Round 28 Review – League One Women’s
In a weekend filled with celebrations, it was another momentous Sunday for the League One Womens competition.
Round 28 has probably settled the top four I games filled with upsets, goals and sparkling performances. Let’s get onto the review!
Match of the Round: Blacktown City FC 1 defeated Camden Tigers 0
Blacktown City FC won 1-0 in a tight tussle against Camden Tigers at Blacktown City Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts found the back of the net through Alyse-May McCutcheon in the first half but Blacktown City FC will feel they could’ve scored a few more if they were more clinical. It is their seventh win of the year and moves them to 11th.
Camden Tigers were made to pay for one mistake in the first half. The Tigers were much improved in the second half but they need to be better in possession going forward but the young side will take their lessons from the season.
On a bright afternoon at Blacktown City Sports Centre which was in a celebratory mood after their Mens Grand Final win on Saturday night. Blacktown City FC were out to show off their prowess in front of a good crowd.
It was Camden Tigers with the first chance as Ashlee Taff had an early sighter which flew wide of goal followed by Rachel Chalhoub’s free-kick doing the same for Blacktown City FC.
Blacktown City FC quickly settled in their groove. Tayla Chaplin found space inside the box before she cut it back to Alyse-May McCutcheon who swept over the bar.
Next Chaplin went herself and shot one straight at Tigers keeper Alexandria Witton then Hannah Krause went on a rampaging run before her shot stung the palms of Witton.
McCutcheon found the opener on the cusp of the half-time break. Some clever work again from Blacktown City FC created the space before McCutcheon drilled home to make it 1-0 for the hosts.
There was a final chance for Blacktown City FC through McCutcheon again. Chalhoub released her into space but she wasn’t able to find the finish as Blacktown City FC led 1-0 at the interval.
Coming out of the break, Camden Tigers started brighter. They had a few half chances before Kristy Rohrer sent a free-kick straight at Blacktown City FC keeper Kiara Rochaix who didn’t have a busy afternoon.
Just after the hour mark, Blacktown City FC should’ve had a second. Chaplin was found well again by a threaded ball but put the effort right at Witton then substitute Maeve Goehner couldn’t find the back of the net either.
Krause who was one of the stars of the game for Blacktown City FC had another key chance to get her name on the scoresheet. She had a pair of chances but they were blocked away.
Substitute Yasmin Aloisio had the ball on the string from free-kicks. She delivered in a pair of chances which were unable to be touched home by Blacktown City FC as they were unable to stretch their advantage further.
There was a late chance for Camden Tigers from a corner. It popped out to substitute Indiana Hernandez who volleyed her chance over the bar as the game petered towards the end.
Speaking post-match Blacktown City FC coach David O’Keefe was happy to take the points but slightly disappointed by the performance:
“Probably our execution let us down today. Had enough chances to win a few games. That has been the story of our season but it’s a bit disappointing cause we wanted to put on a show with a good crowd here today.” said O’Keefe.
For Camden Tigers coach Troy Witton, it was an improved second half but the side need to fix up their use of possession if they want to win games:
“First half we were ordinary in possession. It has been an issue for us in the last few games and I don’t know how we can fix it. I think we need to be better with the ball. They took their chance and we didn’t which can be the difference. I thought a draw might be a fair result.” said Witton.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 28th August 2022
Blacktown City Sports Centre, Seven Hills
Blacktown City FC 1 (McCutcheon ‘44)
Camden Tigers 0
Blacktown City FC: 1.ROCHAIX Kiara, 2. KRAUSE Hannah, 4. CHALHOUB Rachel, 5. THORPE Lexy (34. GOEHNER ‘62), 9. CHAPLIN Tayla, 13. TILSED Bronte, 16. MORRIS Ella, 23. MCCUTCHEON Alyse-May (11. ALOISIO ‘55), 25. PAYENS Miranda, 28. CIOCCA Nicola (7. SZYMONICZEK ‘55), 29. BYRNE Ainsley
Unused subs: 15. IVANOVIC Anna
Yellow cards: Aloisio
Red cards: nil
Camden Tigers: 1. WITTON Alexandria, 3. JONES Maddison, 5. NOBLE Bianca (7. WILSON ‘77), 6. TAFF Ashlee, 8. WILSON Charlotte, 11. ROHRER Kristy, 14. TAYLOR Charlotte, 16. CLARKE Merryn (9. HERNANDEZ ‘74), 18. GALEA Samantha (12. CONSTABLE ‘74), 23. O’FLYNN Charlotte, 32. CARUANA Thalia
Unused subs: 22. FORMAN Jessica
Yellow cards: Jones, Taff, Caruana
Red cards: nil
Nepean FC 0 defeated by SD Raiders FC 3
It was a four-point weekend for SD Raiders FC who triumphed 3-0 against Nepean FC at Cook Park on Sunday afternoon.
SD Raiders FC shared the points in a stalemate against Marconi Stallions in their midweek catch-up then put in a solid shift at a tough venue in Cook Park. The visitors led 1-0 at the break before they added two more in quick succession afterwards.
Kristen Prior scored a brace for SD Raiders FC which takes her tally for the season to five goals in a solid campaign. Trudy Camelleri returned to the scoresheet with the third goal of the game to confirm the three points.
Nepean FC have tried hard each week but haven’t been able to string together results to move themselves from the lower part of the League One Womens ladder. Their planning has looked towards season 2023 now.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 0 defeated by St George FC 1
St George FC were made to work for the three points in their 1-0 win against a stubborn Mt Druitt Town Rangers side at Popondetta Park.
The Saints are out of the calculations for the League One Womens finals but showed their spirit to notch their 17th win of the campaign. Unless there is a massive swing, 2022 won’t see them play finals after a promising start.
St George FC scored the only goal of the contest right near half-time. Stevie Donougher scored the goal which was her seventh of the season. She has been an integral part of the Saints team and forms a good combination with their attack.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers were proud of their effort against one of the heavyweight sides in the competition to only lose by a single goal. There was also a good moment for two under 16s in Tasmyn Hill and Zaynab Zahid who both got minutes and impressed.
South East Phoenix FC 3 defeated Central Coast Mariners 0
Back-to-back wins for South East Phoenix FC in their 3-0 win against Central Coast Mariners down at South Nowra Football Complex on Sunday afternoon.
South East Phoenix FC backed up their huge win away at Nepean FC with a big win against a tough Central Coast Mariners side. Ella Munro fired home her first two goals in First Grade including one inside the first minute.
Jorgi Webb also kept up her form with another goal midway through the second half to complete the score line. Phoenix FC also were missing two key stars in Amanda Carney and Madison Cater but worked hard for the result.
Central Coast Mariners will be disappointed not to bring anything back from Nowra with their performances in the second half of the season. The yellow-and-navy won’t be playing finals football but can finish on a high.
Northbridge Bulls FC 10 defeated Inter Lions 0
Northbridge Bulls FC showed off their clinical edge in a 10-0 win against Inter Lions on Sunday afternoon at Valentine Sports Park #2.
The Bulls warmed up for the upcoming finals series in superb style. The hosts shared goals between five players with Tamires Souza starring once again with a four-goal haul as the striker has eyes on the Golden Boot this season.
Cate Gyzen continued her strong form with a brace alongside Rita Boateng in the huge win. Evelyn Chronis and Elizabeth Grey were the other two Northbridge Bulls FC players to find the back of the net at Valentine.
For Inter Lions, the end of the season can’t come soon enough. It has been a tough year for one of the cornerstone sides in the League One Womens competition. One positive has been the impact since Adrian Contarino took over in the dugout.
Hills United FC 1 defeated by Sutherland Shire FA 2
Sutherland Shire FA took their biggest scalp of the season, beating Hills United FC 2-1 in a pulsating game at Bella Vista Public School.
This result puts a huge dent in both Hills United FC’s Premiership chances and their chances to get promoted towards the top league. The debutants also lost one of their key players in goalkeeper Sarah Easthope to injury.
Hills United FC took the lead in the game through a fantastic Stefanie Trovato free-kick which had them leading 1-0 at the break. The hosts were unable to add to their advantage to the frustration of coach Alan Tasses in their fifth loss of the season.
Sutherland Shire FA showed off once again that a slow start to the season might’ve cost them a League One Womens final spot. Violet Keelan fired home twice in six minutes to send all three points back to the shire.
Gladesville Ravens 4 defeated South Coast Flame FC 0
Gladesville Ravens took a huge step towards promotion in their 4-0 win against South Coast Flame FC at Christie Park on Sunday night.
The Ravens might’ve secured their promotion to the NPLWNSW competition after another impressive performance against a tough South Coast Flame FC side. Mid-season pick up Jess Wootton had a hat-trick which included a fabulous free-kick.
Fittingly the other goal was scored by Eleanor Lidbetter who has been with the Ravens side for a while and was in their Grand Final side thumped home a header. Gladesville Ravens have been a consistent side in League One Womens and deserve their elevation when it is confirmed.
South Coast Flame FC weren’t just spectators at this party though. The visitors gave a good account of themselves against a strong side. Jessica Cruickshank, Lulu Lozano and Caley Tallon-Henniker were standouts for them.
UNSW FC 2 defeated Marconi Stallions 0
Rounding off the weekend was UNSW FC sealing their top four spot in a 2-0 win against Marconi Stallions at Hensley Athletic Field on Sunday night.
The students have been in superb form after an inconsistent start to the season and deserve their place in the League One Womens top four. Coach Guillermo Rubio has the side well drilled and they put the game to bed early.
Sonja Murphy scored twice within the first 10 minutes in a quickfire double. UNSW FC have been watertight in defence and saw out the rest of the game without much incident. Now they look to build for the upcoming finals.
For Marconi Stallions, it has been a tiring stretch where they are playing twice within a week. They did add another point to their tally in their 0-0 draw with SD Raiders FC but were unable to do similar on Sunday night against UNSW FC.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
