Round 18 Review – League One Women’s
Round 18 in the Football NSW League One Women’s competition delivered another fantastic weekend of footballing action, with plenty of goals, drama and excitement.
There were six games to review from Sunday, headlined by the Match of the Round between Blacktown City FC and South Coast Flame FC.
Let’s get into the review!
Match of the Round: Blacktown City FC 1 defeated by South Coast Flame FC 3
South Coast Flame FC won 3-1 against Blacktown City FC in their contest at Landen Stadium on Sunday evening.
Blacktown City FC were competitive against a top-four side, with Ava Luburic equalising in the 17th minute to make it 1-1 before they were ultimately overpowered by the Flame attack. They also struck the bar earlier through Molly Reckless.
South Coast Flame FC produced a commanding performance to move into third on the League One Women’s ladder. Shaylee Meehan opened the scoring in the 8th minute, Emily Kostovski made it 2-1 before half-time in the 31st minute, and substitute Cristina Barraza sealed the win with a brilliant strike in the 59th minute for 3-1.
The Flame struck first in the 8th minute when Sariah Wilson laid it off for Shaylee Meehan to fire home.
The hosts almost responded immediately, with Molly Reckless rattling the bar before Jaime Clarke reacted quickest and also struck the crossbar.
The Flame then went close again from an errant pass, with Emily Kostovski latching onto it and firing her effort wide.
Blacktown City FC equalised in the 17th minute through strong work from Rhea D’Mello, who broke into the box and cut it back for Ava Luburic to make it 1-1.
Layla Hamdan was a livewire for Blacktown City FC, with a corner falling to her, but she fired her effort wide.
South Coast Flame FC restored their lead in the 31st minute, as a well-weighted pass found Kostovski inside the box and she rifled home for 2-1.
The visitors started the second half strongly, with substitute Cristina Barraza firing just wide shortly after coming on.
The Flame continued to create openings, with Meehan unable to direct a shot after another slick attacking move.
Chrystal Duggan then released Wilson, who was denied by a strong save from Blacktown City FC goalkeeper Amy Harkin.
South Coast Flame FC added a third in the 59th minute when a recycled corner fell to Barraza, who thrashed the ball home for 3-1.
Substitute Caley Tallon-Henniker later drove forward and tested Harkin, who gathered well.
Alexis Malizis then delivered from a set piece, curling in a free-kick that Harkin tipped over.
The Flame nearly added a fourth, with Barraza finding Tallon-Henniker, whose shot flashed across goal, before substitute Abbey Crapp struck the right post.
South Coast Flame FC saw out the remainder of the match comfortably to secure three points and move into third place on the ladder.
Match Stats
Blacktown City FC 1 (Luburic 17’)
South Coast Flame FC 3 (Meehan 8’, Kostovski 31’, Barraza 59’)
Sunday 28 June 2026
Landen Stadium
Blacktown City FC: 1. Amy Harkin, 3. Paris Kambouris, 4. Nicola Ciocca, 5. Molly Reckless, 8. Nyssa Castillo (34. Naomi Carle 76’), 9. Layla Hamden (7. Amber Precious 45’), 11. Rhea D’Mello (19. Isabella Rodrique 67’), 12. Jaime Clarke, 13. Ana-Liese Lobos, 18. Kalize Jarvis (6. Kahtia Bedano 67’), 26. Ava Luburic (30. Courtney Kitching 84’)
Unused subs: 29. Briana Tinney, 50. Samantha Edwards
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil
South Coast Flame FC: 1. Sophie Emery, 2. Chrystal Duggan, 4. Alexis Malizis, 6. Abigail Jordan (10. Cristina Barraza 45’), 7. Shaylee Meehan (17. Caley Tallon-Henniker 54’), 8. Lara Dipple, 11. Emily Kostovski (33. Bessie Riethmuller 74’), 12. Sariah Wilson (15. Abbey Crapp 67’), 16. Amanda Radmilo (13. Jessie Abbott 67’), 20. Molly Lawless, 47. Amie Mastop
Unused subs: 5. Ruby Blanch, 21. Stacey Ellis
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil
Newcastle Jets FC 0 defeated by Sutherland Strikers FC 1
Sutherland Strikers FC won 1-0 against Newcastle Jets FC at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility on Sunday afternoon.
The Strikers made it back-to-back wins and continue their push for a top-four spot, becoming only the second side to win in the Hunter. The decisive goal came from Ella Munro to secure a 1-0 victory.
The result dents Newcastle Jets FC’s top-four hopes as their form has started to dip in recent weeks. They will look to bounce back next weekend when they face Inter Lions FC at home.
SD Raiders FC 2 defeated St George FC 0
SD Raiders FC won 2-0 against St George FC at Ernie Smith Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts returned to the winner’s circle with a solid home performance. SD Raiders FC opened the scoring in the 18th minute when Taiana Almeida found Aoife Horgan inside the box, and she fired home for a 1-0 half-time lead.
St George FC tried to find a way back into the contest and applied pressure, but the SD Raiders FC defence held firm.
Abigail Boag sealed the win in the 87th minute with a superb free-kick that curled into the back of the net for 2-0.
Bankstown City Lions FC 4 defeated Camden Tigers FC 1
Bankstown City Lions FC won 4-1 against Camden Tigers FC at Jensen Park on Sunday night.
The Lions claimed a valuable three points against a stubborn Tigers defence. Hannah Al Koudmani opened the scoring in the 4th minute for 1-0, before Stephanie Ambrose made it 2-0 in the 39th minute to give them a half-time lead.
Bankstown City Lions FC continued their scoring form in the second half, with Crystal Woods making it 3-0 in the 61st minute. Chloe Hain pulled one back for Camden Tigers FC in the 74th minute.
Substitute Yasmene Placer rounded off the win in the 86th minute with a well-taken finish for 4-1. It was the hosts’ first win since Round 12 and moves them up the ladder.
Nepean FC 0 drew with Blacktown Spartans FC 0
Nepean FC and Blacktown Spartans FC played out a 0-0 draw at Jamison Park Field 1 on Sunday afternoon.
It was a point that does little for either side in their push for a top-four finish in a physical contest. Both teams started quickly but could not find the breakthrough and went into half-time at 0-0.
Both sides continued to push in the second half in search of a winner, but the match ended in a stalemate. Both coaches will take positives from a clean sheet.
Other
Central Coast Mariners FC vs Marconi Stallions FC was washed out
Inter Lions FC had the bye
By Justin Davies
