With Albion Park away winning more silverware in the NSW State Cup this weekend, second placed University narrowed the gap at the top and extended their own lead over third-placed Woonona, who could only manage a draw at home to Fernhill. At the bottom, Thirroul notched up its first point in eight weeks.

Kiama Quarriers 1-2 University

University had to come from behind to see off a determined Kiama Quarriers side in Round 15. That’s the third Unicorns win this season over 4th placed Kiama.

Kiama took the lead early on, with top scorer Katie French’s ninth goal of the season.  But it was super sub Paris Ford who changed the game after coming on in the 25th minute for University. Her volley from 25 metres out equalised with her first touch of the ball.

The Unicorns won the game with a direct free kick straight into the top corner by Cayla Constable, her first strike of the season.

The win opens the gap to three points between University in second and Woonona in third. Coach Brod Crighton said it was “good to see the girls get back to playing balls to feet and working it up the park.” He’ll be hoping for more of the same as Uni take on Russell Vale in the Round 14 catch up on Wednesday.

For Kiama coach Umberto Sorrentino: “We’re still in control of our destiny and we are still playing positive football. The girls know what’s needed to get there.” A win in Round 16, also against Russell Vale, would take the Quarriers a big step closer to Finals football. Four points is currently the gap to fifth-placed Balgownie, who have a game in hand.

Woonona 1-1 Fernhill

For the second week in a row, Woonona dropped points at home against a team below them in the ladder. The Sharks had won the two fixtures between these two earlier in the season, but both matches had been tight. The Foxes stepped up this week to earn a valuable point which could prove crucial as the 2018 season hits the final straight.

Pernille Dahl showed no sign of jetlag as she opened the scoring for Fernhill less than 24 hours after a return flight from Norway. The Foxes went in at half-time a goal to the good and looking for an upset.

But Woonona came back strongly in the second half, with Fiona Leafe picking up her fifth goal of the season, slotting home as the Foxes keeper only managed to parry the ball into her path.

For Foxes coach Josh Sebben, “It was another telling performance, showing how far our team has come and managing to hold on for a well-earned point.”

Woonona is still on track for a top four spot, but Uni’s win at Kiama and the draw here mean the Sharks might have to settle for third or fourth going into the Finals.

Thirroul 2-2 Russell Vale Black

Thirroul ended an eight-match losing streak with this draw at home to Russell Vale. Having lost the two earlier ties between these two teams this season, the Thunderbirds did well to get a point this weekend, but having led 2-0 in the first half, they’ll be disappointed not to have come away with their first win since Round 6 in May.

Zoe Grew scored her third of the season for Thirroul, with Arlena Mackenzie grabbing her first.

Russell Vale got one back before the break and equalised through an own goal in the second half.

“We deserved a better result for the effort we put in and the performance on the pitch,” said Thirroul coach Tina Siskoska. With Fernhill also picking up a point, the draw leaves Thirroul still four points adrift at the foot of the ladder.

Russell Vale move onto Wednesday’s catch-up game knowing that anything but a win against University will end any slim hopes of making the end-of-season Finals. But they beat the Unicorns 5-3 away in the reverse fixture, so a repeat of that scoreline would keep the Black in with a shout.


Russell Black v University

This Round 14 match will be played this Wednesday 25 July, kick off 7.30pm at Cawley Park. The Unicorns can virtually wrap up second spot if they win this one, as it would open up a six-point gap over third-placed Woonona with three games to play.

NSW State Cup Final

Albion Park 4-0 Northbridge

Rylee McGartland scored a hat-trick as Albion Park managed to secure at State Cup three-peat with a 4-0 victory over Northbridge.

For Park coach Richard Davis: “The pressure told a bit as we were also up for our 50th consecutive win, but the girls played strongly and never gave up working for each other. 1-0 up at half time and it should have been 3, but we upped our game in the second half and scored three more.”

Last season’s top scorer Brittany Ring scored the other goal to seal the win in front of a big crowd at the Headquarters of Football NSW, Valentine Sports Park in Glenwood.

Congratulations to everyone at the club.

Report by Simon Duffin, on Twitter @DuffinWrites

Photo by Football NSW