Round 12 Review – League One Women’s
Round 12 in the Football NSW League was another pulsating weekend as the competition heats up headed into the colder months.
The seven games had plenty of goals, drama and action across Sunday which was highlighted by the Match of the Round between South Coast Flame FC and Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC.
Let’s get onto the review!
Match of the Round: South Coast Flame FC 1 defeated by Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC 3
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC won 3-1 against South Coast Flame FC at Sir Ian McLennan Park on Sunday afternoon.
South Coast Flame FC had their moments in the contest but couldn’t build on their chances against the title contender. Sariah Wilson equalized at 1-1 in the 30th minute before they were blown away in the second half.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers recorded their fourth win in a row in a comfortable performance. Rosaria Galea scored from the spot for 1-0 in the 23rd minute then a quickfire double from Caitlin Campbell and Rita Boateng rounded out the win.
Both South Coast Flame FC and Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC strode onto a bright Sir Ian McLennan Park pitch to do battle in our Match of the Round.
The visitors had the first chance of the contest. Rita Boateng picked the defenders pocket, found Leena Khamis who sent in Rosaria Galea to force a save.
Khamis was next to challenge the Flame defence. She found some space before her shot deflected off a defender for a corner.
South Coast Flame FC found their rhythm from a set piece. Sariah Wilson whipped in a free-kick which Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC keeper Renee Krstanovska pushed onto the post.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC made it 1-0 in the 23rd minute from the spot. It was judged hand ball then Galea stepped up and slotted home the penalty.
The Flame issued an instant response. Ashley Kotevski threaded through Wilson who strolled into the box and arrowed home for 1-1 in the 30th minute.
Stung by conceding, Mt Druitt surged forward. Khamis and Galea linked up again with the former forcing South Coast Flame FC keeper Ciara Wade into a good save.
Next, Galea had another chance to show why she is a set piece specialist. She drove in the free-kick which Wade had to push wide.
South Coast Flame FC went close to snatching the lead close to the break. Wilson curled in the free kick which fizzed over the bar.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers looked to assert their dominance from the whistle in the second half with their press and force mistakes.
Caitlin Campbell made use of their fast start to make it 2-1 Mt Druitt. She drove into space and found the bottom corner in the 55th minute.
The Town Rangers made it 3-1 in the 57th minute. Another ball through the middle, found Rita Boateng who outpaced her defender and rolled it home off the post.
Wade was called upon again to avoid conceding a fourth goal. Galea chipped it into the area for Boateng who was denied by the shot stopper.
Flame were forced into a change of keeper after Wade and Boateng were involved in a tough clash for a ball. Isabella Williams finished out the game between the sticks for the Flame.
Galea tried to put some icing on the cake in stoppage time. She unfurled a shot from near halfway which substitute keeper Williams grabbed well.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 19 May 2024
Sir Ian McLennan Park
Referee: Stephen Bird
Assistant Referees: Stuart Bell & Joel Nees
South Coast Flame FC 1 (Wilson ’30)
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC 3 (Galea ’23 Campbell ’55 Boateng)
South Coast Flame FC: 2. Mikayla De Jong, 4. Alexis Malizis, 5. Ruby Blanch (19. Jessica Cruickshank ’61), 8. Emily Kostovski, 12. Sariah Wilson, 13. Jessie Abbott, 14. Ashley Kotevski, 17. Paula Mitchell (26. Hayley Cowie ’69), 25. Gemma Bishop, 28. Sofia Kent, 31. Ciara Wade (81. Isabella Williams ’79)
Unused subs: 3. Libby Loveday, 29. Annalize Kotis
Yellow cards: Cruickshank ‘88
Red cards: nil
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC: 5. Emily Kos, 7. Sheiden Jabour, 9. Peyton Crye, 11. Rita Boateng (32. Evelyn Batchelor ’82), 15. Rosaria Galea (29. Jessica Anand ‘90+3), 16. Caitlin Campbell, 20. Tasmyn Hill, 24. Leena Khamis (30. Paris Vinuya ’52), 33. Mia Watson, 47. Renee Houliaras (18. Holly Dalrymple ’52), 88. Renee Krstanovska
Unused subs: 1. Laura Tredinnick, 28. Kaitlyn Smith
Yellow cards: Boateng ‘75
Red cards: nil
Camden Tigers FC 0 defeated by Hills United FC 5
Hills United FC won 5-0 against Camden Tigers FC down at Ron Dine Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
The league leaders shook off their first defeat with a clinical win against a dogged Camden Tigers side. Isabella Sciberras made it 1-0 in the 13th minute then her strike partner Kaylie Shannon added a second in the 33rd minute for a 2-0 lead at the break.
That strike duo was at it again in the second half, finding the back of the net. Shannon scored for 3-0 in the 52nd minute then Sciberras completed her brace for 4-0 after 54 minutes. A late own goal rounded out the score line for the rampant Hills United FC side.
Marconi Stallions FC 3 defeated Inter Lions FC 0
Marconi Stallions won 3-0 against Inter Lions FC in their game at Marconi Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Stallions have registered back-to-back wins which has reignited their campaign in the last fortnight. They were made to work for the result as Inter Lions held them out for the first 45 minutes to go into the break at 0-0.
Coming out of the break, Marconi Stallions felt just fine. Tania Baban made it 1-0 in the 47th minute then she added her second in the 53rd minute for 2-0. Half-time substitute Rebecca Norman confirmed the three points and made it 3-0 in the 56th minute for the hosts.
Nepean FC 0 defeated by Central Coast Mariners FC 1
Central Coast Mariners were 1-0 winners against Nepean FC in their game down at Cook Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Mariners were glad to get back on the pitch after 18 days and picked up a vital three points on their travels. It was an expected rusty performance from the visitors who were getting back into their rhythm.
Central Coast were able to find the winning goal in the 65th minute through Teagan Douglas who made it 1-0. Nepean FC battled hard and were inches away from a late equalizer but it was poked wide as the visitors held on.
St George FC 0 drew with Blacktown City FC 0
Points were shared between St George FC and Blacktown City FC in their 0-0 draw at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon.
That makes it three games unbeaten for St George FC who are starting to cement their spot inside the League One Women’s top four. The hosts had chances but were unable to find a way past the Blacktown City FC.
For Blacktown City FC, they have picked up a valuable point on the road after what has been a tough last fortnight. Coach Michael Hawthorne will be delighted with their defensive resolve against a potent Saints attack.
SD Raiders FC 1 defeated Bankstown City Lions FC 0
SD Raiders FC won 1-0 against Bankstown City Lions FC at Ernie Smith Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts have found their groove again with back-to-back wins which also doubles as blow to one of their top four rivals in Bankstown City Lions FC. It was a tactical battle between the top sides which went into the break at 0-0.
It looked like the chess match might fizzle out into a draw between these two sides chasing finals football in 2024. Enter Miriam Zumaya who scored in the 92nd minute delivering three points for SD Raiders FC.
Sutherland Strikers FC 2 defeated South East Phoenix FC 1
Sutherland Strikers FC won 2-1 against South East Phoenix down at Harrie Denning Centre on Sunday afternoon.
The Strikers have won two games on the bounce after having a tough trot to start the League One Women’s season. It was Strikers top scorer KJ Schmidt who broke the deadlock in the 45th minute to give the hosts a 1-0 lead at the break.
They kept their foot on the pedal in the second half, mid-season signing Gemma Woolley made it 2-0 in the 72nd minute for Sutherland Strikers FC. South East Phoenix FC pulled a goal back late through Lena Hennequin in the 88th minute to bring it back to 2-1 in a tight contest.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
