Semi-Finals Review – League One Women’s
The Football NSW League One Women’s Grand Final is set after two fantastic and drama filled Semi Finals fixtures across the weekend.
It will be Premiers Hills United FC taking on second place SD Raiders FC in the big dance next Sunday at Valentine Sports Park.
Let’s get onto the review!
Semi-Final 1: SD Raiders FC 3 defeated Central Coast Mariners FC 2
SD Raiders FC won 3-2 after extra time against Central Coast Mariners FC at Valentine Sports Park on Saturday night.
They are the first side to book their spot in the League One Women’s Grand Final. SD Raiders FC fell behind early before goals from Taiana Almeida in the 34th minute and Abigail Boag in the 45th minute saw them lead 2-1 before being clawed back. Almeida popped up to score the winner in the 120th minute to send them to the big dance.
Central Coast Mariners FC were brave in this game, taking it to 120 minutes before being slain late. Claire Denning gave them the lead in the 31st minute for 1-0 before they conceded twice. It was a late equaliser from Peyton Scollay in the 94th minute to send us to extra-time.
SD Raiders FC and Central Coast Mariners FC walked onto a crisp Valentine Sports Park ready to battle for the first Grand Final spot.
It was SD Raiders FC who authored the first few shots. Taiana Almeida and Sarah Mandile both testing out Mariners keeper Kyara O’Brien.
Mariners winger Claire Denning tried to spark her side early. She drove forward and forced SD Raiders FC custodian Natasha Pentecost into turning wide.
SD Raiders FC kept pushing for the opener. Sharina Harris curved wide then she planted a free-kick onto the head of Tenealle Hay to nod over.
Next, Abigail Boag tried her luck, weaving through a few defenders before she toe poked one wide of the mark.
Central Coast Mariners FC made it 1-0 in the 31st minute. It was a swift counter attack which ended with Denning firing into the bottom corner.
There was an instant response from SD Raiders FC in the 34th minute. It was a corner swung in and bobbled around before Almeida swept home for 1-1.
Quickly, it was 2-1 to SD Raiders FC. Amanda Radmilo made an impressive run then cut it back for Abigail Boag to fire home in the 45th minute.
Hay had a chance to make it a two-goal advantage but her sizzling strike hit the apex of the woodwork and SD Raiders FC led 2-1 at the break.
Coming out of the break, SD Raiders FC felt just fine. Hay whipped a free-kick in which Almeida craned wide then Almeida had another strong effort.
Next, it was Boag’s turn for a cutback. She found an on rushing Almeida who skied her effort as we headed towards the hour mark.
Mariners were surging for an equaliser and went close. Ava Moller wriggled free and forced Pentecost into a strong save.
SD Raiders FC somehow didn’t add to their lead from a flowing move. Boag combined with Almeida who poked wide.
O’Brien came up big to keep the Mariners in the contest. She tipped over a long range effort from Harris.
There was one final twist in stoppage time. The ball was sent forward and some confusion allowed Scollay to strike for 2-2 in the 94th minute and send us to extra time.
The Mariners started the first period of extra time stronger. They tried to use their adrenaline from the equaliser as substitute Amber Ford skewed wide.
Neither team could find a way through in the first 15 minutes and the game went into the second period of extra time level at 2-2.
The Mariners rattled the crossbar in the 115th minute. Scollay found some room and unfurled a shot which smacked the woodwork.
It looked like the game was headed towards a shootout as both teams fought for every ball in the final few minutes.
SD Raiders FC scored in the 120th minute to break Mariners hearts. Jessica Neville pushed it forward for Almeida to fire home for 3-2 and spark wild celebrations.
They held off for the few minutes of stoppage time and SD Raiders FC are the first side through to the League One Women’s Grand Final.
Post match, SD Raiders FC boss Bojan Radmilo reflected on a huge effort from his side to get to the final:
“It was a massive effort from the girls and they tried until the final whistle. It is always a tough battle against the Mariners and they made us work for it. A Grand Final is a great achievement after we just missed out on Club Championship so it is one final cookie left for the season.” said Radmillo.
For Central Coast Mariners FC coach Greg Hartge, he remained proud of his young side despite the late defeat:
“That game unfolded how our last two months have gone for this club. We battled all the way to the end and ran out of bodies unfortunately. If this team can stay together for a while they will challenge for silverware and positions in the A-League Women’s.” said Hartge.
MATCH STATS
Saturday 30 August 2025
Valentine Sports Park
Referee: Casey Fleming
Assistant Referees: Charlotte Flynn & Amelia Dimech
SD Raiders FC 3 (Almeida ’34 ‘120 Boag ’45)
Central Coast Mariners FC 2 (Denning ’31 Scollay ‘90+4
SD Raiders FC: 1. Natasha Pentecost, 2. Sharina Harris, 5. Amanda Radmilo, 6. Jessica Neville, 7. Abigail Boag, 8. Layne Knight, 10. Taiana Almeida, 14. Sarah Mandile (31. Rojin Polat ’66) 18. Madeliene Malone, 22. Erin Phelan (9. Amelia Savetta ‘105), 35. Tenealle Hay (4. Mia Mastoris ’77)
Unused subs: 3. Angelina Mastoris, 11. Abuk Nyor, 13. Olga Gasteratos
Yellow cards: Harris ’42 Neville ’65 Knight ’90 Polat ‘118
Red cards: nil
Central Coast Mariners FC: 1. Kyara O’Brien, 2. Jessica Garrett, 3. Teagan Jones, 4. Jordyn Drysdale, 6. Peyton Scollay, 11. Claire Denning, 12. Briana Myers (8. Natalia O’Driscoll ‘6 (21. Lillia Rae ’95)), 13. Annalise Brewster, 19. Ava Moller (10. Amber Ford ’80), 29. Tikka Jeffery (32. Marli McFadden ‘105), 37. Ruth Hosie
Unused subs: 20. Grace Davies, 31. Lily Quayle
Yellow cards: Scollay ‘45+2 Denning ‘116
Red cards: nil
Semi-Final 2: Hills United FC 2 defeated Marconi Stallions FC 1
Hills United FC won 2-1 against Marconi Stallions FC in the second semi-final at Valentine Sports Park on Sunday evening.
The Premiers have a chance to complete a treble after third Grand Final appearance in four seasons. Monique Holder scored in the 9th and Gemma Woolley in the 18th minute to earn their spot despite conceding to the Stallions in the first half.
For Marconi Stallions FC, it is a tough end to what has been a superb season for them returning to finals football. Hannah Tomelic gave them some hope when she bent home in the 38th minute for 2-1 but they couldn’t find another goal.
Hills United FC and Marconi Stallions FC walked out to a packed Valentine Sports Park looking to take the second spot in the Grand Final.
It was Hills United FC who had the first chance. Rachel Glendenning found space and slashed an effort wide.
Hills United FC made it 1-0 in the 9th minute through Monique Holder. She was in acres of space and unfurled a shot which singed the top of the net.
They kept pushing for more goals. Both Holder and Glendenning had shots that Marconi Stallions FC custodian Isabella Sollecito handled.
The Premiers made it 2-0 in the 18th minute. Gemma Woolley was released down the middle of the park and chipped over the keeper.
Marconi Stallions FC started to find their rhythm. Pene Bonovas stood over a free-kick and directed it right to Hills United FC keeper Nicola Simmons.
The Stallions did pull a goal back in the 38th minute. It was an effort from Hannah Tomelic where the swing would please any fast bowler as swerved home for 2-1.
Hills United FC had the final chance of the half. Bella Donaldson put the free-kick onto the head of Elin Rosenberg Cemazar who nodded wide.
Marconi Stallions FC brought on leading scorer Tsoler Nazarian and there were several balls which almost put her on goal.
Cemazar was energetic all night for Hills United FC. She drove through the midfield and had a few half chances in the second half.
Bonovas was the strike weapon from the set piece. She tried to whip a free-kick into the top corner but it flew wide.
As the game continued to open up, set piece were crucial. Returning captain Aisling Davidson rose highest to crane wide.
They kept looking for a third to kill off the game. Workhorse Bianca Galayini fired over the bar in the 73rd minute.
Sollecito has been a rock between the sticks for the Stallions this season and she produced another key catch to deny Hills United FC late.
Hills United FC started to rack up the corners late in the game. Zoe Murdoch got her head to one and nodded wide.
The Stallions surged forward in the dying stages to get themselves to extra time and keep their season alive.
They had a few corners which Hills United FC swept away and a free-kick which Bonovas put in to a dangerous area.
Hills United FC saw out the rest of the game professionally and head to a third Grand Final in four years.
Post match, a delight Hills United FC coach Alan Tasses reflected on a tight contest which keeps their treble hopes alive:
“It is a fantastic feeling to make three Grand Finals in four years and caps off a wonderful year for the girls and we’re looking for a treble. Hopefully this is the year I can win that and it is an older squad which has matured and taken the next steps.” said Tasses.
Marconi Stallions FC might have fallen at the semi-finals stage but it was an encouraging season for the historic club.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 31 August 2025
Valentine Sports Park #2
Referee: Stephanie Hilton
Assistant Referees: Hannah Sheridan & Sharon Mclachlan
Hills United FC 2 (Holder ‘9 Woolley ’18)
Marconi Stallions FC 1 (Tomelic ’38)
Hills United FC: 1. Nicola Simmons, 3. Aisling Davidson, 7. Gemma Woolley (9. Ellen Berios ’89), 8. Bella Donaldson (27. Amie Mastop ’79), 10. Bianca Galayini, 13. Helena Berridge, 14. Elin Rosenberg Cemazar, 15. Tamsin Buchanan, 17. Rachel Glendenning, 25. Monique Holder (12. Jess Wootton ’68), 33. Zoe Murdoch
Unused subs: 5. Rhanni Plummer, 19. Portia Berios, 99. Sarah Easthope
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Marconi Stallions: 1. Isabella Sollecito, 2. Shelby Milton, 4. Daniela Brekic, 5. Erinn Cleghorn, 7. Asiyah Zrieka (43. Tsoler Nazarian ’46), 8. Marie Herrera, 10. Hannah Tomelic, 11. Helena Daniele, 16. Pene Bonovas, 18. Laura Malagon Avila, 44. Michaela Rattos (15. Ashley Limnios ’84)
Unused subs: 6. Sarah Urquhart, 13. Charmaine Marquinez, 21. Kiara Fragomeli
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
