Round 18 Review – State League Women’s
Another round is in the books and APIA Leichhardt is the sole leader of State League Women’s after more furious action.
Match of the Round: SD Raiders 5 defeated Parramatta FC 0
SD Raiders have got themselves back into winning form after an early goal sent them on the way for a thorough 5-nil victory over Parramatta FC at Ernie Smith Reserve today.
After a lean few weeks of results the Raiders wanted to set the tone early in the contest and there is no better way than putting the ball in the back of the net.
It took 120 seconds and Stephanie Conejeros-Berjerie pounced upon a loose ball around the Parramatta FC box to slam it home for the early 1-nil lead.
Buoyed by the early goal Caterina Moio got herself involved down the right as she laid on a cross for Catherine Cannuli but the former Matilda couldn’t fire home.
Moio had herself a chance in the tenth minute, turned in the box and was unable to keep the shot on target as Paula Julius had a busy afternoon between the sticks for Parramatta.
Cannuli on her lonesome tried several times to catch Julius out of her box but in the first half, she was unable to find the back of the net.
Sarah Bittner was able to add the second in the 28th minute as she was gifted space in the box to turn and shoot past Julius for a comfortable 2-nil lead.
The Raiders tried to further their advantage just before the break through Cannuli who weaved through the Parramatta FC defense but slid her shot wide.
After the break it was more of the same as Cannuli tried to tee up her team mates but the Parramatta defense held well to keep it at 2-nil.
In the rare chances they had to get forward, Parramatta went close. A nice passing move got them a set piece corner but Katelyn Ney lept high enough to touch the ball away and keep the clean sheet.
Her acrobatics was rewarded in the 59th minute as Bittner once again was tenacious in defense to win the ball and finished well for 3-nil.
Cannuli had her long range efforts off target for the opening hour but found her range in the 61st minute as arguably the most difficult effort was volleyed home to make it four.
Following her goal Cannuli attempted to add to her goal tally as she tested Julius several times.
It was a neat interplay though that gave her a brace that left Cannuli one-on-one with the keeper and smashed it home for the final goal.
Parramatta FC refused to give in though, as Taylor Pepper tried an audacious chip of Ney but she scrambled well to earn a vital clean sheet.
Afterwards Catherine Cannuli was pleased to get back into the winner’s circle.
"It was really good to get the three points to get in high spirits before we have some tough matches incoming which start on Wednesday next week.
"I was trying hard and couldn’t get the easy ones but in the end, a goal is a goal" finished Cannuli on her own performance.
Enrico Biasucci for Parramatta FC was proud of his girls effort despite missing several regular members of their squad.
"I was quite happy with how the girls played especially with six girls backing up from reserve grade. We were tight defensively but unfortunately we don’t have numbers to do better this season" added Biasucci.
MATCH STATS
SD Raiders 5 (Conejeros-Berjerie ‘2, Bittner ’28 and ’59 and Cannuli ’61 and ’87)
BITTNER Sarah, HAMMOUD Sasha, D’MELLO Rhea(MUSSETT ’45), MOIO Caterina(NGAUORA ‘ ), HANKIN Brooke, MONTI Nicole, CANNULI Catherine, KROPE Courtney(HASSANI ‘ ), NEY Katelyn, CONEJEROS-BERJERIE Stephanie and IGNJATOVIC Natalia
Yellow card: BITTNER
Parramatta FC 0
KAPADIA Rajvi, THOMSON Karen, ISSAC Margaret, COLOSIMO Alexandra, FANETTA Stacey, PEPPER Taylor, CALTANIDE Loredana, BIASUCCI Laura, BROWN Sheldan, O’SULLIVAN Eryn(ERCIL ’45) and JULIUS Paula
Gladesville Ravens 1 defeated by UNSW Lions 2
UNSW Lions firmed their third position on the ladder with a tough 2-1 victory at Peel Park this afternoon.
Amanda Amberg gave them the perfect start after she finished off a delightful cross from Georgia Goulding for 1-nil.
Gladesville Ravens hung tough and equalised just before the break as Isabella Breukelaar slotted the ball home.
It would the Lions who would take the three points though as Danielle Abel found the net for the visitors.
Afterwards Renato Jelen was happy his Lions stuck to their gameplan and eventually got the result they desired tonight.
APIA Leichhardt Tigers 2 defeated Western NSW Mariners 1
APIA Leichhardt prevailed in a real arm wrestle between the top two sides in State League Women’s.
The home side shot out to a two goal lead thanks to super striker Dana Buttigieg and a 6th minute strike from Christina Ferreyra.
Western NSW set up a grandstand finish when Kayla Steeden found the net in the 75th minute.
APIA held on for a vital three points but there is no doubt these two sides will meet again this season.
Washed out: St George FC vs Mt Druitt Town Rangers
By Justin Davies, State League Women’s reporter
