Round 18 Review – League One Women’s
Round 18 in the Football NSW League One Women’s competition underlined the close nature of the league with several comeback wins which shook up the ladder.
The race for the top four heated up across the six games on Sunday.
The Match of the Round headlined the round which saw leaders Hills United FC take on second place SD Raiders FC.
Let’s get onto the review!
Match of the Round: SD Raiders FC vs Hills United FC
SD Raiders FC won 3-2 against Hills United FC down at Ernie Smith Reserve in their game on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts picked up a vital three points which brings them within eight of the leaders with a game in hand. Taiana Almeida equalised in the 62nd minute for 1-1 then backed up to score the winner in the 90th minute while Abigail Boag fired home in the 78th minute for 2-2.
Hills United FC will rue a chance to extend their lead at the top of the competition. Isabella Sciberras put them ahead twice with her strike in the 25th minute and a header in the 72nd minute before they were pegged back.
Ernie Smith Reserve was the venue for this top of the table clash between SD Raiders FC and Hills United FC.
It was Hills United FC who had the first opportunity in the game with Isabella Sciberras driving forward and shooting right to SD Raiders FC keeper Natasha Pentecost.
SD Raiders FC were trying to find a way to unlock the Hills United FC defence with Abigail Boag and Taiana Almeida making smart runs.
Sciberras continued to be the outlet for the visitors. She wriggled free and swerved an effort past the right post.
Hills United FC made it 1-0 in the 25th minute. Jess Wootton did the work to win the ball and played in Sciberras who tapped home.
Buoyed by their opener, Hills United FC kept pushing forward. Wootton had a shot go out for a corner then the subsequent corner was thrashed wide by Monique Holder.
The visitors kept peppering Pentecost with chances. Aisling Davidson headed straight then Bianca Galayini fizzed an effort over the bar.
Next, Holder tried to get one past Pentecost but she was denied well as the game started to open up.
SD Raiders FC best chance of the first half came from a set piece. Rojin Polat took the free-kick which was taken well by Hills United FC custodian Sarah Easthope.
Early in the second half, the pattern continued for Hills United FC. Holder threaded through Wootton who shot straight.
SD Raiders FC found an equaliser in the 62nd minute from the spot. Polat was fouled by Rhanni Plummer then Taiana Almeida stepped to slot home for 1-1.
The visitors snatched the lead back in the 72nd minute. Elin Rosenberg Cemazar stood up a cross for Sciberras to nod home for 2-1.
Both sides rung the changes headed into the final fifteen minutes to chase the result and mix up the Premiership race.
The hosts levelled again in the 80th minute which made it 2-2. The free-kick was sent in and the knock down from Almeida saw Boag smash home.
Hills United FC pushed forward late as they aimed to get a third lead of the afternoon. A header inside the box from Brooke Hastie flashed wide.
SD Raiders FC completed the turnaround in the 91st minute. It was dogged work from Erin Phelan to dig out a cross for Almeida to turn home for 3-2.
It sparked wild celebrations from the SD Raiders FC bench and the stands as they brought themselves back into the Premiership contention.
Hills United FC looked to give this game one final twist. Sciberras had a free-kick on the left and whipped it wide of the left post.
The hosts saw out the final stages of the game and picked up a vital three points in an enthralling contest.
Post match, SD Raiders FC coach Bojan Radmilo reflected on the energy of his side in their victory tonight:
“Honestly, it was a 50/50 game and we got the result. We haven’t had the belief in the last few weeks but found it today. It was all about energy for us and that was key to getting the result today.” said Radmilo.
For Hills United FC coach Allan Tasses, he spoke about a frustrating game which slipped away from his side:
“It was very frustrating, we led twice and threw them away. You can’t leave [Taiana[] Almeida free in the box and she punished us. I reckon it might be us two at the end of the season but tonight was a frustrating one for us.” said Tasses.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 29 June 2025
Ernie Smith Reserve
Referee:
Assistant Referees:
SD Raiders FC 3 (Almeida ‘62 ‘90 Boag ‘78)
Hills United FC 2 (Sciberras ’25 ‘72)
SD Raiders FC: 1. Natasha Pentecost, 2. Sharina Harris (Mia Mastoris ’68), 5. Amanda Radmilo, 6. Jessica Neville, 7. Abigail Boag, 8. Layne Knight,10. Taiana Almeida, 18. Madeliene Malone, 22. Erin Phelan, 31. Rojin Polat (11. Abuk Nyor ’84), 35. Tenealle Hay (14. Sarah Mandile ’68)
Unused subs: 3. Angelina Mastoris, 13. Olga Gasteratos, 19. Brittany Duggan
Yellow cards: Hay ‘47
Red cards: nil
Hills United FC: 3. Aisling Davidson, 5. Rhanni Plummer (13. Helena Berridge ’80), 6. Brooke Hastie, 8. Bella Donaldson (33. Zoe Murdoch ’85), 10. Bianca Galayini (17. Rachel Glendenning ’68), 11. Isabella Sciberras, 12. Jess Wootton (7. Gemma Woolley ’68), 14. Elin Rosenberg Cemazar, 15. Tasmin Buchanan, 25. Monique Holder (9. Ellen Berios ’80), 99. Sarah Easthope
Unused subs: 1. Nicola Simmons
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Sutherland Strikers FC 1 defeated by Marconi Stallions FC 2
Marconi Stallions FC won 2-1 against Sutherland Strikers FC down at Harrie Denning Centre on Sunday afternoon.
The Stallions continue their stampede towards a final position with a comeback win against a dogged Strikers outfit. Sutherland Strikers FC opened up the scoring through Sydney FC star Kirsty Fenton for 1-0 in the 23rd minute.
Marconi Stallions FC responded with a goal from Tsoler Nazarian for 1-1 in the 28th minute which makes it four goals in two weeks for the sharpshooter. The Stallions had to work for the winner but it arrived in the 78th minute with Helena Daniele firing home for 2-1 and banking three points.
Camden Tigers FC 1 defeated by St George FC 2
St George FC were 2-1 winners against Camden Tigers FC in their game at Barton Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Saints make it back-to-back wins and four games unbeaten and move themselves closer to the League One Women’s top four. It was Camden Tigers FC who struck first though with Charlotte Taylor poking home for 1-0 in the 28th minute before Janan Codmani equalised for St George FC in the 38th minute for 1-1 at half-time.
St George FC completed the turnaround in the second half through midfielder Tara Palmer. She found the back of the net in the 57th minute to make it 2-1. The Saints were able to finish the game off in a professional manner to earn the three points.
Central Coast Mariners FC 2 defeated Bankstown City Lions FC 1
Central Coast Mariners FC won 2-1 against Bankstown City Lions FC at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon.
It was a big win for the Mariners who remain one point outside the League One Women’s top four after a closely fought contest. Ava Moller made it 1-0 for the Mariners in the 17th minute with her fourth of the season and the hosts took their lead into the break.
The Mariners were sailing towards a win but were denied on several occasions by Bankstown City Lions FC shot stopper Keeley Segavcic. Her saves kept the Lions in the game and they did equalise in the 85th minute for 1-1 through Lucy Coxsedge.
Central Coast Mariners FC weren’t fazed by conceding and quickly went up the other end and snatched back the lead in the 86th minute. Jessica Garrett swept home from a Annalise Brewster cutback to make it 2-1 and settle a pulsating contest.
Blacktown City FC 2 defeated Nepean FC 1
Blacktown City FC triumphed 2-1 against Nepean FC in their game at Landen Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts picked up their first win since Round 13 and continues their turnaround since the halfway mark. They were made to work for it with Nepean FC taking the lead in the 34th minute through Paris Staal for 1-0 at half-time.
Blacktown City FC dug deep and eventually found a way through the Nepean FC in the final quarter of the game. Olivia Moar scored in 74th minute for 1-1 then substitute Layla Hamden found the back of the net in 85th minute to make it 2-1 for the hosts.
Inter Lions FC 0 defeated by South Coast Flame FC 2
South Coast Flame FC defeated Inter Lions FC 2-0 in their contest at Majors Bay Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
The Flame make it four wins on the bounce and hold onto their spot in the top four despite the chasing pack. Defender Alexis Malizis made it 1-0 for South Coast Flame FC in the 25th minute and the visitors held that lead until the break.
Inter Lions FC remained stubborn to break down and it took a wonder strike from Bessie Riethmuller to make it 2-0 for South Coast Flame FC. Her strike in 87th minute settled the game and saw Flame take the points back down the highway.
Blacktown Spartans FC had the bye
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
