato Cup for some silverware for the season.
Gladesville’s goal scorers were Gemma Woolley who scored a hat-trick to add to her prolific goalscoring record in 2022. Jess Wootton also found the back of the net twice against her old team to round off the 5-0 score line.
Inter Lions were willing competitors against the league leaders but were unable to withstand the potent attack of the Ravens. The Lions remain in 11th position in the League One Womens competition with a month to go.
Blacktown City FC vs Nepean FC moved to Thursday 18th August
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
