Match of the Round: Mt Druitt Town Rangers vs Blacktown City FC
Mt Druitt Town Rangers won 4-1 on an emotional afternoon for them against Blacktown City FC at Popondetta Park on Sunday.
The Town Rangers sent Zineta De Beer out a winner after her service to the club since their return to the League One Women’s competition. Hitomi Maeda scored the opener with a header then Rita Boateng was at the double in the 25thand 34th minute to give them a 3-0 lead.
Blacktown City FC were punished for their mistakes in the first half but did pull a goal back before half-time from a well-timed Jenny Hughes volley. They had chances in the second half to cut the deficit but were unable to find the back of the net.
Both Mt Druitt Town Rangers and Blacktown City FC strode onto the Popondetta Park turf looking to take the spoils in this derby contest.
The first chance of the game fell to the visitors. Jenny Hughes found some space between the lines and fired off a shot which went wide of the mark.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers responded with the opening goal of the game. Holly Pender steamed down the left before her cross found the head of Hitomi Maeda to make it 1-0 in the 9th minute.
The hosts looked then to double their advantage from a set piece. Olivia Truong stepped up for the free kick and fired it right at Blacktown City FC custodian Kiara Rochaix.
The Town Rangers continued to pile up the chances. Anicka Castaneda shot straight on her return to the side while striker Rita Boateng poked wide from another superb cross.
Pender again was involved in Mt Druitt’s second goal. She threaded through the pass for Boateng who finished well to make it 2-0 for the hosts in the 26th minute.
Blacktown City FC looked to respond immediately but Hughes’ header went wide of the mark as the visitors searched for a route back in the game.
Boateng showed why she is one of the most potent strikers in League One Women’s with Mt Druitt Town Rangers third goal. She latched onto an errant pass and slotted home for 3-0.
Blacktown City FC finished the half on a high. Hughes brought the ball down well and volleyed home in the 40thminute to make it 3-1.
Coming out of the break, Mt Druitt Town Rangers looked to add to their advantage. Castandeda had a pair of chances flash wide then Maeda forced Rochaix into another save.
It was a superb performance from Blacktown City FC’s custodian. Rochaix pulled off some superb saves in the second half to keep it at 3-1 including a few against Boateng.
Blacktown City FC had some chances of their own in the second half. Emma Ingerson went for a long drive then Ingerson had another effort fly wide.
The moment of the second half came from a substitution. Defender Zineta De Beer was given a standing ovation from the crowd as she left the field for the last time for Mt Druitt Town Rangers after her service to the club.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers were able to hold off the late charge from Blacktown City FC and took home a valuable three points.
Post match, Mt Druitt Town Rangers coach Neil Ross reflected on the win for his side and the farewell for Zineta De Beer:
“I was very happy with that game. We dominated the game and gave Zineta a good send off alongside solid returns for Anicka Castenada and Holly Williams in a win. Zineta went through the hard times for us last year and she has become a valuable friend and player.” said Ross.
For Blacktown City FC ‘keeper Kiara Rochaix, she reflected on a game which got away from side in the first half before an even second half:
“The game got away from us in the first half, they were clinical while we were lazy in defence. We picked it up in the second half but we need to reset and look towards the last few games. They have some quality up top but we battled hard to keep it 0-0 in the second half.” said Rochaix.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 6 August 2023
Popondetta Park, Emerton
Referee: Lachlan Rafidi
Assistant Referees: William Lyon & Brendan O’Shea
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 3 (Maeda ‘9, Boateng ‘25, ‘34)
Blacktown City FC 1 (Hughes ‘40)
Mt Druitt Town Rangers: 1. Bronwyn Jarvis, 2. Holly Williams, 4. Breony Webb, 5. Zineta De Beer (17. Tasmyn Hill ‘73), 7. Rita Boateng, 9. Holly Pender (12. Hannah Plaatjes ‘82), 11. Hitomi Maeda, 19. Makayla Crouch (35. Wendy Gao ‘73), 30. Olivia Truong, 33. Angelina Warton, 40. Anicka Castenada
Unused subs: 6. Grace Chambers, 8. Kerilee Coote, 50. Cassidy Chambers
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Blacktown City FC: 1. Kiara Rochaix, 2. Ainsley Byrne, 4. Rachel Chalhoub (17. Nicola Ciccio ‘56), 6. Danielle Keller (9. Alyse-May McCutcheon ‘56), 7. Claire Szymoniczek (39. Chanelle Tabone ‘67), 8. Ella Morris, 11. Jenny Hughes, 12. Ashley Limnios (26. Samantha Cole ‘88), 15. Yasmin Aloisio, 16. Olivia de Pourbaix, 19. Emma Ingerson
Unused subs: 20. Anna Ivanovic
Yellow cards: de Pourbaix ‘16, Aloisio ‘23
Red cards: nil
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)