Round 12 Review – League One Women’s
The lights were shining bright around Sydney this weekend while the stars of the League One Womens competitions were doing similar in Round 12.
There were seven fantastic games of football which shone a light on the game as the teams start to round the bend for the midway mark.
Let’s get onto the review.
Match of the Round: UNSW FC 4 defeated Marconi Stallions 1
Leaders UNSW FC defeated a gallant Marconi Stallions 4-1 at The Village Green on Sunday night.
The students struck in the first minute through Amanda Levaskevich which set them on their way for another positive result. Her strike partner Marcella Santos made it 2-0 before the break then Hayley Marshall and another goal from Levaskevich rounded out the win.
Marconi Stallions fought hard but were unable to find many cracks against UNSW FC. Their effort was cruelled by a first half red card to Samantha Huynh but they did bring it back to 2-1 through a Julia Figeuira header.
UNSW FC started with a bang and scored within 60 seconds. They strode on goal in numbers which saw the first shot saved by Stallions keeper Yoshimi Miki before Amanda Levaskevich turned home to make it 1-0.
The students were using the offside trap well but strayed several times in the first 15 minutes. Levaskevich thought she had a second from a free kick but the flag was up.
Marconi Stallions found their rhythm and had a shot on target nine minutes. Julia Figueira worked into some space before she had an effort right at UNSW FC keeper Tiahna Robertson.
UNSW FC doubled their advantage in the 27th minute. Levaskevich was brought down by Miki then Marcella Santos stepped up and fired home the spot kick to make it 2-0.
They continued to surge forward and dominate the chances. Levaskevich turned well and forced Miki into another save.
The job was made harder for Marconi Stallions in the 41st minute. Defender Samantha Huynh was given her marching orders.
UNSW FC had chances either side of half-time to extend their lead. Hayley Marshall fired a free kick straight then Levaskevich’s header was blocked.
Cassandra Christopher was a nuisance all night for the Marconi Stallions defence and she almost set up Santos for her second goal but she couldn’t poke the ball home.
Both sides kept trading chances with Erinn Cleghorn going on a run for the Stallions before shooting then Margaux Montegut nodded wide for UNSW FC.
Marconi Stallions did pull a goal back from a set piece. Emma Voloder sent in the free kick which Figueira nodded home to make it 2-1 after 63 minutes.
The hosts restored their two-goal advantage at a nice time. Another strong run on the right from Levaskevich set it up for a cutback for Marshall to fire home to make it 3-1 UNSW FC.
Levaskevich rounded off her superb performance with UNSW FC’s fourth goal. She bustled past the Stallions defence to tap home and make it 4-1 in the 85th minute.
Marconi Stallions kept pushing for the final few minutes but weren’t able to find themselves a consolation goal and had their winning streak snapped.
Speaking post-match, UNSW FC coach Guillermo Rubio was delighted with the performance of his side as they maintained their run.
“I think we started well and took our chances early. We probably should’ve scored more but got in trouble when they pulled one back. We’re in a really good moment and trying to put pressure on Central Coast Mariners. Promotion is our challenge and I think we’re in a good spot for it.”
Marconi Stallions coach Andy Severin was short and sharp in his assessment of the game after the defeat to the leaders:
“We did well despite the conditions in the game. We scrapped well and were in it across the whole game, getting the goal back while being a man down. They are top of the pops because they are lethal up top but I am looking forward to the rematch.”
Match Stats
UNSW FC 4 (Levaskevich ‘1, Santos ‘27, Marshall ‘70, Levaskevich ‘85)
Marconi Stallions 1 (Figueira ‘63)
Sunday 28 May 2023
The Village Green, Kensington
UNSW FC: 1. Tiahna Robertson, 7. Amanda Levaskevich, 8. Sonja Murphy, 9. Hayley Marshall (22. Hannah Beard ‘85), 10. Hannah Charak, 11. Marcella Santos (36. Brianna Irvine ‘79), 14. Jess Mullins (37. Lisa Schinkel ‘66), 16. Rachelle Wang, 20. Cassandra Christopher (13. Nicole Adam ‘79), 30. Taylor Galea (12. Grace McCormick ‘66), 33. Margaux Montegut
Unused subs: 21. Akala Howard
Yellow cards: McCormick ‘74
Red cards: nil
Marconi Stallions: 3. Emma Voloder, 4. Samantha Huynh, 5. Anjelica Williams, 7. Ella Sievwright, 8. Louise Dal Bon, 9. Julia Figueira, 16. Yurina Koyama (22. Caitlin Abbas ‘76), 19. Erinn Cleghorn, 20. Yoshimi Miki, 39. Rosie Sullivan (24. Kyra Cabrera ‘61) 40. Heidi Bennett
Unused subs: 2. Caley Donoghue, 13. Alexandra Morgan, 15. Aleyna Tufanoglu, 21. Annicka Cross
Yellow cards: Miki ‘26, Figueira ‘65, Voloder ‘90
Red cards: Huynh ‘42
South Coast Flame FC 1 defeated by Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC 3
Our Saturday game saw Mt Druitt Town Rangers defeat South Coast Flame FC 3-1 at Sir Ian McLennan Park.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers built on their draw in the Match of the Round and find themselves in equal fourth place on the League One Womens ladder. They have gone eight games unbeaten including their run in the Sapphire Cup.
Hitomi Maeda and Rita Boateng stung the Flame defence with a double blow in the 21st and 23rd minute to give Mt Druitt Town Rangers a 2-0 lead at the break. Cristina Barraza pulled one back for South Coast Flame FC in the 57th minute to set up the final half hour.
It was the visitors who took home the chocolates in this game. Makayla Crouch found herself on the end of a well worked move from the Mt Druitt Town Rangers for 3-1. The only concern for the visitors was injuries to two of their goal scorers in Maeda and Boateng.
Central Coast Mariners 2 defeated Sutherland Shire FA 1
It was a come from behind win for Central Coast Mariners in their 2-1 win over Sutherland Shire FA at Pluim Park.
This clash between two top half teams took time to get going with Sutherland Shire FA striking first in the contest. Young striker Violet Keelan ripped up the half-time team talks with her goal in the 44th minute to make it 1-0.
Central Coast Mariners made some tweaks to their game plan, and it helped them take all three points. Sophie Nenadovic who is in a purple patch of form whipped home a free kick to make it 1-1 then Kaitlin Murphy finished off a counter attack to turn the contest around.
Inter Lions 2 defeated by Blacktown City FC 3
Blacktown City FC prevailed in a wild contest with a 3-2 win over Inter Lions at Majors Bay Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
The visitors were the busier side in the first half with over a dozen shots which were mostly repelled by Inter Lions keeper Grace Gilhawley on her return from concussion. Ella Morris, who was a standout, did find the back of the net for a 1-0 Blacktown City FC lead at the break.
This game kicked into high gear in the final twenty minutes. Riley Dennis got herself a double which put Inter Lions into the lead and on course for a win before Ashley Limnios scored against her old club for Blacktown City FC to make it 2-2.
The game was set for a fabulous ending. Inter Lions were reduced to 10 players when Belinda Anderson-Sharp was given a second caution. Blacktown City FC captain and keeper Kiara Rochaix then stepped up to curl home a glorious free-kick for a 3-2 win for the visitors and pandemonium set on the benches in a pulsating contest.
Camden Tigers 1 defeated by St George FC 6
St George FC hit Camden Tigers for six in their 6-1 win at Ron Dine Reserve in their game on Sunday afternoon.
The game didn’t get off to the start St George FC expected when Camden Tigers surprised them with a goal in the second minute through Charlotte Taylor. St George FC responded through goals from Mary Moyo and Morgan Maxwell to lead 2-1 at the break.
St George FC kicked into gear in the second half. Jordan Baker found the back of the net twice in quick succession to make it 4-1 then her strike partner Kyla Vanderlaan scored the last two goals to round out the performance.
South East Phoenix FC 2 defeated SD Raiders FC 0
South East Phoenix FC won their first game of the 2023 season with a 2-0 over SD Raiders FC at South Nowra Football Complex on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts finally got to sing their club song after picking up three points. The first half was even and neither side could break through so both teams were deadlocked at the break.
South East Phoenix FC scored twice in the final twenty minutes for their win. Beth Tomlinson scored the opener before Amanda Carney popped home a second goal in a much-improved performance from the hosts which saw them defend their goal stoically.
SD Raiders FC now turn their focus towards their Sapphire Cup tie against NPL NSW Womens outfit Macarthur Rams on Tuesday night.
Hills United FC 1 drew with Nepean FC 1
Points were shared between Hills United FC and Nepean FC in their 1-1 draw at Bella Vista Public School on Sunday afternoon.
Nepean FC is beginning to become a bogey side for Hills United FC after they took points off them last year to break their winning run. The visitors struck first in this game through Ella Joyce for her tenth goal of the season.
It was another game where Hills United FC had to break through a resolute defence. They responded in the 11th minute through Isabella Sciberras to make it 1-1 for Alan Tasses side and keep pace with the top two sides.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
