Round 20 Review – State League Women’s
The destination of the premiership is almost decided as APIA Leichhardt have one hand on the trophy but there were still positions to play for in a tense round of State League.
Match of the Round: SD Raiders 0 drew with Western NSW Mariners 0
In a tense affair out this afternoon between the teams placed 2nd and 4th as neither team could find the winner so they had to settle for a point each.
It was a semi final atmosphere at Ernie Smith Reserve as both teams got stuck into their work early and the ball was played between the two midfields trying to gain the advantage.
Experienced midfielder Catherine Cannuli took the first shot of the game as she took on defenders and cut it back for Caterina Moio who sliced her chance wide.
Raiders once again created an opening when Brooke Hankin’s header found Moio into space again but her volley was off target.
Mariners worked themselves into the contest well and forward Brianna Trappett produced a magnificent save from Raiders keeper Karina Moodley.
Moodley pulled off a string of impressive saves in the first half to keep the Raiders well in the contest. Her fingetip push onto the bar from Teegan Courtney’s effort just before the break the highlight.
Cannuli had a handful of chances in the half but the best came from the set piece. Mariners keeper Jess Daymond got into the action as she tipped the free-kick over to keep us deadlocked.
Kayla Steeden was the engine in the midfield for the Mariners and saw a volley whistle past the post as the visitors racked up the corners.
Neither side could break the deadlock and we headed into the break 0-0. Trappett had a chance four minutes after the break to test Moodley but the keeper was quick off her line.
Courtney again tested Moodley in the 55th minute with a rasping shot but the keeper once again stood tall to maintain her clean sheet.
A pair of chances for Steeden gave the Mariners their best chance of the second half but the winger couldn’t stab home to create the goal.
As the game opened up due to the tiredness and both sides seeking a winner the chances came thick and fast as SD Raiders threw on Georgia Klapos to chase the three points.
Neither team were able to find the crucial winner and the points were shared in a tense contest which was a pre-cursor to a likely finals match up between the two sides.
Raiders coach Catherine Cannuli was frustrated in not taking all three points.
"It was very frustrating as I thought we were the better team but Mariners a physical team and took it to us today."
‘We just couldn’t find the back of the net in a tough 90 minutes" finished Cannuli.
Mariners coach Michael Godbier was proud of the effort in a testing weekend.
"It was a real arm wrestle especially after our catch up game yesterday but I couldn’t be prouder of the girls out there today.
"We had our chances and some players out but we don’t make any excuses. Our finishing is something we can work on but creating chances is a positive." Added Godbier.
MATCH STATS
SD Raiders 0
MOODLEY Karrinda, HAMMOUD Sasha, D’MELLO Rhea, MOIO Caterina(BITTNER ’64), HANKIN Brooke, CARIDAD Dominique, MONTI Nicole(KLAPOS 71), CANNULI Catherine, KROPE Courtney, CONEJEROS-BERJERIE Stephanie and IGNJATOVIC Natalia
Subs not used: NGAUORA Helena, MUSSETT Jami-Lee and ACOSTA Erica
Western NSW Mariners 0
DAYMOND Jessica, ARMSTRONG Alyssa, MEADLEY Annabel, COLLINGRIDGE Kristy, STEEDEN Kayla, GODBIER Kya, TEEGAN Courtney, TRAPPETT Brianna, LLOYD Tayla, COLMAN Sarah(LANHAM ’45) and SALOMONI Jessica
Subs not used: MORRIS Sarah and WHITTY Brooke
Parramatta FC 1 drew with UNSW Lions 1
It was a long wait but also satisfying as Parramata FC picked up their first points of the season at home this afternoon.
Yadira Renfigo was on hand to score her fourth game of the season for the home side as they got reward for their effort across the season.
UNSW Lions were down on troops but didn’t use that as an excuse as they equalised but weren’t able to find a winner to take advantage of SD Raiders drawing.
The result confirms the Lions can’t finish any higher than third position and face an elimination final in the first week of the finals.
Gladesville Ravens 5 defeated Mt Druitt Town Rangers 1
Gladesville signed off their final home game of the season with a convincing five goals to one victory against the lowly Mt Druitt side.
Paige Vansaarloos picked up a brace in the first half before she completed the hat-trick just after the break in a starring performance for the Ravens.
Isabella Breukelaar and Alex Beattie added the other two goals in a performance that coach John Cook will hope can carry over into the next season.
For Mt Druitt they got on the scoreboard with Nubia Lopez rewarded for her endless energy for the team with a goal.
St George FC 0 defeated by APIA Leichhardt Tigers 1
APIA Leichhardt have one hand on the premiership after a battling 1-nil victory away at St George Stadium this afternoon.
Erin Clout got the sole strike of the contest in the 85th minute to give themselves a two point buffer over the chasing Western NSW Mariners.
St George FC battled hard but weren’t able to find a way to unlock a stout APIA defense as they kept a second straight clean sheet.
By Justin Davies, State League Women’s reporter
