Round 19 Review – League One Women’s
Round 19 in the Football NSW League One Womens competition was another weekend filled with fantastic action, drama and plenty of goals to enjoy. We had six matches to indulge in highlighted by the Match of the Round between Central Coast Mariners and Hills United FC. Let’s get onto the review.
Match of the Round: Central Coast Mariners vs Hills United FC
Central Coast Mariners tightened their grip on top spot with a 3-0 win over Hills United FC at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Mariners were on top from the opening whistle. Ava-Marie Carlson found the opener in the 4th minute before Annalise Rasmussen fired home a long-range strike for 2-0. Substitute Iona Snape rounded off the emphatic display with a third in the 80th minute to move the Mariners closer to the Premiership.
Hills United FC were gallant in defeat with custodian Sarah Easthope to thank for a string of brilliant saves to deny the Mariners any further goals. Substitutes Isabella Sciberras and Bianca Galayini went closest for the visitors.
Central Coast Mariners and Hills United FC walked onto a cloudy Pluim Park for this top of the table clash for the Match of the Round.
The visitors were the first to have a chance. Imogen Lane struck one low which was well gathered by Central Coast Mariners custodian Kyara O’Brien.
One chance was all it took for Central Coast Mariners to take the lead. Kaitlin Murphy’s shot parried into the path of Ava-Marie Carlson to tap home for 1-0 in the 4th minute.
The Mariners kept their foot on the pedal in the first half. Carlson was played in again by Sophie Nenadovic but couldn’t find the finish, soon after.
They then had a pair of efforts quickly to try and double their delight. Leisel Collins and Murphy both had efforts as the game headed to the half hour mark.
Annalise Rasmussen was to make it 2-0 for Central Coast Mariners with a stunner. She fired a rocket which hit the top corner in the 33rd minute.
Mariners captain Murphy then forced Sarah Easthope into another save. She strode confidently into the box on the right and drove it low to get Easthope to grab it.
Hills United FC then finished the half with a flourish. Lane with a pair of opportunities to snatch back a goal but her efforts went wide of the post.
Coming out of the break, Central Coast felt just fine. Murphy combined with top scorer Chloe Smith for the latter to dribble an effort wide.
The visitors rung the changes, bringing on their top scorer in Isabella Sciberras to change the game but the Mariners remained dangerous on the counter.
Sciberras was a threat for Hills United FC. The substitute found a pocket of space then unfurled a shot which fizzed over the crossbar shortly after coming on.
It was another substitute for Hills United FC that went closest for the visitors though. Bianca Galayini found some space and rattled the woodwork with her effort.
Central Coast Mariners hit the visitors with a sucker punch to make it 3-0 in the 80th minute. Rasmussen starting a movement which saw substitute Iona Snape tap home.
Hills United FC keeper Easthope had to be sharp to avoid a fourth goal. The ball was sent in and Snape was there at the post but Easthope was there to deny her.
Rasmussen looked to finish the game with a bang for the Mariners. She cut inside her defender then forced Easthope into another fantastic save.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 16 July 2023
Pluim Park, Lisarow
Central Coast Mariners 3 (Carlson ‘4, Rasmussen ‘33, Snape ‘80)
Hills United FC 0
Central Coast Mariners: 1. Kyara O’Brien, 3. Sara Piriz, 5. Savannah Murray, 7. Kaitlin Murphy (17. Derelle Avery ‘82), 8. Sophie Nenadovic (6. Iona Snape ‘72), 9. Kiera Bainsfair (14. Rachel Glendenning ‘72), 10. Annalise Rasmussen, 11. Chloe Smith, 12. Kaya Hawkinson, 13. Ava-Marie Carlson, 16. Liesel Collins
Unused subs: 2. Briana Myers, 20. Annabelle King
Yellow cards: Murray ‘83
Red cards: nil
Hills United FC: 1. Sarah Easthope, 2. Emma Jackson, 3. Aisling Davidson, 4. Leah Tallon, 5. Shailee Bartle (14. Ellen Berios ‘56), 6. Brooke Hastie, 8. Bella Donaldson (12. Kaylie Shannon ‘77), 9. Imogen Lane, 15. Cassandra Wheeler (17. Chantelle Trovato ‘77), 19. Alyssa Janssen (11. Isabella Sciberras ‘56), 40. Juri Hiragawara (10. Bianca Galayini ‘67)
Unused subs: 16. Bridget Brien
Yellow cards: Berios ‘83
Red cards: nil
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 2 drew with UNSW FC 2
It was honours even between Mt Druitt Town Rangers and UNSW FC in their 2-2 draw at Popondetta Park on Sunday afternoon.
The students got off to the perfect start after their weekend off when Princess Ibini scored her first goal for the club to make it 1-0. Mt Druitt Town Rangers had an instant response through Hitomi Maeda to equalise in the 17th minute.
UNSW FC who are looking to keep pace with Central Coast Mariners took the lead into half-time when sharpshooter Marcella Santos fired home in the 33rd minute. The hosts fought back again through Makayla Crouch and equalised again for 2-2.
The game became stretched as both teams fought for three points. Mt Druitt Town Rangers hit the crossbar through Holly Pender and had a late chance through Rita Boateng which went wide while UNSW FC will rue more dropped points in their chase for the title.
Inter Lions 2 defeated by Nepean FC 3
Nepean FC took the points 3-2 in a pulsating contest with Inter Lions at Majors Bay Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
It was a game that fans in attendance will remember as these two sides threw everything at each other to take home three points. Nepean FC took the lead through defender Tiana-Louise Barton who led from the front in this game.
Natalie Pajor found an equaliser for Inter Lions in the 28th minute as the Lions continue their improvement in the last few weeks. The visitors took a lead into the sheds after Ella Joyce found the back of the net for a 2-1 lead.
The second half was an end-to-end battle between the teams. Joyce got herself a brace in the 57th minute which gave Nepean FC a two-goal buffer. Riley Dennis set up a grandstand finish when she made it 3-2 in the 86th minute but Nepean FC held on for the three points.
Camden Tigers 2 drew with Sutherland Shire FA 2
Points were shared in a 2-2 draw between Camden Tigers and Sutherland Shire FA down at Ron Dine Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
Camden Tigers put in a strong performance and the point helps create more distance between them and the bottom of the ladder. Kristy Rohrer gave the Tigers the lead from the spot before Sutherland Shire FA captain Genevieve Nisbet equalised before the break for 1-1.
The visitors completed the turnaround in the 65th minute when Valentina Alvarez found the back of the net to make it 2-1 but the Tigers weren’t to be denied in this one. Ashlee Taff wrestled them a point with her goal in the 77th minute.
South East Phoenix FC 0 defeated by St George FC 6
St George FC were 6-0 winners in their game against South East Phoenix FC at South Nowra Football Complex on Suday afternoon.
The Saints had enjoyed a comfortable afternoon compared to their recent results and get back-to-back wins. Jordan Baker opened the scoring in the 14th minute before Mary Moyo doubled their delight three minutes later before Baker and Jaslyn Moore gave them a 4-0 half-time lead.
Moyo scored in the 50th and 64th minute to complete her hat-trick and round off a performance that coach Mark Greenfield will enjoy. South East Phoenix FC were down on troops but they put in a gallant performance against one of the top teams in League One Womens.
Blacktown City FC 0 defeated by SD Raiders FC 1
SD Raiders FC were 1-0 winners over Blacktown City FC in their game down at Landen Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
It was a willing contest between these two sides who were scrapping for three points which could be important for their season. SD Raiders FC got the only goal of the game through Abuk Nyor which was her third goal of the campaign.
That is a crucial three points for SD Raiders FC in their chase for the top four headed into the final seven weeks of the League One Womens season. Blacktown City FC will be disappointed not to build on their solid performances in recent weeks.
South Coast Flame FC vs Marconi Stallions was postponed
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
