Round 23 Review – League One Women’s
Round 23 in the Football NSW League One Women’s competition was another exciting installment which kicked off the final month of the season.
There were seven games to enjoy across Super Sunday in the league highlighted by the Match of the Round between SD Raiders FC and UNSW FC.
Let’s get onto the review.
Match of the Round: SD Raiders FC 0 defeated by UNSW FC 2
UNSW FC were comfortable 2-0 winners against a gallant SD Raiders FC side at Ernie Smith Reserve on Sunday afternoon
SD Raiders FC put up a solid performance against the title challengers. They had their chances through Abuk Nyor and Tahlia Voskanian in either half and look forward to their next game against Hills United FC on Saturday afternoon.
The students kept their spot in the top two of the League One Women’s with a comfortable win in the Match of the Round. Princess Ibini struck from the spot and Marcella Santos doubled their delight to confirm the three points.
Both SD Raiders FC and UNSW FC strode confidently onto the Ernie Smith Reserve pitch ready to feature in the Round 23 Match of the Round.
UNSW FC were into their rhythm early. Hannah Beard with a few attempts which flew right to SD Raiders FC keeper Natasha Pentecost.
The visitors continued to pile up the chances. Amanda Levaskevich turned well and shot straight at the keeper, then Beard fired an effort into the side netting.
UNSW FC’s opener came from the spot. Princess Ibini was fouled in the box and earnt the whistle. The striker then stepped up and slotted the penalty to make it 1-0 in the 8th minute.
The hosts took some time to settle into the contest. Amanda Radmilo put in a cross which caused some chaos for UNSW FC keeper Tiahna Robertson but the students cleared.
Beard was keen to get on the scoresheet on the afternoon. She had another shot go wide then blazed a free kick wide of the mark.
SD Raiders FC did have their chances. Elin Rosenberg Cemazar had a chance spilled for a corner before she had to be substituted then Isabella Sultan put a free kick over.
UNSW FC were looking to double their delight before the break. Jess Mullins broke into the box and forced Pentecost to tip the ball over the bar.
The hosts finished the half with a pair of set pieces. They had a corner which was swept away then Sultan’s free kick wasn’t on target.
SD Raiders FC came out of the break firing for an equaliser. Sharina Harris had a strong chance which was parried away by Robertson.
They kept pushing forward in the game. Armenian international Tahlia Voskanian drove an effort which was tipped onto the bar by Robertson.
UNSW FC absorbed the pressure and made it 2-0 in the 58th minute. The move started by Cassandra Christopher and fell to Marcella Santos to tuck it home.
The students continued to push for further goals. Rachelle Wang cutting the ball back for substitute Hannah Charak who sent her effort over the bar.
SD Raiders FC kept going for a goal in the contest. Abigail Boag tried a first time shot which was gathered well by Robertson.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 13 August 2023
Ernie Smith Reserve
Referee: Nikolas Djakovic
Assistant Referees: Andrew Bernacki & Henry Benjamin
SD Raiders FC 0
UNSW FC 2 (Ibini ‘8, Santos ‘58)
SD Raiders FC: 1. Natasha Pentecost, 5. Amanda Radmilo, 6. Jessica Neville, 7. Abigail Boag, 10. Isabella Sultan (13. Olga Gasteratos ‘85), 12. Kristen Prior, 14. Sarah Mandile (33. Elana Topalidis ‘85), 17. Elin Rosenberg Cemazar (40. Abuk Noyr ‘27), 18. Sharina Harris, 20. Tahlia Voskanian (27. Denise Justice ‘74), 43. Miriam Zumaya (23. Tayla Garifalakis ‘85)
Unused subs: 21. Caitlin Britton
Yellow cards: Neville ‘89
Red cards: nil
UNSW FC: 1. Tiahna Robertson, 2. Sarah Ferris (19. Emilee Rawson ‘67), 6. Miranda Summersby-Mitchell (40. Stephanie Tour), 7. Amanda Levaskevich (10. Hannah Charak ‘54), 8. Sonja Murphy, 11. Marcella Santos (42. Isabella Stinziani ‘67), 15. Princess Ibini, 16. Rachelle Wang (29. Anna Jones ‘83), 18. Jess Mullins, 20. Cassandra Christopher, 22. Hannah Beard
Unused subs: 51. Akala Howell
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Nepean FC 0 defeated by South Coast Flame FC 1
South Coast Flame FC won 1-0 against Nepean FC in a tight game played at Cook Park on Sunday afternoon.
This game was billed as a finals eliminator between the top sides and the contest played out as such on a misty afternoon. South Coast Flame FC scored the only goal in the 14th minute through top scorer Bronte Trew who continued her purple patch.
South Coast Flame FC had to hold off a dogged Nepean FC side in a feisty second half which saw several players cautioned. Flame will look to continue their strong form and finish the season on a high and possibly snatch fourth spot.
Sutherland Shire FA 2 drew with Hills United FC 2
Points were shared between Sutherland Shire FA and Hills United FC in their 2-2 draw at Harrie Denning Centre on Sunday afternoon.
Hills United FC picked up where they left off in their scoring spree with the opening goal in the contest through Aisling Davidson. The hosts responded with the equaliser in the 35th minute through Christina Dendrinos to give us the half-time score of 1-1.
The game remained a tight affair in the second half meaning neither team could be separated at the final whistle. Jasmine Stretton gave Sutherland Shire FA the lead in the 49th minute before Chantelle Trovato snatched a point for Hills United FC in the 91st minute.
Inter Lions 2 defeated Marconi Stallions 1
Inter Lions secured a vital 2-1 win over Marconi Stallions in their game at Majors Bay Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
It will be a valuable three points for Inter Lions as they try to push themselves off the bottom of the League One Women’s ladder. All the goals came in the second half after a closely fought first 45 saw the game go to break at 0-0.
Marconi Stallions then broke the deadlock on the hour mark through Yurina Koyama for her fifth goal of the season. While Inter Lions took the win through a quickfire double from sharpshooter Riley Dennis with the second coming from the spot in the 72nd minute.
Camden Tigers 1 defeated by Central Coast Mariners 3
Leaders Central Coast Mariners won 3-1 over Camden Tigers in their game at Ron Dine Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
The Mariners wrestled control of the contest in the first half and led 3-0 going into the break, on course for three points. Sophie Nenadovic scored the first two goals in the 11th and 22nd minute before Kaitlin Murphy added the third in the 37th minute.
Camden Tigers found a consolation goal in the second half through Samantha Cefai which was her sixth goal of the League One Women’s campaign. The visitors remain in top spot in front of their game against South East Phoenix FC next weekend.
South East Phoenix FC 1 defeated by Mt Druitt Town Rangers 5
Mt Druitt Town Rangers triumphed 5-1 over South East Phoenix FC down at South Nowra Football Complex on Sunday afternoon.
The Town Rangers were made to work for the three points against the gutsy and youthful South East Phoenix FC side. Philippines international Anicka Castaneda gave the visitors the lead before youngster April Rowley equalised for Phoenix but a late goal from Makayla Crouch in injury time gave Mt Druitt a 2-1 lead at half-time.
The visitors took control of the game in the second half and added three goals to round out their solid performance. Hitomi Maeda made it 3-1 in the 57th minute before Rita Boateng added the fourth in the 59th minute. Boateng completed her brace late in the contest to make it 5-1.
Blacktown City FC 2 defeated by St George FC 3
Rounding off the weekend was St George FC defeating Blacktown City FC 3-2 in an entertaining clash at Landen Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
It was a thrilling game that saw five goals in the contest and kept St George FC firmly in the driving seat for the top four. Jaslyn Moore opened the scoring in the 8th minute for St George FC before Jenny Hughes equalised for the hosts to make it 1-1.
St George FC took a lead into half-time after Caitlin Campbell struck in the 34th minute to make it 2-1. Blacktown City FC then underlined their good performance to make it 2-2 after Hughes scored her second, her combination with Ella Morris was dangerous throughout.
The Saints took the points in the 71st minute through substitute Mary Moyo who fired home her eighth goal of the season. They maintain their gap over South Coast Flame FC in fifth headed into the final three weeks of the season.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
