Round 21 Review – League One Women’s
Round 21 in the Football NSW League One Women’s competition was filled with everything that football can offer up. We had seven games to enjoy across the weekend which saw the top four continue to flex their muscles and was headlined by the Match of the Round between Nepean FC and Sutherland Shire FA. Let’s get onto the review.
Match of the Round: Nepean FC 0 defeated by Sutherland Shire FA 2
Sutherland Shire FA were 2-0 winners over Nepean FC in the Match of the Round at Cook Park on Sunday afternoon.
Nepean FC will be disappointed that their recent good form was broken and hampered their chase of the top four. The hosts had their chances through Ella Joyce and Maria Serrant in the game but couldn’t find the back of the net.
For Sutherland Shire FA, it was a welcome return to the winner’s circle for the young side and a boost to their confidence. Captain Genevieve Nisbet opened the scoring with a stunning free kick then Janan Codmani rounded off the display with her stoppage time goal.
Both Nepean FC and Sutherland Shire FA walked out onto the Cook Park pitch on a warm winter’s afternoon aiming for three points.
It was Sutherland Shire FA who fired the first shot in anger. Janan Codmani wriggled free of her defender and fired a shot wide of the mark.
Next, it was the combination between Violet Keelan and Tahli Fowler which opened up the Nepean FC defence. Fowler met the cross well but couldn’t direct it on goal.
Nepean FC settled in their rhythm and went close through Maria Serrant. She found space on the right side and fired her shot into the side netting.
Sutherland Shire FA made their dominance count with the opener. Genevieve Nisbet floated in a free kick which flew into the top corner for 1-0 in the 19th minute.
It was almost double delight for Sutherland Shire FA. This time Fowler was the provider for Keelan who arrowed her effort wide.
The hosts looked to equalise before the break. Olivia De La Harpe bent in a wicked cross which Ella Joyce volleyed over the bar.
Sutherland Shire FA finished the half with a pair of chances. Keelan tried to chip Nepean FC keeper Chloe Carmichael then Codmani flashed one wide.
Coming out of the break, Nepean FC found their footing quickly. Again, it was Serrant in the middle of the action with a scooped effort going over.
They kept up the pressure with back-to-back efforts. Joyce and Serrant both had chances which didn’t find the back of the net.
The visitors tried to double their advantage from another set piece. They launched them from deep into the sun but were easily claimed by Carmichael.
Nepean FC pushed forward again for the equaliser. Joyce had a tame shot but they were starting to push further up the field.
Their best chance in the second half fell to De La Harpe. The winger strode confidently on the right and fizzed a shot which landed on the roof of the net.
Sutherland Shire FA sealed the game in injury time. Codmani found a pocket of space near the box and fired home for 2-0 in the 91st minute.
Speaking post-match, Nepean FC coach Ben Gough said the result reflected the inexperience in his squad as they continue to grow each week:
“We showed a lot of inexperience in that game. We were second to every ball and weren’t up for it mentally in the game. Our squad is young, an average age of 20 but it is expected that they will be up and down which we saw today.” said Gough.
Sutherland Shire FA Zoe Hart reflected on the win for her side which saw them break a recent drought of results in the competition:
“We played well in the start of the game with some of our cutbacks and obviously found the goal to take the lead. The second half was a bit rougher for us but it was good to get a win, that was something we needed.” said Hart.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 30 July 2023
Cook Park, St Marys
Nepean FC 0
Sutherland Shire FA 2 (Nisbet ‘19, Codmani ‘90+1)
Nepean FC: 1. Chloe Carmichael, 5. Jamaica Marshall, 6. Gemma Morgan (39. Liliana Alba ‘70), 7. Ella Joyce, 8. Olivia De La Harpe, 10. Sheidan Jabour, 13. Kelsea Nash, 20. Alessia Perre, 22. Jessica Robinson, 30. Maria Serrant, 33. Sofia Sollecito (12. Alexandra Whiteside ‘45)
Unused subs: 27. Arlo Gabrielle Andres Hamel, 31. Kyla Grosse, 32. Evangelina Papas, 38. Annabel Femia
Yellow cards: Jabour ‘89
Red cards: nil
Sutherland Shire FA: 1. Jasmin Lawler, 2. Genevieve Nisbet, 3. Zoe Hart, 4. Angelina Mastoris, 5. Ariane Brown, 7. Violet Keelan (21. Lily Beck ‘83), 8. Isabella Raad, 10. Janan Codmani, 12. Ella Gair, 13. Ella Boes (6. Jasmine Stretton ‘62), 32. Tahli Fowler
Unused subs: 24. Ruby Hart, 25. Mia Boes, 37. Eva Maddox
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
South Coast Flame FC 7 defeated South East Phoenix FC 1
South Coast Flame burnt through South East Phoenix FC in their 7-1 win at Sir Ian McLennan Park on Saturday night.
The Flame ran rampant on Saturday night to move into fifth spot on the League One Women’s competition ladder. Bronte Trew opened the scoring in the 6th minute before Emily Kostovski, Cristina Barraza and Kostovski again gave them a 4-0 lead at half-time.
They continued to find the back of the net in the second half in a crushing display. Lisa Prior added the fifth goal in the 49th minute then strikes from Lisa Prior and Kellie McIntyre hit the Phoenix for six. Trew rounded off the display with her second goal in the 68th minute.
South East Phoenix FC did find some consolation from the penalty spot. The versatile Madison Cater stepped up and slotted the spot kick to make it 7-1. This result helps to reignite South Coast Flame FC’s chance to play finals football.
Camden Tigers 1 defeated by Hills United FC 3
Hills United FC bounced back with their 3-1 win over Camden Tigers down at Ron Dine Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
It was an important win for Hills United FC who arrested their recent dip in form with three points that helps them keep hold of third spot on the ladder. Kaylie Shannon gave them a 1-0 lead going into half-time with her goal in the 23rd minute.
Hills United FC broke free of their recent struggles in front of goal in the second half which would please coach Alan Tasses. Isabella Sciberras and Aisling Davidson found the back of the net while substitute Maddison Jones got a late consolation goal for Camden Tigers.
Marconi Stallions 1 drew with Mt Druitt Town Rangers 1
Points were shared in a 1-1 draw between Marconi Stallions and Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Wanderers Football Park on Sunday afternoon.
It was a game which could’ve gone either way but for some superb keeping from both custodians between the sticks. Holly Pender gave Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC the lead in the 32nd minute before Michelle Dal Bon curled home an equaliser for Marconi Stallions for 1-1 at the break.
The second half was closely fought between two sides which were scrapping for every point headed towards the end of the season. Rita Boateng had the best chances for Mt Druitt while Marconi Stallions might regret some of their work in front of goal.
Inter Lions 0 defeated by UNSW FC 11
UNSW FC were ruthless in their 11-0 demolition of Inter Lions at Majors Bay Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
The students sent out a message to their top four finals with their huge result against bottom placed Inter Lions. Captain Sarah Ferris kicked off the scoring with a goal just two minutes into the game before the floodgates opened.
Marcella Santos made it 2-0 in the 20th minute before Hannah Charak showed why she is a sharpshooter in front of goal. She had a hat-trick before half-time with goals in the 25th, 35th and 46th minute alongside another from Santos for a 6-0 half-time scoreline.
UNSW FC added five more goals in the second half to get them into double digits on a warm winters afternoon. Princess Ibini netted in the 48th minute then substitute Amanda Levaskevich got into the action. She found the back of the net twice in her time on the pitch alongside a fourth from Charak and one from Cassandra Christopher.
SD Raiders FC 2 defeated by St George FC 3
St George FC held off a late SD Raiders FC fightback to win 3-2 at Ernie Smith Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
The Saints tightened their grip on fourth spot with their third win in a row against a dogged SD Raiders FC team. St George FC came out of the blocks firing with three goals in the opening half hour through Kyla Vanderlaan, Jordan Baker and Jasmine Limon to lead 3-0.
SD Raiders FC pulled a goal back before half-time through an own goal to give them some hope for the second half. It turned into full belief when Isabella Sultan made it 3-2 in the 66th minute and set up a grandstand finish. The visitors were able to hold off the late surge from SD Raiders FC for an important three points.
Blacktown City FC 0 defeated by Central Coast Mariners 4
Rounding off the weekend was leaders Central Coast Mariners winning 4-0 over Blacktown City FC at Landen Stadium.
The leaders bounced back from their defeat to UNSW FC in fine style with a comfortable win which keeps them five points clear of the challengers. Chloe Smith opened the scoring in the 14th minute before an own goal gave the Mariners a 2-0 lead at the break.
The Mariners kept up with their work in the second half with another pair of goals. Smith made it a double and scored her 20th league goal of the campaign. Defender Sara Piriz rounded off the display with a late goal in the 89th minute.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
