The Builders Club Women’s Division 1 – Round 7 wrap + State Cup Round 2

Two clubs were in Cup action this weekend, with Albion Park making a successful start to its defence of the State Cup it won in 2017, while Woonona were unlucky to go out by a single goal to Leichhardt Saints. The cup ties meant postponement of two Round 7 fixtures, which will now be played this Wednesday.

That gave the other sides a chance to play catch-up – if only temporarily – in the ladder, with Russell Vale and Balgownie making the most of the opportunity and starting to snap at the heels of teams above them, ahead of Wednesday night’s catch-ups.

Thirroul 1-2 Russell Vale Black

Russell Vale made it back-to-back wins for the first time this season, with two goals from Camille Augustyn, whose name has been appearing on scoresheets in the region for over ten years now.

Team manager Leah Carlton was pleased to get the result given that the Black failed to field 11 players for this one. Although Augustyn grabbed the headlines with her brace of goals, Carlton picked out Jasmine Pearce for special mention for her ‘great movement, penetrating in and around the box all game’.

It’s a big ask for Russell Vale to go three on the bounce, though, as they face Albion Park next weekend in Round 8.

Thirroul coach Tina Siskoska scored Thirroul’s only goal, but she was disappointed not to back up last week’s win for the Thunderbirds. “It was a close game,” she said, “I felt we were unlucky not to win it.”

Thirroul host Woonona in Round 8. In the reverse fixture, Woonona just edged it 2-1, so there’s potential for an upset here if home advantage helps for those Thunderbirds.

 

Fernhill FC 0-1 Balgownie Rangers

Shaeley Aldridge’s second goal of the season was enough to give Balgownie the three points and put Earle Canvin’s side within striking distance of Finals football at the halfway point in the season.

According to Canvin, “the game was an open affair with both teams missing several chances”, but he was pleased with the work rate of the Rangers to make sure they held on after scoring first. A result against Kiama in Round 8 would really open things up in the race for Finals spots.

For Fernhill coach Josh Sebben, the performance this weekend was a real shift up from Round 7. “You cannot expect to win a game if you throw away five one-on-ones, though. We need to be more clinical and hungry in the box”, he said. But he was pleased that his team ‘controlled the game’ and created those chances. Next up for Fernhill is a difficult trip to Kooloobong Oval to take on Uni, who only narrowly beat them earlier in the season.

State Cup Round 2

Glenwood Redbacks 0-5 Albion Park

Albion Park began its defence of the NSW State Cup with a comfortable 5-0 win over Blacktown District outfit Glenwood Redbacks. It was the usual names on the Albion Park scoresheet (Casey-Leigh Suttle, Rylee McGartland, Renee Crowe (2), Brittany Ring), but coach Richard Davis had highest praise for his defensive line, who stifled any sting in the Redbacks attack.

“When you’re defending solidly and well, the confidence grows through the squad and that allows our talented front line to do its job too.” He said his team are keeping a level head at this stage of the campaign, and they know the challenges will stretch them more as the comp progresses. Next up for Albion Park is a match against northern beaches side Avalon (venue and date to be decided).

Meantime, Albion Park will be playing a catch up this Wednesday evening against Kiama Quarriers (kick off 6.30pm)

 

Woonona 0-1 Leichhardt Saints

Woonona welcomed Canterbury District outfit Leichhardt Saints to Ocean Park for their first outing in the State Cup (after receiving a bye in the 1^st Round). Mick Sutton’s side were unlucky to go out to a single goal, especially after putting up a great performance.

Sutton said “The girls played some great football, probably the best movement on and off the ball I’ve seen all season, and they should have easily won, but it wasn’t to be.”

Reflecting on the experience of playing in the State Cup, he said: “I think it’s great to play unfamiliar teams as it’s a good way to see how the girls can adapt. They did an excellent job and hopefully will get another opportunity next season, when I’d hope we’ll go a lot further in the comp”.

Meantime, it’s back to League action in midweek for Woonona as they play University in a crucial fixture at Terry Reserve (kick off 8.30pm)

 

Report by Simon Duffin

Photos courtesy of Dylan Arvela