Round 21 Review – League One Women’s

Round 21 in the Football NSW League One Women’s competition was another thrilling installment as we head into crunch time this season.

There were seven games to savour across the weekend headlined by the Match of the Round between Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC and Bankstown City Lions FC.

Let’s get onto the review.

Match of the Round: Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC 2 defeated Bankstown City Lions FC 1

Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC won 2-1 against Bankstown City Lions FC down at Popondetta Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Town Rangers remain on top of the table after their first half blitz put them in a comfortable position. Leena Khamis made it 1-0 in the sixth minute then added a second in the 31^st minute for 2-0 and the hosts held on for three points.

For Bankstown City Lions FC, they were bullied in the first half which cost them a chance to get anything from the game. Substitute Kyah Bedano pulled one back in the 76^th minute for 2-1 but they were unable to find the back of the net again.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC and Bankstown City Lions FC walked onto Popondetta Park for a crucial contest in the race for the premiership.

The visitors authored the first chance of the contest. Chiara Cencigh played through Aya Seino who fired over the bar.

Rosaria Galea went close for Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC. She whipped in a low cross which was fumbled by Bankstown City Lions FC keeper Keeley Segavcic and recovered.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC made it 1-0 in the 6^th minute. It was a delightful cross in which found the head of Leena Khamis who looped it to herself then found the back of the net.

Khamis turned provider for the next chance. She kept the ball alive well then cut it back for Galea to volley wide.

The Town Rangers surged forward for a second goal. Renee Houliaras flayed wide as they held the momentum.

Bankstown City Lions FC found their rhythm. Seino pushed forward and fired into the side netting as she was closely marked in the contest.

The hosts made it 2-0 in the 31^st minute through Khamis. It was a great ball from Trudy Camilleri which found the striker to fire home her 20^th goal of the season.

The Town Rangers kept up their work early in the second half. Camilleri and Khamis combined for the former to shoot wide.

Houliaras hit the side netting for the Town Rangers then Maya Miller shot straight for the Lions in response.

Caitlin Campbell put a free-kick right on the head of an onrushing Khamis who craned wide of the left post.

Seino continued to be the outlet for the Lions. She drove through the midfield but unleashed a shot straight at Mt Druitt keeper Renee Krstanovska.

The Town Rangers remained a threat on the counter. Khamis fizzed an effort over the bar from a quick release.

Bankstown City Lions FC pulled one back in the 76^th minute. The Town Rangers were caught playing out the back and substitute Kyah Bedano curved home for 2-1.

There were chances for Mt Druitt to finish the game. They blazed them wide of the mark which gave the Lions some hope.

Seino tried to spark the visitors again in the 86^th minute. She drove forward but unfurled a shot right at Krstanovska.

There was one final chance in stoppage time for the Lions. The ball was recycled from a corner but no one was able to poke home for the visitors.

Post match, Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC coach Ben Gough reflected on a huge win for the side in the context of the season:

“We had to work hard for that because Bankstown are well coached and have quality in their side across the park. We are happy because this puts us in contention for higher honours but we need to work on conceding cheap goals.” said Gough.

For Bankstown City Lions FC coach Ante Covic, his reflected on his side lackluster first half which cost them:

“I think the experience in their side bullied us in the first half and came at us really hard to get the lead. We started playing football in the second half, changed the formation and went close to an equalizer.” said Covic.

MATCH STATS

Popondetta Park

Referee: John Garcia

Assistant Referees: Albert Najjarine & Zane Debrincat

Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC 2 (Khamis ‘6 ’31)

Bankstown City Lions FC 1 (Kyah Bedano ’76)

Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC: 5. Emily Kos, 7. Sheiden Jabour, 9. Peyton Crye, 15. Rosaria Galea (29. Jessica Anand ’85), 16. Caitlin Campbell, 18. Holly Dalrymple, 23. Tiarne Flavin, 24. Leena Khamis (25. Jorja Smith ’90), 41. Trudy Camillieri (2. Holly Williams ’69), 47. Renee Houliaras (10. Isabella Williams ’85), 88. Renee Krstanovska

Unused subs: 1. Laura Tredinnick, 32. Evelyn Batchelor

Yellow cards: Khamis ’24 I. Williams ‘89

Red cards: nil

Bankstown City Lions FC: 3. Stephanie Ambrose, 13. Zali Dean, 15. Chelsea Greguric, 17. Maya Miller, 18. Aya Seino, 23. Ena Harada, 24. Kahtia Bedano (36. Karen Bennett ’77), 27. Keeley Segavcic, 33. Chiara Cencigh (29. Kyah Bedano ’45), 35. Claire Witton, 41. Heba El Saddick

Unused subs: 20. Jasmin Lawler, 25. Elif Erdogan, 26. Alyssa Broughton, 31. Sofija Zabic

Yellow cards: nil

Red cards: nil

South Coast Flame FC vs Camden Tigers FC

South Coast Flame FC won 3-1 against Camden Tigers FC down at Wetherall Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Flame made it back-to-back wins in the opening game of Round 21. The hosts had to work for the three points in this game. Both teams cancelled each other out in the first half and went into the break at 0-0.

Camden Tigers FC made it 1-0 in the 65^th minute through Lisa Fressard before South Coast Flame FC levelled at 1-1 from Kellie McIntyre in the 71^st minute. Substitute Jessica Cruickshank gave Flame a 2-1 lead in the 84^th minute then doubled her delight for 3-1 in the 88^th minute to confirm the win for South Coast Flame FC.

Marconi Stallions FC 3 defeated Nepean FC 0

Marconi Stallions FC won 3-0 against Nepean FC in their game at Marconi Stadium #2 on Sunday afternoon.

The Stallions made it two games unbeaten with a comfortable performance on their home turf this weekend. Erinn Cleghorn opened the scoring for the Stallions in the 30^th minute for 1-0 then Cleghorn made it a brace in the 42^nd minute for a 2-0 half-time lead.

Nepean FC pressed hard in the second half to get themselves back in the game but couldn’t find a way through the Marconi defence. Julia Figueira settled the result, making it 3-0 in the 86^th minute for the Stallions sixth win of the season.

Inter Lions FC 1 defeated by SD Raiders FC 5

SD Raiders FC won 5-1 against Inter Lions FC in their game at Majors Bay Reserve on Sunday afternoon.

That makes it three wins on the bounce for SD Raiders FC who keep up their chase for the League One Women’s title. Taiana Almeida made it 1-0 in the 10^th minute then Miriam Zumaya scored for 2-0 in the 13^th minute for SD Raiders FC.

Caitlin Webster pulled one back for Inter Lions FC for 2-1 in the 28^th minute before Isabella Sultan restored SD Raiders FC two-goal advantage in the 29^th minute for 3-1 at the half-time break.

SD Raiders FC made it 4-1 in the 65^th minute through Layne Knight then substitute Olga Gasteratos rounded off the display making it 5-1 in the 91^st minute. The visitors remain firmly cemented in the hunt for a top two finish.

South East Phoenix FC 0 defeated by St George FC 3

St George FC were 3-0 winners against South East Phoenix FC down at South Nowra Football Complex on Sunday afternoon.

The Saints hold onto their spot in the League One Women’s top four with a precious three points down in Nowra. Kyla Vanderlaan made it 1-0 for St George FC in the 26^th minute and they held onto that scoreline going into the break.

St George FC held the ball well in the game and worked for their openings and found their rewards in the second half. Jordan Baker made it 2-0 in the 58^th minute then half-time substitute Jaslyn Moore found the back of the net for 3-0 in the 65^th minute to earn the result.

Sutherland Strikers FC 2 defeated Central Coast Mariners FC 1

Sutherland Strikers FC won 2-1 against Central Coast Mariners FC at Harrie Denning Centre on Sunday afternoon.

The Strikers continued their strong second half of the season with another three points but had to work for the win. Claire Denning fired home to make it 1-0 Mariners in the 24^th minute before Bowral superstar Georgie Lewis equalized from a KJ Schmidt cutback for 1-1 in the 27^th minute for the home side.

It was a moment of magic from Tori Tumeth which made it 2-1. She chipped it home from the centre circle in the 49^th minute then they held off a fast finishing Mariners outfit who spurned a few chances.

Sutherland Strikers have won five games on the spin as they surge up the League One Women’s ladder towards a top half finish. Custodian Chantelle Symes was key in the win with some fantastic saves throughout the contest.

Hills United FC 2 defeated Blacktown City FC 1

Hills United FC won 2-1 against Blacktown City FC down at Bella Vista Public School on Sunday afternoon.

The hosts got back in the winner’s circle after a lean month which has them fighting for a top four spot. Kaylie Shannon made it 1-0 in the 32^nd minute for Hills United FC and they were able to hold on until half-time.

Coming out of the break, Blacktown City FC felt just fine. Cassidy Chidgey levelled it in the 51^st minute to make it 1-1. It is a sense of déjà vu for the visitors as they conceded in the 87^th minute from Shannon again to hand Hills United FC the 2-1 win.

By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)