Following recent wind and rain, the weather gods smiled on players for the semi finals with near perfect conditions at Wollongong PCYC. With both games going into extra time and penalties, spectators were treated to a great day of football.

Wollongong Olympic vs Thirroul (Full time 6-7 penalties)

This was an entertaining game with opportunities falling to both teams in the first half. Olympic’s best opportunity fell to Tierra Humby who was unable to make the most of a one on one with the keeper. The best chance for Thirroul fell just before half time and they were only denied by a great save by the Olympic keeper then the cross bar in the resulting corner. Thirroul appeared to finish the half in the ascendency and only for Olympic’s scrambling defence and good goalkeeping, may have been in the lead.

Olympic started the second half very strongly with good chances continuing to fall to Tierra Humby following good lead up work by Emi Skopal.

Mid way through the half, the Olympic’s scrambling defence was called on again  when their keeper misjudged her clearance kick outside the 18yard box resulting in  the ball going straight up in the air, and the next attempted clearance going backwards behind the stranded keeper and towards goal. The ball was eventually cleared off the goal line to the relief of Olympic and the amusement of many spectators.

Dispite this scare Olympic took the lead not long after with their number 2 first rounding a defender and slotting the ball past the keeper and into the back of the net.

Just when it looked like Olympic had the game sewn up Thirroul managed to send the match to extra time scoring almost on full time.

With neither team being able to break the deadlock during extra time, the game was eventually decided by penalties Thirroul 7 – Olympic 6.

Albion Park vs Tarrawanna (Full time 4-3 penalties)

This was always going to be a great match up between 2 very competitive outfits both familiar with each other’s play.

Tarrawanna seemed to settle into the game more quickly leadingwith a well worked corner leading to an early goal care of Brittany Ring.

Albion Park were fortunate to not go 2 goals behind when Tarrawanna were awarded but unable to convert a penalty awarded mid way through the half.

As Albion Park began to settle into the game they picked up the tempo and were applying pressure to the Tarra defence. Tarra on the other hand alway looked dangerous on the break.

The pressure payed off for Albion Park who were eventually able to equalise and take this game also into extra time.

Both teams approached extra time full of intent epitomised by a heavy clash between Leah Carlon and Shakiah Tunguai early on. With the deadlock unable to be broken the decision was made through penalties with Albion Park eventually winning 4-3.

The shoot out was temporarily disrupted when the linesman Hayden Johnson collapsed and an ambulance was called. From all at the women’s competition we wish Hayden a speedy recovery and return to duties.

Helensburgh vs Kiama (Div 3) (Fulltime 4-2)

Two  really well worked goals, one through a well taken free kick and the other through a great break, saw Helensburgh leading 2 nil midway through the half.

Kiama managed to score one back about five minutes later through their numer 16.

Good chances fell to both teams during the remainder of the half, one a free kick to Helensbrugh which was punched high and scrambled off the line by the Kiama defence. Meanwhile a free kick awarded to Kiama jst outside the box saw them claw back another goal and go into half time down 2 goals to 3.

Despite their best efforts and enthusiastic cheering from the sideline Kiama were unable to even up the scoreboard and some good work by Helensburgh required some equally good saves by the Helensburgh keeper but eventially led to cnceding another goal.

Congratulations should go to Kiama who didn’t once let their head down and whether it was the support from the sideline or or a tiring opposition, put in probably their best passage during the last 5-10 minutes of the game and keeping us on the edge of our seats u til the end.

Fernhill vs Unanderra (Division 2) (Fulltime 2-0)

Early indications were that this was going to be a fast and entertaining game and spectators certainly weren't disappointed.

The game turned into a fairly physical affair with Unanderra having the better of the chances in the first 30 mins. Fernhill fans were disappointed when their best chance, a well taken free kick  around the 30^th  minute seemed destined for goal but ended up sailing over the crossbar. Unanderra had several opportunities in the early stanzas but were unable to convert.
Whilst both teams were playing with great intent and purpose, Unanderra seemed to be playing with better structure and organisation meanwhile Fernhill were relying on  scrambling defence and quick breaks.

With the score nil all at half time, both teams had early chances in the second half through corners and free kicks. While it was the Fernhill goalie who was busy in the first half it was the Unanderra keeper getting into the action in the second and needing to make some good saves.

Unanderras hopes were dashed when Fernhill were awarded a penalty approximately mid way through the second half and while their keeper made a good effort getting her body to the ball she was unable to stop it going in.

Unfortunately for Unanderra they seemed to drop their heads a little after this allowing Fernhill some ascendancy and a great goal to Fernhill’s number 12 saw the final score Fenhill 2 Unanderra nil.

Fernhill’s victory was marred by an injury to their number 4, lets hope the injury is not as serious as it looked. 

Sandy Depers

Women's Reporter