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DeRo, London, Darby Hold Off Strong Pressure While Hamilton Sinks Oakville

By League1 Ontario staff, 06/30/19, 1:15PM EDT

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(Photo: Kevin Raposo Photography)


(Photo: Martin Bazyl Photography)


(Photo: Martin Bazyl Photography)

De Ro, London and Darby held off strong pressure from opponents' Woodbridge, FC Oshawa and Aurora FC on Matchweek 9, while the win of the weekend was a vastly entertaining 3-2 result for Hamilton United Elite over Oakville Blue Devils - the top women's side entering the matchweek.

Find match briefs, full match video and a selection of high-res photography from match action below!  


(Photo: Kevin Raposo Photography)

Chantelle Parker (72') scored the only goal of the game just seconds after coming off the bench to give all three points to 10-woman DeRo United FC against Woodbridge Strikers.

Woodbridge dominated the first half but couldn't open up the opponent's defence; the only real scare of this half took place on 23 minutes when Cathryn Rogers tried to score directly from a corner kick and DeRo keeper Alyse Patinios parried it out.

DeRo took a different approach for the second half; instead of sitting back and defending, they pushed forward - keeping Woodbridge on their toes.

On 55 minutes, the visitors could have taken the lead through Keyosha Donkor but her header on a cross from the left was denied by Woodbridge keeper Zeeyana Jivraj.

Despite going down to ten players as Megan McKye got her second yellow and was sent off (59'), DeRo kept the momentum and deservedly found a breakthrough.

At the 72nd minute, Chantelle Parker, just seconds after coming off the bench, ran on to a through ball and beat the keeper in a one-on-one situation with a precise low finish. The assist was provided by halftime substitute Vital Kats.

After the goal, Woodbridge pushed forward even more but DeRo not only did not let them create any chance, but also caused them problems in counter-attacks.

It was Woodbridge's second consecutive defeat and ended DeRo's run of five winless matches as they got only one point from their last five games.

Woodbridge Strikers will next play Oakville Blue Devils on July 7 (1:45 p.m) at Vaughan Grove 1, Woodbridge. 

DeRo United FC will next play Alliance United FC on July 6 (5:00 p.m) at L'Amoreaux #1, Toronto.

(Mahdi Ghaffaribarzi)


(Photo: Martin Bazyl Photography)

Home side, FC London, defeated FC Oshawa 1-0 on Friday night, the win arriving courtesy of a lone goal from Jade Kovacevic (51') and a clean sheet from keeper Emily Gillet.

Play in the first half was relatively evenly balanced, with neither team having any quality opportunities in the first 20 minutes.

In the 21st minute, FC Oshawa nearly had a goal after the ball deflected off a FC London defender. However, the ball went just wide of the post and was cleared away. In the 28th minute,  FC London nearly broke the tie as a chip shot from Kovacevic drifted just over the net.

The game remained scoreless after the first half following a brilliant breakaway save from Gillet in the 34th minute.

Early in the second half, FC London was able to break the tie through their captain Kovacevic (51’). A cross from a London midfielder was directed straight to Kovacevic from FC Oshawa's keeper. Kovacevic's initial shot was saved by the keeper but she was able to bury it on the rebound. This amounted to Kovacevic's 14th goal of the season.

FC Oshawa were not able to get a chance to tie it back up as the match was called in the 88th minute due to lightning, leaving the score at 1-0 in favour of FC London.

FC London's key players were Kovacevic, who scored the winning goal, and Angelika Mihalopulos, who created chances for FC London.

FC Oshawa's key player was Couthino who was able to distribute the ball extremely well for her players.

FC Oshawa will next play Darby FC at Clarington Field on July 5 (8 p.m.).   

FC London will next play Durham United at Kinsmen Park on July 7 (2 p.m.).

(Kristina Brooks)


(Photo: Martin Bazyl Photography)

Darby FC defeated Aurora FC 1-0 on Friday night, and stole a win from the visitors, who had outplayed the hosts for a majority of the match.

For the first few minutes of the match both teams seemed eager to maintain possession of the ball. But once the game settled, it was all Aurora FC.

The visitor's intricate combinations and excellent passing proved to be too much for Darby, who themselves seemed a little out of rhythm for most of the game.

Aurora midfielder Uddenberg's clever touches and her ability to find pockets of space allowed her to dictate the flow of the game. In addition, captain/defender Ruffolo's ability to read the play and be composed under pressure gave her side the freedom they needed to attack.

In the first half, Aurora seemed focused on getting crosses into the penalty area and were successful in doing so, but were unable to capitalize. Darby came out in the second half with a lot more urgency.

Against the run of play, Darby found themselves in the Aurora penalty area and let go a flurry of shots against the Aurora defence, who did well to contain, but eventually Hipkin’s (59') strike would find the back of the net to give Darby the 1-0 lead.

The game settled back to what it was in the first half, however this time Darby seemed content to let Aurora have possession and would try to hold off their attacks for the rest of the match.

Aurora would have a few more chances, but were still unable to convert and Darby would eventually take all three points from the visitors.

Darby FC will next play FC Oshawa on July 5 (8 p.m.) at Clarington Fields.

Aurora FC will next play Unionville Milliken SC on July 6 (7 p.m.) at Stewart Burnett Park, Aurora.

(Robin Chawla)


(Photo: Martin Bazyl Photography)

The hosts, Hamilton United Elite, shocked league leaders Oakville Blue Devils after a strong team performance at Ron Joyce Stadium, beating the visitors 3-2 after a riveting contest.

Two goals from Hamilton's Lauren DiPietro (21', 47') led her team to victory after being behind in the first half.

Mahira Ali (18') converted a penalty kick after an early handball was called. Hamilton responded only three minutes later when Lauren DiPietro crossed the ball and it skipped right by an attacker and the goalkeeper and into the net for the equalizer.

During injury time in the first half, Paige Epp (45') picked up the ball outside the opposing box and struck a beautiful shot off the post and into the net, beating Oakville goalkeeper Eliza Lapadula.

Immediately after the half-time break Hamilton were at it again, this time DiPietro finishing a pass from Angela Cutaia and completing a well worked play for the hosts.

Oakville pressed for the remainder of the half, and Leanne Forker (87') was able to pull one back after a corner was poorly cleared and fell to her.

Hamilton were able to hold onto the lead after several fantastic stops by goalkeeper Alana Rossi, who did everything but stand on her head to get her team the result. 

The win marks Hamilton's second win of the season, while Oakville suffer only their second loss of the campaign.

Hamilton United Elite will next play North Mississauga SC on July 5 (7:45 p.m.) at Paramount Fine Foods Centre, Mississauga. 

Oakville Blue Devils will next play Woodbridge Strikers on July 7 (1:45 p.m.) at Vaughan Grove, Woodbridge.

(Lucas Lucchetta)