Round 15 in the Football NSW League One Womens competition was a blockbuster affair with several games’ undecided until the final minutes.
The seven games across the weekend saw goals galore and late winners which helped shake up the ladder.
The Match of the Round featured UNSW FC and Hills United FC but let’s get onto the review.
Match of the Round: UNSW FC vs Hills United FC
Points were shared in the 0-0 draw between UNSW FC and Hills United FC in the Match of the Round at The Village Green on Sunday afternoon.
UNSW FC were held scoreless for the second time in the League One Womens season but it wasn’t for without trying. Princess Ibini and Marcella Santos both had good chances but were denied by Hills United FC keeper Sarah Easthope.
That was a brave point for Hills United who were hemmed back for much of the contest. They have their goalkeeper to thank for some brilliant saves and had a few chances in the final ten minutes to maybe win the game.
UNSW FC and Hills United FC headed out onto a blustery Village Green pitch ready to go for this top of the table clash in the Match of the Round for Round 15.
The students started the game on the front foot. Zoe Bartley had a shot in the first minute then Hills United FC keeper Sarah Easthope was almost caught out from a long range effort.
Easthope had to make her first real stop when UNSW FC recycled possession from a corner which led to Bartley’s shot which needed to be saved.
Hills United FC’s chances were limited to a few set pieces. They were drifted in well but UNSW FC keeper Tiahna Robertson rose highest to claim them easily.
The hosts remained on the front foot. Marcella Santos combined well with Princess Ibini with the latter played through and forced Easthope into another smart stop.
Santos got into the action herself with a chipped effort then Margaux Montegut once again forced Easthope into a big save as the keeper feathered Montegut’s shot onto the crossbar.
The students pushed forward for the opener again in the 53rd minute. Bartley put the cross right on the head of Santos who nodded right at Easthope.
Hills United FC started to find their rhythm and started to get some chances. Ellen Berios went closest in that sequence with a shot that was gobbled up by Robertson.
Near the hour mark UNSW FC went close again. Bartley was on the end of a move and was denied then Santos cut inside her defender and fizzed an effort wide of the mark.
Headed into the final ten minutes, Hills United FC almost snuck one home. Imogen Lane went low with a free kick and it was fumbled by Robertson but swept away.
Time started to tick away and both teams went at it full throttle. Santos was the key for UNSW FC and had a trio of chances to get the win.
Her closest effort came in stoppage time. She created space inside the box and whipped an effort towards Easthope who dived low and claimed just as the whistle blew for the draw.
Speaking post-match, UNSW FC coach Guillermo Rubio was upbeat about the game and reflected on it positively:
“I think we tried everything and played good football but couldn’t take our chances tonight. It was one of those days for us. Everyone left everything out there so I’m happy with how we’re playing so the results will come. If we play the same way going forward, we won’t be stopped by many teams and will get the results.” said Rubio.
For Hills United FC coach Alan Tasses, he was proud of the team for their attitute in the game and their defending across the 90 minutes:
“It was a good game; Uni are a quality side and stacked with talent. I am proud of them standing toe-to-toe with them. We were pegged back in the first half but I told them I was happy with their effort and we were a lot better in the second half.” said Tasses.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 18 June 2023
The Village Green
UNSW FC 0
Hills United FC 0
UNSW FC: 1. Tiahna Robertson, 2. Sarah Ferris, 7. Amanda Levaskevich (22. Hannah Beard ‘68), 8. Sonja Murphy, 11. Marcella Santos, 14. Jess Mullins, 15. Princess Ibini, 16. Rachelle Wang (9. Hayley Marshall ‘60), 17. Zoe Bartley, 20. Cassandra Christopher, 33. Margaux Montegut (10. Hannah Charak ‘89)
Unused subs: 12. Grace McCormick, 21. Akala Howell, 25. Georgia Biniares
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Hills United FC: 1. Sarah Easthope, 2. Emma Jackson (5. Shailee Bartle ‘81), 3. Aisling Davidson, 4. Leah Tallon, 6. Brooke Hastie, 8. Bella Donaldson (17. Chantelle Trovato ‘68), 9. Imogen Lane (31. Ashleigh Heuston-Richardson ‘91), 10. Bianca Galayini, 11. Isabella Sciberras (12. Kaylie Shannon ‘81), 14. Ellen Berios (41. Juri Hiragawara ‘68), 15. Cassandra Wheeler
Unused subs: 16. Bridget Brien
Yellow cards: Lane
Red cards: nil
South Coast Flame FC 3 defeated Sutherland Shire FA 0
South Coast Flame FC got back in the winner’s circle with a 3-0 win over Sutherland Shire FA at Sir Ian McLennan Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Flame broke their recent poor form with a huge win which got them back into the hunt for the top four in League One Womens. Bronte Trew helped the hosts to a 2-0 lead with her pair of strikes in the 20th and 27th minute.
The hosts added a third to complete the scoring through Emily Kostovski’s fourth goal of the season in the 47th minute and cruised through the rest of the contest. Trew’s pair of goals sees her take her to the top of the League One Womens goal scorers list.
St George FC 4 defeated Mt Druitt Town Rangers 3
St George FC triumphed in a pulsating contest 4-3 over Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon.
This game was one of the matches of the season candidates which left everyone breathless and a few coaches and both coaches pulling out their hair. Only one of the seven goals came in the first half through Anicka Castaneda which gave Mt Druitt Town Rangers a 1-0 lead.
The visitors extended their lead to 2-0 in the 51st minute through Rita Boateng then the comeback queens roared into action. Mary Moyo and Kyla Vanderlaan scored for St George FC to make it 2-2 and set up a grandstand finish.
Mt Druitt thought they might have snuffed out the comeback when Holly Pender gave them a third lead in the 82nd minute. They weren’t able to manage the game properly and Saints marched home through Abbey-Rose Cryer and Morgan Maxwell for a famous win.
Central Coast Mariners 2 defeated Nepean FC 1
Central Coast Mariners went back to the top of the ladder with their 2-1 win over Nepean FC at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon.
It wasn’t the breezy contest that some may expected as Nepean FC went toe-to-toe with the Mariners and took the lead in the 21st minute. Maria Serrant on starting debut slotted the spot kick to give the visitors a sniff of an upset.
The yellow-and-navy fought back to be tied at the break. Annalise Rasmussen arrowed home for the Mariners to make it 1-1. It was a captain’s knock which got the Mariners the win and put them back on the top of the table with her winner in the 67th minute.
Inter Lions 0 defeated by SD Raiders FC 3
SD Raiders FC got back in the winner’s circle with their 3-0 win over Inter Lions at Majors Bay Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
The visitors broke their recent drought with a solid win over bottom side Inter Lions but were made to work for the three points. Abigail Boag fired home in the 12th minute which gave SD Raiders FC a 1-0 lead at half-time.
It was an arm wrestle between the sides in the second half and SD Raiders FC confirmed the win in the final fifteen minutes. Substitute Elin Rosenberg Cemazar made it double delight before Sarah Mandile struck in stoppage time to complete the scoring.
South East Phoenix FC 3 defeated Marconi Stallions 2
South East Phoenix FC edged out Marconi Stallions 3-2 in a thriller at South Nowra Football Complex on Sunday afternoon.
That makes it four straight wins for South East Phoenix FC but the regional side were made to work for it against a dogged Marconi Stallions side. The first half was a flurry of action between the teams and everyone took a breath at 2-2 at the break.
Kyra Cabrera got the party started with the opener before Amanda Carney responded for South East Phoenix FC to make it 1-1. Cabrera put Marconi ahead again in the 23rd minute then a late goal from Madison Cater gave us the 2-2 score at half-time.
There was one special moment left to decide this game. Cater scored a bomb after the ball was recycled for a corner to give South East Phoenix FC the win. They did have to bunker down with some late pressure from Marconi to snatch a draw but held firm for an important three points.
Blacktown City FC 2 defeated Camden Tigers 0
Blacktown City FC had a comfortable 2-0 win over Camden Tigers down at Landen Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Both sides were keen to pick up three points and they were into the action from the opening whistle. The first half was tightly contested between the two and they headed into the sheds locked up at 0-0 at half-time.
Coming out of the break, Blacktown City FC felt just fine and were able to find the back of the net twice to secure their fourth win of the League One Womens season. Jenny Hughes opened the scoring before Malea Cesar made it 2-0 in the 78th minute.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)