There’s been movement at the top of the table with Leichhardt Saints A surging into top spot after the Mother’s Day fixtures in the Grace Martin Trophy.
Words by Liam Cook
Meanwhile in the Bill Brackenbury Cup, Enfield handed APIA Leichhardt their first defeat of the season.
Grace Martin Trophy
Balmain DFC A 1-0 Balmain DFC B
The Balmain derby proved a tight and entertaining affair in front of enthralled mums in the crowd.
Elise Crimmins continued her stunning form with the lone score of the afternoon for Balmain A midway through the second half.
Both sides peppered the goals throughout but stingy defence and a refusal to let big or little sister get through to the net ensured attacking opportunities were few and far between.
Cooks River Titans 4-6 Marrickville Red Devils A
Comprised of 12 mums and two grandmothers, Cooks River Titans took the competition right up to Marrickville on Mother’s Day.
Four goals, including three in the first half to Melissa Irwin, Alexandra Molnar, and Belinda Michalk, proved the Titan’s tactical nous as they led 3-2 at halftime.
Although Lyndel Sardelic scored early in the second stanza, a brilliant hat-trick for Marrickville’s Natash Caldrmoska and a late Mariana Braga penalty ultimately separated the two sides in the Devils’ favour.
Leichhardt Saints A 2-2 Concord JSC
Sunday afternoon on Mother's Day at Balmain Road was sunny and pleasant. The field was firm and the grass short with the characteristic slope from South to North which favoured Leichhardt in the first half.
Leichhardt had the best of play throughout most of the first half. They won a number of corners and delivered the balls perfectly to the top of the six-yard box. Towards to end of the half they converted a chance to open the scoring through Lucia Gonzalez.
The second half of play saw Concord beginning to control the ball better, however Leichardt took a 2-0 lead 15 minutes in and looked to be in control after Sophie Lewis scored off a through ball.
However, with only 10 minutes remaining a free kick was awarded 10 metres outside of the penalty box. Alana Angelis converted this with a long range shot into the top right corner giving the keeper no chance.
This breathed life into the contest with Concord lifting and pressing the defensive numbers Leichardt had behind the ball. Mieka Figg made a penetrating run into the box and was taken down by a Leichardt defender leaving the referee no choice but to point to the penalty spot.
Isadora Sabbouh confidently converted to make it 2-2.
For those mothers who were in attendance it was a gripping game which was in the balance right up to the last kick.
LFC Sports 0-4 Strathfield FC
Strathfield put in a comprehensive first half performance against LFC Sports to move into third position in the Grace Martin Trophy.
Sarah Tsoumbris scored the first after receiving the ball just outside the box from a Rachelle Sotirio lay-off and placing it perfectly in the top corner in the fifth minute of play.
It didn’t take long for Strathfield to strike again with Beren Gungor producing from outside the box.
Isabella Azzopardi was rewarded with a goal of her own after setting up countless opportunities for teammates. A quality combination play in the midfield, Saunders-Gungor-Sotirio-Azzopardi, ensured the latter’s goal.
A Gungor double just prior to half-time made it 4-0, and LFC Sport’s competitive second half showing kept the scoreline stagnate for the rest of the contest.
Russell Lea Women’s SC 1-4 Leichhardt Saints B
Jasmine Sargeant has taken her 2023 goal scoring tally to 15 from five outings after her side’s win over Russell Lea .
Incredibly scoring four times in this match, Sargeant starred in a team that gave Russell Lea very little time on the ball and remained assured defensively.
Bridget Harrington was Russell Lea’s lone scorer in the 64th minute while the Saints had more chances of their own, hitting the post three times in the second half.
Hurlstone Park Wanderers 3-0 Marrickville Red Devils B
Marrickville forfeited their match against Hurlstone Park Wanderers.
Bill Brackenbury Cup
Balmain DFC 4-1 Marrickville Red Devils
An Aaron Nordstrom clinic guided Balmain to their third Bill Brackenbury Cup victory for the season.
Nordstrom secured a hat-trick within half an hour of playing time.
Two came just prior to the main interval and with his third 18 minutes into the second half, Marrickville had no answer for Nordstrom.
Ryan Chomphunut also got in on the act with the game’s sealer while Marrickville put some respect on the scoreboard with a late Jarret Rigg goal.
Enfield Rovers 4-2 APIA Leichhardt JFC
A stunning start helped Enfield dish out APIA’s first loss of the season.
The hottest of hot starts came in the opening minute when Cory Sharma whipped over an excellent cross which saw Gabriel Ghajar tap in at the far post.
A mix up in APIA’s defence allowed Anthony Foti to pounce on a loose ball which he chipped past the keeper from 18 yards out for Enfield’s second in seven minutes.
Dominic Di Mento added more pain for APIA with a second half double, his volley goal stemming from a Ghajar cross.
APIA gained two late consolation prizes through Raphael Pulera and Furkan Rendeci.
Strathfield FC 3-0 LFC Sports
LFC Sports forfeited their second match in a row, this time against Strathfield FC.
Image credit: Photographed With Love
