Round 3 Review – League One Women’s
While temperatures soared across the state, the football in the Football NSW League One Women’s competition was just as hotly contested.
There were six games that were completed this weekend which was headlined by the Match of the Round between Blacktown Spartans FC and Marconi Stallions FC.
Let’s get onto the review.
Match of the Round: Blacktown Spartans FC 0 defeated by Marconi Stallions FC 1
Marconi Stallions FC won 1-0 against Blacktown Spartans FC at Blacktown Football Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Spartans were set up in a defensive mode and they were able to deny the Stallions more than one goal. Their best chances came from Lili Rosandic who was their best weapon at the set piece.
Marconi Stallions FC were the dominant side in the game and probably should’ve found the back of the net again. Their goal came from Pene Bonovas in the 10th minute to make it 1-0 for the visitors.
Blacktown Spartans FC and Marconi Stallions FC walked onto a muggy Blacktown Football Park hunting for three points.
The Stallions started brightly. Marie Herrera had a pair of tame shots which were handled easily by Blacktown Spartans FC keeper Ella Stewart.
The visitors had the bulk of the chances in the first half. Hannah Tomelic found space near the box and fired at Stewart.
Marconi Stallions FC made it 1-0 in the 10th minute through Pene Bonovas. The ball fell to her inside the area and she fired home.
Next, it was Laura Malagon Avila who tested Stewart. Her strike was spilled but the custodian was able to recover.
Blacktown Spartans FC best opportunities came from the dead ball. Lili Rosandic put in a few wicked deliveries which weren’t pounced on.
Bonovas buoyed by her goal almost added a second. She was played through then tried to lob one past Stewart but it whistled wide.
The game resumed in a similar pattern in the second half. Stallions held most of the ball with a few half chances.
Marconi Stallions worked the offside trap well with Malagon Avila who was unable to test the Spartans keeper.
Rebeca Barreto Rodrigues almost slipped through from a long ball. She touched it past Stallions keeper Isabella Sollecito but defender Shelby Milton swept it clear.
Substitute Talia Kupceric made an impact on her entry. She fizzed an effort wide of the post then fired one over the bar.
Tomelic went close to sealing the win. The attacker cut inside her defender and whipped an effort wide of the left post.
Another substitute for the Stallions, Ashley Limnios rode a challenge well then cut it back for Bonovas to fire one off the mark.
The Stallions saw out the rest of the contest and earned a valuable three points to continue their unbeaten start to the season.
Post match, Blacktown Spartans FC coach Lachlan Raymond reflected on a solid performance while down on troops:
“We set out to be a bit more defensive, with a few players out so I can’t fault the effort of the players and we grew into the game. It is building blocks for us and to limit their creative in the front third is good.” said Raymond.
For Marconi Stallions FC coach Michael Beauchamp, it was a good performance for the side to keep their momentum going:
“I think we’re creating the chances and when they start to find the back of the net it will be positive for the team. This is how games will be this season, there is no easy game and did it tough in the conditions and on the pitch. It is such a long season, so for us it is building every week.” said Beauchamp.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 16 March 2025
Blacktown Football Park
Referee: Sapan Basnet
Assistant Referees: Gabriella Arcidiacono & James Dolahenty
Blacktown Spartans FC 0
Marconi Stallions FC 1 (Bonovas ’10)
Blacktown Spartans FC: 2. Priya Gakhar (39. Sophia Axisa ’45), 3. Eleonora Daga (16. Doveinah Vine ’65), 5. Mira Thomas, 9. Milena Visser, 11. Lili Rosandic, 12. Paris Vinuya, 13. Emma Ingerson (10. Ridae Mohammadi ’82), 14. Rebeca Barreto Rodrigues (33. Lara Kachichian ’89), 18. Jasmin Fisher, 24. Matilda Sutton (28. Abigail Duggan ’82), 41. Ella Stewart
Unused subs: 40. Danielle Greaney
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Marconi Stallions FC: 1. Isabella Sollecito, 2. Shelby Milton, 4. Daniela Brekic, 7. Asiyah Zreika (15. Ashley Limnios ’45), 8. Marie Herrera, 10. Hannah Tomelic (34. Carissa Herrera ’88), 11. Helena Daniele, 13. Charmaine Marquinez (29. Ilana Kola ’78), 16. Pene Bonovas, 18. Laura Malagon Avila (37. Angelica Manago ’88), 31. Olivia Cole (25. Talia Kupceric ’65)
Unused subs: 21. Lara Fragomeli
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
South Coast Flame FC 4 defeated Bankstown City Lions FC 0
South Coast Flame FC won 4-0 against Bankstown City Lions FC at Sir Ian McLennan Park on Saturday night.
The Flame continued their red hot start to the season with nine goals in their last two goals without conceding at all which would please coach Daniel Naumovski. Bessie Riethmuller made it 1-0 for the hosts in the 32nd minute before Abbey Crapp doubled their delight in the 38th minute for 2-0.
They forced an own goal late in the first half to cap off a dominant 45 minutes and lead 3-0 going into the sheds. Molly Lawless made it 4-0 in the 50th minute to earn Flame back-to-back wins after their opening day defeat to Hills United FC.
St George FC 4 defeated Sutherland Strikers FC 0
St George FC won 4-0 against local rivals Sutherland Strikers FC at Barton Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Saints bounced back in style in stifling conditions and made it three games unbeaten to begin the 2025 campaign. Jordan Baker made it 1-0 in the 15th minute then Tara Palmer added the second goal in the 23rd minute for 2-0.
St George FC were rampant in the first half and added another two goals to round off a fantastic performance. Baker made it 3-0 in the 40th minute for her brace then Abbey-Rose Cryer found the back of the net in the 45th minute for 4-0.
The hosts were able to see out the second half without much incident to earn both their second win of the League One Women’s and getting bragging rights against their rivals Sutherland Strikers FC in their first encounter of the season.
SD Raiders FC 2 defeated Camden Tigers FC 0
SD Raiders FC were 2-0 winners against Camden Tigers FC at Cirillo Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
It was a thoroughly professional performance from SD Raiders FC who controlled the game from the opening whistle until the final one. They had to work for their goals though as the contest went to the break at 0-0.
The goals did come in the second half for SD Raiders FC. Brazilian star Taiana Almeida nodded home from a corner to make it 1-0 then new signing Tenealle Hay finished off a superb counterattack with a powerful shot to give the hosts a 2-0 advantage.
Nepean FC 1 defeated by Central Coast Mariners FC 7
Central Coast Mariners FC won 7-1 against Nepean FC in their game at Cook Park on Sunday night.
The Mariners were ruthless in their work in Sydney’s West and ran out to an impressive 6-0 lead at the half-time break. Eliza Familton made it 1-0 for the Mariners in the 13th minute from a header then Peyton Scollay scored for 2-0 in the 17th minute then doubled her tally in the 24th minute to make it 3-0.
Claire Denning added the fourth in the 40th minute then Scollay completed her first half hat-trick to make it 5-0 in the 43rd minute. Familton rounded off the first half demolition with her second goal for 6-0 in stoppage time.
Nepean FC found a consolation goal in the second half with substitute Caitlin Abbass finding the back of the net for 6-1 in the 50th minute. The Mariners tallied once in the second half through Savannah Lalor when she piloted home a header from another superb cross for 7-1 in the 82nd minute.
Hills United FC 5 defeated Blacktown City FC 0
Hills United FC won 5-0 against Blacktown City FC down at Valentine Sports Park on Sunday night.
Rounding off the weekend was a five-star performance from Hills United FC making it three wins from three to start the League One Women’s season. Blacktown City FC held out Hills United FC for much of the first half but a late penalty from Jess Wootton in the 45th minute gave the hosts a 1-0 advantage at the break.
It was one way traffic in the second half with Hills United FC piling on four more goals. Wootton completed her hat-trick while defender Aisling Davidson found the back of the net as well. Substitute Ellen Berios scored the pick of the goals with back heel volley from a corner to put the icing on the cake of the win.
Inter Lions FC had the bye
