Round 23 Review – League One Women’s
Round 23 in the Football NSW League One Women’s competition was curtailed due to wet weather but there was enough action to warm up those who braved the elements.
There were four games completed on Sunday which included some important games for the top four headlined by the Match of the Round between St George FC and South Coast Flame FC.
Let’s get onto the review!
Match of the Round: St George FC 2 drew with South Coast Flame FC 2
St George FC and South Coast Flame FC played out a 2-2 draw at 5sports Caringbah on Sunday evening.
The Saints will be disappointed in their finishing which might have cost them all three points in this crucial game. Jordan Baker levelled for St George FC in the 19th minute from the spot then Rebecca Cousins gave them the lead in the 33rd minute with a well-taken finish before they were pegged back.
South Coast Flame FC showed grit until the final minute and keep their finals hopes alive with a point away from home. Sariah Wilson gave them the 1-0 lead in the 14th minute before St George FC marched ahead then Bessie Riethmuller earned the visitors a draw with her 64th minute strike for 2-2.
St George FC and South Coast Flame FC strode onto a wet and windy 5sports looking to keep their finals chances alive with three points.
It was the visitors who started brighter in the contest. Alexis Malizis had the first shot for Flame which was taken well by St George FC keeper Caitlin Russell.
The Flame kept hunting for the opener as Bessie Riethmuller wriggled into some space and fired an effort wide of the mark.
St George FC settled into their rhythm and started to work the ball around. Jordan Baker authored their first opportunity with a low strike that Flame custodian Ciara Wade handled.
South Coast Flame FC made it 1-0 in the 14th minute. A superb pass put Sariah Wilson into acres of space and she finished well to give them the lead.
They weren’t content to sit on the one-goal lead. A lofted free-kick found it’s way to Riethmuller who poked straight.
St George FC levelled the game in the 19th minute from the spot. Abbey-Rose Cryer was fouled in the box then Golden Boot leader Jordan Baker slotted home the penalty for 1-1.
The Flame almost produced an instant response. They worked it around the box then Chrystal Duggan flayed it wide.
The Saints completed the first half turnaround and made it 2-1 in the 33rd minute. The ball rebounded out to Rebecca Cousins who curved home.
The goals buoyed the Saints forward. Baker had a pair of chances including a fiercely struck free-kick which Wade patted down.
Coming out of the break, Flame had a renewed vigour in their work. Duggan found space again and tested Russell.
Next, winger Abbey Crapp was the recipient of a terrific pass into space and forced Russell into another key stop.
The Flame would make it 2-2 in the 64th minute. Crapp turned provider with her cross finding it’s way to Riethmuller to stab home.
Both sides pushed forward trying to find a winner in a game which three points might help secure their top four spot.
Lauren Johnson tried to find the back of the net for St George FC but her shot was tipped past the post by Wade.
She was at the centre of the action soon after. Johnson found space inside the box and poked her effort right at Wade.
Next, St George FC substitute Paris Alcorn looked to make an instant impact. She drove free on the left and blazed a shot past the left post.
Janan Codmani had two gilt edge chances to put St George FC ahead again. Her first one curled wide then a match-saving block on the line from Flame denied her.
Flame were the side that looked to finish the stronger. They pushed numbers forward for another comeback win.
The best chance in that passage came from a corner. It fell to the feet of substitute Mikayla De Jong whose strike was deflected over.
Flame had a few more half chances from set pieces but St George FC were able to sweep them away.
Once the full-time whistle was blown, several players fell to the ground to underline how pulsating the 2-2 draw was for the sides.
Post match, St George FC boss Mark Greenfield reflected on a game where the missed chances came back to bite them:
“It was a frustrating result and the curse of the Match of the Round got us again. We had so many chances which could’ve netted us five goals. A team like Flame always come at you and I think a draw was a fair result.” said Greenfield.
For South Coast Flame FC manager Daniel Naumovski, he reflected on a superb effort from his side:
“I thought we were very good second half after a few patchy moments in the first half which saw us concede twice. The girls reacted well and now we continue to focus on winning and see where the results fall.” said Naumovski.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 3 August 2025
5sports Half 1
Referee:
Assistant Referees:
St George FC 2 (Baker ’19 Cousins ‘33)
South Coast Flame FC 2 (Wilson ’14 Riethmuller ‘64)
St George FC: 3. Danielle Rutstien (31. Paris Alcorn ’75), 4. Nicole Besz, 6. Tara Palmer, 8. Abbey-Rose Cryer (71. Eyerus Hillman ’75), 9. Jordan Baker, 10. Janan Codmani, 13. Lauren Johnson, 18. Jaslyn Moore (15. Genevieve Russo ’59), 20. Caitlin Russell, 22. Rebecca Cousins, 26. Sienna Borrill
Unused subs: 1. Emilija Vidakovic, 23. Maya Harris, 74. Josey Riley
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
South Coast Flame FC: 1. Ciara Wade, 4. Alexis Malizis, 6. Abigail Jordan (11. Emily Kostovski ‘45+2), 9. Molly Lawless, 12. Sariah Wilson, 13. Jessie Abbott (7. Mikayala De Jong ’64), 15. Abbey Crapp, 22. Gemma Bishop, 27. Daisy Canavan, 62. Bessie Riethmuller, 85. Chrystal Duggan
Unused subs: 2. Jessica Cruickshank, 5. Ruby Blanch, 14. Paula Mitchell, 21. Tahlia Sharrock
Yellow cards: Crapp ’26 Bishop ’55 Riethmuller ‘87
Red cards: nil
SD Raiders FC 0 drew with Marconi Stallions FC 0
Points were shared in a 0-0 draw between SD Raiders FC and Marconi Stallions FC at Ernie Smith Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
It is a point which helps both sides consolidate their positions in the League One Women’s top four but they would have hoped for three points. It was a tight affair and neither side could find a way through in the first half and it went to the break at 0-0.
The second half saw both sides huff and puff in trying conditions but both custodians stood tall and the game ended up in a stalemate. The result keeps SD Raiders FC in second spot with Central Coast Mariners FC breathing down their neck while Marconi Stallions FC are fourth holding off the challenge of South Coast Flame FC and St George FC.
Central Coast Mariners FC 5 defeated Blacktown Spartans FC 1
Central Coast Mariners FC won 5-1 against Blacktown Spartans FC down at Blacktown Football Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Mariners have struck form at the right time and steadily continue their march towards the League One Women’s finals. Jordyn Drysdale opened the scoring for the Mariners in the 10th minute for 1-0 then Matilda Gallagher doubled their delight in the 25th minute for 2-0.
Next, Natalia O’Driscoll found the back of the net to make it 3-0 for the yellow-and-navy at the half-time interval. Melina Visser pulled one back for the Spartans in the 63rd minute for 3-1 and set up an exciting finish.
Central Coast Mariners FC would see out the game in style adding another two goals to stamp their authority on the contest. Briana Myers made it 4-1 in the 80th minute then Gallagher completed her brace in the 92nd minute to make it 5-1 and put the Mariners in third on the ladder.
Bankstown City Lions FC 1 defeated by Hills United FC 3
Leaders Hills United FC won 3-1 against Bankstown City Lions FC in their clash at Jensen Park on Sunday afternoon.
Hills United FC remain on course for the title with another important three points in their travels to the south-west. The leaders were shocked in the 3rd minute when Yasmene Placer made it 1-0 for Bankstown City Lions FC from a corner. Jess Wootton restored parity for Hills United FC in the 22nd minute for 1-1 at half-time.
The second half performance was much more like the Hills United FC side that have conquered the competition in 2025. Wootton added her second goal to complete the turnaround in the 51st minute for 2-1 then striker Isabella Sciberras made it 3-1 in the 81st minute to move Hills United FC one step closer to silverware.
Sutherland Strikers FC vs Inter Lions FC was moved to August 12th
Camden Tigers FC vs Nepean FC was washed out
Blacktown City FC had the bye
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
