Round 5 Review – League One Women’s
Round 5 in the Football NSW League One Women’s competition delivered plenty of action and statements from the contending sides as they continue to find their rhythm and settle on their positions on the ladder. There were six games to check out this weekend headlined by the Match of the Round between St George FC and SD Raiders FC. Let’s get onto the review!
Match of the Round: St George FC 2 defeated by SD Raiders FC 6
SD Raiders FC won 6-2 against St George FC in the Match of the Round at Barton Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Saints will rue a passage right after half-time which cost them after leading 2-1 at the half-time break. Jordan Baker levelled for them in the 18th minute then gave them the lead on the half hour mark with a superb free-kick before they were pegged back in the second half blitz.
For SD Raiders FC, it underlines their spirit taking the win here. Aoife Horgan gave them a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute before they were trailing at the break. Taiana Almeida’s spot kick in the 46th minute alongside goals from Markie Robinson in the 64th and substitute Anjelina Katsoras in the 66th minute and a second from Horgan rounded out the win.
SD Raiders FC buoyed by their win last week, controlled the opening stages and were probing for an opening.
St George FC authored the first chance of the game. Jordan Baker chipped it forward for Aya Seino to fire right at SD Raiders FC custodian Natasha Pentecost.
Markie Robinson produced a wonderful early ball which found Taiana Almeida in stride and the attacker fashioned a shot despite being under heavy pressure.
SD Raiders FC made it 1-0 in the 16th minute. Aoife Horgan roamed free and drilled into the bottom corner.
There was an instant response from St George FC. Seino had another effort straight and Abbey-Rose Cryer hit the side netting.
The Saints equalised in the 18th minute. It was the combination of Baker and Seino again which saw the former thrash home for 1-1.
Next, Almeida showed some good control to keep the ball and drive forward before ballooning an effort over.
The hosts found their groove and were looking to take the lead. Seino had another effort which was taken well by Pentecost.
Seino then glided through the midfield before finding Cryer who hooked an effort across the face of goal.
St George FC completed the turnaround in the 30th minute. Baker produced a stunning curler of a free-kick which kissed the post to make it 2-1 for the hosts.
It was an open game of football between the two sides and chances were building. Caitlin Webster had an effort for St George while Erin Phelan craned wide for SD Raiders FC.
The game had a frantic start to the second half. SD Raiders FC were awarded a penalty for a hand ball and Almeida stepped up to slot home for 2-2 in the 46th minute.
Seino broke the offside trap of the visitors before she directed her effort right at Pentecost in goals.
SD Raiders FC took the lead back in the 59th minute. Sarah Mandile rolled an effort in the corner for 3-2 in a wild game.
There was a goal mouth scramble from a free-kick which no one in green could get a touch before St George FC scrambled it away.
SD Raiders FC made it a two-goal advantage in the 64th minute. Youngster Markie Robinson who had made a habit of scoring, produced a well taken finish for 4-2 from a Mia Mastoris pass.
The visitors made it 5-2 in the 66th minute. It was an instant impact from substitute Anjelina Katsoras who rifled home.
Horgan put the icing on the cake for SD Raiders FC in the 84th minute. She produced a lovely piece of skill before curling into the top corner for 6-2.
Post match, SD Raiders FC coach Samir Al-seblani reflected on another strong second half from his side:
“Yeah, it was a game of two halves really. It was cagey in the first half but we got the job done in the second half. Everyone is willing to put in whether they are starting or coming of the bench which is good.” said Al-seblani
For St George FC coach Mark Greenfield, it was another game where moments cost his side after leading at half-time:
“It was some moments which let us down and were sloppy with the ball. If you do that against a quality side that is what can happen. I don’t think the scoreline reflected how close the game was throughout.” said Greenfield.
MATCH STATS
St George FC 2 (Baker ’17 ’30)
SD Raiders FC 6 (Horgan ’16 ‘84 Almeida ’46 Mandile ’59 Robinson ’64 Katsoras ‘66)
Sunday 29 March 2026
Referee: Luiz Bispo
Assistant Referees: Zhi Li & Xinyi F
St George FC: 1. Stephanie Grimbilios, 6. Sienna Borrill, 7. Tayla Cvetkovski, 8. Abbey-Rose Cryer (23. Maya Harris ’79), 9. Jordan Baker, 10. Janan Codmani, 12. Amelia Dixon, 14. Caitlin Webster (15. Kyla Vanderlaan 55), 16. Aya Seino, 17. Alice Bowles, 19. Eyerus Hillman (13. Denise Justice ’79)
Unused subs: 22. Arabella Penfold, 26. Chiara Cencigh, 29. Maiya Perdikaris, 37. Zara Willoughby
Yellow cards: Bowles ‘69
Red cards: nil
SD Raiders FC: 1. Natasha Pentecost (21. Caitlin Britton ’85), 2. Sharina Harris,3. Mia Mastoris, 6. Jessica Neville, 8. Layne Knight, 9. Aoife Horgan, 10. Taiana Almeida, 14. Sarah Mandile (20. Anjelina Katsoras ’65), 22. Erin Phelan (26. Maya Farrell ’84), 23. Markie Robinson (11. Abuk Nyor ’84), 3. Elana Topalidis
Unused subs: 19. Brittany Duggan, 24. Christina Putrus, 32. Myrna Gewargis
Yellow cards: Neville ’72 Mastoris‘75
Red cards: nil
South Coast Flame FC 3 defeated Blacktown City FC 0
South Coast Flame FC won 3-0 against Blacktown City FC down at Sir Ian McLennan Oval on Saturday afternoon.
The Flame returned to winning ways back at fortress Ian McLennan where they have won all three of their games thus far this season. Shaylee Meehan made it 1-0 for South Coast Flame FC in the 34h minute with a thumping header and the Flame took that single goal lead into the break.
Blacktown City FC looked to find an equaliser and become the first side to take points from the Flame at home but the south coast side held firm. Flame made it 2-0 in the 81st minute from the spot as Abbey Crapp slotted home then Crapp topped it off for 3-0 in 88th minute for a great tonic to last week’s defeat.
Camden Tigers FC 0 drew with Bankstown City Lions FC 0
Camden Tigers FC and Bankstown City Lions FC played out a 0-0 draw at Ron Dine Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
Both sides take a point out of an absorbing contest which saw all players put their bodies on the line to earn the win. The Tigers put together a series of chances across the 90 minutes but couldn’t find a way past Lions keeper Emilija Vidakovic.
This result makes it back-to-back clean sheets for Bankstown City Lions FC which will please coach Ante Covic as they continue to lay a platform for their season. The visitors had their own chances in the game but couldn’t find the back of the net.
Marconi Stallions FC 2 defeated Central Coast Mariners FC 1
Marconi Stallions FC won 2-1 against Central Coast Mariners FC at Marconi Stadium #2 on Sunday afternoon.
The Stallions collected their second win of the season and moved into sixth on the League One Women’s ladder after a spirited win. Pene Bonovas gave the Stallions the lead in the 5th minute with a well taken finish for a 1-0 lead at the break for the hosts.
The job became tougher for the Mariners after the break when Summer Pollard was dismissed in the 54th minute which left them down to 10. Mariners held their own and found an equaliser through substitute Lily Quayle in the 84th minute for 1-1.
There was one final twist left in this see-sawing contest. Marconi Stallions FC surged forward late in the contest and the ball fell to Hannah Voloder who swept home in the 88th minute for 2-1 and spark wild celebrations for the Stallions who got their first win at home for the season.
Blacktown Spartans FC 1 defeated Nepean FC 0
Blacktown Spartans FC won 1-0 against a spirited Nepean FC side at Blacktown Football Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Spartans had to dig deep to secure three points against a Nepean FC side who have been the surprise packet early in the season. Both sides cancelled each other out in the first half and it went to the break at 0-0.
It was an open game in the second half, as both teams chased a winner and keep themselves in the finals spot on the League One Women’s ladder. The winning moment came in the 96th minute for Blacktown Spartans FC when Gemma Woolley tapped home from a superb cross from substitute Rita Boateng to earn the 1-0 win.
Sutherland Strikers FC 0 defeated by Newcastle Jets FC 2
Newcastle Jets FC were 2-0 winners against Sutherland Strikers FC at Harrie Denning Centre on Sunday evening.
The Jets continue to soar at the top of the League One Women’s competition after another big three points in a tough away trip. Aaliyah Kilroy made it 1-0 for the Jets in the 23rd minute for her fourth of the season and give them a 1-0 lead at the break.
Sutherland Strikers FC came out firing in the second half looking for an equaliser, but the Jets defence and keeper Lily-Rose Dunbar kept them out. Substitute Emily Garnett made it 2-0 for the visitors in the 86th minute to confirm the result.
Inter Lions FC had the bye
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
