Women’s State League Round 17 Review
Round 17 of the Women’s State League saw victories for the Western NSW Mariners FC and Mt. Druitt Town Rangers FC, while the Gladesville Ravens shocked Bankstown City FC in our Match of the Round.
Match of the Round – Gladesville Ravens vs. Bankstown City FC: 2-1
A warm Sunday afternoon saw the Gladesville Ravens host second placed Bankstown City at Peel Park, in what would be one of the most dramatic games of the season so far.
The opening twenty five minutes was characterised by cagey football, perhaps affected by the bobbly Peel Park pitch. Neither side was able to forge any significant chances, with both sets of defenders working hard.
In the twenty ninth minute, Bankstown finally broke the deadlock. The energetic Melissah Parlato danced past her fullback before squaring the ball to Maniso Micheal on the penalty spot. Micheal made no mistake, calmly slotting the ball past the Ravens keeper.
Just a few minutes later, Parlato came close to doubling the lead. The Ravens defence failed to deal with a dangerous freekick into the box, which allowed Parlato to loft a volley goalwards. Her shot bounced off the crossbar, before being cleared.
In the thirty sixth minute, the Ravens found an equaliser in spectacular style. Pouncing on the aftermath of a loose goalkick from Bankstown City, Peta Osmond fired in a powerful shot from well outside the goalbox, which sailed into the top right corner.
Gladesville could have taken the lead just before half time, after a smart ball through from Eleanor Jones found Kate Butler-Howell inside the Bankstown box. The Bankstown City defence did enough to pressure her shot, which flew too high.
The second half began much like the first, with neither side able to create any significant chances in the opening fifteen minutes, as the game descended into stalemate.
Bankstown’s Melissah Parlato was the standout, bursting down the left wing on multiple occasions, but unable to find a decisive finish.
The first major opportunity of the half came by way of Gladesville, after a superb through ball from Osmond found Amanda Holmes on the right wing.
Holmes burst into open space but, instead of shooting, cut the ball across the goal towards Noelle Loyzaga on the opposite flank; her ball went too deep and what seemed a certain goal was lost.
Bankstown responded quickly, resulting in one of the game’s most exciting moments. A lofted switch from Maniso Micheal found Parlato on the left wing in behind the Ravens defence. Parlato crossed the ball into the box with her first touch, where Samantha Muscat attempted an audacious lob over the goalkeeper.
Her shot rattled off the crossbar as the Ravens keeper stumbled over, and rebounded to the feet of Jessica Burgess who shot towards the empty net. A goal was not to be, denied by some incredible defending from Ashleigh Smith, who lunged backwards and cleared the ball off the line.
Determined to find a winner and a way past the passionate Gladesville defence, Bankstown began to dominate play. Chance after chance was wasted, though an eventual breakthrough seemed imminent.
The Ravens held strong, maintaining a strong offside trap while pressing across the field with high intensity. On the counter, they forged chances through the seemingly omnipresent Celeste Loyzaga and Kate Butler-Howell in midfield.
Eventually, Gladesville were rewarded for their determination, while Bankstown suffered for their wastefulness. In the eighty eighth minute, Celeste Loyzaga launched a powerful and low freekick in to the box. All it needed was a touch, and it came through her sister Noelle, who tapped it into the back of the net.
The sidelines erupted, and again at full-time as the Ravens secured a spectacular upset victory, coming from behind to capture perhaps their most important three points of the season.
Match Stats
Gladesville Ravens 2 (Peta Osmond 26’, Noelle Loyzaga 88’)
Bankstown City FC 1 (Maniso Micheal 29’)
Sunday, 2nd of August, 2015
Peel Park, Gladesville
Gladesville Ravens: 16. Isabella Breukelaar, 8. Kate Butler-Howell, 23. Amanda Holmes, 20. Eleanor Jones, 3. Rebecca Kundrat (22. Belinda Kayser 82’), 18. Celeste Loyzaga, 17. Noelle Loyzaga, 24. Peta Osmond, 1. Lauren Scaramuzza, 29. Ashleigh Smith, 4. Paige Vansaarloos.
Substitutes Not Used: 12. Amy Clarke
Yellow Cards: N/A
Red Cards: N/A
Bankstown City FC: 8. Jessica Abrahim, 17. Tania Baban (26. Jessica Burgess HT), 3. Liana Babic, 3. Rosie Bacon, 12. Lauren Danaskos, 1. Lana Ferreira, 10. Maniso Micheal (9. Jami-Lee Musset 79’), 21. Samantha Muscat, 7. Melissah Parlato (38. Kelly O’Leary 80’), 13. Marie Sim-Sing, 6. Allegra Vickas.
Substitutes Not Used: N/A
Yellow Cards: 21. Samantha Muscat 91’
Red Cards: N/A
Round Summaries
Mt. Druitt Town Rangers FC vs. Southern Districts SFA: 4-2
Mt. Druitt Town sealed an important win against Southern Districts, as they continue to push for the top four. A brace from Brooke Conroy was complemented by goals each from Jazz Lundt and Lisa Fressard.
Southern Districts have lost once more, but again put up strong opposition. The incredibly potent Sheree Bryant scored both goals, making it twelve from just fifteen appearances this season.
Western NSW Mariners FC vs. St. George FC: 2-0
Western NSW continued their relative cruise towards the minor premiership with a well-earned 2-0 victory against the travelling St. George this weekend. Jess Salomoni and Tayla Lloyd found the back of the net, while the home side will also be pleased with their clean sheet.
Its business as usual for St. George, who remain rooted in third place, missing the opportunity to leap ahead of Bankstown City after their loss to the Ravens. That being said, it was always going to be a difficult task to beat the seemingly unstoppable Mariners.
Parramatta FC vs. APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC: Match Abandoned
Unfortunately, a serious injury in the twenty third minute led to the referee abandoning this match. Best wishes to those affected, and a speedy recovery.
– by Daniel Palmer, Women’s State League Reporter
