Round 26 Review – League One Women’s

The curtain has come down on the Football NSW League One Women’s competition after six months of furious action which has seen SD Raiders FC crowned Premiers.

Round 26 was filled with plenty of goals and excitement to see out the regular season highlighted by the Match of the Round between Nepean FC and SD Raiders FC.

Let’s get onto the review.

Match of the Round: Nepean FC vs SD Raiders FC

SD Raiders FC won 3-0 against Nepean FC in their game down at Cook Park on Sunday afternoon.

Nepean FC battled hard but weren’t able to find a way through the stoic SD Raiders FC defence in the Match of the Round. They had a few half chances in the game but didn’t challenge SD Raiders FC keeper Natasha Pentecost.

The visitors confirmed the Premiership with a comfortable win from the jump. Taiana Almeida made it 1-0 in the 9^th minute then Abigail Boag scored for 2-0 in the 27^th minute. Miriam Zumaya added the third in the 49^th minute.

Nepean FC and SD Raiders FC walked onto a cloudy Cook Park in a game which could see the visitors crowned Premiers.

SD Raiders FC made it 1-0 in the 9^th minute. The corner was swung right onto the head of Taiana Almeida who craned home.

It was almost a sense of déjà vu for the visitors. Almeida hooked home from a corner but this time the flag was raised for offside.

Almeida continued to be an aerial threat for SD Raiders FC. Another corner fell to the attacker who flayed wide of the mark.

SD Raiders FC doubled their delight in the 27^th minute. Abigail Boag found some space and rolled the ball into the bottom corner for 2-0.

Nepean FC remained enthusiastic and surged forward. They had a few half chances which didn’t threaten SD Raiders FC keeper Natasha Pentecost.

Set pieces were a big weapon for SD Raiders FC. They sent in a few corners and free-kicks to challenge young Nepean FC keeper Maddison Machon.

Machon made a fantastic save to prevent a third goal. The ball was clipped in from Almeida but the custodian pushed it wide.

Coming out of the break, SD Raiders FC felt just fine. Miriam Zumaya cut inside her defender and thrashed home for 3-0 in the 49^th minute.

Zumaya almost doubled her delight from a set piece. She sent in a free-kick which hammered against the crossbar.

Much of SD Raiders FC’s attack went through Almeida. She had a pair of chances, the first was saved by Machon then she headed over.

The visitors rung the changes to add to the scoreline. They were kept at bay by the Nepean FC defence.

Nepean FC looked for a consolation goal. Paris Staal rolled down the wing then had a cross turned shot which SD Raiders substitute keeper Caitilin Britton gathered.

SD Raiders FC strode forward for one final chance. Substitute Abu Nyor found space then had a low shot right at Machon.

The visitors saw out the last few minutes of the game and got their hands of the Football NSW League One Women’s Premiership.

MATCH STATS

Sunday 25 August 2024

Cook Park (St Marys)

Referee: Gregory Roberts

Assistant Referees: Wayne Holt

Nepean FC 0

SD Raiders FC 3 (Almeida ‘9 Boag ’27 Zumaya ‘49)

Nepean FC: 3. Catriona Haberman (16. Rachel Fry ’75), 6. Kelsea Nash, 8. Gemma Morgan (25. Liliana Alba ’68), 9. Paris Staal (4. Megan Lyne ’75), 12. Jessica Martinez (36. Zaynah Zahid ’45), 18. Alisha Gatt, 19. Keira Geoghegan, 20. Tahlia Mitchell, 34. Olivia Burke, 38. Jessica Robinson, 41. Maddison Machon

Unused subs: 31. Samantha Callaghan, 35. Jessica Taylor

Yellow cards: nil

Red cards: nil

SD Raiders FC: 1. Natasha Pentecost (31. Caitlin Britton ‘75), 2. Sharina Harris (13. Olga Gasteratos ’61), 5. Amanda Radmilo, 6. Jessica Neville, 7. Abigail Boag, 8. Layne Knight, 9. Miriam Zumaya, 10. Isabella Sultan (11. Abuk Nyor ‘61), 15. Erin Phelan (14. Sarah Mandile ’75), 18. Madeleine Malone, 19. Taiana Almeida (12. Lauren Wickremeratne ’70)

Unused subs: 30. Lacey Wynne

Yellow cards: nil

Red cards: nil

South Coast Flame FC 0 defeated by Hills United FC 4

Hills United FC won 4-0 against South Coast Flame FC at Sir McLennan Park on Saturday afternoon.

The visitors sign off the 2024 campaign with back-to-back wins but won’t be playing finals football for the first time. Chisato Tokoro made it 1-0 in the 11^th minute then Ellen Berios found the back of the net to make it 2-0 at half-time for Hills United FC.

Hills United kept pushing forward in the second half. Bianca Galayini scored for 3-0 in the 53^rd minute before Alix Roberts rounded off the win in the 72^nd minute for 4-0. It could have been a greater score line for the visitors if not for hitting the post and bar several times.

Inter Lions FC 0 defeated by Central Coast Mariners FC 8

Central Coast Mariners FC won 8-0 against Inter Lions FC in their game at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Mariners put on a ruthless performance to round off the season and confirm their sixth place finish in the league. Matilda Gallagher opened the scoring in the 24^th minute for 1-0 then she quickly made it 2-0 in the 27^th minute. Peyton Scollay scored to make it 3-0 in the 37^th minute.

Scollay picked up her second goal in the 51^st minute for 4-0 before Rachel Glendenning made it 5-0 in the 63^rd minute. Glendenning joined in the double club for 6-0 then Scollay scored in the 84^th and 90^th minute to round out the 8-0 win.

Camden Tigers FC 1 drew with Blacktown City FC 1

Points were shared between Camden Tigers FC and Blacktown City FC in their 1-1 draw at Ron Dine Reserve.

It is a good finish for both clubs who add another point to their tally to round off the League One Women’s campaign. Camden Tigers made it 1-0 in the 28^th minute through Ashlee Taff to lead at the break.

Blacktown City FC battled hard in the second half and found a late equalizer through half-time substitute Cassidy Chidgey to make it 1-1 in the 73^rd minute. Both sides will look for an improved performance in 2025.

St George FC 0 defeated Bankstown City Lions FC 1

Bankstown City Lions FC won 1-0 against St George FC in their game at Barton Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Lions officially locked in third spot with their win and get a boost headed into the semi-finals next weekend. It was a tight battle between the two contenders and it went into the break locked up at 0-0.

It looked like the game was drifting towards a draw before Bankstown City Lions FC found a late winner to take three points. Aya Seinobfound the winner in the 90^th minute to make it 1-0 and recorded her 43^rd goal of the season.

South East Phoenix FC 0 defeated by Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC 6

Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC were 6-0 winners against South East Phoenix FC at South Nowra Football Complex on Sunday afternoon.

The Town Rangers finished the regular season with an emphatic win before the upcoming finals series. Leena Khamis made it 1-0 in the 2^nd minute then an own goal helped make it 2-0 Mt Druitt in the 9^th minute.

Rita Boateng made it 3-0 in the 20^th minute then defender Emily Kos added the fourth in the 30^th minute for a 4-0 lead at the break. Paris Vinuya found the back of the net for 5-0 in the 61^st minute then Vinuya completed a brace to hit South East Phoenix FC for six in the 81st minute.

Marconi Stallions FC 5 defeated Sutherland Strikers FC 4

Marconi Stallions FC won 5-4 against Sutherland Strikers FC down at Marconi Stadium #2 on Sunday afternoon.

It was a pulsating way for both teams finish the season with a nine-goal thriller which saw Marconi Stallions FC finish the season with three wins on the trot. Sutherland Strikers FC enjoyed an improved second half of the season and use that as motivation next year.

KJ Schmidt opened the scoring for Sutherland Strikers FC in the 2^nd minute for 1-0 then Gemma Woolley made it 2-0 in the 3^rd minute then scored her second for 3-0 in the 10^th minute. Marconi Stallions FC stampeded back to get it back to 3-3 at half-time.

Charmaine Marquinez brought it back to 3-1 in the 19^th minute then Nicole Carmichael made it 3-2 in the 37^th minute before Marquinez completed the turnaround in the 44^th minute for a breathless first half.

Woolley completed her hat-trick to give Sutherland a 4-3 lead in the 50^th minute. Sarah Urquhart equalised for Marconi in the 55^th minute then defender Emma Voloder gave Marconi a 5-4 win in the 86^th minute.

By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)