Round 13 Review – League One Women’s
Round 13 in the Football NSW League One Womens competition was another fantastic installment as the season reached the midway point.
We had seven games which were filled with goals, drama and exciting finishes including our Match of the Round between Nepean FC and Camden Tigers.
Let’s get onto the review.
Match of the Round: Nepean FC 3 defeated Camden Tigers 1
Nepean FC got a well-earned 3-1 win over Camden Tigers at Cook Park in the Match of the Round on Sunday afternoon.
It was a starring performance from Sofia Sollecito who got a hat-trick for Nepean FC sending her team to their fourth win of the season. They could’ve had a few more goals if they were clinical in front of goal.
Camden Tigers put up a gallant effort in the defeat and are showing signs of improvement under new coach Peter Tsembelis. They equalised in the first half through a spot kick from Kristy Rohrer and battled until the final whistle.
Building on their draw from last week, Nepean FC started on the front foot. Ella Joyce had their first chance with a looping shot which ended on the roof of the net.
Next it was Ella Goodwin who had a strike. She found space in the midfield before unfurling a shot which was easily gathered by Tigers custodian Zarli Lakeman.
Nepean FC found the goal their early dominance deserved. The ball broke kindly for Sofia Sollecito who fired into the bottom corner for 1-0 in the 16th minute.
Before the celebrations had died down, Camden Tigers had a chance to equalise from the spot. Kristy Rohrer stepped up and slotted it home to make it 1-1.
Nepean FC remained on the front foot. Goodwin dinked in a free kick which Sollecito volleyed straight at Lakeman then Olivia De La Harpe crossed for Joyce to head wide.
They did double their delight in the 31st minute. De La Harpe again found space on the right, cut inside and shot low which went underneath Lakeman with Sollecito on the spot to make it 2-1 for Nepean FC.
Camden Tigers had a chance to equalise again. Jade Constance was free on the right side of the box and fired a shot which was pushed away by Chloe Carmichael.
Coming out of the break, Nepean FC felt just fine. Goodwin continued her strong performance with a run through the midfield then a shot straight at Lakeman.
The visitors kept pushing forward for another equaliser. Substitute Eve Wilson weaved past the defence then fired her effort over the crossbar.
Nepean FC added a third in the 68th minute and moved closer to the win. The press from Joyce and Sollecito forced an error then Sollecito rolled the ball home to make it 3-1.
Camden Tigers kept going until the final whistle. Wilson again involved, shooting wide then they forced a fantastic stop from Carmichael again.
Nepean FC saw out the rest of the game and picked up their fourth win of the League One Womens season in this Match of the Round.
Speaking post-match, Nepean FC coach Ben Gough was happy with the result for his side as they continue to gain confidence.
“In the end it was a good result. In passages, we showed some good play but also showed some inconsistency which reflects their youth. We could’ve been a bit more clinical in front of goal and sometimes we show we are still a bit naïve.” said Gough.
For Camden Tigers coach Peter Tsembelis, he reflected on the result and the improving performances from his side in recent weeks:
“We tried very hard, they are a good side and moved the ball well. We just made two fundamental errors and were punished in the game. It was a good effort tonight and we’re improving every week which will hopefully continue.” said Tsembelis.
Match Stats
Sunday 4 June 2023
Cook Park, St Marys
Nepean FC 3 (Sollecito ‘16, ‘31, ‘68)
Camden Tigers 1 (Rohrer ‘17)
Nepean FC: 1. Chloe Carmichael, 3. Tiana-Louise Barton, 5. Jamaica Marshall, 7. Ella Joyce, 8. Olivia De La Harpe, 10. Sheiden Jabour, 12. Alexandra Whiteside (4. Cassidy White ‘51), 14. Ella Goodwin (16. Sarah Polinsky ‘80), 20. Alessia Perre (15. Kelsea Nash ‘51), 22. Jessica Robinson, 33. Sofia Sollecito (50. Ciarrah Henry ‘77)
Unused subs: 21. Isabella Sollecito, 28. Sophie Williams
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Camden Tigers FC: 2. Charlotte O’Flynn, 6. Ashlee Taff (29. Brianna Graham ‘86) 10. Jade Constance (33. Emilia Michalak ‘86), 11. Kristy Rohrer, 12. Klara Vuckovic, 13. Isabella La Malfa (7. Eve Wilson ‘75), 14. Charlotte Taylor (8. Charlotte Wilson ‘55), 15. Elika Halim (9. Indiana Hernadez ‘75), 16. Merryn Clarke, 20. Katelyn Biffin, 31. Zarli Lakeman
Unused subs: 1. Amy Saliba
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
St George FC 2 v Marconi Stallions 2
St George FC rescued a point in their 2-2 draw with Marconi Stallions down at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon.
Marconi Stallions bounced back from their Match of the Round defeat with a strong performance. Ella Sievwright got the only goal of the first half in the 33rd minute to take the slender advantage into the break.
Sievwright doubled their advantage late in the game and it looked like Marconi Stallions were well on their way to three points. Coach Andy Severin was happy with the football his side played in the draw on Sunday afternoon.
However, St George FC snatched a point through a quickfire double. Jaslyn Moore making it 2-1 in the 87th minute then in the blink of an eye Jordan Baker had the ball in the back of the net to make it 2-2. The Saints had their chances in the game but were denied several times by Stallions keeper Yoshimi Miki.
Central Coast Mariners 3 v South Coast Flame FC 1
Central Coast Mariners kept the train rolling on with their 3-1 win over South Coast Flame FC at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon.
It felt like déjà vu at the start of the game. Central Coast Mariners were stung on the break by goal machine Bronte Trew who got her 11th of the season to give South Coast Flame FC the lead early in the contest.
The magical weekend for the yellow-and-navy helped push them towards the win. Chloe Smith scored the equaliser in the 19th minute to make it 1-1 at the break. Smith made it double delight late to give the Mariners the lead before Kaya Hawkinson rounded off the performance with a goal.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 0 v Hills United FC 1
Hills United FC took the points in a closely fought encounter 1-0 over Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Popondetta Park on Sunday afternoon.
These two sides met in the Sapphire Cup midweek which saw Mt Druitt Town Rangers be the first side to put three goals past Hills United FC this season. Their game on Sunday afternoon was another pulsating encounter which went to the wire.
Both sides went at the game full throttle with chances but went into the break at 0-0. It was going to take one moment to break open the game. Alyssa Janssen was played in by Kaylie Shannon to break the Town Rangers heart.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers will feel like they deserved something from the game with the chances they had but take heart in competing against one of the top sides. Hills United FC will be delighted for three points and a stellar performance from defender Cassandra Wheeler in the win.
SD Raiders FC 1 v Sutherland Shire FA 1
The points were shared in a 1-1 draw between SD Raiders FC and Sutherland Shire FA at Ernie Smith Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
Sutherland Shire FA got off to the perfect start when striker Violet Keelan scored in the third minute and took her goal tally to 11 for the season. The visitors held strong and took their 1-0 advantage into the break.
The hosts were able to bite back in the second half. SD Raiders FC got themselves a point when youngster Miriam Zumaya found the back of the net in the 53rd minute. Both sides threw everything they could at the game for a winner but they were forced to settle for a draw.
South East Phoenix FC 3 defeated Inter Lions 1
South East Phoenix FC won back-to-back games with their 3-1 win over Inter Lions at South Nowra Football Complex on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts picked up their second win of the season and moved into 13th spot on the League One Womens table. They were stung early with Inter Lions taking the lead through Marissa Papoulidis in the 6th minute.
South East Phoenix FC equalised through Mason Cater before Beth Tomlinson completed the turnaround to give them a 2-1 lead at the break. Youngster April Rowley came on and scored a third for the Phoenix and showed why she is a player to watch for the future.
Blacktown City FC v UNSW FC 3
Leaders UNSW FC strolled on with their 3-0 win over Blacktown City FC at Landen Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The students maintained their unbeaten ways with another strong performance which keeps them at the summit of the League One Womens competition. Margaux Montegut got a brace in the win while Eve Hess got her first goal of the season.
It could’ve been a larger score line but for the magnificent work from Blacktown City FC keeper Kiara Rochaix who made some good stops against one of the best attacks in the league. UNSW FC coach Guillermo Rubio was delighted to keep a clean sheet as well.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
