Round 23 in the Football NSW League One Women’s competition delivered another dramatic weekend of action, with the finals race becoming clearer as clubs continue to battle for crucial points.

There were six matches played across Sunday, with plenty of twists and turns headlined by the Match of the Round between Marconi Stallions FC and Newcastle Jets FC.

Let’s get onto the review!

Match of the Round: Marconi Stallions FC 3-4 Newcastle Jets FC

Newcastle Jets FC produced a stunning comeback victory, defeating Marconi Stallions FC 4-3 at Marconi Stadium #2 on Sunday night in a thrilling Match of the Round contest.

The Jets were stunned early, trailing 3-0 at half-time after a dominant opening period from the Stallions.

However, Newcastle produced an incredible second-half turnaround, with Mackenzie Preston-Poole completing her hat-trick and substitute Olivia Cole scoring the decisive goal in the 80th minute to seal a crucial three points.

The victory marked back-to-back wins for the Jets and strengthened their position inside the League One Women’s top four.

Preston-Poole was the star of the contest, scoring in the 18th, 48th and 70th minutes, while an early own goal helped the visitors secure the result.

Both sides entered the contest knowing the importance of the occasion, with the fixture shaping as a potential finals preview.

The Jets made the perfect start, opening the scoring in the third minute.

A corner was delivered into the penalty area, with Sunny Alston rising highest to head home and give Newcastle an early advantage.

Buoyed by the goal, Alston continued to threaten, firing an effort straight at Marconi goalkeeper Elizabeth Kerkham shortly afterwards.

Marconi created their first opportunity from a set piece, with Pene Bonovas delivering a dangerous free-kick that landed comfortably in the hands of Jets goalkeeper Lily-Rose Dunbar.

Newcastle doubled their advantage in the 18th minute through Preston-Poole.

The previous week’s match-winner turned brilliantly inside the penalty area before unleashing a powerful strike into the back of the net to make it 2-0.

The Stallions searched for a response, with Elana Lekov and Daniela Brekic both testing Newcastle from distance.

However, the Jets continued to create the better chances, with Ruby Murray turning inside the penalty area before seeing her effort saved by Kerkham.

Newcastle remained dangerous going forward, producing a slick attacking move that ended with Preston-Poole firing narrowly wide.

Marconi goalkeeper Kerkham was called upon late in the first half, producing an excellent save to deny Alston and keep the deficit at two goals heading into the break.

The Jets started the second half strongly and extended their advantage in the 48th minute.

Preston-Poole produced another brilliant individual effort, weaving through the Stallions defence before firing home for 3-0.

However, Marconi responded immediately.

A dangerous corner delivery caused problems in the Newcastle defence, with Charmaine Marquinez reacting quickest to finish and reduce the deficit to 3-1 in the 50th minute.

Just three minutes later, the comeback was well and truly on.

Marquinez produced another excellent finish, spinning away from her marker before finding the back of the net to make it 3-2.

The momentum had shifted, with Marconi pushing forward in search of an equaliser.

Erinn Cleghorn created another dangerous opportunity, forcing Dunbar into two important saves to keep Newcastle ahead.

Preston-Poole had a chance to restore the two-goal advantage but fired over from inside the box.

She would not make the same mistake twice.

In the 70th minute, Lara Turner delivered a perfectly weighted ball into the path of Preston-Poole, who finished clinically to complete her hat-trick and make it 4-2.

The Stallions continued fighting and set up a dramatic finish in the 80th minute.

Mary Hussain delivered an excellent ball into the box, finding substitute Olivia Cole, who calmly finished to make it 4-3.

Marconi threw everything forward in the closing stages, creating several opportunities from set pieces, but Newcastle’s defence held firm to secure a memorable comeback victory.

Following the match, Marconi Stallions coach Michael Beauchamp praised his side’s character despite the defeat.

“They showed true grit again. In the past we have got away with it, but couldn’t tonight, even though I thought a point would have been fair,” Beauchamp said.

“It was great to see [Tania] Baban back out there after her injury and she gave the girls a lift.”

Newcastle Jets coach Jamie Dunning reflected on a hard-fought result.

“It was a mental game. We held on a bit towards the end and probably made it harder than we needed to, but got three points,” Dunning said.

“The girls have taken in what we need to do and it has been a fantastic last six or seven weeks for us.”

Match Stats

Marconi Stallions FC 3 (Marquinez 50’, 53’, Cole 80’)
Newcastle Jets FC 4 (OG 3’, Preston-Poole 18’, 48’, 70’)

Here is Part 2 completing the edited Football NSW League One Women’s Round 23 Review.

Central Coast Mariners FC 3-3 Blacktown Spartans FC

Central Coast Mariners FC and Blacktown Spartans FC shared the points in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon.

The result is a setback for Blacktown Spartans’ push for a League One Women’s top-four position, while the Mariners showed tremendous character to complete a remarkable comeback.

The visitors looked in complete control during the opening half, racing to a 3-0 lead.

Rita Boateng opened the scoring in the 25th minute before Alannah Putica doubled the advantage just one minute later.

Gemma Woolley then added a third in the 38th minute, giving the Spartans a commanding lead heading into the break.

However, Central Coast responded brilliantly after half-time.

Substitute Isabella Nicolussi reduced the deficit in the 56th minute, giving the Mariners hope of a comeback.

That momentum continued, with Matilda Gallagher making it 3-2 in the 75th minute.

Just two minutes later, Summer Pollard completed the comeback, scoring a well-taken equaliser to secure a valuable point for the yellow and navy.

Central Coast Mariners FC 3 (Nicolussi 56’, Gallagher 75’, Pollard 77’)
Blacktown Spartans FC 3 (Boateng 25’, Putica 26’, Woolley 38’)

Camden Tigers FC 2-0 Blacktown City FC

Camden Tigers FC continued their strong finish to the season with a 2-0 victory over Blacktown City FC at Ron Dine Reserve on Sunday afternoon.

The Tigers produced another strong home performance against a determined Blacktown City outfit, with both sides unable to break the deadlock during an even opening half.

Camden eventually found the breakthrough in the 53rd minute through Eliza Pereira, who gave the hosts the lead.

Just four minutes later, Sydney Mikes doubled the advantage to make it 2-0.

The Tigers managed the remainder of the contest well to secure another valuable three points and continue their positive end to the season.

Camden Tigers FC 2 (Pereira 53’, Mikes 57’)
Blacktown City FC 0

Sutherland Strikers FC 0-3 SD Raiders FC

SD Raiders FC continued their Premiership charge with a convincing 3-0 victory over Sutherland Strikers FC at Harrie Dening Centre on Sunday afternoon.

The result extended the Raiders’ advantage at the top of the table to five points, with the league leaders producing a strong performance against a Strikers side that entered the contest in good form.

Golden Boot leader Taiana Almeida opened the scoring in the 26th minute, netting her 23rd goal of the season to give SD Raiders the lead at the break.

The visitors continued their dominance after half-time, with Aoife Horgan scoring a well-taken goal in the 58th minute to make it 2-0.

Horgan completed her brace deep into stoppage time, finishing in the 93rd minute to seal a comfortable 3-0 victory.

Sutherland Strikers FC 0
SD Raiders FC 3 (Almeida 26’, Horgan 58’, 93’)

Nepean FC 1-4 South Coast Flame FC

South Coast Flame FC produced an important 4-1 victory over Nepean FC at Jamison Park Field #1 on Sunday afternoon, moving themselves into third position on the League One Women’s ladder.

The Flame made a fast start, with Shaylee Meehan opening the scoring in the seventh minute before doubling her tally just 10 minutes later.

Nepean responded in the 26th minute through Eden Smith, who swept home to reduce the deficit to 2-1 heading into the break.

However, South Coast restored their two-goal advantage in the second half through Abbey Crapp in the 67th minute.

Meehan then completed her hat-trick in the 78th minute, sealing a 4-1 victory and a major boost to the Flame’s hopes of securing their first finals appearance.

Nepean FC 1 (Smith 26’)
South Coast Flame FC 4 (Meehan 7’, 17’, 78’, Crapp 67’)

Inter Lions FC 0-3 St George FC

St George FC secured a morale-boosting 3-0 victory over Inter Lions FC at Majors Bay Reserve on Sunday night.

The Saints produced a strong performance as they look to finish the League One Women’s season on a positive note during the final month of the campaign.

St George opened the scoring in the 33rd minute through Kyla Vanderlaan, who gave the visitors a 1-0 lead heading into the break.

The Saints continued to push after half-time, with substitute Jordan Baker making an immediate impact off the bench by scoring in the 83rd minute.

Caitlin Webster then completed the victory deep into stoppage time, finding the back of the net in the 93rd minute to secure a comprehensive 3-0 result.

Inter Lions FC 0
St George FC 3 (Vanderlaan 33’, Baker 83’, Webster 93’)

Bankstown City Lions FC had the bye.

By Justin Davies