Round 25 Review – League One Women’s
It was the penultimate round of the Football NSW League One Women’s competition and it was another weekend which saw results that locked in the top four.
Round 25 saw seven games played out throughout Sunday which was highlighted by the Match of the Round between Nepean FC and Hills United FC.
Let’s get onto the review.
Match of the Round: Nepean FC 0 defeated by Hills United FC 1
Hills United FC were 1-0 winners over Nepean FC at Cook Park in the Match of the Round on Sunday afternoon.
The result squashes Nepean FC’s finals hopes but it has been a much-improved season for them with one game left to play. Their best chances fell to Jorja Smith and Jessica Robinson while the latter also cleared it off the line twice.
Hills United FC picked up a vital win against a team which has given them some trouble in their recent meetings. The lone goal came from Aisling Davidson who thumped home a header in the 21st minute to record three points.
Both Nepean FC and Hills United FC walked onto a sun-drenched Cook Park in the search for three points in this Match of the Round.
It was a tight start between these two sides as the midfields wrestled for control and didn’t leave much work for either goalkeeper.
Hills United FC started to find their rhythm first with a few set pieces. They whipped them into the box dangerously but they were dealt with well by Nepean FC keeper Chloe Carmichael.
The opening goal came from the set piece. Imogen Lane sent in the corner which Aisling Davidson thumped home to make it 1-0 in the 21st minute for Hills United FC.
Hills United FC tried to repeat the dose with another corner. This time Lane put the ball onto the head of Brooke Hastie who couldn’t find the target.
The visitors continued to pile on the pressure. Ellen Berios picked up the ball close to the box and fired a shot which went right at Carmichael.
While Maria Serrant tried to spark something for Nepean FC. She was heavily involved in the work and dropped deep to create some attack.
Hills United FC were hustling to the ball and tried to add a second goal. Berios again trying her luck from long range, but it was well claimed by Carmichael.
Nepean FC had a pair of free kicks late in the half to equalise. Both went into the box but were swept away well by the Hills United FC defence.
Coming out of the break, Hills United FC felt just fine. Lane tested out substitute keeper Evangelina Papalia with a shot from outside the box.
They continued to hunt for a second goal to kill off the game. Isabella Sciberras tried to nod the ball past Papalia but it went wide.
Nepean FC went close to an equaliser early in the second half. Ella Goodwin drove down the wing before her cross found Jorja Smith who fired over the bar.
Hills United FC had a big chance from another set piece. The ball swung in to Sciberras who rattled the bar then the follow up by substitute Alyssa Janssen was cleared off the line.
The visitors went close again and were denied on the line again. Juri Hiragawara drilled a low shot which was cleared off the line by Jessica Robinson.
Maria Serrant showed off her pace, to beat a pair of defenders then chipped her effort wide of the goal in a positive move for Nepean FC.
Nepean FC pushed forward looking for an equaliser late in the game but weren’t able to find a way past Hills United FC keeper Sarah Easthope.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 27 August 2023
Cook Park
Referee: Wayne Holt
Assistant Referees: Emmanuel Tenakwah
Nepean FC 0
Hills United FC 1 (Davidson ‘24)
Nepean FC: 1. Chloe Carmichael (32. Evangelina Papalia ‘45), 2. Jade Pond (7. Ella Joyce ‘58), 5. Jamaica Marshall, 6. Gemma Morgan, 8. Olivia De La Harpe, 13. Kelsea Nash, 14. Ella Goodwin (12. Alexandra Whiteside ‘60), 22. Jessica Robinson, 30. Maria Serrant, 35. Holly Dalrymple (39. Liliana Alba ‘82), 36. Jorja Smith
Unused subs: 24. Catriona Haberman, 27. Arlo Hamel
Yellow cards: Dalrymple ‘60 Whiteside ‘90
Red cards: nil
Hills United FC: 1. Sarah Easthope, 2. Emma Jackson, 3. Aisling Davidson, 4. Leah Tallon (5. Shailee Bartle ‘60), 6. Brooke Hastie, 8. Bella Donaldson, 9. Imogen Lane (12. Kaylie Shannon ‘80), 10. Bianca Galayini, 11. Isabella Sciberras (31. Ashleigh Heuston-Richardson ‘87), 14. Ellen Berios (19. Alyssa Janssen ‘65), 40. Juri Hiragawara
Unused subs: 16. Bridget Brien, 36. Chantelle Lekov
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
St George FC 4 defeated Camden Tigers 1
St George FC recorded a comfortable 4-1 win over Camden Tigers down at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon.
The Saints confirmed their spot in the League One Womens finals with their third won on the trot and cemented fourth position. Morgan Maxwell and Kyla Vanderlaan found the back of the net to make it 2-0 followed by Jaslyn Moore in the 31st minute for the third.
Camden Tigers pulled a goal back in the last minute of the first half through the experienced Kristy Rohrer to make it 3-1. St George FC restored their three-goal lead in the 47th minute through sharpshooter Jordan Baker and take home three points.
Sutherland Shire FA 1 defeated by Central Coast Mariners 4
Central Coast Mariners maintained their title chase in a 4-1 win over Sutherland Shire FA at Harrie Denning Centre on Sunday afternoon.
The Mariners win means the title race will go down to the final weekend which sees them play their catch-up against SD Raiders FC. Sophie Nenadovic made it 1-0 after three minutes before a double from Kaitlin Murphy made it 3-0 at half-time.
Sutherland Shire FA made it 3-1 in the 47th minute through Angelina Mastoris from the spot for her first goal of the season. The Mariners restored their three-goal advantage through Rachel Glendenning in the 57th minute.
Marconi Stallions 1 defeated by UNSW FC 2
Leaders UNSW FC won 2-1 against Marconi Stallions in a tough game at Valentine Sports Park on Sunday afternoon.
The students keep their one-point lead over Central Coast Mariners in the race for the Premiership which will go down to next weekend. It was a hard fought contest which saw the teams go into the break locked up at 0-0.
UNSW FC took the lead through Marcella Santos for her 20th goal of the season to make it 1-0. Marconi Stallions remained in the contest and equalised through substitute Sania Sahib in the 82nd minute for a frantic finish. UNSW FC showed their title grit with their substitute Isabella Stinziani scoring the winner in the 86th minute.
South East Phoenix FC 2 defeated by SD Raiders FC 3
SD Raiders FC head back up the highway after a 3-2 win over South East Phoenix FC at South Nowra Football Complex on Sunday afternoon.
It was a quickfire start for SD Raiders FC. Abigail Boag scored the opener in the 7th minute before South East Phoenix FC equalised through Madison Cater. Boag restored the visitors lead in the 18th minute in a pulsating first half.
The visitors had a two-goal cushion when Elin Rosenberg Cemazar fired home a goal in the 67th minute to make it 3-1. Phoenix did set up a grandstand finish after Cater got a brace in the 84th minute but SD Raiders FC held on for the win.
Blacktown City FC 5 defeated Inter Lions 1
Blacktown City FC won 5-1 against Inter Lions in their game down at Landen Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
That result was a relief for Blacktown City FC boss David O’Keefe whose side turned around their goalscoring woes this afternoon. Alyse-May McCutcheon put them ahead 2-0 with a pair of goals in the 12th and 41st minute before Riley Dennis pulled one back for Inter Lions late in the half.
Blacktown City FC asserted their dominance in the second with co-captain Rachel Chalhoub making it 3-0 in the 67th minute then Claire Szymoniczek scored her first of the season for 4-0 before Chalhoub doubled her delight in a five-star Blacktown City FC performance.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 0 defeated by South Coast Flame FC 1
Rounding off the weekend was South Coast Flame FC winning 1-0 against Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Valentine Sports Park on Sunday afternoon.
South Coast Flame FC might have had their finals hopes ended earlier in the afternoon, but this win moves their winning streak to six games. They were made to work for the result after a grinding first half which ended deadlocked.
The visitors found the winner in the second half to lock down fifth spot in the League One Women’s competition. Bronte Trew fired home her 28th goal of the season and remain on course to pick up the Golden Boot.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
