Round 25 Review – League One Women’s
Round 25 was another electric edition of the League One Womens competition as the season enters the final chapter.
There were late winners, comebacks and maiden wins in the eight games across the weekend in eight wonderful contests.
Let’s get onto the review!
Match of the Round: Gladesville Ravens 0 defeated by Northbridge Bulls FC 0
Northbridge Bulls FC strengthened their hold on third spot in their 2-0 win over leaders Gladesville Ravens on Sunday night at Christie Park.
The Ravens weren’t at their usual fluid best and weren’t able to find a way past the solid Bulls defence on this occasion. Gladesville Ravens do remain at the top of the League One Womens ladder despite the defeat on Sunday night.
For Northbridge Bulls FC, it is another big milestone on their winning streak which has them in a prime spot to play finals football. Goals from Evelyn Chronis and Tamires Souza in the first half were enough to take all three points.
Two sides that should feature in the finals headed out onto a crisp Artic Circle for an important clash for both as points have become a premium in the final six weeks of the competition.
Northbridge Bulls FC got off to the perfect start when they led 1-0 after three minutes. Cate Gyzen had the initial effort which hit the bottom of the post and fell to Evelyn Chronis to chip home for the visitors to lead.
It was double delight for Northbridge Bulls FC in the 12th minute. Again, it started from a shot that hit the woodwork, this time from Tessa Clout then Tamires Souza was there to head home for 2-0 and the perfect start.
Full of confidence, Gyzen was close to making it three for Northbridge soon after. She burst into the box with another well-timed run but thrashed her effort wide of the post.
Gladesville Ravens took time to settle into the game and weren’t at their usual fluid best against the structured defence of the Bulls.
Georgia Vlangos had their first real effort when she sent a free-kick into the box which wasn’t going to trouble Bulls custodian Trudy Burke as it drifted wide.
The Ravens might’ve pulled a goal back a minute later after some fantastic work from Anja Seeto and Gemma Woolley created space for Zoe Zaczek who blazed over the bar.
Late in the first half, Chronis found space on the right again. She drove confidently into the box and cut inside before firing right at Ravens keeper Romina Parraguirre.
Ravens had the last action of the first stanza. Vlangos popped up twice inside the box with efforts which were right at Burke then swept away as the visitors led 2-0 going into the break.
The second half was a tighter affair which was mostly fought between the two midfields as the two sides still scrapped for the three points.
Both Northbridge Bulls FC’s goal scorers combined well on the right to open up the space for substitute Rochelle Johnson to crane a header right at Parraguirre.
Gladesville Ravens pushed forward late to find a way back into the game with a shot from Zaczek the closest they got to troubling Burke as the Bulls took home the spoils tonight.
Post-match Gladesville Ravens coach Andrew Galbraith was measured in his assessment of his team’s performance tonight and their chances at the Premiership:
“When you come up against a side that is desperate and needs points you need to be switched on all game. We weren’t and a few defensive lapses cost us tonight. The point here is every time we’ve dropped points, we’ve come back stronger and finish the season how we want to.” said Galbraith.
For Northbridge Bulls FC coach Bill Papas, he was delighted with the result and the spirit which has returned to the side in their recent run:
“They are a good side and are the benchmark. We’re equally as good and have turned things around and believe in themselves. They are starting to smell success. We could’ve scored a few more in the first half but were disciplined. We had a game plan which worked and very happy.” said Papas
MATCH STATS
Sunday 7th August 2022
Christie Park, Macquarie Park
Referee: David Erwin
Assistant Referees: George Davis & Tyler Zimbounellis
Gladesville Ravens 0
Northbridge Bulls FC 2 (Chronis ‘3, Souza ‘12)
Gladesville Ravens: 5. TANAKA Keiko, 6. SEETO Anja (4. LIDBETTER ‘81), 7. WOOLLEY Gemma, 8. VLANGOS Georgia, 9. ZACZEK Zoe, 12. DENBY Astreia, 15. GILBANE Elizabeth, 22. PARRAGUIRRE Romina, 24. DAVEY Kimberley, 26. O’REILLY Maggie (18. LONG ‘71), 31. WOOTTON Jess
Unused subs: 1. COLEMAN Eliza, 14. BRAUN Maya, 21. MILROY Amelie, 28. HATTON Isabelle
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Northbridge Bulls FC: 1. BURKE Trudy, 2. BOATENG Rita (28. JOHNSON ‘53), 4. SEAMAN Jessica, 5. MANOS Angelina (18. COWARD ‘89), 6. FARQUHAR Kiara (35. BROWNE ‘76), 8. CHRONIS Evelyn, 10. SOUZA Tamires, 11. GREY Elizabeth, 16. DI SCIASCIO Erika, 19. CLOUT Tessa, 24. GYZEN Cate (37. FISHER ‘89)
Unused subs: 21. SEGAVCIC Keeley,
Yellow cards: Souza ‘41
Red cards: nil
South Coast Flame FC 3 defeated St George FC 2
It was a thriller at Sir Ian McLennan Park as South Coast Flame FC won 3-2 against St George FC on Saturday night.
South Coast Flame FC won the game in dramatic fashion with a 93rd minute winner from Ruby Blanch which made it four results on the spin for the debutants. It is also a big scalp against the finals chasing St George FC.
The hosts led the game 1-0 due to a Jessica Cruickshank penalty then doubled their delight when Lulu Lozano fired home in the 64th minute. Coach Daniel Naumovski was happy with how the team has built their win streak in recent weeks.
St George FC showed some impressive fight to come back from being down 2-0 to make it 2-2 in quickfire fashion. Jordan Baker and Maddison Farmer found the back of the net before the visitors were down to 10 players after Nicole Besz’s red card which led to the famous finish.
Camden Tigers 1 defeated by Sutherland Shire FA 4
A ruthless Sutherland Shire FA kept the hits going with a 4-1 win against Camden Tigers at Ron Dine Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Sutherland Shire FA have been one of the form sides in the second half of the League One Womens campaign and sit comfortably in eighth spot on the ladder. Lacie Bowling was the star for the visitors with her hat-trick in only four minutes!
Janan Codmani added a fourth goal before the half-time whistle for a commanding 4-0 lead for Sutherland Shire FA. Coach Jon Long will be pleased to get this result with having a few players out due to injury for the clash.
Camden Tigers were busy this weekend after their trip to Pluim Park which resulted in a 5-0 loss and their defeat on Sunday afternoon. Coach Troy Witton was proud of the effort with a limited squad and the hosts were able to keep a clean sheet in the second half in this game.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 3 defeated Nepean FC 2
Mt Druitt Town Rangers have broken through for their maiden win in their 3-2 win against Nepean FC at Popondetta Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Town Rangers have toiled all season and got their first win in fantastic fashion. The hosts strode out to a 3-0 lead and were able to hold on for a win which put a huge smile on the dial of coach Neill Ross after the full-time whistle.
Angelique Lynch got the side started with her goal on the half hour mark before Hannah Plaatjies and Holly Pender helped the Town Rangers to a 3-0 half-time lead. The celebrations will go long into the night as the Town Rangers enjoy their success.
Nepean FC didn’t make it easy for them to register that win. After being blown away in the first half, the visitors dug deep to score twice which set up a grandstand finish. Cassidy White and Jade Pond were the goal scorers in their defeat.
Central Coast Mariners 0 defeated by Hills United FC 2
The chase continues for the Premiership continues for Hills United FC after their 2-0 win against Central Coast Mariners on Sunday afternoon.
Hills United FC have moved within three points of leaders Gladesville Ravens after their back-to-back successes. Bianca Galayini and Ellen Berios found the back of the net in either half for the visitors 20th win of the campaign.
It was a busy weekend for Central Coast Mariners playing both on Saturday and Sunday afternoon at Pluim Park. The yellow-and-navy were 5-0 winners against Camden Tigers on Saturday but unable to back that up on Sunday.
For Hills United FC coach Alan Tasses, he was delighted to get through the game and take three points although there were some goals left on the pitch. Their win sets up a mouth-watering clash with UNSW FC next weekend.
Inter Lions 2 defeated by Marconi Stallions 3
Marconi Stallions took the spoils in a pulsating 3-2 win against Inter Lions at Majors Bay Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
The Stallions were made to work for the three points against a dogged Inter Lions side and kicked off a busy end of the season for them with three points. Goal poacher Tania Baban led the way for the Stallions with a brace.
Natasha Aitken was the other name on the scoresheet in the late flurry of goals between the two sides fighting for the points. That goal was Aitken’s eighth goal of the season and Stallions coach Dino Severin was happy with the performance and the points.
Inter Lions have been one of the biggest improvers in the second half of the League One Womens season and took a 2-1 lead at one point in this game. Chloe O’Brien and Jenna Smith were their goal scorers in a fantastic display of football.
South East Phoenix FC 2 drew with SD Raiders FC 2
The points were shared between South East Phoenix FC and SD Raiders FC in their 2-2 draw at South Nowra Football Complex.
SD Raiders FC suffered another blow in their pursuit of finals football in the League One Womens competition. The visitors were the first to score through top scorer Rojin Polat and took a 2-1 lead when Kristen Prior fired home but had to settle for a draw.
South East Phoenix FC again showed some fantastic resolve to comeback in this contest against one of the top six sides in the competition. Madison Cater equalised for them in the 22nd minute before a late own goal earned them a point.
This result leaves SD Raiders FC six points adrift from the top four and possibly too much of a bridge to climb to get themselves in the finals this season. For Phoenix, they will continue their development for the last six weeks and possibly take another big scalp.
UNSW FC 0 drew with Blacktown City FC 0
The night cap saw a rare blank for UNSW FC in their 0-0 draw against Blacktown City FC at Hensley Athletic Field on Sunday night.
UNSW FC had bounced back with a solid win in their previous fixture and took that confidence into the start of this game and dominated the first half. Their potent attack was held at bay and they will feel like it was two points dropped.
Blacktown City FC have maintained their mantra for the second half of the second half of the League One Womens season is about improvement. They were defeated 1-0 in the reverse clash so a point felt much better for coach David O’Keefe.
He highlighted Tayla Chaplin, Miranda Payens and Maeve Goehner as the standouts for the Blacktown City FC side in the scoreless draw. For UNSW FC, it is a missed chance for them to put distance between themselves and St George FC in fifth.
