UNSW FC snatch hard fought point at Gladesville

Two stoppage time goals in either half helped UNSW FC rescue a point at Christie Park against the Gladesville Ravens on Sunday night in the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW match of the round.

It was the Ravens that hit the front via Lexie Moreno just before the half hour mark but UNSW responded with an equaliser in the final moments of the first half through Sonali Singh.

Moreno then had her second and the Ravens back on track, only for UNSW to strike back again, Substitute Allira toby lobbing the keeper to make it 2-2 in the 90th minute.

UNSW started the game better and held possession, coming close with an effort from Demi Koulizakis that went just wide.

Again, the visitors went close, this time Ange Hristodoulou was centimetres away from opening the scoring, blasting an effort toward goal from the edge of the area, the crossbar saving debutant 17-year-old goalkeeper Molly Ewer.

Against the run of play, the home side hit the front.

Kiara Bonora made an excellent sliding challenge in midfield, the ball falling to Moreno who sprayed it wide, Alysa Ng Saad then reacting well before playing the ball back for Moreno who buried her left footed effort into the bottom right corner of the goal.

Koulizakis was in the mood and almost had an equaliser shortly after, letting fly from just outside the area, the ball inches from the top corner.

Ng Saad was creating problems down the right wing and almost had her second assist, her cross just too high for Patty Charalambous.

As the teams were set to go into the break with the home side in front, UNSW struck deep in first half stoppage time.

A Koulizakis corner was flicked on by Singh at the near post and somehow got beyond Ewer after coming off the crossbar.

As the second half started, the Ravens almost went straight back in the lead, Akala Howell’s clearance fell into the path of Isabella Edwards but the striker rushed her effort and it was easily saved by the UNSW keeper.

At the other end, Koulizakis continued to go close, again shooting just off target.

Kim Davey then came to the Ravens rescue, Hristodoulou’s effort toward goal beat Ewer but not the defender who cleared the shot off the line.

UNSW’s attacks kept coming, Koulizakis provider again with a fine ball into the box, Marcella Santos’ header going so close to the creeping into the far post.

Santos showed some fine skill, hit an effort toward goal from an acute angle, only for the ball to come off the bar once more.

From the home side’s next attack, they were back in front.

Moreno lined up a free kick from a difficult angle but it didn’t affect her, curling it beyond Howell and into the back of the net.

With time running out, the Ravens should have secured all three points.

Annie Daczko made an excellent run down the right wing before delivering a delightful cross into the area for Edwards who should have scored, volleying wide of the target from inside the six-yard-box.

It seemed as though the points were safe for the Ravens, only for substitute Allira Toby to have other ideas.

The UNSW captain took advantage of a long throw by Koulizakis, before spotting Ewer off her line and with a cheeky lob, found the side netting to expertly secure a point for the Students.

Charalambous had one final chance to steal the points for the Ravens, not taking advantage of a ball played through in stoppage time.

Match Stats

Gladesville Ravens 2 (Moreno 27’, 47’)

UNSW 2 (Singh 45+4’, Toby 90’)

Sunday, 4 May

Christie Park

Gladesville Ravens: 44. Ewer, 3. Daczko, 6. Davey, 8. Halls, 10. Moreno (21. Roberts), 11. Charalambous, 13. Buccini, 23. Allen, 25. Bonora (42. Levy), 27. Ng Saad, 51. Edwards (17. Shannon).

Substitutes Not Used: 18. Kent, 19. Sproule, 24. Channing.

Yellow Cards: Daczko, Charalambous.

Red Cards: Nil

UNSW: 31. Howell, 4. Yamahata, 6. Evetts, 8. Koulizakis, 10. Smith, 11. Santos (9 Petkovski), 13. Singh (12. Toby), 15. Mostaghimi, 15. Casacchia (56. Limon), 17. Hristodoulou, 18. Plessas (3. Montenegro).

Substitutes Not Used: 1. Grimbilos, 23. Dal Pane.

Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Cards: Nil

-By Nikola Pozder