Round 13 Review – League One Women’s
Round 13 marked the halfway point of the Football NSW League One Women’s competition, with several high-profile fixtures headlining the weekend.
Six matches were played across Sunday, with top billing going to the Match of the Round between league leaders SD Raiders FC and second-placed Newcastle Jets FC.
Let’s get into the review.
Match of the Round: SD Raiders FC 4–1 Newcastle Jets FC
SD Raiders FC defeated Newcastle Jets FC 4-1 at Ernie Smith Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts extended their lead at the top to four points after a second-half blitz. Abigail Boag opened the scoring in the 47th minute for 1-0, before Markie Robinson struck in the 64th and 73rd minutes, with Taiana Almeida rounding it off in the 89th minute with a header for 4-0.
Newcastle Jets FC started brightly but were unable to find the back of the net before being overpowered by SD Raiders FC. They did grab a consolation through Navah Crofton in the 78th minute, making it 3-1.
SD Raiders FC started the game well, with custodian Natasha Pentecost lofting a ball into the path of Taiana Almeida, who fired straight at goal.
The Jets quickly responded at the other end, with Makayla Clifton shooting wide after finding space.
The game settled into a rhythm, with both sides searching for the opener. Anjelina Katsoras drove into the box but fired over.
Almeida then twisted and turned past her defender before bending an effort just past the post as both teams continued to search for a breakthrough.
Navah Crofton found space near the box and tested Pentecost, who saved comfortably.
SD Raiders FC ended the half with a pair of chances. Almeida curled a free-kick straight at Jets goalkeeper Ally Boertje, before Boag swept her effort wide.
Coming out of the break, SD Raiders FC struck almost immediately. A sweeping move started by Aoife Horgan found Markie Robinson, who set up Boag for the opener in the 47th minute.
The Jets attempted an immediate response. Lillia Rae found space down the flank but fired into the side netting.
Almeida remained a constant threat from set pieces, with several second-half headers going over the bar.
SD Raiders FC made it 2-0 in the 64th minute. Substitute Sophia Furia delivered a cross which found Robinson, who finished well.
The game opened up after the second goal. Clifton looked to pull one back for the Jets but fired wide.
SD Raiders FC added a third in the 73rd minute. Robinson was played into the box by Almeida and powered home for 3-0.
The Jets did pull a goal back in the 78th minute from a set piece, with Crofton floating her free-kick into the net for 3-1.
The hosts looked to add further goals late in the match, creating several chances which went just wide.
SD Raiders FC added a fourth in the 89th minute to seal the win. Another well-directed corner from Boag found Almeida, who headed home for 4-1.
They saw out the remaining minutes to secure a strong win and extend their lead at the top of the table to four points.
Post-match, SD Raiders FC coach Samir Al-seblani reflected on the win:
“It was a great match today, the second half opened up and it went our way tonight. It is good to have a gap for now but we’re at mid-season so there is still plenty of work to do,” Al-seblani said.
Newcastle Jets FC coach Greg Hartge also reflected on the performance:
“It was a very competitive first half. It was a heavy pitch which made us look slower than usual, then they came out firing in the second. In the end, the girls are pushing for an A-League Women’s spot and the wins are a bonus,” Hartge said.
St George FC 4–2 Bankstown City Lions FC
St George FC claimed a 4-2 win over Bankstown City Lions FC at Barton Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Saints earned a valuable home victory, with Jordan Baker opening the scoring in the 7th minute before last year’s Golden Boot winner doubled the lead in the 21st minute to give the hosts a strong first-half advantage.
Bankstown City Lions FC pulled one back in the 42nd minute through top scorer Karen Bennett to make it 2-1 at the break.
Kyla Vanderlaan restored St George FC’s two-goal cushion in the 72nd minute for 3-1, before Baker completed her hat-trick in the 85th minute to make it 4-1 and put the result beyond doubt.
Bennett grabbed her second in the 89th minute to round out the scoring at 4-2 in a six-goal contest.
Central Coast Mariners FC 1–4 Blacktown City FC
Blacktown City FC recorded a 4-1 win over Central Coast Mariners FC at Pluim Park on Sunday evening.
The visitors secured another three points in a composed away performance. Rhea D’Mello and Layla Hamdan both scored in the first half to give Blacktown City a 2-0 lead at the break.
They maintained control in the second half, adding two more goals through Isabella Roderique, who scored in the 60th and 66th minutes to complete her brace.
Central Coast Mariners FC did manage a consolation goal through Peyton Scollay in the second half.
Camden Tigers FC 2–2 South Coast Flame FC
Camden Tigers FC and South Coast Flame FC played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Ron Dine Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
The result dents South Coast Flame FC’s top four hopes after a spirited comeback from the Tigers.
Abbey Crapp opened the scoring in the 24th minute to give the Flame a 1-0 lead at half-time.
Camden Tigers FC equalised in the 57th minute through Eliza Pereira, before Sariah Wilson restored the Flame’s advantage in the 63rd minute for 2-1.
The Tigers hit back again in the 72nd minute through Eve Wilson to make it 2-2 and set up a tense finish, but neither side could find a winner.
Sutherland Strikers FC 2–2 Inter Lions FC
Sutherland Strikers FC and Inter Lions FC played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at Harrie Dening Centre on Sunday afternoon.
Sutherland struck first through Lili Rosandic in the 9th minute and held a 1-0 lead at half-time.
The second half opened up dramatically. Jasmine Maguire continued her strong form with a goal in the 62nd minute to make it 2-0.
Inter Lions FC responded quickly, with Cate Gyzen heading home in the 66th minute to make it 2-1 before equalising in the 82nd minute with her second goal.
Inter Lions FC also hit the post through Hannah Charak late on, but the match finished level at 2-2.
Blacktown Spartans FC 0–2 Marconi Stallions FC
Marconi Stallions FC defeated Blacktown Spartans FC 2-0 at Blacktown Football Park on Sunday night.
The win moves Marconi into second spot on the ladder and extends their unbeaten run to eight matches.
After a tight first half with no goals, Marconi took control after the break. Jasmyn Windsor opened the scoring in the 58th minute before doubling her tally in the 66th minute to seal the win.
Nepean FC – Bye
Nepean FC had the bye in Round 13.
