Round 1 Review – League One Women’s
Round 1 of the Football NSW League One Women’s competition kicked off with a bang, delivering goals, drama and statement performances across a blockbuster Super Sunday. Six sides opened their campaigns with victories in an action-packed start to 2026. Here’s how the opening weekend unfolded.
Match of the Round
Blacktown Spartans FC 6–1 Inter Lions FC – Blacktown Football Park
Blacktown Spartans FC powered to a dominant 6–1 victory over Inter Lions FC, producing a scintillating first-half display to set the tone for their season.
Helena Daniele opened the scoring in the 17th minute, volleying home after a corner wasn’t fully cleared. Gemma Woolley doubled the advantage in the 28th minute following slick interplay with Mikayla Crouch.
Returning star Sheiden Jabour made an immediate impact, striking twice in quick succession in the 42nd and 44th minutes to give the Spartans a commanding 4–0 halftime lead. Woolley grabbed her second in the 62nd minute, while substitute Rita Boateng added the finishing touch in the 86th minute to complete the rout.
Inter Lions had their moments despite being overrun early. New signing Cate Gyzen pulled one back in the 54th minute with a composed finish, and the visitors showed improved energy after the break.
Spartans coach Andrew Ienna was delighted with the performance, saying, “I’m really happy with the girls. We were composed on the ball, defended well and had a fantastic attitude tonight. We’re starting to find our chemistry and need to do this every week now.”
Inter Lions coach John Di Biase admitted his side were second best early. “We picked a bad day not to turn up. We needed a wake-up call halfway through and had a better second half. We made some adjustments but need to improve next weekend.”
The Spartans saw out the match comfortably to bank three points and send an early message to the competition.
Match Stats
Blacktown Spartans FC 6 (Daniele ’17 Woolley ’28 ‘62 Jabour ’42 ’44 Boateng ‘86)
Inter Lions FC 1 (Gyzen ’54)
Sunday 1 March 2026
Blacktown Football Park
Referee: Ella McGarity
Assistant Referees: Hayden Burns & Brendan O’Shea
Blacktown Spartans FC: 1. Alexis Tan (41. Ella Stewart ’87), 2. Ella Morris, 4. Peyton Crye (35. Elizabeth Ha ‘87, 6. Helena Daniele, 8. Holly Pender, 9. Gemma Woolley, 11. Alannah Putica (7. Rita Boateng ’82), 13. Sheiden Jabour (25. Maja Prostran ’61), 16. Deana Caronna, 17. Mikayla Crouch (19. Melina Visser ’61), 20. Mitwarla Mkali
Unused subs: 14. Elaine Panayotopoulous, 38. Rozanna Kalitera
Yellow cards: Jabour ‘48
Red cards: nil
Inter Lions FC: 1. Amy Orphanides, 3. Belinda Anderson-Sharp, 4. Abbey Harrison, 5. Isabella King, 7. Jenny Hughes (22. Charlotte Wood ’82), 8. Ella Martins (15. Ambre Canado ’51), 9. Cate Gyzen, 10. Kiara Coscia (24. Georgina Sarkission ’67), 11. Hannah Charak (23. Mia Micalizzi ’82), 16. Poppy Davidson (18. Aniese Ismail ’67), 17. Heba El Saddik
Unused subs: 12. Anna Ivanovic
Yellow cards: Hughes ’61 Harrison ‘79
Red cards: nil
SD Raiders FC 1–2 Blacktown City FC – Ernie Smith Reserve
Blacktown City FC began their season with an impressive 2–1 win at the notoriously tough Ernie Smith Reserve.
Naomi Carle opened the scoring in the 11th minute before Isabella Rodriguez marked her debut with a goal five minutes later to hand the visitors a 2–0 halftime lead.
A youthful SD Raiders side responded strongly in the second half. Fourteen-year-old Markie Robinson reduced the deficit to 2–1 after a determined run from Abuk Nyor. Despite late pressure, the Raiders were unable to find an equaliser as City secured all three points.
St George FC 1–5 Newcastle Jets FC – Barton Park
Newcastle Jets FC announced themselves in emphatic fashion with a 5–1 victory over St George FC.
Layla Sharp opened the scoring in the seventh minute before Charlee Fahey doubled the lead with a superb long-range strike in the 16th. Aya Seino pulled one back for St George in the 36th minute to make it 2–1 at halftime.
The Jets took control after the break. Aaliyah Kilroy restored the two-goal cushion before Makayla Crofton sealed the result with a clinical brace in the 62nd and 68th minutes to complete a dominant display.
Sutherland Strikers FC 6–3 Central Coast Mariners FC – Harrie Denning Centre
Goals flowed freely as Sutherland Strikers FC edged Central Coast Mariners FC 6–3 in a thrilling contest.
Ella Munro struck inside the opening minute, while Paola Andrea Giraldo Uribe added a brace in the 10th and 18th minutes to make it 3–0. Jaya Bowman pulled one back before halftime to keep the Mariners in the contest.
The Strikers maintained their momentum after the break. Eleonora Daga made it 4–1 before Munro grabbed her second shortly after. Peyton Scollay responded for the Mariners, but Munro completed her hat-trick in the 77th minute. Summer Pollard added a late consolation as the hosts secured an entertaining win.
Marconi Stallions FC 1–3 South Coast Flame FC – Marconi Stadium
South Coast Flame FC came from behind to defeat Marconi Stallions FC 3–1 on the road.
Hannah Voloder gave Marconi the lead in the 36th minute, but Emily Kostovski equalised in first-half stoppage time. Abbey Crapp converted from the penalty spot in the 66th minute to put Flame ahead before Shaylee Meehan sealed the result five minutes later.
Nepean FC 3–0 Bankstown City Lions FC – Jamison Park Field 7
Nepean FC rounded out the weekend with a confident 3–0 victory over Bankstown City Lions FC.
Lania Fili opened the scoring with a header in the 19th minute before Gemma Morgan doubled the advantage nine minutes later. Eden Smith added a third in the 67th minute with a smart finish, completing a composed and encouraging performance to launch Nepean’s 2026 campaign in style.
Bye: Camden Tigers FC
An explosive opening round has set the tone for what promises to be an exciting and fiercely competitive 2026 season in League One Women’s football.
