Round 5 Review – League One Women’s
Round 5 in the Football NSW League One Women’s competition showcased the talent and drama available in the league.
There were six games played on a wet weekend in Sydney highlighted by Hills United FC hosting SD Raiders FC in the Match of the Round.
Let’s get onto the review.
Match of the Round: Hills United FC 1 drew with SD Raiders FC 1
Hills United FC and SD Raiders FC played out a 1-1 draw at Valentine Sports Park on Sunday afternoon.
This might be the game that got away from Hills United FC. They dominated but were wasteful in front of goal across the contest. Isabella Sciberras opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a long range effort before they were pegged back.
SD Raiders FC got a point in the game where they had to be resolute at the back especially in the second half. Taiana Almeida levelled it at 1-1 in the 29th minute from the spot after Abigail Boag was fouled.
Hills United FC and SD Raiders FC walked out to a windy Valentine Sports Park aiming to pick up a vital three points.
The hosts authored the first shot of the game in the 5th minute. Gemma Woolley wriggled free and fired a shot over the bar.
Hills United FC pushed forward for the opener. Jess Wootton fired right at SD Raiders FC custodian Natasha Pentecost.
Next, Woolley found space on the right again, drove into the box and whipped the ball into the side netting.
Elin Rosenberg Cemazar produced a dogged effort charged down a ball and roamed forward before flashing wide.
SD Raiders FC found their rhythm in the contest. Tenealle Hay floated in a cross which caused an issue for Hills United FC keeper Nicola Simmons.
Hills United FC made it 1-0 in the 24th minute. Isabella Sciberras was on the edge of the box and curved into the top corner.
There was an immediate response from SD Raiders FC. Abigail Boag was fouled inside the box then Taiana Almeida stepped up and rolled home the penalty for 1-1 in the 29th minute.
The goal gave SD Raiders FC impetus going forward. Boag shot over then Sarah Mandile cut inside her defender and whistled wide.
Neither side could further challenge the scoreboard and they headed into the break at 1-1 in tricky conditions.
SD Raiders FC had the first chance of the second half. Sharina Harris tried one from range but it flew past the post.
Cemazar continued to try and find the back of the net. She found space and shot right at Pentecost.
Both teams turned to their substitutes to try and change the contest. Hills United FC remained the dominant force in the game.
Once again, Cemazar was in a prime position to challenge Pentecost. She swerved an effort wide of the post.
Substitute Amelia Savetta brought energy for SD Raiders FC. She tried to bend an effort towards the net but it floated wide.
Hills United FC poured forward for a winner and maintaining their 100% record. Goalscorer Sciberras tried to replicate her goal but it skewed past the post.
Another substitute Ellen Berios who came on for Hills United FC went close. She unfurled an effort which went straight at Pentecost.
The game headed into the final stages with the game opening up. Almeida fired over then Hills United FC substitute Monique Holder snatched at an effort which flew wide.
Neither team could find another goal and at the final whistle the points were shared in a 1-1 draw between the two contenders.
Post match, Alan Tasses reflected on his side’s wasted chances in a game which got away from them:
“It was the one that got away for us, to be honest. Usually our strikers don’t miss those chances then when you miss them it can hurt you. We created a lot of good chances and I thought we could put it in the net.” said Tasses.
For SD Raiders FC coach Bojan Radmilo, he reflected on getting a point despite not having their best performance:
“I think we were lucky to get a draw. Hills United FC dominated the second half and we’ll move on with the point. I am not happy with how we keep the ball and moving it the right way in the contest.” said Radmilo.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 30 March 2025
Valentine Sports Park
Referee: Johan Pinto
Assistant Referees: Simon Ashari & Kieran Rees-Bevan
Hills United FC 1 (Sciberras ’24)
SD Raiders FC 1 (Almeida ’29)
Hills United FC: 1. Nicola Simmons, 3. Aisling Davidson, 5. Rhanni Plummer, 6. Brooke Hastie, 7. Gemma Woolley (25. Monique Holder ’65), 8. Bella Donaldson, 10. Bianca Galayini, 11. Isabella Sciberras (17. Rachel Glendenning ’83), 12. Jess Wootton (9. Ellen Berios ’74), 13. Helena Berridge (7. 37. Zayra Plebani ’65), 14. Elin Rosenberg Cemazar
Unused subs: 33. Zoe Murdoch 99. Sarah Easthope
Yellow cards: Berridge ’29 Holder ‘72
Red cards: nil
SD Raiders FC: 1. Natasha Pentecost, 2. Sharina Harris, 5. Amanda Radmilo, 6. Jessica Neville, 7. Abigail Boag, 8. Layne Knight (9. Amelia Savetta ’56), 10. Taiana Almeida, 14. Sarah Mandile (Mia Mastoris ’56), 18. Madeleine Malone (22. Erin Phelan ’71), 19. Brittany Duggan, 31. Tenealle Hay
Unused subs: 3. Angelina Mastoris, 15. Chloe Hain, 21. Caitlin Britton
Yellow cards: Harris ‘80
Red cards: nil
South Coast Flame FC 4 defeated Inter Lions FC 1
South Coast Flame FC won 4-1 against Inter Lions FC down at Sir Ian McLennan Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Flame bounced back in fine fashion with a solid result on their home turf against a gallant Inter Lions FC side. Molly Lawless made it 1-0 for the hosts in the 16th minute then Bessie Riethmuller doubled their delight in the 24th minute for a 2-0 lead going into the sheds.
The hosts pushed further forward in the second half through Emily Kostovski who made it 3-0 in the 73rd minute then Jarrah Fuz made it 4-0 soon after in the 76th minute. Inter Lions FC pulled one back late through substitute Elena Antic in the 80th minute for 4-1.
Bankstown City Lions FC 2 defeated Central Coast Mariners FC 1
Bankstown City Lions FC triumphed 2-1 against Central Coast Mariners FC at Jensen Park on Sunday afternoon.
It was back-to-back wins for Bankstown City Lions FC who moved into fifth position on the League One Women’s ladder. It was the Mariners who struck first through Claire Denning with her fierce free-kick which rattled the bar and bounced in for 1-0 in the 31st minute.
Bankstown City Lions FC answered twice before half-time for a 2-1 lead. Yumeka Yajima drew them level in the 38th minute then sharpshooter Chelsea Greguric found the back of the net for 2-1 in the 42nd minute.
Both teams threw everything at the game in the second half but neither could add to the scoreline and the Lions took home a valuable three points. Central Coast Mariners despite the loss hold onto third spot on the ladder.
Marconi Stallions FC 4 defeated Sutherland Strikers FC 0
Marconi Stallions FC galloped to a 4-0 win against Sutherland Strikers FC at Marconi Stadium field #2 on Sunday afternoon.
The Stallions remain unbeaten through five rounds with another strong performance which lifts them to the top of the ladder. The hosts had to work for the result with taking the lead in the 45th minute through Pene Bonovas from the spot for 1-0.
Midfield maestro Charmaine made it 2-0 in the 50th minute then Hannah Tomelic netted in back-to-back games for 3-0 in the 76th minute. Bonovas rounded off the performance with her second of the game in the 93rd minute that made it 4-0.
St George FC 3 drew with Camden Tigers FC 3
Points were shared in a wild 3-3 draw between St George FC and Camden Tigers FC at Ron Dine Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
The weather was wild across Sydney and this game matched that. Chantelle Barnard made it 1-0 for the Tigers latching onto a through ball and rounding the keeper to score. Jordan Baker equalized for St George FC in the 41st minute for 1-1.
Camden Tigers took a lead going into the break from a superb Lisa Fressard free-kick. She unfurled the strike which went into the top corner for 2-1. The Saints drew level again through Janan Codmani in the 56th minute for 2-2 and set up a frantic final half hour.
The Tigers took the lead for the third time in the game in the 88th minute. Ashlee Taff was on the spot to tap home after a previous shot rattled the woodwork for 3-2. Codmani popped up in the 90th minute to rescue a point for St George FC for 3-3.
There was almost a seventh goal with Camden Tigers pushing forward for a winner but the St George FC defence were able to hold firm. Both teams head home with a point in a fantastic game of football.
Nepean FC 0 defeated by Blacktown City FC 3
Blacktown City FC won 3-0 against Nepean FC in their game down at Jamison Park on Sunday night.
Following on from their first goal last weekend, Blacktown City FC have recorded their first win of the League One Women’s campaign. Olivia Moar made it 1-0 for the visitors in the 12th minute then Amber Precious scored for 2-0 in the 32nd minute as Blacktown City FC took that lead into the half-time whistle.
Blacktown City FC added a third goal in the second half to confirm their first three points of the season and move up the ladder. Substitute Angelique Skapetis found the back of the net for 3-0 in the 82nd minute.
Blacktown Spartans FC had the bye
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
