Round 18 Review – League One Women’s
Round 18 in the Football NSW League One Womens was another exciting installment which had plenty of thrills and spills to enjoy for all.
There were six games that were played over the weekend headlined by SD Raiders FC and South Coast Flame FC in the Match of the Round.
Let’s get onto the review.
Match of the Round: SD Raiders FC 2 defeated South Coast Flame FC 1
SD Raiders FC ran out 2-1 winners against South Coast Flame FC in the Match of the Round at Ernie Smith Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts took the lead through Abuk Nyor in the 33rd minute before they were pegged back by the visitors in the second half. Isabella Sultan then scored directly from a free kick to earn SD Raiders FC all three points in the contest.
South Coast Flame FC battled hard but fell to a late loss which dented their top four hopes in the League One Womens competition. Cristina Barraza brought it back to 1-1 from the spot which set up a grandstand finish.
Both SD Raiders FC and South Coast Flame FC strode onto Ernie Smith Reserve confident of taking three points in their chase for a finals spot.
The visitors had a chance in the opening minute to take the lead. Sharpshooter Bronte Trew found space inside the area and hit it straight at SD Raiders FC keeper Natasha Pentecost.
It was a tight tussle for much of the first half. Both teams had a chance from a free kick but neither chance came to fruition.
SD Raiders FC went close from another set piece. Seeing a corner whipped in which Elin Rosenberg Cemazar nodded wide of the post.
The hosts continued to have chances in the first half. Abigail Boag had a snapshot saved then Flame keeper Caitlin Britton was called into action to deny Abuk Nyor.
SD Raiders FC then found the opener in the 33rd minute. Miriam Zumaya threading a through ball to Nyor who slotted it to make it 1-0 for the hosts.
Coming out of the break, South Coast Flame FC tried to claw back a goal. Lisa Prior sent in a free kick that went wide of the mark.
The Flame side continued to push for the equaliser. They worked a move down the right before the ball fell to Trew who couldn’t connect properly to force a shot.
Both sides continued to have chances as the game opened up in the final stages. Kellie McIntyre had an effort deflect wide then SD Raiders FC countered well through substitute Sarah Mandile and Rosenberg Cemazar for the latter to shoot over.
South Coast Flame FC found their equaliser from the spot in the 77th minute after Trew was fouled. Cristina Barraza stepped up and rolled home the penalty to make it 1-1.
Buoyed by the equaliser, Flame pushed for a winner. Lulu Lozano had her shot tipped away Pentecost then the follow up was poked wide of the post.
However, It was the hosts who found the winner in the 88th minute. Isabella Sultan fired in a free kick which flew into the back of the net to make it 2-1 SD Raiders FC.
South Coast Flame FC threw everything at the game in the dying stages but weren’t able to find another equaliser to take a share of the points.
Speaking post-match, SD Raiders FC coach Bojan Radmilo reflected on the result for his side as they aim to make the top four:
“It was a scrappy game and it was who made the less mistakes. We left it late, but we’ve worked hard in the last few weeks and got some results. Our goal is to make the top four and we’re working towards that but need more results and to keep possession better.” said Radmilo.
For South Coast Flame FC coach Daniel Naumovski, he was disappointed to lose in a game where they were in control:
“We gave the game away in this one. We didn’t take our chances and they punished us twice in the game. We had momentum after the penalty but again didn’t take the chances. There is plenty of time left so we must keep pushing forward.” said Naumovski.
Match Stats
Sunday 9 July 2023
Ernie Smith Reserve, Moorebank
SD Raiders FC 2 (Nyor ‘33, Sultan ‘88)
South Coast Flame FC 1 (Barraza ‘77)
SD Raiders FC: 1. Natasha Pentecost, 5. Amanda Radmilo, 6. Jessica Neville, 7. Abigail Boag (27. Denise Justice ‘89), 8. Layne Knight, 10. Isabella Sultan, 12. Kristen Prior, 17. Elin Rosenberg Cemazar (13. Olga Gasteratos ‘85), 18. Sharina Harris, 40. Abuk Nyor (14. Sarah Mandile ‘61), 43. Miriam Zumaya
Unused subs: 21. Caitlin Britton, 23. Tayla Garifalakis, 38. Tiana Mobbs
Yellow cards: Nyor
Red cards: nil
South Coast Flame FC: 1. Caitlin Russell, 3. Abigail Jordan, 4. Alexis Malizis, 5. Ruby Blanch (13. Jessie Abbott ‘58), 6. Lisa Prior, 8. Emily Kostovski (38. Marwa Sulaiman ‘75), 9. Bronte Trew (23. Gemma Bishop ‘79), 10. Kellie McIntyre, 11. Lulu Lozano, 14. Ashley Kotevski, 19. Cristina Barraza
Unused subs: 21. Tahlia Sharrock, 24. Ella Churchill, 30. Brooke Love
Yellow cards: Kotevski
Red cards: nil
Camden Tigers 0 defeated by Mt Druitt Town Rangers 4
Mt Druitt Town Rangers kicked off the weekend with a 4-0 win over Camden Tigers at Ron Dine Reserve on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors put in the work during the week to refine their finishing and it paid off to give them three points in this contest. Striker Rita Boateng starred for Mt Druitt Town Rangers with a hat-trick in the commanding win.
Their other goal came through Angelina Warton in a welcome return to the winner’s circle for Mt Druitt Town Rangers as they look to keep pace with the other top four hopefuls headed into the final turn of the League One Womens competition.
Nepean FC 1 defeated Blacktown City FC 0
Nepean FC won 1-0 against Blacktown City FC in their derby game down at Cook Park on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts made it three wins on the spin with their latest result in a local derby which keeps them in touch with the top four. Nepean FC scored the only goal in the 36th minute through star striker Maria Serrant to make it 1-0 in the 36th minute.
That goal makes it the eighth goal in five games for Serrant in her burgeoning career. Nepean FC did have to hold off a fast-finishing Blacktown City FC side to hold onto the three points. Blacktown City FC striker Jenny Hughes had an effort cleared off the line late in another strong performance from the visitors.
Sutherland Shire FA 1 defeated by St George FC 2
St George FC left it late again to defeat Sutherland Shire FA 2-1 at Harrie Denning Centre on Sunday afternoon.
There is a fine line between pleasure and pain in the League One Womens competition and no one represents that more than St George FC. They produced another comeback to take full points against their local rivals on Sunday afternoon.
Sutherland Shire FA took the lead through Ariane Brown in the 8th minute before an own goal brought it back to 1-1 headed into half-time. The second half was a tight tussle but Nicole Besz slotted the winner for St George FC to take all three points and strengthen their hold on fourth spot.
Central Coast Mariners 6 defeated Marconi Stallions 2
Central Coast Mariners won 6-2 against a gallant Marconi Stallions side at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Mariners were in fine form in the win which extends their lead at the top of the table to six points after the weekend. The hosts led 4-0 at half-time with Chloe Smith firing home a hat-trick before a long range effort from Sophie Nenadovic completed the first half performance.
Kaitlin Murphy got into the action with the fifth goal for Central Coast Mariners before Yurina Koyama pulled one back for the Stallions to make it 5-1. Murphy made it a double with her second in the 66th minute which made it 6-1 then Koyama added a late consolation for the visitors. She could’ve made it a hat-trick but had a chance smack against the post.
Hills United FC 1 drew with Inter Lions 1
Points were shared in a 1-1 draw between Hills United FC and Inter Lions at Bella Vista Public School on Sunday afternoon.
Inter Lions pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the League One Womens competition as they held off Hills United FC in their game. The first half was a closely fought contest and both teams headed to the break locked up at 0-0.
The Lions put in a strong performance and shocked the home crowd taking the lead. Alicia Lee found the back of the net for the visitors to make it 1-0. Hills United FC were held at bay until injury time when Kaylie Shannon equalised to earn a share of the points.
South East Phoenix FC vs UNSW FC was deferred
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
