Round 1 Review – League One Women’s
The first week of the Football NSW League One Women’s competition is always eagerly anticipated, and the football didn’t disappoint across the seven games.
There were plenty of goals, drama, and fantastic football action to enjoy.
Let’s get onto the review.
Match of the Round: St George FC 2 defeated by Central Coast Mariners 3
Central Coast Mariners won their first game of the season in a 3-2 victory over St George FC at Ilinden Sports Centre.
St George FC paid for a slow start, trailing by a pair of goals and didn’t recover enough to take three points in the opener. Caitlin Campbell had a pair of goals from the spot in either half to keep them in the contest.
For Central Coast Mariners, it was the ideal start to the season. Chloe Smith opened the scoring before Kaitlin Murphy doubled the advantage for a 2-1 half-time lead. Smith added a second goal late in the contest to confirm the result.
The new season brought both nerves and excitement for St George FC and Central Coast Mariners as they strode out onto the pitch at Ilinden Sports Centre on a warm Sunday afternoon.
It was a cagey start between the two sides as they knocked the ball around and got a foothold on the game and create the first goal.
Central Coast Mariners found the opener in the 11th minute through Chloe Smith. She strode confidently into the box and rounded the keeper to make it 1-0.
Soon it was double delight for the Mariners in a bright start. This time it was Kaitlin Murphy who fired a shot across the box and nestled it into the net for 2-0.
St George FC didn’t dwell on those two goals for long and had a route back into the game from the spot after a foul. Caitlin Campbell stepped up and fired home the penalty for 2-1.
Buoyed by their goal, St George FC went close to levelling things up. Morgan Maxwell ran onto a cushioned ball and forced Mariners keeper Kiara Fontanilla into a save.
The visitors had a pair of chances to restore their two-goal advantage before half-time. Smith shot over from a giveaway then she tried to repeat her opener and was denied.
For St George FC, Kyla Vanderlaan burst into the box on the right side and fired a shot low which was gathered smartly by Fontanilla.
Coming out of the break, St George FC continued to ramp up their work. Jordan Baker cushioned a ball for Maxwell again and needed a save from Fontanilla.
It was another set piece which almost brought a result for St George FC again. Campbell lofted the ball into the box from a free-kick which saw Fontanilla spill it but no one in red and white could sweep it home.
On the hour mark, St George FC threatened again. This time Maxwell turned provider for Baker but again the shot was right at Fontanilla.
Both sides stretched the field in the warm conditions, but the game continued to be locked at 2-1. St George FC brought on the press to hopefully find an equaliser.
It was the Mariners who produced the fourth goal of the game. A wonderful run from substitute Ava-Marie Carlson opened up the space before she cut it back for Smith to roof home for 3-1.
The game did get set up for a grandstand finish late on. Once again, St George FC earnt a penalty for a foul in the box. Campbell was collected from the spot again to make it 3-2.
The Mariners were able to see out the rest of the contest to open their account for the 2023 season and head back up the highway a happy bunch.
Post match St George FC coach Mark Greenfield was honest in his assessment of his side following the loss to the Mariners.
“We weren’t very good with the ball. Two errors with the ball cost us and in the second half we were much better with it. Second half we were disciplined, and they couldn’t play through us but you can’t give such a good team those opportunities.” said Greenfield.
While winning Central Coast Mariners coach Dan Barrett was delighted with his team’s first up win in 2023.
“The first game of the season is always a tough one but to take away the win is always a positive.” said Barrett.
Match Stats
St George FC 2 (Campbell ‘25, ‘89)
Central Coast Mariners 3 (Smith ‘11, ‘82, Murphy ‘23)
Sunday 11 March 2023
Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale
St George FC: 1. Alexandra Hinson, 3. Kate Dale, 4. Nicole Besz, 6. Georgia Manos, 8. Abbey-Rose Cryer, 9. Jordan Baker, 10. Morgan Maxwell, 11. Kyla Vanderlaan (24. Jasmin Saunders ‘78), 18. Jaslyn Moore (15. Genevieve Russo ‘64), 20. Caitlin Campbell, 23. Maddison Farmer (2. Joanna Minas ‘68)
Unused subs: 2. Joanna Minas, 15. Genevieve Russo, 21. Amy Orphanides, 24. Jasmin Saunders, 26. Capri Tuffy, 29. Maiya Perdikaris
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Central Coast Mariners: 2. Briana Myers (6. Servet Uzunlar ‘34), 3. Sara Piriz, 5. Savannah Murray, 7. Kaitlin Murphy (13. Ava-Marie Carlson ‘70), 8. Sophie Nenadovic 9. Kiera Bainsfair, 10. Annalise Rasmussen (17. Darelle Avery ‘87), 11. Chloe Smith, 12. Kaya Hawkinson, 16. Leisel Collins, 20. Kiara Fontanilla
Unused subs: 1. Kyara O’Brien, 14. Sara Knowles, 15. Savannah Lalor
Yellow cards: Hawkinson, Nenadovic, Rasmussen, Uzunlar
Red cards: nil
South Coast Flame FC 1 defeated by Hills United FC 7
Hills United FC got their 2023 campaign underway with a 7-1 thumping of South Coast Flame FC at Sir Ian McLennan Oval on Saturday afternoon.
Both teams were keen to get the first three points on the board in the League One Womens season in what were steamy conditions.
The opening goals came late in the first half after a tense battle.
Stefanie Trovato made it 1-0 for Hills United FC before South Coast Flame FC’s new signing Bronte Trew equalised for 1-1 at the break.
The second half was where Hills United FC flexed their muscles and put the contest to bed.
They scored six goals without reply to take three points back up the highway. Imogen Lane led the way with a hat-trick which got her season underway in style.
Isabella Sciberras put Hills United FC back in the lead in the 51st minute before Bella Donaldson also found the back of the net. The pick of the goals was a long-range strike from Bianca Galayini which rounded out the win.
Inter Lions 2 defeated by Mt Druitt Town Rangers 3
Last year’s wooden spooners Mt Druitt Town Rangers started the 2023 season with a victory in their 3-2 win over Inter Lions at Majors Bay Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
It took Mt Druitt Town Rangers 25 rounds to sing their team song in 2022 but they achieved that in the opening weekend this year which will delight coach Neil Ross.
Granted the visitors didn’t have it all their own way.
Inter Lions were a much improved team from the one which became an easy three points for sides last season. The hosts took the lead early in the match.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers did find their feet eventually and took the three points in a pulsating encounter. Zineta De Beer equalised with a top corner strike before Hitomi Maeta and Holly Pender rounded out the win for the visitors.
Inter Lions will take huge heart from the defeat. Coach Johnathan Webb remained upbeat despite the defeat which saw Marissa Papoulidis also find the back of the net for them. He hoped to use this as a springboard for the side in future weeks.
UNSW FC 3 defeated Sutherland Shire FA 2
It was a winning start to life at The Village Green for UNSW FC who triumphed 3-2 over Sutherland Shire FA on Sunday afternoon.
UNSW FC will be glad to christen their new home with three points on their quest to get themselves to the Grand Final in 2023.
Coach Guillermo Rubio was happy with his squad’s start to the season despite some absences.
The students did most of their damage in the first half.
Marcella Santos notched up a double for the hosts before Ariane Brown pegged a goal back for the Shire. Janan Codmani equalised but it was Taylor Galea who proved to be the match winner in the end with her second half goal that gave them the three precious points.
SD Raiders FC 3 defeated Nepean FC 1
SD Raiders FC started their season in fine fashion with a 3-1 win against Nepean FC at Ernie Smith Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
Ernie Smith Reserve has been a fortress for SD Raiders FC in past years and the side continued on with this following their round 1 victory.
Coach Linda Khamis enjoyed a winning start to her life in the SD Raiders FC dugout. Her side was clinical in front of goal which was the difference in the clash.
Elin Cemazar stole the show for the hosts with a hat-trick which opened her account in style.
Nepean FC will be disappointed in their performance. It was a wasteful one from the visitors which saw them give the ball away too often and they were punished. Bronte Connolly was the sole scorer for the visitors.
South East Phoenix FC 3 defeated by Camden Tigers 4
Camden Tigers won a thriller in their 4-3 win over South East Phoenix FC down at South Nowra Football Complex on Sunday afternoon.
Both sides were keen to make amends for a tough 2022 season.
South East Phoenix FC led three times in the contest but were unable to put the game to bed.
The opener came from an own goal before Kate Drinkwalter restored the lead in the second half. Amanda Carney fired home the third which had them dreaming of three points before the late winner.
For Camden Tigers, it was a win that they will be able to build upon with their comeback and three points going up the highway. Samantha Cefai got a brace for the side while Alex Honan and Ashlee Taff were the other goal scorers.
Tigers coach Troy Witton was delighted to have taken the three points but admitted that set pieces were the Achilles heel for the visitors and something to work on. For Norm Boardman and his South East Phoenix FC side it was a good performance with some key reinforcements set to bolster the squad.
Blacktown City FC 2 defeated Marconi Stallions 0
Blacktown City FC proved too strong in their season opener against the Marconi Stallions taking out a 2-0 victory at Landen Stadium.
It was a typical early season encounter between the two sides where it was scrappy at times but it was the class in front of goal for Blacktown City FC which won the day. Alyse-May McCutcheon scored in either half with a well-timed finish and a header from a corner.
Marconi Stallions were slightly underdone with key players absent but they came up against a solid Blacktown City FC side.
Coach Andy Severin was happy with the team’s effort and hopes it might turn into three points next week.
Blacktown City FC coach David O’Keefe was full of praise for his charges after the win and clean-sheet. He singled out the back four which included Philippines star Malea Cesar and Ainsley Byrne. It was a big day all round for Cesar who had her father in the crowd to celebrate three points.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
