Round 24 Review – League One Women’s
Round 24 in the Football NSW League One Women’s competition saw SD Raiders FC crowned Premiers on Saturday afternoon, while the battle for the top four continued to heat up heading into the final turn of the season.
With just two rounds remaining, there is plenty still to play for across the competition.
Let’s get onto the review!
Match of the Round: SD Raiders FC 2-0 Central Coast Mariners FC
SD Raiders FC capped off their Premiership-winning day in style with a 2-0 victory over Central Coast Mariners FC at Ernie Smith Reserve on Saturday afternoon.
Taiana Almeida opened the scoring in the 27th minute with a well-taken finish before Sophia Furia doubled the advantage in the 49th minute to put the hosts firmly in control.
For the Mariners, they fought until the final whistle, with Peyton Scollay creating a pair of chances while Teagan Jones and Matilda Gallagher were also heavily involved for the visitors.
Central Coast will now look to bounce back when they face Inter Lions FC next week.
SD Raiders FC and Central Coast Mariners FC walked onto a shining Ernie Smith Reserve to kick off a big double-header weekend for the hosts.
It was the visitors who created the first opportunity, with Teagan Jones trying her luck from range, but her effort fizzed over the bar.
SD Raiders responded with a well-timed ball over the top into the path of Sophia Furia, who forced Mariners goalkeeper Kyara O’Brien into a save in the 21st minute.
The hosts began to find their rhythm, with Taiana Almeida having an early effort that almost wrong-footed O’Brien.
Next, Jessica Neville floated in a free-kick that found Furia at the back post, but she thrashed her effort over the crossbar.
SD Raiders eventually made it 1-0 in the 27th minute.
Some superb skill from Almeida opened up the path to goal, with the striker producing a composed finish to put the hosts on the path to the Premiership.
They picked up where they left off in the second half, with Furia driving towards goal before whipping her effort into the back of the net to make it 2-0 in the 49th minute.
Almeida then looked to put an exclamation mark on the result, dancing into the box before seeing her effort curl narrowly wide.
The Mariners continued to fight for a way back into the contest.
Scollay released Matilda Gallagher, who attempted to chip SD Raiders goalkeeper Natasha Pentecost, but the keeper remained composed to deny the opportunity.
SD Raiders continued to push forward, with Abigail Boag slicing an effort over before turning provider with a free-kick that found Almeida, whose header went wide.
The visitors almost pulled a goal back in the 70th minute when Scollay was threaded through, but her effort drifted wide.
SD Raiders saw out the remaining time with ease before the final whistle sparked wild celebrations for the side who had officially claimed the League One Women’s Premiership.
Post-match, an emotional SD Raiders coach Samir Al-Seblani reflected on a mammoth achievement for his side.
“The girls have deserved it. It’s been a long year but gone by quite quickly really. I came in a week before the season started, so it’s been quicker for me,” Al-Seblani said.
“They have been fighting for it for the last few years and I had the best seat in the house to see them make it to NPL Women’s football.”
Match Stats
SD Raiders FC 2 (Almeida 27’, Furia 49’)
Central Coast Mariners FC 0
Saturday 8 August 2026
Ernie Smith Reserve
Referee: Alana Zic
Assistant Referees: Callum Isaacs & Dan Phan
SD Raiders FC: 1. Natasha Pentecost, 2. Sharina Harris, 6. Jessica Neville, 7. Abigail Boag (14. Sarah Mandile 74’), 8. Layne Knight, 9. Aoife Horgan (37. Georgia Alexis 90+1’), 10. Taiana Almeida, 13. Sophia Furia (34. Mia Stanmore 90+1’), 19. Brittany Duggan, 22. Erin Phelan (26. Maya Farrell 89’), 39. Shayla Malouf (15. Madeleine Malone 45’).
Unused subs: 21. Caitlin Britton, 24. Christina Putrus.
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Central Coast Mariners FC: 1. Kyara O’Brien, 2. Briana Myers, 3. Teagan Jones, 4. Ruth Hosie, 6. Amber Ford, 7. Matilda Gallagher (15. Olivia Burgess 67’), 9. Peyton Scollay, 10. Summer Pollard, 11. Chloe Cattley, 17. Isabella Beresford (27. Isabella Nicolussi 67’), 22. Ava Moller.
Unused subs: 5. Jorja Roach, 31. Kara Bloomfield, 37. Alannah Evans.
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
South Coast Flame FC 0-1 Bankstown City Lions FC
Bankstown City Lions FC secured a 1-0 victory over South Coast Flame FC at Sir Ian McLennan Park on Saturday night.
The Lions picked up their first win since Round 18 and dealt a massive blow to South Coast Flame’s finals hopes heading into the final fortnight.
The first half was a tight tussle, with neither team able to find a breakthrough as the sides went into the break locked at 0-0.
Both teams threw everything at each other in search of three points in the second half, with the decisive goal eventually arriving in the 74th minute.
Bankstown City substitute Krystallia Kallidakis scored a well-taken goal to make it 1-0, with the visitors holding out to secure the important victory.
Newcastle Jets FC 2-1 Camden Tigers FC
Newcastle Jets FC continued their push towards finals football with a 2-1 victory over Camden Tigers FC at Hunter City Motor Group Stadium on Sunday night.
The Jets continue their flight towards finals football with another solid win on their home turf.
Newcastle made it 1-0 in the 32nd minute through Makayla Clifton, who was restored to the starting lineup, and they held their lead until half-time.
The Jets doubled their advantage in the 65th minute through Mackenzie Preston-Poole, who continues her purple patch of form.
Camden pulled a goal back in the 86th minute through Eliza Pereira, setting up a tense finish, but Newcastle held on for the 2-1 victory.
Blacktown City FC 3-6 Inter Lions FC
Inter Lions FC produced an impressive 6-3 victory over Blacktown City FC at Landen Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
It was an impressive win for Inter Lions, who continue to look to finish the season strongly.
Blacktown City took the lead in the 12th minute through Layla Hamden, but Inter Lions equalised in the 34th minute through Cate Gyzen.
The visitors completed the turnaround in the 44th minute, with Hannah Charak firing home to make it 2-1.
Inter then took control, with Gyzen scoring in the 51st and 67th minutes to complete her hat-trick and make it 4-1.
Substitute Ambre Canado made it 5-1 in the 74th minute with her maiden goal for the club.
Blacktown City fought back through two substitutes, with Sarah Lievano and Hayley Reynolds finding the back of the net to reduce the deficit to 5-3.
Inter Lions would have the final say, with former Blacktown City player Jenny Hughes rounding off the display in the 93rd minute to make it 6-3.
Inter Lions returned to the winner’s circle in impressive fashion.
Nepean FC 0-2 St George FC
St George FC secured back-to-back victories with a 2-0 win over Nepean FC at Jamison Park Field 1 on Sunday evening.
The Saints continued their strong end-of-season form against a dogged Nepean side, with the two teams unable to be separated during the first half.
St George eventually broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute through Jordan Baker to make it 1-0.
Substitute Jaslyn Moore then made an immediate impact after coming onto the field, scoring in the 86th minute to make it 2-0 and seal the result for the visitors.
Blacktown Spartans FC 0-2 Sutherland Strikers FC
Sutherland Strikers FC moved to within two points of a League One Women’s top-four position with a 2-0 victory over Blacktown Spartans FC at Blacktown Football Park on Sunday night.
It was an action-packed start from Sutherland, who scored both of their goals inside the opening 10 minutes.
Ebony Freeman opened the scoring in the second minute before Ella Munro doubled the advantage just five minutes later to make it 2-0.
The Strikers took their two-goal advantage into half-time and then saw out the second half professionally to secure three valuable points.
With just two rounds remaining, Sutherland remain firmly in the hunt for a finals position.
Marconi Stallions FC had the bye.
-By Justin Davies
