Round 9 Review – League One Women’s
Round 9 in the Football NSW League One Women’s competition showcased another wonderful weekend of action in this league. There were seven games to enjoy across the weekend highlighted by the Match of the Round between South Coast Flame FC and Bankstown City FC Lions.
Let’s get onto the review.
Match of the Round: South Coast Flame FC 1 defeated Bankstown City Lions FC 0
South Coast Flame FC won 1-0 against Bankstown City Lions FC down at Sir Ian McLennan Park on Saturday night.
The Flame won their third game on the bounce which moved them into the League One Women’s top four on Saturday night. Lisa Prior’s header was the difference in the 30th minute to give them three points.
Bankstown City Lions FC had their chances to get something from this game but were denied by the stubborn Flame defence. Aya Seino had their best chances in either half as they have lost back-to-back games now.
Both South Coast Flame FC and Bankstown City Lions FC walked out under the lights on Saturday night ready for action.
The hosts had the first chance of the contest. Paula Mitchell turned well and fizzed an effort wide of the mark.
Bankstown City Lions FC responded with a shot of their own. It was driven with some venom but easily handled by Flame keeper Ciara Wade.
Next, it was the Lions sharpshooter Aya Seino who strode through. She tried to send it into the bottom corner but was denied by Wade.
Cristina Barraza went close from a free-kick. She stood over the set piece and forced Lions keeper Jasmin Lawler to push it over.
South Coast Flame FC made it 1-0 from the resulting corner. Kellie McIntyre swung in the corner which Lisa Prior thumped home in the 30th minute.
They went close again from another set piece. It was sent in and fell to Paula Mitchell who poked it wide of the mark.
Seino continued to be the outlet for the Lions. She was threaded through again but her touch eluded her this time.
Coming out of the break, Lions almost equalized. Seino turned provider for Chelsea Greguric who couldn’t find a touch on her pass.
They kept pushing for the leveller after the break. Seino went close again but Wade remained hard to get past.
The Lions were on the front foot headed towards the hour mark. Natalie Moujalli looped a header which landed safe.
Flame absorbed the pressure and almost doubled their delight. Mitchell swerved well again and put her effort on the roof of the net.
The Lions were again close from a set piece. Seino tried to bend it towards the net but it flew wide of the mark.
It seemed the set piece was the Lions best chance at an equalizer. This time, Ena Harada was over the free-kick and flung it wide.
There was one final chance for the Lions in stoppage time. Seino blasted a free-kick which fizzed wide of the left post.
McIntyre underlined the defensive resolve from the Flame. She produced a fabulous last ditch tackle to deny Seino.
Lions went within a whisker of a late equalizer. Another set piece saw them whack the right post and repel away.
MATCH STATS
Saturday 27 April 2024
Sir Ian McLennan Park
Referee: Mick Agim
Assistant Referees: Alex Viselli & Geraint Dodd
South Coast Flame FC 1 (Prior ’30)
Bankstown City Lions FC 0
South Coast Flame FC: 2. Mikayla De Jong, 4. Alexis Malizis, 6. Lisa Prior (26. Hayley Cowie ’60), 8. Emily Kotevski (13. Jessie Abbott ’80), 9. Cristina Barraza (5. Ruby Blanch ’80), 10. Kellie McIntyre (19. Jessica Cruickshank ’80), 14. Ashley Kotevski, 17. Paula Mitchell, 23. Jarrah Fuz (12. Sariah Wilson ’60), 25. Gemma Bishop, 31. Ciara Wade
Unused subs: 81. Isabella Williams
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Bankstown City Lions FC: 3. Stephanie Ambrose, 13. Zali Dean, 15. Chelsea Greguric (33. Chiara Cencigh ’86), 17. Maya Miller, 18. Aya Seino, 20. Jasmin Lawler, 23. Ena Harada, 25. Elif Erdogan, 29. Kahtia Bedano, 36. Karen Bennett, 37. Natalie Moujalli (41. Heba El Saddik ’70)
Unused subs: 21. Ivana Franulovic, 30. Caitlin Bleeker, 34. Aniese Ismail
Yellow cards: Greguric ‘43
Red cards: nil
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC 3 defeated Camen Tigers FC 1
Mt Druitt Town Rangers were 3-1 winners against Camden Tigers in their game at Popondetta Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Town Rangers get back-to-back wins as they chase down a spot in the League One Women’s top four. The Tigers surprised them with a Tia Berg goal in the 5th minute for 1-0 before a double blow from Rita Boateng in 41st and Isabella Williams in the 46th minute gave the hosts a 2-1 lead at the break.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers took that momentum into the second half and quickly made it 3-1 in the 50th minute. Isabella Williams added her second goal which takes her total to four for the season and the hosts sixth win of the campaign.
Central Coast Mariners FC 2 defeated St George FC 0
Central Coast Mariners won 2-0 against St George FC in their game down at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Mariners celebrated their return to Pluim Park in fine style with three points which will please coach Dan Barrett. The yellow-and-navy took a 1-0 lead into the break after Maya Lobo’s 43rd minute strike.
They were able to unpick the Saints defence for a second goal in the 65th minute. Ava-Marie Carlson found the back of the net for 2-0 as the Mariners saw out the rest of the game for the win.
South East Phoenix FC 3 defeated Inter Lions FC 1
South East Phoenix FC won 3-1 against Inter Lions down at South Nowra Football Complex on Sunday afternoon.
The Phoenix side get their first win of the League One Women’s campaign and make it three games unbeaten at home. Lena Hennequin made it 1-0 for Phoenix in the 5th minute before Milena Vesser struck for Inter Lions in the 35th minute for 1-1 at the break.
South East Phoenix FC snatched back the lead in the 53rd minute through an own goal which made it 2-1 then Hennequin got a brace in the 74th minute for 3-1. The hosts continue to move their way away from the bottom of the ladder.
SD Raiders FC 2 defeated Sutherland Strikers FC 0
SD Raiders FC won 2-0 against Sutherland Strikers FC down at Ernie Smith Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
The SD Raiders FC side remain unbeaten through the first nine weeks of the season after their latest triumph. They were made to work for it against a Sutherland Strikers FC side who kept them at 0-0 going into the sheds.
The team talk at half-time worked from SD Raiders FC coach Bojan Radmilo as the hosts found the back of the net in the 49th minute through captain Elin Rosenberg Cemazar. Miriam Zumaya made it 2-0 in the 73rd minute to round off the win.
Hills United FC 7 defeated Nepean FC 0
Hills United FC won 7-0 against local rivals Nepean FC at Bella Vista Public School on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts were at their clinical best in this game after a few scrappy performances in the past few weeks. Livewire Kaylie Shannon made it 1-0 in the 36th minute then her strike partner Isabella Sciberras added the second just before half-time for 2-0 at the break.
Hills United FC put their foot down in the second half to pile on five goals. Bella Donaldson made it 3-0 in the in the 47th minute before Sciberras drilled home a second for 4-0 in the 51st minute.
Bianca Galayini scored the fifth goal in the 73rd minute followed by substitute Ashleigh Heuston-Richardson making it 6-0 in stoppage time. Sciberras added the icing on the cake with her hat-trick goal for 7-0 also in stoppage time.
Blacktown City FC 0 drew with Marconi Stallions FC 0
Points were shared between Blacktown City FC and Marconi Stallions in their 0-0 draw at Landen Stadium.
That makes it three games unbeaten for Marconi Stallions while Blacktown City FC register their first point in three weeks. It is a maiden First Grade start and first clean sheet for Isabella Sollecito in Stallions colours after moving over from Mt Druitt.
Blacktown City FC will be disappointed not to find a way to break down the Stallions defence but coach Michael Hawthorne has made strides with the side. He hopes that the results will follow in the coming weeks.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
