Match of the Round
Byron Bay FC 1-3 Lake Cathie FC
Lake Cathie started their title defence with a bang on Saturday night, securing a 3-1 victory over newcomers Byron Bay FC at Coffs Coast Synthetics.
The reigning champions wasted no time asserting themselves, striking early to set the tone for the contest.
Rangers’ Asha Paff threaded a well-timed pass into the path of captain Olivia Mara, who used her pace to surge past Byron Bay FC’s backline before calmly finding the net in the 13th minute.
The two sides continued to battle before half-time but neither side were able to score another as the score remained 1-0.
But Lake Cathie needed just two minutes into the second half to extend its lead, as a near-identical passage of play saw Mara once again find the back of the net and push the scoreline to 2-0.
A third goal was on the cards for the Rangers when Evie Bobilak whipped in a corner that sailed over a sea of players and found teammate Chelsea Hall.
Hall rose above the crowd to power a header into the back of the net in the 59th minute.
Byron Bay clawed a goal back through a moment of individual brilliance from Ruby Smith.
Picking up the ball near halfway, Smith weaved her way through the Lake Cathie defence, driving toward the top right edge of the penalty area before chipping the ball over goalkeeper Finlay Harry in the 67th minute.
Byron Bay attempted to find another but were unable to as the score remained 3-1.
Byron Bay will have the bye in round two but will hope to bounce back over the June long weekend in a crucial round three clash against Urunga FC, a must-win match as they aim to stay in finals contention.
Lake Cathie will continue their title defence in round two when they go head-to-head with Urunga FC before they have the bye in round three.
Coffs City United 1-0 Tamworth FC
Coffs City United started their second season in the UNE NNSW Regional Super League with a bang when they downed Tamworth FC 1-0 at Coffs Coast Synthetics on Saturday.
It was an end-to-end contest from the opening whistle as both sides pressed for an early advantage.
A fast start was crucial with only two matches scheduled in the UNE NNSW RSL Women’s Premier League regular season.
But despite the pressure of the must-win encounter, neither side was able to break the deadlock before half-time, as disciplined defending and wayward finishing kept the scoreboard untouched.
Both sides entered the second half firing as they hunted for a goal.
The breakthrough finally came for Coffs City in the 63rd minute. Alexis Silvy chased down the ball to the top right corner of the penalty area and delivered a sharp cross into the 18-yard area.
Lily Mackay had a chance on target but was denied by Tamworth goalkeeper Kirby Fox.
But a determined Alexandra Gadd followed the play, collected the deflection and calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net to give Coffs City the lead.
Tamworth was determined to claw one back and walk away with a point but ran out of time as the score remained 1-0 when the final whistle blew.
Coffs City will look to build on its strong start when they face competition newcomers Alstonville FC at Crawford Park in round two.
Meanwhile Tamworth FC will have the bye in round two but will not be sidelined for long. With round three scheduled just two days later over the June long weekend, Tamworth will quickly return to action when it hosts Alstonville at Gipps Street Sporting Fields.