Tasmania’s Women’s Super League was put on hold this weekend for the Statewide Cup quarter-finals. Beyond 90 takes you through all the action.
University v South Hobart
University 1 (Clare Farrell 74′) South Hobart 3 (Niki Moutsatsos 23′, Pishon Choi 24′, Elaine Fader 66′) at Olinda Grove.
Cup competitions have odd twists sometimes. University may be having a dreadful first season in the WSL but they found themselves against the vibrant South Hobart. The Bees earned their passage to the quarters by defeating Taroona FC 3-0 in the Round of 16. South Hobart was given a bye during the Round of 16 draw.
University’s Amber Johnstone (left) and South Hobart’s Pishon Choi. Photo credit: Walter Pless
Just on the 20 minute mark, Moutsatsos and Choi both got on the board in quick succession to give South the 2-0 half-time buffer. Fader made it three with her second half goal but there was a possible resurgence from Uni’s Farrell who scored off a corner ball.
Referee Claire Green watches as South Hobart’s Lucy Roberts and University’s Michelle Tadros vie for possession. Photo credit: Walter Pless
That proved to be the final meaningful action of the day.
Clarence Zebras v Northern Rangers
Clarence Zebras 5 (Rachel Gill 10′, Bronte Gadon 20′, Isabella Ferrier 46′ 81′, Allie Berry 68′) Northern Rangers 1 (Moana Chamberlain 76′) at Wentworth Park
The Zebras strike force of Zoe Nichols (left) and Allie Berry (7) is proving to be dominant this season. Photo credit: Tanner Coad
WSL title leaders Clarence Zebras are flying at the moment with three wins in seven days, including the big scalp of Olympia Warriors. Northern Rangers on the other hand are sitting third in the Northern Championship.
Nevertheless, the Zebras were victorious with four individual scorers in Gill, Gadon and Berry, while Ferrier finished the day with a tidy brace.
“We went into the match feeling very positive after our mid-week win against Olympia,” Ferrier said.
“A few of us were still feeling a bit tired and sore from that match so Chris started with three of our Southern Championship players. Rangers were tough competitors restricting us to two goals in the first half.
“Three changes were made at half time and we managed some good passages of play in the second half resulting in three more goals. Rangers were able to hit back later with a terrific goal from Moana Chamberlin. We still have a lot to work on but the playing group were happy to get the win with no injuries after an intense week of football.”
Kingborough Lions v Riverside Olympic
Kingborough Lions 8 (Laura Davis 4′ 36′ 45′ 83′ 86′, Amy Ollington 44′, Holly Bonertz-Benn 60′, OG 77′) Riverside Olympic 0 at Lightwood Park
Amy Ollington, Laura Davis and Kate Bonertz-Benn celebrate pictured back in R1. Photo credit: Molly Appleton
Kingborough passed the Round of 16 challenge of Somerset Sharks with a 7-0 thrashing. Riverside had a tougher game with a 5-3 win over Metro FC in their knockout clash.
It’s safe to say that Kingborough has not had the campaign they would have hoped for this year. With a solitary win in six games and second last place to show for it, the roar from the Lions has been missed. You could put it down to having youth, but look what South Hobart have done with theirs? Surely there is something in the works or something we lie in wait for.
Riverside on the other hand, are sitting fifth (mid-table) in the Northern Championship. Speaking of mid-table, that’s where Meg Connolly is placed on the NC golden boot tally with six scalps.
Despite Connolly starting, Riverside had no answers for the Laura Davis show. Davis opened her account in the early moments after she got onto a long ball which sailed over the Northern side’s defence. Davis hit true on the volley with a near-perfect shot into the bottom corner past Riverside keeper Madeline Davies.
Davis made it two when she took on all comers from Riverside’s defence with ease before finishing coolly past the keeper.
Amy Ollington chimed in with a fantastic shot from long range, low and driven from just outside the box, that Davies got a hand on but couldn’t keep out.
Davis completed her hat trick before the break when she broke down Riverside’s offside trap and finished well.
Holly Bonertz-Benn started the second half score fest with a lovely goal inside the penalty box. Things turned from bad to worse with Davis’s efforts deflecting for an unfortunate own goal.
Christabelle Moore sent in a great through ball for Davis who was able to finish her fourth, if you don’t mind. Davis then notched her fifth in style. After a free kick drifted into the box, Davis shot for home but the first effort was cleared, only as far as Davis for a rebounded goal.
Kingborough stuck to their tag line of ‘a cup team’ today and will make their way to the semis while Riverside will bow out with their tails between their legs.
Olympia Warriors v Beachside
Olympia Warriors 7 (Leah Gubb 27′, Olivia Bomford 47′, Bonnie Davies 49′ 62′, Inocent Michael 53, Madi Chambers 75′, Charlotte Chambers 81′) Beachside 0 (Red card Josi Gargioni 17’)
Olympia’s Maddie Black (background) walks back to her position while Heather Russell (13) Bonnie Davies (9) and Olivia Bomford (10) discuss tactics. Pictured back in July. Photo credit: Tanner Coad
Olympia came into this match still coming to terms with their narrow loss to Zebras in midweek. Warriors earned their spot in the quarter-finals draw after a 4-0 win over Ulverstone back in July, while Beachside earned the second bye through to the quarters.
Olympia’s Hannah Johnson blocks Beachside’s Isabel Carter. Photo credit: Walter Pless
Beachside couldn’t have started their underdog tagline any worse. Gargioni made a deliberate handball infringement inside the penalty box in the early stages. Olympia’s Olivia Bomford stepped up but keeper Amy Coward palmed away and kept the clean sheet momentarily.
Olympia’s Charlotte Chambers goes for goal. Photo credit : Walter Pless
Leah Gubb was able to gift the Warriors the 1-0 buffer right before half-time but the best from Olympia was yet to come. Olivia Bomford and Davies both scored in quick succession to make the scores 3-0 with still under half an hour to play.
Olivia Bomford in Beachside traffic. Photo credit: Walter Pless
Minutes after that, Inocent Michael also chimed in for a goal. Davies finished with a tidy brace at the 65th minute.
Beyond 90 spoke to Olympia coach Alistair Russell after the match.
“Satisfied with the win today,” Russell said.
“Away trips are never easy and we came into this thinking it would be no different but we stuck to our strengths and came home with a semi-final position.”
Beyond 90 also spoke to Olivia Bomford after the game.
“We’re happy to move on to the semi finals,” Bomford said.
“It was a challenge to play against Beachside who sat very deep and defended well. It gave us a chance to figure out how to break down a defensive structure like that.
“It took us a while to adjust but we started to create some good chances and score some good team goals.
“We’ve got some things to work on in training but we’re heading into this week’s game full of confidence and we look forward to the semis.”
Olivia Bomford scores against Beachside. Photo credit: Walter Pless
The Women’s Statewide Cup semi-finals draw will take place later this month while the WSL will return this weekend.
- South Hobart v Ulverstone
- University v Kingborough
- Clarence Zebras v Olympia Warriors
