Round 7 Review – League One Women’s
We have a new leader in the Football NSW League One Womens competition where UNSW FC have usurped the crown off the Central Coast Mariners.
There were plenty of goals to enjoy across the seven games played on the weekend which saw wins for UNSW FC, Mt Druitt Town Rangers, SD Raiders FC, Sutherland Shire FA and Blacktown City FC.
Let’s get onto the review.
Match of the Round: Central Coast Mariners 0 defeated by UNSW FC 2
A pair of first half goals has helped UNSW FC to a 2-0 win over Central Coast Mariners at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon.
Playing their first game at home, Central Coast Mariners will be disappointed to suffer their first defeat of the campaign. They battled hard but couldn’t make inroads against a dogged UNSW FC defence in the heavyweight clash.
UNSW FC backed up their midweek win with another precious three points. Marcella Santos opened the scoring in the 13th minute before Amanda Levaskevich doubled the advantage in the 36th. The result sees the students move into first spot.
The first chance of this top of the table clash fell to the Mariners. They swung in a free kick from the right which needed to be taken well from UNSW FC keeper Tiahna Robertson.
The visitors found their rhythm quickly. Marcella Santos had their first shot which forced Mariners keeper Kiara Fontanilla into a strong save.
UNSW FC’s second chance was in the back of the net. A lovely pass from Robertson was touched into the path of Santos who rounded the keeper and slotted home for 1-0.
Central Coast Mariners tried to hit back immediately through Darelle Avery. She arrived late and her shot was skewed wide of the mark.
The hosts continued to pile up the shots at Robertson. Servet Uzunlar fired one straight then Avery followed up with her effort in the same direction.
It was double delight for UNSW FC in the 36th minute. Amanda Levaskevich showed strength to hold the ball, shrug off the defender and turn home for 2-0.
Grace McCormick was busy in the midfield and almost added a third on the counter. The ball fell to her and she slid the effort wide of the mark.
Central Coast Mariners had a chance either side of the break. Uzunlar headed straight from a corner then after the break, Sophie Nenadovic put a free kick wide.
The students looked to add to their advantage after the break from a set piece. Jess Mullins lofted the free kick into the area and it had to be pushed away by Fontanilla.
Just after the hour mark, Mariners looked to have pulled a goal back. A corner was bundled home by Chloe Smith but it was ruled out for a foul.
The Mariners hopes were dealt a further blow when Smith received a red card for her second bookable foul and left them down to ten players.
UNSW FC aimed to exploit the space gifted to them with the extra player. Santos threaded the ball for Cassandra Christopher who fired over the bar.
Both sides kept going until the final whistle. Mariners substitute Annalise Rasmussen turned well to shake her defender and shot straight at Robertson.
In the end, UNSW FC held on and handed Central Coast Mariners their first defeat of the campaign while they head to the top of the League One Womens table.
Match Stats
Central Coast Mariners 0
UNSW FC 2 (Santos ‘13, Levaskevich ‘36)
Sunday 23 April 2023
Pluim Park, Lisarow
Central Coast Mariners: 2. Briana Myers (14. Sara Knowles ‘45), 5. Savannah Murray, 6. Servet Uzunlar, 7. Kaitlin Murphy, 8. Sophie Nenadovic, 9. Kiera Bainsfar, 11. Chloe Smith, 12. Kaya Hawkinson, 16. Leisel Collins, 17. Darelle Avery (10. Annalise Rasmussen ‘74), 20. Kiara Fontanilla
Unused subs: 1. Kyara O’Brien, 3. Sara Piriz, 13. Rachel Glendenning, 15. Savannah Lalor
Yellow cards: Smith ‘49, Uzunlar ‘83
Red cards: Smith ‘72
UNSW FC: 1. Tiahna Robertson, 2. Sarah Ferris, 7. Amanda Levaskevich, 8. Sonja Murphy, 11. Marcella Santos (34. Isabella Stiniziani ‘82), 12. Grace McCormick (6. Miranda Summersby-Mitchell ‘65), 14. Jess Mullins, 17. Zoe Bartley, 20. Cassandra Christopher, 22. Hannah Beard (10. Hannah Charak ‘65), 33. Margaux Montegut (29. Taylor Galea ‘88)
Unused subs: 13. Nicole Adam, 21. Akala Howard
Yellow cards: Summersby-Mitchell ‘79, Levaskevich ‘93
Red cards: nil
South Coast Flame FC 2 drew with St George FC 2
South Coast Flame FC and St George FC were forced to share the points in a 2-2 draw down at Sir Ian McLennan Park on Saturday night.
The hosts did build solid home form recently and took the lead through Bronte Trew early in the contest which was her seventh goal of the season. Flame had their chances to extend their lead but were pegged back and needed an own goal to earn the draw.
St George FC had to come from behind and scored twice just after the half hour mark through Morgan Maxwell and captain Nicole Besz to lead at the break. They could not hold the lead but took a well-earned point back up the highway.
Marconi Stallions 0 drew with Hills United FC 0
It was honours even at Wanderers Football Park between Hills United FC and Marconi Stallions in their 0-0 draw on Sunday afternoon.
Hills United FC threw everything but the kitchen sink at the home side in search of three points but were unable to breach the defence. The visitors hit the post three times and missed a few one-on-ones which might have got the result.
This was a big result for Marconi Stallions who will take confidence in blanking of the best attacks in the League One Womens competition. Their keeper Yoshimi Miki made fantastic saves including a one-on-one against Isabella Sciberras while Emma Voloder managed the backline well again.
Inter Lions 1 defeated by Sutherland Shire FA 4
The great run continued for Sutherland Shire FA after their classy 4-1 win over Inter Lions at Majors Bay Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
Inter Lions put together a much stronger performance and went into the break level at 1-1 after they scored a goal in the 32nd minute. Marissa Papoulidis was a standout performer for the Lions while keeper Emma Woodin made some crucial saves.
Sutherland Shire FA have now taken their unbeaten run to six matches after their third win on the bounce but they were made to work for it. Alina Stojcevski opened the scoring for the visitors with her fifth goal of the season.
The visitors controlled much of the second half and it showed on the scoreboard after their crisp passing and work in front of the goal. Janan Codmani got herself a brace while Zoe Hart rounded out the scoring for Sutherland Shire FA.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 4 defeated Nepean FC 0
Mt Druitt Town Rangers took the spoils in a 4-0 win over Nepean FC at Popondetta Park on Sunday afternoon.
The win was a big relief for Neil Ross, whose side took down one of the most in form teams in the League One Womens competition. Makayla Crouch got the scoring going in the 12th minute mark before Angelina Warton gave them a 2-0 lead at the break.
In the second half, Anicka Castaneda got off the mark for Mt Druitt before an own goal in injury time rounded out the impressive performance.
Nepean FC were disappointed with the performance they put together after their recent impressive run of form which had them inside the top four. Coach Ben Gough made no excuses and labelled it their worst performance of the season.
Camden Tigers 0 defeated by SD Raiders FC 7
SD Raiders FC were clinical in their 7-0 demolition of Camden Tigers at Ron Dine Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
They admitted their need to break the streak of draws and SD Raiders FC did it in style with a thumping result against one of their south-west neighbours. An own goal opened the scoring before captain Elin Rosenberg Cemazar fired home her fifth and sixth goals of the campaign.
Abigail Boag and Isabella Sultan rounded out the first half scoring which saw SD Raiders FC leading 5-0 at the break. Sultan added another to her tally in the second half before substitute Ellie-Leigh Lontis made it seventh heaven for the visitors.
Blacktown City FC 1 defeated South East Phoenix FC 0
Blacktown City FC got back in the winner’s circle with their 1-0 win over South East Phoenix FC at Landen Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
It was a tight game between these two sides desperate for three points. Jenny Hughes first goal for Blacktown City FC was the difference in the 82nd minute. Olivia De Pourbaix made a solid debut at centre back alongside Lexy Thorpe and Emma Ingerson was another strong performer.
South East Phoenix FC put in a much-improved shift from the last few games and almost held out for the draw against a strong Blacktown City FC side. They will take that positivity into a game back at home next weekend.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
