Match of the Round: UNSW FC vs Blacktown City FC
UNSW FC celebrated their Premiership with a 4-0 win over Blacktown City FC at The Village Green on Sunday afternoon.
The students had four different goal scorers in the game which had a celebratory atmosphere after being crowned on Saturday afternoon. Marcella Santos scored from the spot to make it 1-0 at the break then Taylor Galea, Hayley Marshall and Margaux Montegut rounded off the display in the second half.
Blacktown City FC battled hard in what has been a tough but improving campaign for the side in their second year of League One Women’s. Their best chances fell to Jenny Hughes and Rachel Chalhoub in either half.
Both UNSW FC and Blacktown City FC entered The Village Green pitch on a celebratory afternoon for the hosts and with both sides looking to end the season on a high.
The first shot of the game was for the students. Marcella Santos wriggled free from her marker and fired a shot straight at Blacktown City FC keeper Kiara Rochaix.
Blacktown City FC had a chance to respond from the set piece. Rachel Chalhoub floated in a free kick which had to be claimed bravely by UNSW FC keeper Tiahna Robertson.
UNSW FC kept piling on the pressure looking for the opener. Sarah Ferris had a header saved then Hannah Beard’s snapshot went right to Rochaix.
Santos then had a pair of chances to put UNSW FC ahead. Her header from Cassandra Christopher’s cross fizzed wide then her shot went right to Rochaix.
The hosts eventually found the opener in the 40th minute. Santos was fouled in the box and the striker dusted herself off to rocket it home for 1-0 for UNSW FC.
Beard almost doubled the delight for UNSW FC before the break. She glided past defenders before hammering her effort into the side netting.
Coming out of the break, UNSW FC felt just fine. Amanda Levaskevich almost prodded the ball past Rochaix but her effort went straight.
UNSW FC made it 2-0 soon enough. Taylor Galea had the ball break to her and she fired home to make it double delight for the students in the 53rd minute.
Before the celebrations had died down, UNSW FC made it 3-0. A slick move for the students which saw Hayley Marshall tuck the ball home in the 54th minute.
UNSW FC were in party mode and looked to put icing on the cake. They had a series of corners which were sent in dangerously but dealt with by Blacktown City FC.
The students felt like they were in a woodworking class with hitting the woodwork three times in succession. Substitute Hannah Charak hit the post while Margaux Montegut and Hayley Marshall hit the crossbar.
Blacktown City FC tried until the final whistle. Their top scorer Jenny Hughes used her body well to evade the defender and hit one at Robertson.
UNSW FC added a fourth in the 87th minute. Montegut was fouled inside the box and earned the penalty. She dusted herself off to slot it home to make it 4-0.
Speaking post-match, UNSW FC coach Guillermo Rubio was delighted with the effort from the club after their hard work all season:
“We knew we had the job done but wanted to finish it off properly. Four different scorers, it has been a great season for us in both grades. I think it was deserved and we were pushed hard by Mariners throughout the season. I remember when I arrived, we have converted the team since then and proud of the girls commitment.” said Rubio.
For Blacktown City FC coach David O’Keefe, he reflected on the season from his young squad and what needs to be improved for 2024:
“I think it was expected this result. I thought we were competitive in the first half but in the second half they punished us. I don’t think we worked hard enough in the game. We were more competitive this season, played better football and were only outclassed a few times including today. Our main thing was not scoring goals but we’re looking to fix that next year. The whole club is trending in the right direction after the first two years.” said O’Keefe.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 3 September 2023
The Village Green
Referee: Ivica Covic
Assistant Referees: Simon Burchett & Laureano Villarreol
UNSW FC 4 (Santos ‘40, Galea ‘53, Marshall ‘54, Montegut ‘87)
Blacktown City FC 0
UNSW FC: 1. Tiahna Robertson, 2. Sarah Ferris (35. Alessia Dal Pane ‘64), 7. Amanda Levaskevich, 9. Hayley Marshall (6. Miranda Summersby-Mitchell ‘58), 11. Marcella Santos (10. Hannah Charak ‘45), 14. Jess Mullins, 16. Rachelle Wang, 20. Cassandra Christopher, 22. Hannah Beard (34. Isabella Stinizani ‘73), 30. Taylor Galea (40. Stephanie Tour ‘64), 33. Margaux Montegut
Unused subs: 21. Akala Howell
Yellow cards: Levaskevich ‘40
Red cards: nil
Blacktown City FC: 1. Kiara Rochaix, 2. Ainsley Byrne, 3. Ashleigh Bax (5. Lexy Thorpe ‘70), 4. Rachel Chalhoub (38. Olivia Moar ‘70), 7. Claire Szymoniczek (6. Danielle Keller ‘30), 9. Alyse-May McCutcheon (15. Yasmin Aloisio ‘56), 11. Jenny Hughes, 12. Ashley Limnios (17. Nicola Ciocca ‘56), 16. Olivia De Pourbaix, 19. Emma Ingerson, 26. Samantha Cole
Unused subs: 20. Anna Ivanovic
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)