Round 24 Review – League One Women’s
Round 24 in the Football NSW League One Women’s competition was another edition which was filled with goals and drama to enjoy across the weekend. There were seven games to enjoy including a rare Saturday night doubleheader and the weekend was highlighted by the Match of the Round between St George FC and Inter Lions. Let’s get onto the review.
Match of the Round: St George FC 8 defeated Inter Lions 0
St George FC won 8-0 against Inter Lions in the Match of the Round at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon.
The Saints were ruthless in front of goal. Amy Bennett scored the opener in the 13th minute before Jaslyn Moore, Kate Dale and Morgan Maxwell gave them a 4-0 lead at the break. Jordan Baker scored a brace in the second half alongside a second from Maxwell and a penalty from Nicole Besz to round off a good afternoon.
Inter Lions battled hard in the game despite the scoreline on a hot afternoon. They had their moments from substitute Ella Rochester and Alessia Gangemi and some good saves from Grace Gilhawley on a tough afternoon.
The bright sun in Kogarah greeted St George FC and Inter Lions as they strode onto Ilinden Sports Centre ready to do battle for three points on Sunday afternoon.
St George FC had an early free kick which was taken by Jordan Baker. She curled the effort past the wall but it flew wide of the post.
The Saints went close again through Jaslyn Moore. She snatched the ball from the Lions defence and shot it straight at Inter Lions custodian Grace Gilhawley.
The hosts got the opening goal they wanted in the 13th minute. A wonderful cross from Kate Dale found the feet of Amy Bennett to tap home for 1-0 to St George FC.
After the goal, Inter Lions settled into their rhythm. The visitors were starting to move the ball but couldn’t find the final touch to get inside the area.
It was double delight in the 16th minute for St George FC. Morgan Maxwell unfurled a shot which was saved well by Gilhawley into the path of Moore to make it 2-0.
The introduction of substitute Ella Rochester brought some extra spark to the Inter Lions attack. She was a livewire down the wing and created some issues.
St George FC finished the half with two more goals to lead 4-0 at the whistle. Dale who was strong on the flunk, cut inside and added the third then Maxwell found the bottom corner for the fourth goal in the 40th minute.
Coming out of the break, both teams settled into an arm wrestle trying to establish their dominance. St George FC had a few half chances before they added a fifth.
It was a typical bomb from striker Jordan Baker. She found some space in midfield and unfurled the shot in the 57th minute to make it 5-0.
St George FC didn’t have to wait long for their sixth. Maxwell roamed into space and composed her finish into the back of the net for 6-0 after the hour mark.
Bennett looked to get herself a brace but pushed the effort against the post then Caitlin Campbell shook the crossbar with a free kick later.
Inter Lions had their brightest spell in the contest around the 70th minute. A cross in from the right caused some chaos in the box before St George FC keeper Alexandra Hinson dropped on the ball.
Next, Alessia Gangemi dug the ball out of her feet and fizzed the effort past the post as they game started to open up in the heat.
St George FC rounded off the win with two more goals to make it 8-0. Nicole Besz won and converted the penalty for 7-0 then another long-range strike from Baker gave her a brace in the 91st minute.
Speaking post-match St George coach Jay Nataly reflected on the game and how the side responded to their goals before the game:
“I’m really happy with the performance all round. They were composed on the ball and we’re trending in the right direction towards the finals. We’re working towards that direction and have ambitions to be there.” said Nataly.
For Inter Lions coach Adrian Contarino, he reflected on the result and looked towards the positives as the side looked to rebuild next season:
“St George FC are a well drilled machine and disciplined. There are a lot of areas to work on towards the end of the season but all we can do is start rebuilding for next year. From there we can start improving our performances.” said Contarino.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 20 August 2023
Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale
Referee: Ethan Roche
Assistant Referees: Nicholas Parthenis & Marcus Buckley
St George FC 8 (Bennett ‘13, Moore ‘16, Dale ‘35, Maxwell ‘40, Baker ‘57, Maxwell ‘59, Besz ‘85, Baker ‘91)
Inter Lions 0
St George FC: 1. Alexandra Hinson, 2. Joanna Minas, 3. Kate Dale (30. Miranda Myles ‘83), 4. Nicole Besz, 9. Jordan Baker, 10. Morgan Maxwell, 11. Kyla Vanderlaan (22. Rebbeca Cousins ‘83), 14. Amy Bennett (8. Abby-Rose Cryer ‘60), 18. Jaslyn Moore (15. Genevieve Russo ‘60), 20. Caitlin Campbell (32. Hannah Kdouh ‘83), 40. Jasmine Limon
Unused subs: 21. Amy Orphanides
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Inter Lions: 1. Grace Gilhawley, 3. Belinda Anderson-Sharp, 4. Jinneecka Klenka, 5. Natalie Marchese, 6. Zoe Katsionis, 7. Marissa Papoulidis, 8. Santina Wang, 9. Alessia Gangemi, 10. Isabel McBridge (35. Ella Rochester ‘27), 13. Alicia Lee, 14. Annabel Forbes (33. Mia Micalizzi ‘45)
Unused subs: 22. Alyssa Broughton, 25. Sienna Broughton
Yellow cards: Anderson-Sharp ‘82
Red cards: nil
Hills United FC 2 defeated SD Raiders FC 1
Hills United FC won 2-1 against SD Raiders FC in their game played at Landen Stadium on Saturday night.
The hosts took their unbeaten streak to five games after they downed a dogged SD Raiders FC side under the Landen lights. Hills United FC did all the damage in the first half, Isabella Sciberras scored both goals which were both set up by Juri Hiragawara.
It was a tighter contest in the second half as SD Raiders FC were hard to break down. SD Raiders FC did find a late goal through substitute Denise Justice who scrambled it home from a corner in the 90th minute which would annoy keeper Sarah Easthope.
South Coast Flame FC 2 defeated Blacktown City FC 0
South Coast Flame FC were 2-0 winners against Blacktown City FC down at Sir Ian McLennan Oval on Saturday night.
The Flame ran hot and took their winning streak to four games, holding down fifth spot and kept alive their faint finals hopes. Bronte Trew gave the Flame a 1-0 lead with her 25th goal of the campaign in the 22nd minute.
It was a double delight for Trew in the second half. The striker confirmed the win in the 89th minute and stretched her advantage at the top of the League One Women’s golden boot standings. South Coast Flame FC play their catch-up game against Marconi Stallions on Tuesday night.
Marconi Stallions 0 drew with Camden Tigers 0
Points were shared between Marconi Stallions and Camden Tigers in their 0-0 draw at Marconi Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
It wasn’t the return to Marconi Stadium that the Stallions would have envisioned but they do add another point to their tally. They huffed and puffed but weren’t able to find a way past Camden Tigers keeper Zarli Lakeman.
For Camden Tigers, it is a point which helps give them a buffer to Inter Lions at the bottom of the League One Women’s table. The draw breaks the Tigers recent run of outs as they look to finish the last two weeks on a high.
Central Coast Mariners 8 defeated South East Phoenix FC 0
Central Coast Mariners were dominant in their 8-0 win against South East Phoenix FC down at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Yellow-and-Navy showed off their clinical edge with a huge win that will help them into their chase for the Premiership. Striker Chloe Smith led the way with a first half hat-trick before Kaitlin Murphy and Leisel Collins rounded off the five-star first half to give them a 5-0 advantage.
The Mariners kept pushing forward in the second half and piled on a further three goals. Rachel Glendenning made it 6-0 in the 72nd minute alongside another from Collins then Smith added her fourth in the 85th minute to complete the display.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 4 defeated Sutherland Shire FA 0
Mt Druitt Town Rangers had a comfortable 4-0 win over Sutherland Shire FA at Popondetta Park on Sunday afternoon.
This result marks four games unbeaten for Mt Druitt Town Rangers as they look to lock in a top half finish in the League One Women’s competition. Hitomi Maeda continued her recent form with the opener to make it 1-0 at the break.
The Town Rangers added a further three goals in the second half in a dominant performance which pleased coach Neil Ross. Maeda doubled her delight then Rita Boateng made it 3-0 in the 48th minute before a late goal from Anicka Castaneda rounded off the three points.
UNSW FC 4 defeated Nepean FC 0
Leaders UNSW FC won 4-0 over Nepean FC in their game down at The Village Green on Sunday afternoon.
The students laid down a marker to title challengers Central Coast Mariners with two wins in the space of a week helping them remain at the top of the table. UNSW FC won 4-0 against South East Phoenix FC and followed it up with the same scoreline at The Village Green.
Marcella Santos starred for UNSW FC in their comfortable win. The striker fired home a hat-trick which saw her take her tally for the season to 19. Substitute Isabella Stinziani got her maiden goal on a weekend which saw UNSW FC crowned U20 Premiers.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
