Round 25 Review – League One Women’s
Round 25 in the Football NSW League One Women’s competition was a big weekend, with the top four almost locked in heading into the final round.
There were six games played across Super Sunday, headlined by the Match of the Round between Premiers SD Raiders FC and Blacktown Spartans FC. Let’s get onto the review!
Match of the Round: Blacktown Spartans FC 0-4 SD Raiders FC
SD Raiders FC secured a 4-0 victory over Blacktown Spartans FC at Blacktown Football Park on Sunday evening.
Blacktown Spartans FC’s finals hopes were extinguished following the defeat, but it has still been a fruitful season for the Spartans under their new leadership. Gemma Woolley and Rita Boateng had their best chances of the game.
SD Raiders FC added another three points to their tally after being crowned League One Women’s Premiers last weekend.
Aoife Horgan headlined the win with a hat-trick, scoring in the 15th, 33rd and 80th minutes, while Golden Boot leader Taiana Almeida also found the back of the net.
Fresh from their Premiership success, SD Raiders FC looked to pick up more points and started brightly, producing a few warning shots towards the Spartans goal.
SD Raiders opened the scoring in the 15th minute when Horgan picked up the ball outside the box before firing home to make it 1-0.
Blacktown Spartans tried to make an instant response, with Rita Boateng played into the box before forcing SD Raiders goalkeeper Natasha Pentecost into a save.
Next came the combination between Boateng and Gemma Woolley, with the latter flicking the ball into the path of Boateng, who headed straight at Pentecost.
The Spartans surged forward again through Woolley, who was threaded through before firing an effort just past the post.
SD Raiders doubled their advantage in the 33rd minute, with Horgan finding the back of the net for her second of the game.
The Spartans continued to look for a route back into the contest, with Woolley attempting to spark the side but unable to create a clear opportunity.
Woolley then created some space for herself near the box and unleashed a strike which flew past Pentecost’s post.
SD Raiders made it 3-0 in the 48th minute, with Almeida turning near the box before curling a superb effort into the top corner.
The Spartans continued to fight, but SD Raiders remained in control.
The Premiers then added a fourth in the 80th minute when substitute Sophia Furia played the ball through to Horgan, who completed her hat-trick with another sumptuous strike.
Blacktown continued to fight until the final whistle, with Tsoler Nazarian trying her luck from range, but her effort flew wide.
The Premiers saw out the remainder of the match to add another three points to their impressive tally for the 2026 season.
Match Stats
Blacktown Spartans FC 0
SD Raiders FC 4 (Horgan 15’, 33’, 80’, Almeida 48’)
Sunday 16 August 2026
Blacktown Football Park
Referee: Lara Hogan
Assistant Referees: Justin Pantich & Zhi Li
Blacktown Spartans FC: 4. Peyton Crye (24. Isobel Grech 60’), 5. Tasmyn Hill, 6. Helena Daniele, 7. Rita Boateng (17. Makayla Crouch 60’), 8. Holly Pender, 9. Gemma Woolley, 16. Deana Caronna, 19. Melina Visser, 20. Kitwarla Mkali, 36. Tsoler Nazarian, 40. Amelia Shepherd.
Unused subs: 12. Alessia Perre, 32. Matilda Sutton, 35. Elizabeth Ha, 42. Maddison Machon
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
SD Raiders FC: 1. Natasha Pentecost, 2. Sharina Harris (26. Maya Farrell 86’), 6. Jessica Neville, 7. Abigail Boag, 9. Aoife Horgan (37. Georgia Alexis 86’), 10. Taiana Almeida, 14. Sarah Mandile (13. Sophia Furia 60’), 17. Madeleine Malone, 19. Brittany Duggan, 33. Elana Topalidis, 39. Shayla Malouf (8. Layne Knight 60’).
Unused subs: 21. Caitlin Britton, 34. Mia Stanmore
Yellow Cards: Malouf 44’
Red Cards: Nil
St George FC 0-1 South Coast Flame FC
South Coast Flame FC secured a crucial 1-0 victory over St George FC at Barton Park on Sunday afternoon.
It was a critical win for the Flame, who took a big step towards securing finals football for the first time in First Grade.
Both sides threw everything they could at each other during the first half, but neither was able to find a breakthrough as the teams went into the interval locked at 0-0.
South Coast Flame found the breakthrough in the 65th minute, with Sariah Wilson scoring a well-taken goal to make it 1-0.
The visitors held off a late St George fightback to take home three precious points.
Bankstown City Lions FC 0-1 Blacktown City FC
Blacktown City FC were 1-0 winners over Bankstown City Lions FC at Jensen Park on Sunday afternoon.
The visitors picked up their first win since Round 19 as they look to finish their campaign on a high next weekend.
Blacktown City made it 1-0 in the 37th minute through Layla Hamden, who produced a quality finish to give her side the lead at half-time.
Bankstown City looked to find a way back into the game in the second half but were held at bay by the Blacktown City defence.
Coach Nick Verdos will be delighted to see his side keep a clean sheet and secure the three points.
Central Coast Mariners FC 2-0 Inter Lions FC
Central Coast Mariners FC secured a 2-0 victory over Inter Lions FC at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon.
It was a morale-boosting win for the yellow-and-navy, who picked up their third home victory of the campaign.
Neither side could find the opener in the first half, with the teams going into the break locked at 0-0.
The Mariners finally broke the deadlock in the 69th minute through substitute Lily Quayle, who scored her second goal of the season.
Matilda Gallagher then added a second in the 85th minute to make it 2-0 and confirm three points for Central Coast.
Camden Tigers FC 2-2 Marconi Stallions FC
Camden Tigers FC and Marconi Stallions FC played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Ron Dine Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
Both teams shared the points in a pulsating encounter where all four goals came during the opening 45 minutes.
Marconi opened the scoring in the 30th minute through Pene Bonovas before Charlotte Greaney equalised for Camden three minutes later.
The goals continued to flow, with Bonovas restoring the Stallions’ lead in the 35th minute and completing her brace.
The Tigers pulled level once again in first-half stoppage time through Chloe Hain to make it 2-2.
The second half was a much tamer affair as both sides searched for the winning goal, but neither could find the decisive breakthrough as the entertaining contest finished level.
Sutherland Strikers FC 1-1 Nepean FC
Sutherland Strikers FC and Nepean FC played out a 1-1 draw at Harrie Dening Centre on Sunday afternoon.
The result could prove costly for Sutherland’s top-four hopes after they were held at home by a dogged Nepean side.
The Strikers got off to the perfect start, with Olivia Lysiak sweeping home in the 11th minute to make it 1-0.
Nepean responded in the 20th minute through Ellie Howard, who equalised to send the two sides into half-time level.
Sutherland knew three points were crucial to their top-four hopes, but they were unable to break down a resolute Nepean defence during the second half.
The game ultimately finished 1-1, leaving Sutherland with work to do heading into the final round.
Newcastle Jets FC had the bye.
By Justin Davies
