UNSW FC Hold Firm to Maintain Dream Start to Season
UNSW FC’s near-perfect start to the NPL Women’s NSW season rolled on in impressive fashion on Sunday evening, as they edged out the Gladesville Ravens 1–0 at The Village Green in a high-quality Match of the Round contest.
Once again, it was the in-form Chloe Smith who proved decisive, scoring her fourth goal in just three games to maintain UNSW FC’s place at the top end of the table and set up a mouth-watering top-of-the-table showdown with APIA Leichhardt next week.
From the opening minutes, UNSW FC looked sharp, confident, and composed in possession. Early attempts from distance signalled their intent, with Smith herself testing the Ravens’ defensive structure, narrowly missing the target as the home side settled into rhythm.
Their passing game quickly began to take control, as UNSW consistently played through the Ravens’ press with fluid combinations and intelligent movement.
The breakthrough arrived in the 15th minute, and it was a goal that summed up UNSW’s attacking quality. Poppy Channing threaded a precise pass through the lines to Demi Koulizakis, who delivered a perfectly weighted low cross into the box. Smith arrived at just the right moment to finish clinically, sweeping the ball past Kent to give the hosts a deserved lead.
The Ravens gradually worked their way into the contest and produced a strong response just before the half-hour mark. Gisella Pipino latched onto a loose ball and unleashed a powerful left-footed strike, only to be denied by a superb fingertip save from Erin Nayler, who pushed the effort over the bar.
From the resulting corner, Gladesville nearly equalised. Laura Murtagh found herself in a dangerous position at the back post, but Aya Yamahata produced a vital goal-line clearance to keep UNSW ahead in a key defensive moment.
UNSW responded immediately with more attacking pressure. Koulizakis again tested Kent from range, while moments later UNSW should have doubled their advantage, with Milan Hammond and Angelique Hristodoulou both involved in a chaotic passage that the Ravens defence somehow survived.
The second half continued in a similar pattern, with both sides creating chances in a more open contest.
The Ravens struck first after the break, with Murtagh once again finding space at the back post, only to be denied by Nayler. The rebound fell kindly, but the chance was blazed into the side netting.
UNSW quickly reasserted themselves, with Smith again at the heart of the action, forcing another save from Kent as she looked to add to her tally.
Midway through the half, Hristodoulou delivered a dangerous cross from the right, picking out Georgia Plessas, whose first-time strike was well held by Kent.
Pipino continued to look the most dangerous outlet for the Ravens, showing excellent footwork to create space for another effort, but it lacked the power to seriously trouble Nayler.
With ten minutes remaining, Gladesville pushed hard for an equaliser. Miku Sunaga drove down the right flank and cut the ball back for veteran striker Leena Khamis, who was unable to generate enough power on her effort, with Yamahata once again stepping in to clear a goal-bound attempt—her second crucial intervention of the night.
From that point on, UNSW showed their maturity and game management, shutting down space, controlling possession, and denying the Ravens any further clear opportunities to close out another statement victory.
In the end, it was a performance built on discipline, defensive resilience, and the clinical edge of their in-form striker—hallmarks of a side firmly establishing themselves as early-season contenders.
Match Stats
UNSW FC: 1 (Smith 15’)
Gladesville Ravens: 0
Sunday 19 April
The Village Green
UNSW FC: 1. Nayler, 5. Puxty, 6. Yamahata, 7. Channing, 8. Koulizakis, 9. Moreno (13. Singh), 10. Smith, 16. Casachia, 17. Hristodoulou, 18. Plessas, 24. Hammond (21. Kokoris).
Substitutes not used: 14. Burton, 29.Naccari, 77. Naumovski, 99. Vais.
Yellow Cards: Casachia
Red Cards: Nil
Gladesville Ravens: 18. Kent, 4. Allen, 6. Pipino, 8. Halls (3. Daczko), 10. McNulty (17. Shannon), 1. Roberts, 12. Scamardella, 14. Kilbride, 19. Khamis, 36. Murtagh (13. Buccini), 39. Sunaga.
Substitutes not used: 7. Villa, 21. Sproule, 4. Levy, 44. Ewer.
Yellow Cards: Scamardella
Red Cards: Nil
-By Nikola Pozder
