Round 10 Review – State League Women’s

In rain interrupted round, only one game from round 10 the Women’s State League was played as APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC welcomed Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC to Lambert Park.

APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC vs Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC

In what promised to be an exciting game, Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC made the trip out to face top of the table APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC who were looking to continue their unbeaten start to the year.

In cold and misty conditions APIA settled the quicker as they looked to dominate possession.

Mt Druitt looked to press high as they attempted to unsettle APIA out of their passing rhythm.

The first chance of the game though fell to APIA as a whipped ball from the right went across the face of the Mt Druitt goal with Rachelle Wang unable to stretch quite enough to divert the ball  goal-wards at the back post.

APIA’s pressure soon brought two more early chances as first Dana Buttigieg saw her shot slide wide after being slid through before Wang saw her effort well saved by Mt Druitt keeper Jessica Broadfoot. Eventually though APIA did take the lead as in the 13 minute a great cross from the right was well met by Lucy Gilfedder who placed her volley past Broadfoot in the Mt Druitt goals to give APIA a deserved 1-0 lead.

APIA continued to push as they went in search of a second as Mt Druitt began to be stretched. Mt Druitt’s first shot on goal did not occur until the 15 minute mark as Jessica Thorley tried her luck from 25 yards but her shot was straight down the throat of the APIA keeper.

APIA moments later were inches away from doubling their lead as Christina Ferreyra saw her shot come back off the post. Ferreyra though did not have to wait long to get her name on the scoresheet as in the 23rd minute she doubled APIA’s lead after pouncing on her initial shot which was well saved before he was able to put away the rebound.

Mt Druitt to their credit continued to push as Thorley up front provided their biggest threat as she saw not her one of her shots fly just over the APIA goal. APIA as they have done all year punished an unfortunate slip by the Mt Druitt defender as Ferreyra scored her second of the game as her finish high into the Mt Druitt net enabled APIA to take a 3-0 lead into halftime.

Mt Druitt needed a quick response at the start of the second half if they were to get back into the contest and they duly delivered as Thorley finished smartly in the 50th minute to make the score 3-1 and give Mt Druitt a glimmer of hope of possibly getting back into the contest. Mt Druitt continued to press for a second but APIA held firm and in the 65th minute APIA put the result beyond doubt as Buttigieg diss possessed the Mt Druitt defender before finishing clinically into the top corner.

The game somewhat petered out after this as Mt Druitt could not find a way through a resolute APIA defence. A couple of late goals to substitutes Claire Kartambis and Nicole Carmichael added some gloss to the scoreline for APIA as they ran out 6-1 victors.

Mt Druitt coach Danny Abboud conceded his side struggled to compete with a well organised and clinical  APIA for the full 90 minutes.

APIA coach Matteo Maiorana even though pleased with the win, was disappointed with the overall performance of his team,

"It was another game that I thought we dominated in large parts but our execution tonight was extremely poor.

“Now the team must refocus on the massive clash next weekend versus rivals SD Raiders".

Match Stats

APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC 6 (Lucy Gilfedder 6′, Christina Ferreyra 23′,33′, Dana Buttigieg 65′, Claire Kartambis 87′, Nicole Carmichael 88′)

Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC 1 (Jessica Thorley 50′)

Sunday 11th of June 7pm, Lambert Park

APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC: 16. Jennifer Bennett, 3. Dana Buttigieg,( Kim Cozens 70′) 8. Carla Canini  5. Olivia Cicco, 9. Christina Ferreyra, 6. Lucy Gilfedder, 2. Stephanie Glanville-Fyfe, 12. Madeline Latham ( Nicole Carmichael 55′), 20. Raymond Gillian, 4. Samantha Scarlato, 11. Rachelle Wang ( Claire Kartambis 79′)

Substitutes not used: 29. Dionei King

Yellow Cards: 3. Dana Buttigieg 70′

Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC: 2. Kaitlin Allan, 1. Jessica Broadfoot, 8. Alexandria Colosimo, 6. Brooke Conroy, 7. Lisa Fressard, 9. Diama Lombardo, 5. Semira Tanea, 14. Jessica Thorley, 12. Stefanie Trovato, 2. Rebecca Valiente ( Ashleigh Krenich 79′) 4. Katherine Bacha,

Substitutes not used: 3. Brittany Duggan, 33. Katie Wellfare, 27. Stephanie Lagudi, 19. Izzy Lamalfa

Yellow Cards: 6. Brooke Conroy 71′ 

-By Sebastian Kalos