Round 16 Review – League One Women’s
Round 16 in the Football NSW League One Women’s competition was a fantastic advertisement for the campaign, producing plenty of late drama, goals and action across Sunday evening.
There were six games to review, headlined by the Match of the Round between SD Raiders FC and Marconi Stallions FC.
Match of the Round: SD Raiders FC 1–2 Marconi Stallions FC
Marconi Stallions FC claimed a dramatic 2-1 win over SD Raiders FC at Ernie Smith Reserve on Sunday night.
SD Raiders FC were wasteful in front of goal throughout the contest, and were made to pay despite equalising late through Aoife Horgan in the 85th minute, before being stunned by a stoppage-time winner.
Marconi Stallions FC move to the top of the League One Women’s ladder after a late surge in the south-west. Kaitlin Kiparizov opened the scoring in the 40th minute before SD Raiders drew level, however substitute Michaela Rattos delivered again, scoring the winner in the 93rd minute.
The match began on a wet evening at Ernie Smith Reserve with the first chance falling to the Stallions, as Pene Bonovas forced SD Raiders goalkeeper Natasha Pentecost into an early save from a free-kick.
The hosts responded with a set-piece of their own, with captain Jessica Neville heading wide.
SD Raiders continued to build pressure as Abigail Boag drove into the box and struck the post with a powerful effort.
Most of Marconi’s early threat came through Kaitlin Kiparizov and Jasmyn Windsor, with the pair combining for Windsor to force a save.
Looking to strike first, SD Raiders hit on the counter with Sophia Furia firing an effort straight at goal.
Chances were traded heading into half-time, with Kiparizov curling wide before Boag again threatened for the hosts.
Tiana Almeida went closest for SD Raiders, forcing Stallions goalkeeper Elizabeth Kerkham into a strong save from a free-kick.
Marconi struck first in the 40th minute when Erinn Cleghorn delivered a dangerous cross, allowing Kiparizov to finish and give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
SD Raiders started the second half strongly, with Furia curling wide from a corner before Horgan threatened on the break.
The hosts continued to push as Almeida went narrowly wide, while SD Raiders also struck the woodwork again in the 74th minute when Layne Knight hit the post.
The equaliser finally came in the 85th minute from a set piece, with Horgan’s free-kick evading everyone and finding the net to make it 1-1.
Both sides pushed for a late winner in a high-stakes battle for top spot.
The decisive moment came in stoppage time when Bonovas delivered a free-kick that fell to Daniela Brekic, who set up substitute Michaela Rattos to finish clinically for 2-1 in the 93rd minute.
Post-match, SD Raiders FC coach Samir Al-seblani reflected on his side’s missed opportunities:
“We had enough chances to win 20 matches, hit the post and a few other clear cut chances throughout the game. Credit to Marconi, they took their chances and now we move onto next week,” Al-seblani said.
Marconi Stallions FC coach Michael Beauchamp praised his side’s resilience:
“We knew it was going to be a tough game, the belief from the girls is next level and I’m so proud of them tonight. There is still a long way to go, we’ll enjoy the win for what it was and take it week by week,” Beauchamp said.
Blacktown City FC 1–4 St George FC
St George FC continued their surge up the ladder with a commanding 4-1 win over Blacktown City FC at Landen Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Blacktown City struck first through Paris Kambouris in the 3rd minute, before Caitlin Webster levelled just before half-time to make it 1-1.
St George took full control after the break. Webster added her second in the 50th minute to give the Saints the lead, before Charlotte Young scored her first goal for the club in the 68th minute to make it 3-1. Webster then completed her hat-trick in the 90th minute to seal a dominant 4-1 win.
Camden Tigers FC 0–2 Blacktown Spartans FC
Blacktown Spartans FC made it three matches unbeaten with a strong 2-0 win over Camden Tigers FC at Ron Dine Reserve.
Gemma Woolley opened the scoring just before half-time in the 41st minute with a low free-kick to make it 1-0.
Woolley then doubled her tally from the penalty spot in the 74th minute after Rita Boateng was brought down, sealing a composed 2-0 victory as the Spartans strengthened their finals push.
Inter Lions FC 0–3 South Coast Flame FC
South Coast Flame FC returned to winning ways with a strong 3-0 victory over Inter Lions FC at Majors Bay Reserve.
The Flame led 1-0 at half-time after a well-struck set piece from Alexis Malizis in the 32nd minute.
Malizis struck again in the 67th minute with another curling free-kick to make it 2-0, before Emily Kostovski added a third in the 70th minute.
The result sees South Coast Flame FC move into third on the League One Women’s ladder.
Newcastle Jets FC 1–1 Nepean FC
Newcastle Jets FC and Nepean FC played out a 1-1 draw at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility.
The Jets took the lead in the 12th minute through Mackenzie Preston-Poole, continuing her strong scoring run.
Nepean responded almost immediately through Paris Staal to level the match at 1-1, with both sides unable to be separated for the remainder of the contest.
The result dents the Jets’ finals hopes, while Nepean move within three points of fourth place.
Sutherland Strikers FC 3–1 Bankstown City FC
Sutherland Strikers FC came from behind to defeat Bankstown City FC 3-1 at Harrie Dening Centre.
Bankstown led 1-0 at half-time through Krystallia Kallidakis, but the Strikers responded after the break.
Jasmine Maguire equalised in the 47th minute before Paola Andrea Giraldo Uribe completed the turnaround in the 55th minute. Matilda McParland added a third in the 69th minute to seal a strong 3-1 win.
Central Coast Mariners FC had the bye.
By Justin Davies
