Round 25 Review – League One Women’s
Round 25 in the Football NSW League One Women’s competition was the penultimate weekend of the season and it delivered with some good football. There were seven games to review as the top four was locked in after the round.
The Match of the Round saw Bankstown City Lions FC host leaders SD Raiders FC.
Let’s get onto the review.
Match of the Round: Bankstown City Lions FC 0 defeated by SD Raiders FC 0
SD Raiders FC won 1-0 against Bankstown City Lions FC down at Jensen Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Lions battled hard in the game and will be disappointed not to take anything from this game at home. Their best chances fell to Aya Seino and Chiara Cencigh in the defeat but they will remain in third spot.
For SD Raiders FC, the Premiership is in their hands to decide next week after another nail biting finish to a game. Taiana Almeida scored the only goal of the game when she headed home in the 84th minute to take all three points.
Both Bankstown City Lions FC and SD Raiders FC strode onto Jensen Park looking for an important three points.
SD Raiders FC authored a chance in the opening minute. Abigail Boag was found on the cutback and sliced over.
Bankstown City Lions FC first chance came from a chip. Karen Bennett spied SD Raiders FC keeper Natasha Pentecost off her line and tried to curve one in.
Next, Taiana Almeida threaded through a ball for Sarah Mandile. The striker curled it right at Bankstown City Lions FC custodian Keeley Segavcic.
SD Raiders FC kept pushing forward for the opener. The ball was recycled to Almeida who nodded wide of the right post.
Goal machine Aya Seino surged forward for a Lions chance. She strode into the box and dragged her shot wide.
SD Raiders FC had another chance to open the scoring. It was another cut back for Boag who skied the shot.
The Lions finished the half on a high. Bennett scooped wide then Chiara Cencigh had a low shot go right at Pentecost.
Seino had another go from a set piece. She drove in a free-kick which curled right at Pentecost and the teams went into the break at 0-0.
The visitors had the first opportunity of the second half. It fell to Almeida inside the box and she punched it wide.
SD Raiders FC pushed forward again. Boag twisted and turned before forcing Segavcic to palm it out for a corner.
Bankstown City Lions FC found their rhythm. Seino again found space going forward and whistled it wide.
Headed into the final quarter of the game, both teams tried to find the winner and bank another vital three points.
The Lions had a chance from a corner. It swung all the way out to Stephanie Ambrose who craned it straight at Pentecost.
SD Raiders FC coach Bojan Radmilo rung the changes to chase a win including bringing on Abuk Nyor who had a dedicated fan club at the game.
The visitors made it 1-0 in the 84th minute. Zumaya curled into the free-kick onto the head of Almeida to nestle into the net.
The Lions sent everyone forward to grab something from the game. They surged forward but the SD Raiders FC defence held firm.
The hosts had one final chance in stoppage time. Ena Harada swung in the free-kick which was swept away and the final whistle quickly followed.
Post match Bankstown City Lions FC coach Ante Covic reflected on a close game between two top four sides:
“It was a good game but disappointed not to get something from it. We had the better chances going forward and were undone on a set piece. The girls did well and we’ve worked hard so we deserved to be in the finals and we’re right up there.” said Covic.
SD Raiders FC coach Bojan Radmilo caught his breath and reflected on another late winner for his side:
“It was another nail biter for us and it has been like that for the last five weeks for us. We got the chocolates in this but the race isn’t over yet. Anything can happen and we just look forward to next week.” said Radmilo.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 18 August 2024
Jensen Park
Referee: Joel Dunajcik
Assistant Referees: Manwel Limnios & Albert Najjarine
Bankstown City Lions FC 0
SD Raiders FC 1 (Almeida ’84)
Bankstown City Lions FC: 3. Stephanie Ambrose, 13. Zali Dean, 15. Chelsea Greguric (29. Kyah Bedano ’63), 17. Maya Miller, 18. Aya Seino, 23. Ena Harada, 24. Kahtia Bedano, 25. Elif Erdogan, 27. Keeley Segavcic, 33. Chiara Cencigh, 36. Karen Bennett
Unused subs: 9. Krystallia Kallidakis, 20. Jasmin Lawler, 26. Alyssa Broughton, 39. Isabelle Zoghbi, 41. Heba El Saddick
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
SD Raiders FC: 1. Natasha Pentecost, 5. Amanda Radmilo, 6. Jessica Neville, 7. Abigail Boag, 8. Layne Knight (11. Abuk Nyor ’76), 9. Miriam Zumaya, 12. Lauren Wickremeratne (2. Sharina Harris ’45), 14. Sarah Mandile (10. Isabella Sultan ’45 (30. Lacey Wynne ’89)), 15. Erin Phelan (13. Olga Gasteratos ’81), 18. Madeleine Malone, 19. Taiana Almeida
Unused subs: 31. Caitlin Britton
Yellow cards: Zumaya ’47 Sultan ‘90
Red cards: nil
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC 5 defeated South Coast Flame FC 0
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC won 5-0 against South Coast Flame FC down at Popondetta Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Town Rangers maintain their fantastic form as we head into the finals with another five-star performance at home. Rita Boateng made it 1-0 in the 28th minute then Leena Khamis scored to make it 2-0 in first half stoppage time.
They kept their foot on the pedal in the second half and secured three points. Renee Houliaras found the back of the net for 3-0 in the 57th minute then Khamis picked up a second for 4-0 in the 60th minute. Trudy Camilleri rounded off the win for 5-0 in the 79th minute.
Central Coast Mariners FC 2 drew with Nepean FC 2
Points were shared in a 2-2 draw between Central Coast Mariners FC and Nepean FC at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon.
Both teams added another point to their bank in an entertaining score draw on a windy afternoon on the coast. Matilda Gallagher made it 1-0 for the Mariners in the 27th minute before Gemma Morgan equalized for Nepean FC in the 37th minute for 1-1 at the break.
Kelsea Nash completed the turnaround for Nepean FC right after half-time making it 2-1 in the 47th minute. The visitors were close to getting a third win of the season before Mariners substitute Ruby Govind-Aley popped up with a late equalizer for 2-2 in the 90th minute.
Inter Lions FC 0 defeated by Marconi Stallions FC 2
Marconi Stallions FC won 2-0 against Inter Lions FC down at Majors Bay Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
The Stallions made it back-to-back wins as they continue a strong end to their 2024 League One Women’s campaign. It was a tight tussle in the first half and the two sides headed to the break locked at 0-0.
Coming out of the break, Marconi Stallions FC felt just fine. Marie Herrera made it 1-0 in the 47th minute then Charmaine Marquinez doubled the delight in the 63rd minute for 2-0. The visitors saw out the game despite a red card to Daniela Brekic late in the piece.
South East Phoenix FC 1 defeated by Sutherland Strikers FC 2
Sutherland Strikers FC were 2-1 winners against South East Phoenix FC at South Nowra Football Complex on Sunday afternoon.
The Strikers made it back-to-back wins in their trip down the coast. They were made to work for three points after the two sides couldn’t find the back of the net in the first 45 minutes and went to the sheds at 0-0.
South East Phoenix FC opened the scoring in the 63rd minute through Beth Tomlinson for 1-0 before Lucy Johnson levelled for Sutherland Strikers FC from the spot for 1-1 in the 73rd minute. Josephine Konjarski gave the Strikers all three points and made it 2-1 in the 76th minute with her first goal of the season.
Hills United FC 1 defeated Camden Tigers FC 0
Hills United FC won 1-0 against Camden Tigers FC in their game at Bella Vista Public School on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts got themselves back in the winner’s circle after their deflating loss to Marconi Stallions FC last weekend. Alix Roberts made it 1-0 for Hills United FC in the 25th minute and they took that lead into half-time.
Camden Tigers huffed and puffed in the second half with another solid performance but were unable to find a way through the Hills United FC defence. Keeper Sarah Easthope gets her 11th clean sheet in another wonderful season.
Blacktown City FC 0 defeated by St George FC 1
St George FC won 1-0 against a dogged Blacktown City FC side at Landen Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Saints confirm the final spot in the League One Women’s top four after breaking off an eleven game unbeaten run in the second half of the season. The visitors didn’t have their own way all game with Blacktown City FC holding them out and going into the break at 0-0.
St George FC found the important goal through who else but Jordan Baker. The veteran striker made it 1-0 in the 77th minute to confirm the three points and give St George FC a chance to defend their Championship in the finals
By Justin Davie (@JustDavies90)
